What type/brand of bicycle should I get to ride around Boston, MA?

Azucar

You should be looking at a hybrid bike. It's light frame, road gearing, upright sitting position, and wider smooth road tires will provide you a safe, fast, and comfortable ride. It will perform well on street, road, trail, path.... pavement, dirt, gravel, paves, event light off road! The multi gears will allow you to ride in almost all terrains that you will come into contact with ... the only exception is heavy off road (mountain bike) riding.

The bikes will come in various frame sizes in each model you look at. Stay away from discount retail stores. Go to a local bike shop to be fitted, to look at, and to demo. You should but a Trek, Specialized, Cannondale, or Giant ... or some other name brand manufacturer.

There is an art to riding. So look up on the net the proper way of pedaling... called 'spinning' .... yes, the same as they teach in 'spin class'. Be sure to get a helmet and padded cycling shorts, either road or mtn shorts, and a wicking jersey!

Soccerref

You don't want a mountain bike. The suspension is weight and complication that you don't need and the noise from the knobby tires will drive you nuts. A true racing bike is too expensive, too fragile, and too stealable. If you don't want it to get stolen, you need what we call a "beater" bike.

Go to your local bike shop and have them show you a hybrid. Learn from the people there what size bike fits you. Learn what a properly fitted bike feels like.

Hybrids are more upright than racing bikes. That helps for comfort. The tires are slightly bigger which will be smoother on Boston's pothole streets and will flat less often. You can put racks on the bike to carry stuff. You are much better off hanging weight on the bike than on your body in a back pack.

Then, get on craigslist and see what you can find in your local area for a used hybrid. You want a bike that is mechanically sound but looks "beaten" if you don't want the bike stolen. Test ride the bike. Make sure it works and that it fits. It would be great if the seatpost has a quick release so you can extract the post and the saddle when you lock the bike up outdoors.

Don't feel bad about going to a bike shop and not buying the bike there. You will be back to buy tires, tubes, and other accessories. I've heard they make more money off that stuff than they do from the bikes. First, and most important, go back there and buy a helmet. Boston drivers are a very special breed (I was one!) and have aggression deep in their DNA. If you don't believe me, go to the corner of Commonwealth Ave and Harvard St and watch what happens when a light turns green. You don't want your brains to be the topping on a street pizza in the North End. Buy a really good lock. Even better, buy two and use them both.

Good luck in Boston. It's a fun city. Do the Charles River ride on the Paul Dudley White bike path from the Science Museum in Cambridge up to the Harvard Stadium and then back down the Boston side. It's a great ride.

HTH

Visit the local bike shops and look at commuter bikes or hybrids. You want to get the correct size frame and the shop can help you with that.

http://bicyclebills.net/

http://www.google.com/#hl=en&source=hp&q=boston+bi...

Diamondback Nitrus 24 BMX Bike (24-Inch Wheels)

Specifications:

* Geometry: 73-degree head tube, 71-degree seat tube, 20.25-inch top tube, and 15.75-inch chain stay

* Frame: 6061 heat-treated aluminum with downtube fillet gusset, machined head tube

* Fork: Chromoly steerer with Hi-Ten steel legs

* Headset: FSA 1-1/8-inch threadless

* Handlebar: 2-piece Hi-Ten steel, 24 inches wide x 6-inch rise

* Grips: DB Icon with flange, plastic bar end caps

* Stem: DB Reactor

* Brakes: Tektro linear

* Brake levers: Tektro

* Cranks: 175mm tubular chromoly 3-piece with 8-spline BB axle

* Sprocket: 41t alloy

* BB: Loose ball with 8-spline 19mm axle

* Pedals: DB Sound alloy with traction pins, chromoly axle

* Rims: 36H aluminum, 30mm wide

* Hubs: 36H aluminum shell with 3/8-inch axle (front and rear)

* Chain: KMC Z411, 1/2 x 1/8

* Freewheel: 16t freewheel

* Tires: Comp III style 24 x 1.85

* Spokes: 14g, black

* Seat: DB BMX padded

* Seatpost: 26.8mm alloy micro adjust

* Extras: Owner's manual

http://www.amazon.com/Diamondback-Nitrus-Bike-24-I...