Bicycle Recommendations

[HardcoreRobot]

Well, its starting to get warmer and I want to get a bike.

I expect to use it mostly on roads/sidewalks, but also occasionally some rougher terrain like dirt/gravel paths. I know for sure I don't want a road bike, but since I will be commuting a little on it I dont know if I want a full blown mountain bike either. Is there anything in between?

I haven't biked much since I was a kid, so I am pretty much a noob and I don't really need anything hardcore or super-expensive, just something of decent quality that is not likely to break and will last a while. Sometimes I will be leaving it in a public area, so thats another reason I dont want to invest a whole lot of money.

I will need to get a bike, helmet and lock (anything else?), and would like to keep it around 200-400. Any recommendations for the other pieces are appreciated as well.

I am just trying to get a feel for good brands/prices for I am looking for so I can start making some decisions.

Thanks for any input!

 

[tranceport]

Trek.

 

[CraigRT]

yeah you can get a hybrid bike with medium tires and front suspension only.. that's what i'd recommend.

just check out a shop nearby, brands don't really matter all that much as long as the shop backs them.

componentry is what you are most interested in. although for that range it should be all pretty similar stuff.

 

[Blieb]

Specialized!!!

 

[broon]

You said you wanted a decent bike that will last a while. Do some investigating online...you will need to spend more than $400 for that. Look at Trek and Felt.

 

[Koing]

Get a bike with front suspension only. DO NOT spend on a full setup unless your going to spend big £££ as otherwise it won't be worth it.

Get some nice thinner tyres on it from the get go. It will make A BIG DIFFERENCE on the commuting. Oil and lubriate the chains, gears etc every so often also. Make sure the tyre are up to pressure also. Makes hills much easier.

I got a Cannondale Bad Boy 02 bike. Love it as I went from a really iffy banged up bike for years to this . Rides like a dream compared to what I had!

Go to a bike shop and ask them. Get a decent brand with some decent equipment.

Someone else will come in here and be able to offer specific models to you.

Koing

 

[tranceport]

Do NOT buy a walmart bike. You will NOT be happy.

 

[luckysnafu]

bikeforums.net lots of good info here

in the road cycling forum they have a thread for under $700 bikes
i know you want to keep it under $400, but there is a lot of good info in that thread even if you dont spend more than 400.

also go to your local bike shop and ask them, they should be very helpful.

good luck, i just started commuting to work last week and its great

 

[FrustratedUser]

Originally posted by: tranceport
Do NOT buy a walmart bike. You will NOT be happy.

QFT

 

[Armitage]

Originally posted by: FrustratedUser

Originally posted by: tranceport
Do NOT buy a walmart bike. You will NOT be happy.

QFT

Seconded.
Also, I wouldn't spend the money on front suspension for what you're describing (dirt/gravel paths). That money will come from somewhere - particularly at that price range. Get a better bike without suspension, rather then a crappier bike with crappy suspension.

 

[sao123]

Bicycle Recommendations

Rider Back Jumbo Index Playing Cards

 

[mjrand]

how about a chainless bicycle?

http://www.dynamicbicycles.com/

 

[HardcoreRobot]

Originally posted by: broon
You said you wanted a decent bike that will last a while. Do some investigating online...you will need to spend more than $400 for that. Look at Trek and Felt.

This is the first step of my online investigation Im looking for the honda civic of bicycles . last forever and nothing fancy. If I get really into it, thats when Ill drop the big bucks.

thanks for all the info guys, keep it coming

 

[Schadenfreude]

Originally posted by: mjrand
how about a chainless bicycle?

http://www.dynamicbicycles.com/

This definitely seems cool - from a dork point of view, of course.

Anyhow, what are you doing asking us (relative) bike n00bs when the court jester works (owns) a bike shop?

 

[Fausto]

Go to a bike shop, ask to look at the "hybrids". They'll set you up.

As others have mentioned, do NOT get some noname POS from Wal-Mart. You will be sorry.

 

[HardcoreRobot]

Originally posted by: Jehovah

Originally posted by: mjrand
how about a chainless bicycle?

http://www.dynamicbicycles.com/

This definitely seems cool - from a dork point of view, of course.

Anyhow, what are you doing asking us (relative) bike n00bs when the court jester works (owns) a bike shop?

yeah, im hoping he will drop by this thread and cut me a deal

 

[JulesMaximus]

Go to a few local bike shops and tell them what you are looking for. They should be able to hook you up. Anything by Specialized, Trek, Giant and a few others I'm sure I'm overlooking would be decent.

Avoid places like Costco, Walmart and any other department store bikes. They suck, are heavy, and you cannot replace much on them when they break.

 

[Armitage]

Originally posted by: mjrand
how about a chainless bicycle?

http://www.dynamicbicycles.com/

Looks cool - only 8 gears though. While they claim the gear range is comparable to a chaindrive, your not going to get alot of the intermediate steps that you can get on a chain drive.

 

[notfred]

Here you go

 

[Schadenfreude]

Originally posted by: notfred
Here you go

MSRP's a wee bit over his specifications.

This is what I recently got - most. comfortable. bike. Ever. (look a bit like a dork with the upright position, though)

 

[oboeguy]

Originally posted by: Fausto
Go to a bike shop, ask to look at the "hybrids". They'll set you up.

As others have mentioned, do NOT get some noname POS from Wal-Mart. You will be sorry.

What he said. Plus I second the don't-bother-with-front-suspension idea. Get a better bike instead.

 

[sygyzy]

Trek.

 

[HardcoreRobot]

Originally posted by: Jehovah

Originally posted by: notfred
Here you go

MSRP's a wee bit over his specifications.

This is what I recently got - most. comfortable. bike. Ever. (look a bit like a dork with the upright position, though)

Yeah, that is more than I want to spend, esp as this is my first bike and I dont exactly know for sure how much use I will get out of it.

The bike you listed jehova seems like just what I was looking for. What are the differences btw the others in the Navigator series that correspond to the pricing?

 

[Dessert Tears]

Originally posted by: HardcoreRobot
The bike you listed jehova seems like just what I was looking for. What are the differences btw the others in the Navigator series that correspond to the pricing?

You can see for yourself under "View Detailed Specs." The differences appear to be all in the drivetrain, including wheels. I don't know if the more expensive parts are worth it.

I agree with the other suggestions to avoid suspension if possible, the money is better spent on parts.

 

[cheezmunky]

I recently bought a Gary Fisher Marlin and I know it is more expensive than your specs but the lock-out shocks are WONDERFUL. You use them when you need them and just flip them off when you don't.