I Need A Bike For Town Rides And Occasional Cross-country Rides. What Kind Of Bike Should I Buy?

First of all will u want to b riding off paved paths? I ask this because a mountain bike is still great for everyday street riding but a 10 speed type bike is not suitable for trails. A bike is a pretty durable thing. They unless very horribly abused last many many years. Some basics that "I" might look for are if the brakes work properly, the rims aren't bent or bent too badly, any squeaks or rubbing noises, if all of the gears work smoothly, and the tires. They tell all. If the tires are really cracked and look like they have been submersed in water it is because they have. Well not exactly but they have or more directly THE BIKE HAS been outside in the weather for a while. None of what I listed is not easily remidied either. If the rim is bent, it can be easily straightened by tightening the spokes. Basic lubrication will remedy squeaks etc. While pedalling around on your test ride just check these thing out. Also, are you comfotzble on it? The seat and handlebars are adjustable to suit your needs. Make sure that you can stand comfortably above the bike, and restart as if at a light. If you are unfamiliar with maintaining a bike then any bicycle shop can give it a once over for you at a reasonable price. I would even be willing to walk you through some problems if needed, with how to fix whats wrong. Finally, everyone has an asking price and a price they will settle for...really. Try this...if they are asking say 100.00 then AFTER your test ride, LOOK THEM IN THE EYE(important) and tell them I will give you 85.00 or whatever number you offer. 9 times out of 10 they will come down with a countered offer if not accept your first! It works. You have to look them in the eye though because It will instill confidence in your offer.Good luck.

Wow, the other guy on here posted a terrible answer.  The best type of bike is an offroad hybrid such as the gary fisher utopia.  It is quick and nimble enough to be ridden on any paved path or road, yet because of the suspension and frame geometry, it would also work for light offroad use, such as a dirt or gravel road or even some milder full-on mountain bike trails.  Go to your local bike shop and ask their advice.  

also, when you go to a bike shop, don't expect to have the price brought down through negotiation unless it is an older model or cosmetically damaged.  Most shops give you good discounts on accessories and free service with the purchase of a bicycle, though.  A great time to catch good deals on brand new bikes is late summer / early fall.  That is when bicycle manufacturers release their new lineup usually, and the 'old' models go on sale really fast.  Good luck!

Hi Rajul , You need at Least a 20 Speed Bicycle + it must Not be made from Steel , instead buy one that is made from Aluminum , [ Titanium or Carbon - Fibre ] , etc , it must have No Shock Absorbers on it Any where , Every Bike Company or Brand Name of Bicycle has its Cheapest Bike , which is Always a No Shock Absorber Model , it must be the Women's Bike Frame , it must be a Mountain Bike , they Usually have the Good Wide Cushiony Knobby Tires , the seat must be a Road Bike Seat not a BMX Seat , and the Seat must be Narrow , Not a lot of Cushion or Slant to it , Should be Level [ Flat on top , from the Back to the Front ] , it should have Sticky + Soft RUBBER Grips . Dont be afraid to Play around with Regular Tools + your Bike , or dont be afraid to get Nosey with Bike Shops for the right tools , those people wont Bite . I have a Sort of Addiction to Bicycling in the City , and Would Compare Bicycling to ,  Insects walking around and not getting Stepped On , its Really the same as Flying Airplanes , you could Probably , Develop what i call Chameleon Vision , the Car never sees you , you can never Hear or see the Car , for example at Night , i turn my head then my Eye and take a Snapshot of the Black " Pallette " , and if i make a after Move , take another Snapshot , thinking in 3 Dimensions , has anything Changed , that kind of thing , Driving on Cement , you dont get a Flat tire , Driving on Trails , you do get a Flat tire .