Dear Cyrus:
 CC> I am looking for tips on buying a bike.  Things like what to look 
 CC> for, how it fits, what style, brands, and everything else would be 
 CC> helpful.
Your best bet would be:
1.  Find a bike shop you like and trust that gives good service.
2.  Check a bookstore for a good beginner bike book.
3.  Check your local library's back issue section for the March (?) issue 
of Bicycling magazine.  That issue is their new bikes issue and has a lot 
of info, tips and other stuff you should know.
 CC> I am 41 and in need of some shaping up .  I hate the word 
 CC> excersize and I love two wheeling (motorcycles.)  So a bike is the 
 CC> right idea.  I will mostly ride pavement and light trails (walking 
 CC> trails).  Comfort is a big plus.  Money is not really my first 
 CC> criteria although something in the 250-400 range would be 
 CC> appropriate for my budget.
I'm in the sort of the same position.  I ride mostly for exercise and 
bought a "cross" bike (aka "hybrid") a few years ago.  They're sort of 
halfway between a road bike and a mountain bike.  The frames look like 
road bike frames but the gear range is more like a MTB and they have MTB 
style straight handlebars.  They have tires designed mostly for road use, 
not the knobby ones on MTBs.  
Road bikes are fast on the road but arenot great off-road.  MTBs are great 
off-road but on-road riding is slower and not as comfortable (knobby tires 
take more energy to push).  Cross bikes are sort of in the middle.  They 
don't work off-road very well and they are slower than road bikes on 
pavement.  OTOH, if you are only out for exercise and to see the scenery, 
who needs speed?  The MTB gears mean there are few hills you can't climb.
  
 CC> Thanks for any help you can offer.
You're welcome.  Remember:  no matter what kind of bike you buy, get a 
good helmet to go with it.  Bikes can be replaced; brain cells can't.
Tailwinds to you,
Steve
... "The Time Traveller's Club meeting has been postponed to last week..."
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