The Green Girl is still waiting to hear back from The Crossings at the Bay about the Schwinn Men’s Legacy Beach Cruiser. I was told the bike was purchased at Target.
Assuming I can exchange the cruiser for another bike at Target, what kind of bike should I get? I stopped by my local Target to check out their selection. They had hybrid, mountain, and road bikes. Oh, and, of course, cruisers.
I’d like a bike that would ultimately help me prepare to train for a triathlon. Since I haven’t been on a bike since I was in elementary school, I don’t think it’s necessary for me to start off with a high-end model. I live in the city so I’d like something that will be practical for me to ride around when I’m doing errands. Oh, and ideally, it would be easy for a short Green Girl like me to carry up and down several flights of apartment stairs.
Thank you in advance for any guidance you might have for me.
Penny said
ok…if you want to do a tri, don’t get a mountain bike or a hybrid. I have a hybrid and love it-so don’t get me wrong, but riding a tri on a hybrid against people on road bikes is a big joke! It’s a big disadvantage.
Now….i’m thinking of getting slick tires on my hybrid before I buy a road bike for my next tri…..you could always do that and then you’d have a heavier duty bike…
Sorry not much help.
lil 1/2 pint said
What is the disadvantage to riding a hybrid against people on road bikes? I’m trying to reseach this and I’m getting really confused.
Are you saying my best bet is to get a road bike?
Rene said
I just got a Giant Avail 3 for my triathlon training and long rides. I love it! At Pacific Bicycles they fitted it perfectly to my petite size. There is nothing like a light bike that fits you like a glove. I have two other Giants that I use for commuting and mountain biking. Giant appeals to me because they make women’s frames and are affordable. I have used a hybrid for long rides and riding up hills and it is a lot more work to get up. The advantage of the road bikes is lightness and speed.
labadger said
I have a mountain bike for commuting close to home, errands, as well as to and from work. Just a basic Trek mountain bike with big stubby tires. This is the bike I did my first Tri with…. and to be honest, if you do a local sprint triathlon, many women do their first with a hybrid or mountain bike. It does not pay to get a fancy slick road bike if you realize (after one race) you don’t like triathons.
I have my racer – and got that after my first race, before the second. At this point I realized I was ready to pursue Tri’s to the next level.
However, knowing that you want a bike for commuting, errands, and possibly a tri – I’d stick with a hybrid. Just my opinion. Plus, if you do a tri and love it, you can find PHENOMENAL deals at the end of the season, on Craigslist. People selling their “old” racers so they can get the latest and greatest.
Good luck whatever you decide!
lil 1/2 pint said
Rene, thanks for the advice. Sounds like a road bike is the way to go. The lighter, the better, especially when I have to carry it up and down the stairs here at my apartment.
LA Badger, that’s cool that you have two different bikes you can choose from, depending on your needs. I think I should start off with something simple and inexpensive and then, like you said, in the future I could find myself a “real” racing bike.
My main thing right now is that I don’t want to spend a lot of money on a bike. That’s why I was so focused on trying to find something at Target that might almost fit my needs. Not that I’ve heard back from them yet. I am really hoping I can get the receipt. If I can’t, I’ll just sell it and see how much I can get for it. Whatever I get, I’ll apply those funds to a new bike.
doublemeep said
I’m pretty fond of Marin. R.E.I. carries them. I’ve never had a problem with mine.
The Green Girl Bicycle Fund « The Journey of a Running Green Girl… said
[...] Green Girl has some good news. I bartered the Schwinn Men’s Legacy Beach Cruiser to my personal trainer in exchange for three training sessions. Since he charges $50 a session and [...]