this post was submitted on 14 Jul 2025
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Bicycles

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Where to start? What bike? (lemmy.cafe)
submitted 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) by axEl7fB5@lemmy.cafe to c/bicycles@lemmy.ca
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Where do I start with cycling? I come from a running background and I recently started cycling due to an injury. My longest rides as of now are 15 miles in 1.5 hours. I hope to cycle a century in a few months or so. But I've only been using a random bike that I've inherited.

What bike should I buy? My budget is 600 - 800$ and I only bike on road and flat surfaces. I have no idea on what brands or what parts are good. Should I get fitted at a bike shop? Should I build my own one?

Also, is overtraining a thing in biking? In the running world, injuries are pretty easy to get if you increase mileage too quickly but I'm not sure if this applies to biking aswell. Is there some sort of program that builds you up to ride for longer similar to Couch to 5K (C25K)?

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[–] simbico@lemmy.zip 10 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (2 children)

I'd suggest a used road bike. In that price range a bike with an aluminium frame from the 2010s should be easy to find.

If you can buy a refurbished one from your local bike shop with some warranty that'd be the safest.

If you are not comfortable with drop bars my next suggestion would be a fitness/trekking bike, without any suspension.

Size fitting is important, check out any calculator what size would work for you.
Also you have to find well fitting contact points, especially when you start to go on longer rides: a comfortable saddle (harder is better in the long run), good grips/bar tape and pedals + shoes (clipless pedals later on perhaps)

As for training I don't think you can overdo it within sensible limits, your ass will hurt before that:).
You can check out interval training for building up stamina

[–] axEl7fB5@lemmy.cafe 2 points 3 days ago (1 children)

What about getting a new bike in that price range?

[–] simbico@lemmy.zip 2 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

The new bikes at this price are usually specced with pretty basic components, that are prone to break way too soon.
Getting an older model that has higher end components is a better deal imo

[–] axEl7fB5@lemmy.cafe 2 points 4 days ago (1 children)

I haven't tried drop bars yet but when I was cycling with flat bars, my wrists were a bit sore at the end/

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 5 points 4 days ago

It might just take some getting used to. More likely you're not on a properly fitted bike and have too much weight on your hands.