The bike I have is a Raleigh.

It is a mountain bike ...but nothing real fancy.
It was the first bike I've ever had with hand breaks and gears. Real easy to get used to.

I bought a "Fat Butt" seat...lol..it is really comfortable.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bike

Clare, your post is timed perfectly. I was planning to post something similar.
I don't think you would be satisfied with a 20" bike. Maybe a 24" girl's bike would be better. I borrowed one from a co-worker a couple of years ago to see if I would be interested in getting one. I decided I did want one, but wanted to wait til I was retired so I would have some time. I'm now retired and I'm ready to ride. The one I borrowed was a really old one. It didn't have any gears and for no more than I want it for that would be fine for me, but I would not object to having one with gears. I just don't want anything expensive or complicated. I plan to go to some pawn shops and thrift shops to see what they have to offer.

I hope Moni can give us some insight when she sees this post, but she's been a serious rider so long she may not have a suggestion for beginners. Hopefully someone will.

Linda

Patti. I went to the link you gave. Did you order your seat from them or did you find it somewhere else?
Linda

I am 5'5 and use a regular size womans bike. Both DD's are about 5'1 and the 24" is perfect for them. Yes, you most likely will need either a gel cushion cover for the seat or a wider softer seat. Target has assembled bikes. Go there and check which size seems best ( this way you will know the size but you don't have to get it there-although I got a Huffy from there years ago and I LOVE it!)-you don't have to ride it-just sit on the seat and see how well your feet reach the ground. DS is 9 and has the 20"-unless you are extremely short, its too small. Don't forget a helmet!! They are much more comfortable now compared to when bike helmets first came out on the market.

I bought my bike and my seat at a local bike shop.
TrueWheel bike shop.

patti

The bike shop fits you to the size you need...I'm sure your bike shops would do the same thing.

patti

A good bike shop should be able to help you. My husband bought a very nice bike for my mom when she was in her fifties. She didn't want a mountain bike or a typical road bike. She wanted what I guess would be a touring bike. She sits upright, not hunched over. She had a cushy seat, and the gears were easy to work. She loved that bike.

A good bike shop should be able to advise you and fit you. The fit is very important.

Good luck!

Sitting on a bike in Target does NOT get you a bike that fits. It will get you a bike, that is heavy, and most likely to small. Cause if your feet can touch the ground just fine, while you are on the seat, then the bike is to small for you.

Really!

Now, for bikes, well, why don't you mosey over to craigslist.org, and look for a nice low cost (under $50.00) and about the size you hope you need. I am 5 foot 4 1/2 inches tall, with an inseam of 31 inches. My bikes are 54 and 53 cm bikes. Bikes from a bike shop are usually sized in cm.

Ride it for a bit.

you will find out, if you like the style, the size, and the way it shifts.

You will also find out, if you REALLY like riding a bike.

Then go to a bike shop, and get yourself a "real" bike. No matter what kind, road, mountain, hybrid (would be my choice for a beginner) or even a recumbent or a trike.

At least, if you ride the low budget, lol, aka cheap bike first, you know it will be worth the expense for a good bike.

Moni

The only thing that concerns me about my bike is that when I stop riding, I can just barely put balls of my feet on the ground. I don't know if that is as it should be or not, but I think I'd feel better if I could put more of my foot on the ground--maybe not flat, but more than I can. The seat is in the lowest position. Hope you get a bike. I only ride in the summer, but it's really nice to get out early on a summer evening and tool around the neighborhood!

As others have said, go to a bike shop or even two to get some suggestions and proper fit. This is my bike, a Giant. I sit pretty upright when I ride. I ride early mornings or evenings when there isn't much traffic.

{{!gwi}}

I don't have advice on the kind or size of bike to get but I encourage you to get one. I'm 54 and somewhat "fluffy" and I have ridden bikes all my life and love it. I don't have one of those fancy big seats either, I just use the one that came on my bike.

Wow! Thanks for all the responses and advice. I have been looking at Craigslist for the reasons Moni suggested. And I have looked at both recumbents and trikes online. I like the trike because it seems more balanced as in hard to fall over, but can't ride them around here; too many big hills. And don't know if it would fit in my car to haul down to the flat areas. I know I should go to a bike shop, by myself without DH's good intentions. Though I must admit I do feel pressured when I am in one, like I have to buy something. LOL

socks12345 - Nice bike. And like you I like my feet on the ground too.

Thanks everyone.
Clare

Socks, nice looking bike.

But, really, you should get off the seat, and then while standing on the pedals, put one foot down, while the other is in the lowest position the pedals can be in.

Most cyclists put their right foot down.

I guess, I should take some pictures of me on my bikes?

I only have four. LOL

Moni

I bought my current bike 14 years ago at a bike shop. I love it. I rode it year round in CA but here in Iowa I only ride when the weather is good. I have a woman's mountain bike that is light weight.

Oh, Socks, I forgot to add: The reason for putting the seat higher, is the better pedaling position. The lower your seat is, the harder it is to pedal. Makes for very sore thighs.

Moni

oklamoni - Maybe I should go for a lower seat - I need the thigh workout! LOL. Yes, show us your bikes!
Clare

Clare, when you go in a bike shop, tell them up front that you are not ready to buy yet, just doing research to see what is available, what you like, getting their advice. That way you won't feel obligated if someone takes time with you. If you find a bike that interests you, surely they will have an area where you can try it out. My bike shop has an alley behind it. If they don't seem to want to take time with you under those circumstances, then that's a red flag that you don't want to buy from them. Ask for the store's card when you leave, and maybe you really even will buy from them. OBTW--I'm quite a bit older than you and still enjoy riding.

Moni, thanks for the tips on riding. I enjoyed the shots of your recent bike trip. I'll practice lifting up from the seat, then putting the rt. foot down. Sounds safer than what I'm doing, balancing on my toes. I don't think I'd want to put the seat any higher though.

Here are pictures of my bikes. My most ridden bike is the silver one. I got it when I moved to the hilly Tahlequah area.

The red one was my fav before.

The purple one is my touring bike

the blue one is my $40.00 bucks bike from craigslist. I have not adjusted the seat yet. So far, my daughter is the one riding it, to go to the grocery store.

Here is a link that might be useful: Moni's bikes

Moni - You are looking good! It must be all that bike riding. I know it keeps DH in shape since he had to give up running. And love all the shots of your bikes. I haven't ridden a boys/mens bike since I was a kid and borrowed my bigger brother's bike. It was way too big for me and had a nasty experience with the bar, if you get my drift. I am going to look for something on Craigslist then when I get my "bike legs" look for something better in the future.

Thanks again everyone!
Clare

Clare, I don't consider my bikes "boys" bikes. I think of them as "my" bikes. :)

The bar makes it easier to transport them on a rack on the back of your car.

It also makes the frame sturdier.

Good luck with the bike hunt.

Moni