Personally, I prefer mountain bikes. They take a lot of abuse before buying the farm, and being able to shift gears makes it so much easier to get started. I got my Schwinn at the Schwinn bike shop over 23 years ago. I've had to replace the rims, tubes, and tires, and the Schwinn shop has rebuilt the derailleurs and crankcase a few times over the years, but the bike is still going and I can still get parts for it. The bike cost a couple hundred to start with, but it was worth it- the rear of the frame was welded solidly rather than stamped. Back then I weighed under 200lbs, and the bikes with the stamped frames kept breaking apart at the stamping. I'm now almost 300lbs, and the welded Schwinn frame can still handle the load.

Even if you don't want to buy a bike at the local bike shop, you might talk to them about the durability of whatever bikes you are looking at; see if the shops can get the major parts to fix it up when it wears out. If the bike has shock absorbers, ask how long they will last.

Just my two cents worth from 30+ years of bikes, hope it can be of some help.

I'm not a biker but what is your opinion of the hybrids? I used to own one as the area I lived in was pretty flat.

Im not completely sure what a hybrid is lol. My knowledge of bikes is a bit limited so far.

I had not even thought about how the frame is put together, very good points thank you. Im just a little shy about spending too much yet I know you in the long run tend to get what you pay for.

maybe an old persons 3 wheeler

Well I guess I could get you a gift ::grin:: but how would I get the bike to you?:>

no I need a hover round!