Choosing a bicycle

The first step would be to go on a tour to your local bicycles dealers and take some notes. Look at their professional level and customer service. Remember you will need to go back there for maintenance after you buy your bike. Get an impression of what the dealers have to offer and ask them why they offer this to you. Write down the brands, models and prices they have to offer in your price range. You can also ask to take bikes for a test ride outside the shop, a professional shop should have no problem with this.

You are probably looking for an entry level hard tail (no rear suspension) bike from a known manufacturer (e.g. Trek, Specialized, Giant, Kona and dozen of others).

After you get a list of what your local dealers have to offer in your price range, go back home and check the internet for the specific models and brands. Mountain Bikes Reviews is a great site to read about riders’ opinions of bikes (and equipment).

Once you narrowed the list to 2-3 bikes, go back to the shop, negotiate the best price (maybe they will offer some equipment with the deal, like helmet, gloves, etc). Take the bikes to a ride again if unsure and note what feels most comfortable for you. There is really no best choice, only what feels best to ride on for you. Make sure that when you take the bike for a ride, the dealer gives you the right size and the seat is in the right height.

About the size, not all sizes created equal and this depends on the individual model. 6 feet is roughly around “Large” frame size, maybe “Medium” on some models. The only way to know for sure is measure in the shop. A professional dealer will know how to fit the right size for you, and explain how he does it.

Happy trails.

Hybrid bikes are great for city rides but are only good for flat unpaved roads.

The main thing that differs hybrid bike from a regular hardtail (hardtail = mountain bike without rear suspension) is their geometry which places the rider in a more upright position keeping his/her  back straight.

You can get a used or new hardtail and with a few changes convert it's geometry, it's easy and not expensive:

• Change it's stem (connects the handlebar to the stirer) to a higher one.
• Change the handlebar to a riser handle bar
• Replace the tires with something slicker and narrow - faster rolling tires.
• You might also want a better saddle (:

As for your frame size it chages from brand to brand, I'd say it's something between L and XL. 

That should be it, enjoy your ride.

If you think you will be doing equal road and off-road cycling then your best option is to go for mountain bikes. But if you plan on mostly trending the roads and going off-road only rarely then I would recommend settling for  simple road bikes. I own a road bike and take it off-road once in a while without much riding problems. But they can get uncomfortable for larger trials. As for the size, there are no hard and fast rules. Best way is to check the bike out for yourself in the shop.

As for hybrid bikes I would personally not recommend them. Hybrids make very uncomfortable rides. I don't know if it's just me. Another issue with hybrids as you already mentioned is the price range. They are too expensive for the benefits they offer. So why waste money on them when you can get great bikes at very affordable rates?