New Bike
 

So, I won a new bike last night at a party:

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...75923897_n.jpg

I've been looking to get a bike for a while, but it occurred to me that I know next to nothing about them. This one is fixed gear, but that's about all know. Do any of you bike experts have any recommendations? I know that I need to go buy a helmet and a lock, but beyond that I'm clueless.

Are you wanting to ride on trails or just on paved roads/paths? What are you looking to spend? If road riding is all you're looking to do the bike in your pic should suffice if you dont mind single-speeds. I prefer them personally. I'd get a water bottle/cage and maybe a saddle bag with a multi-tool in it along with an extra tube too. Also one of these to keep in it http://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Innova...3&keywords=c02

Uhhhmm buy a camel pack.

Yeah this if you plan on riding long distance. Otherwise a water bottle/cage should be fine.

That fixed gear takes some mad skills to ride. Not to mention a powerful motor to ride all terrain with a single gear. I'd trade it for a road bike or trail bike.

Then, get yourself some spandex britches to avoid chaffing if you are going to ride more than a few miles at a time.

Just took it out for a short spin, and I have a few observations.

1. I am dumb and this is not a fixie, just a single-speed bike. I could have the back wheel spun around to make it a fixie if I wanted to, though.
2. After riding for no more than 10 or 15 minutes, I realized that my ass will lose circulation and fall off unless I replace the seat with a softer one.
3. It's completely obvious once I was on the bike that I needed something to carry my stuff (like many of you suggested). I didn't bring either my wallet or my phone, because I didn't really think that they'd stay in my pockets.

Thanks for the advice so far!

Camel packs also have small storage spaces. I put my phone and keys in the storage space in mine. Works perfectly.

The first thing I would do is throw that single gear bastard away and get a real bike. If you do any riding other than flat pavement for short distances, you're going to hate that bike and never gain an appreciation for biking.

I'd give it a few rides before you run out to replace the saddle. Much like mattresses, softer does not always equal better. After your backside gets a chance to adapt a bit, you might find the current saddle to be adequate. A softer saddle comes with its own issues, such as increased likelihood for chafing and potentially increasing pressure on the perineum.

Pretty much how I feel.

However, I knew a guy that raced with a single speed and finished in the top 3 every time. (mtn bike races) He was pudgy and didn't look athletic at all. Bastard had lungs and legs of a race horse. If he got bored, he and his wife would enter races on a tandem mtn bike and finish in the top 5 every time.

This is an accurate representation of my opinion on this subject. Fixies are useless unless you live somewhere where there aren't any hills.

I've gotten into biking. Nothing serious, just for exercise around town on the pavement. I was wondering if anyone could suggest a good bike around 500 bucks or less.

Yeah but his legs will be jacked after awhile.

Assuming he can actually ride it more than walks it.