A good bicyle to choose?

I really want to get a bicycle to ride around trails for exercise and going around the city, but I'm not sure what sort of bike I should get. I was thinking about something like a beach cruiser, but I'm not sure if cruisers are any good. My budget is somewhere in between 200-300 dollars. Any suggestions?

i have actually been looking for a bike for similar reasons for a while now, so i have done a ton a research and have been to all the lbs within a tweny mile radius. this is what i learned.. the cruiser bikes arent much of an exercise bike, they are more for leisurely rides with the family. if you are looking more of a stroll this would be a good choice, but if you want more of a workout this probably isnt the best choice

what you might be interested in and what i ended up getting is a trek 7.2FX. its more of what they call a fitness bike, but is better for exercise. you'll be able to get a good workout on this bike along with riding around town or on bike trails. what i also looked at and was a similar bike is the Giant FCR3. both bikes are around 400dollars. i actually got a good deal on my 08 trek for 377 dollars.

if you look to get an 07 model you can get a better price and maybe right around 300dollars. ill tell you what everyone told me...you get what you pay for. and even a 400dollar bike is entry level, but is going to hold up and ride a lot better then a bike that is less then that. Good luck on your search:)

Used.

I would reccomend checking out Giant's line of bikes, particularly the Boulder. you didnt clarify if you are male of female, but i would go ahead and suggest

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/bike...

I don't work for Giant, but i know alot of people who are very happy with theirs, just check the net for your local bike dealer and they'll know where to point you!

There are girl-specific bikes at EBAY (www.ebay.com - Sporting goods section) And cruisers are sweet, though a good mt. bike w/ Shimano/SRAM componentry and bargain prices would be your choice.

A cruiser might be OK for your needs. It really depends on a variety of factors.

The type of trails you want to ride, should influence the bike you get. If by trails, you mean paved or, at least, smooth dirt/gravel paths, a cruiser should be OK. On the other hand, if the trails you want to ride have lots of roots, rocks and elevation changes, I would not recommend a cruiser. For rocks, roots, etc. a mountain bike will be better.

Some cruisers have gears, but most cruisers are single speed bikes. If your cycling travels take you up and down hills, I think you'll want gears.

Cruisers are not built for speed. They usually have fat, cushy tires, and a non-aerodynamic riding position. If you want to go fast, a cruiser would not be your first choice.

Because they are made to be ridden in an upright position, cruisers typically have wide, cushy saddles to support your weight. Wide saddles can cause chafing of the insides of your legs, and are not real efficient for pedaling. Plus, on long rides, the upright stance and wide saddle can be pretty uncomfortable.

Mountain and road bikes have narrower saddles which are more efficient for pedaling. A road or mountain bike will be more comfortable on long rides due to better weight distribution. Plus a hard, narrow saddle is actually more comfortable on long rides.

I really suggest you go to your local bike shop and discuss your needs and budget. They should be able to help you get the best bike for you.

Hope this helps you make your decision.