Didn't see this thread 'til now.
I saw one I liked and it had caliper brakes, all kinds of shock absorbers and fancy schmancy gears and super light weight. Cost was $900.
As a cyclist of 20+ years, I do have some input.
You don't need shocks. They are for harsher off-road terrain, and they just add weight to a road cruiser.
I liked everything about it. Got home and the Goddess asked if I was outa my head? A frickin’ bike for $1,000.00……. you gotta be kidding me!
That's entry level stuff. Mine was over $5000.00 My buddy's bike is 10K. Think about what other things you might spend a grand on over the course of a year, this is something that will benefit your health and will be great fun; why cheap out?
I was given instructions by one of the guys at work and another friend to look at K-Marts and Wal-Mart’s for similar bikes that cost far less.
DON'T DO IT!!!
Those bikes are
absolute crap. They are cheap, heavy; are assembled by kids who don't know a dang thing about bikes; will not last long, and most importantly.....will be unpleasant and discouraging to ride- defeating your whole purpose. Buy from a good bike shop.
Point being, there are cruisers, mountain, hybrid and then they’re broken down even further within their own categories…… I’m totally lost.
From what you've said, it sounds like a hybrid would suit you well. Trek makes some good bang-for-the-buck bikes.
At the moment, I don’t intend to do 40 and 50 mile rides. Perhaps on a Saturday or Sunday, I might go for a nice ride, but for the most part, I just want to ride up and down hills around my home without much stress and still get good exercise. Maybe 45 minutes to an hour every other day.
The biggest mistake people make when buying a bike is buying for their
present level of riding. You
will get fitter, likely enjoy it more & more and then want a better sled, so why not buy the bike you're likely going to wind-up with,
now. It will be less expensive in the long run, and you'll love it right away, and it will encourage you to ride more.
Oh…. and I’m not gonna wear those spandexie shorts. I can’t stand that chit.
Gah. Don't let your pseudo-macho insecurities get the better of you. A good pair of cycling shorts will make your experience a
thousand times more enjoyable. The chamois (the padded bit) inside modern shorts are a thing of beauty. The comfort they provide compared to your regular gitch & shorts allows for
much longer rides and no chaffing. Actually, now that I think about it, you can get "baggy" regular-looking shorts that have a chamois in them for cycling; that'll be a good option for you.
A cycling jersey also makes a huge difference, as the material wicks away moisture (sweat) and doesn't hold it like regular clothing. You can get plain ones without all the flashy stuff.
A good pair of gloves is also important.
Always wear a helmet.
Eye glasses.
Water bottle & cage. "Hydrate or die".
If you get into it more, you'll want to get cycling shoes & pedals rather than flat pedals and sneakers. Shimano SPDs would be good enough for your purposes, you won't need "road" shoes & pedals.
everybody. 
, but thanks for the advice.
