Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire What bike?

I used to ride quite a bit, about 10 years ago and it seemed to be a good way for me to get in better shape. After a visit to the doc the other day he informed me my blood pressure is edging up and started talking about medication. I'm not in favor of that at all and it seems getting back into a routine of riding would help with that. So I want to buy a new one. Most of my riding will be on graveled county roads. I'd like to find something in between the walmart stuff and the really high end. Any suggestions?

Since you are already comfortable on a bike this is a good deal other than used off Facebook Marketplace.

https://www.poseidonbike.com/products/x-ambition-dropbar?variant=43990529638628

What’s your target dollar amount? Are you leaning towards a flat bar or drop bar bike? Buying locally or online?

I like that one. Thanks

I'd like to keep it under $600.00 if I can but that's not set in concrete. I think the flat bar would be better. That keeps a person from having to lean over so far, correct? I'd rather buy locally but have no issues with online.

I bought a Trek Marlin 5 about 4 years ago, and have been very happy with it. I've been riding Trek's for the last 20 years.

This place has pretty good value for mail order, if you know what size and what you want. Otherwise you might want to work with a local shop.

https://bikesdirect.com/

Personally for the gravel where I'm at I want a 38mm tire at minimum and a 45mm tire is better. If you have a bike shop near you it would be good to go in and take a look at several models and sit on a few and if you can do a test ride.
How a bike feels depends heavily on body proportions. The internet can give you an idea of what bikes will fit you and be comfortable, but only getting out on one can tell if you it will work for you. I know it took me quite a few miles to figure out what worked for me in terms of fit.

If you don'y mind technology don't overlook stuff like Rouvy or Zwift. Riding Rouvy during the winter helped me with weight and I knocked 10+ minutes off my best time over 21.5ish miles on the first outdoor ride of the year.

Thanks guys. I've heard good things about the Trek bikes.

How many minutes did the 21.5 mile ride take? I have a bike shop about 50 miles away. I'll drop in there.

A flat bar does not necessarily equate to more upright riding. I have ridden some flat bar bikes with very forward leaning ergos. I have several bikes. My flat bar touring bike puts me in a slightly more forward lean than my gravel bike.





You'll want some weight on your hands so that your butt doesn't have to support all of your weight. If you end up going with a flat bar, get some bar ends. They will allow different hand positions which will make for much greater comfort when you start stretching distances out. One of the nice things about drop bars is that they offer a multitude of hand positions. Most riders ride the hoods as shown here most of the time.



Working with a shop is probably the best move since you aren't real sure what you want. You'll probably want a seat with a generous relief channel down the middle. Once you start riding, give yourself time to get conditioned. Sit bone and hand/wrist fatigue can be more limiting than muscular or cardiovascular fatigue.

I think you'll enjoy it. Beyond being great exercise, it's a great mental escape.

Don't necessarily exclude drop bars, which can also be ridden from the bar itself, plus a number of other other positions. I ride a 20 year old Bianchi Volpe cross bike that is superb in most conditions, but I would go with 38mm at a minimum for your needs.

I think that the bike market is going to take a dive after the first of the year. It was overinflated during the Covid years and is thought to be on the brink of a major adjustment.

If you can wait until after Christmas new should start to be cheaper. There are also a couple of reputable mail order businesses that sell used bikes in good condition.


If you get dialed in on a couple of options you should be able to get a good deal. There should also be a good number of people getting rid of impulse buys during Covid.

Get a gravel or cyclocross bike. Specialized, trek, felt, Jamis, giant, cervelo, whatever...

I'd look hard at the fatter tire bikes. Makes riding on gravel much better imo. Definitely watch the used bikes on any number of online and social media sites as mentioned above.

Jim…I’m not a biker and the closest thing I have to spandex are my UnderArmor thermal long Johns but my mountain bike is a Trek and it’s hauled me and dead critters without modifications….I wouldn’t be considered a biking enthusiast at all…..not since I was 12 or so anyway and that was 40 years ago.

Exercise is always a healthy pursuit and I applaud you for looking for alternatives to big Pharma through exercise. I can tell you that in my case I’ve always “burned hot”…in more ways than one but I never realized the marked impact that coffee and nicotine had on my BP. I’m a former firefighter/EMT so I’m not a stranger to basic medicine and I know the effects of untreated long-term hypertension having worked for the Northwest Kidney Foundation but I never realized how much I could control my BP simply by not having caffeine or nicotine.

I’m sitting here with a fresh dip in and a fresh 32oz Yeti full of dark roast…..I’m offsetting it by doing absolutely nothing except holding a recliner down with the dogs in front of the fire. To do anything that requires thought, emotion or physical exertion would be irresponsible….almost suicidal, so I’ll just be responsible for the rest of the day and do absolutely nothing. 😉

Good luck with your quest and I’m sure you’ll succeed. 👍🏼

Thanks for all the ideas, men. I'm learning things about bikes I never knew and glad to be doing so. I intend to go to the bike shop and have a look at what they have there and also start watching for something used. I did a little looking around and see some Treks and others. I'm pretty sure I can find something in the next month.

This blood pressure thing came up after seeing a doctor about what might have been a frozen shoulder or rotator cuff problem. Like always the nurse check my BP and it was running about 140/80. It's almost always high when I'm in a hospital room. I was having quite a bit of pain too and from what I hear that raises it. We've been checking it at home and it's been running lower but not at the 120/70 I'm used to. I hate the thought of not trying to lower this with exercise since everyone I know that has started taking BP medication never get away from it. I'm 62 and currently am not on anything and want to keep it that way.
The shoulder pain is going away and I'm in therapy. Don't have rotator cuff problems or a frozen shoulder. the doc thinks it's a strain of some sort.

As Paul mentioned bike riding is a great mental escape and without going into allot of details I could use some of that

And make sure you are up to date on your medical and life insurance. A buddy had the same idea last year. After the car hit him (basically his fault) his out of pocket was +$14,000 and climbing as he's still going to rehab and now considering a hip replacement - largely due to the fact he's gained so much weight that a little issue is now a big issue. Of course rehab may be on the horizon as well as his pain meds are out and he's "self medicating" to control the pain.

Getting in shape is fun.... and expensive... and potentially life altering.

You must be a lot of fun at a party. 👍

I'm really not. I sit quietly in the corner drinking all their alcohol. Fug people.