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Buying a Bike

todpod

todpod

Golden Member
The wife is talking about getting bike to ride when we go camping. What is a good starting point. I can't spend more then a couple of hundred dollars on this so keep that in mind. I haven't rode a bike in a lot of years. Mainly just use it for riding camping and to work. Thanks Todd
 
Bump because I'm also curious. I'll be in the market for a new bike sometime soon, and the only reason I've ever been given to not buy a $100 Kmart bike is so I don't get "a piece of crap", with no explanation.

Are you looking for a mountain bike that can also serve as a road cruiser? A road cruiser is all I would need, for casual rides with my wife.
 
If you live in or near a large metropolitan area, craigslist is a great way to get a nice bike. My father recently purchased $400-500 bike for only $50.

I'm not a bicyclist myself so I can't really tell you what brands to look for and which to avoid. But if you are okay with doing a transaction through craiglist, you may be able to pick one up for a real bargain.
 
Its gonna be a crusier. Walmart has a 29" 7 speed for $169. I am pretty sold on that. It won't get beat on. Not real close to Pittsburgh so it would have to be somthing ending up close to were I live, which does happen. If I get into riding then I can think of upgrading in a couple of years or so.
 
Every large city has multiple folks who repair and sell used bikes. We're not talking about 1 or 2 bikes, we're talking about guys who have 50 or more. You see their ads in the 'Dandy Dime,' laundromats, community colleges and, bulletin boards everywhere. Most don't use Craigslist but, some do. They're an interesting sort of functional hoarder who like to tinker. They sell basic cruisers, dirt bikes, and commuter bikes. They like to talk and tell you about all the bikes. If you listen, aren't rude and take your time, they'll sell you a bike for the cost of their parts in it. You see, they don't really do it for the money.
 
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Don't get Walmart bike. It will not be put together correctly and will have inferior components.

I've gone that route only to buy another bike later.

I bought my bike from bikesdirect.com and couldn't be happier. It was ~$450 this time last year. http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/windsor_cliff4900.htm

My only complaint are the tires. I had numerous flats and ended up replacing them. I do believe it was caused by not having the tires inflated to 50-60lbs looking back on it though.

I have close to 700 miles on the bike.
 
Bikes found in places like walmart and target are something to shy away from. They are usually built by someone that doesnt know what they are doing (ie. the people that build the grills, also build the bikes) and have inferior parts.

As joutlaw mentioned, bikesdirect.com is a good place. But honestly, best bet is to go around to your LBS (local bike shops) and ask what they can help you out with. A lot of LBS also sell used bikes.
 
The sub $200 Walmart/Costco/etc bikes are miles ahead of what was offered 5 years ago.

In general you need to approach $350 to get much better, and they are.

The real upper entry/hobbyst level for an adequate off-road bike is around $1200 MSRP. $750 is a starting point.

The best way to shop is a last year's model. I picked up my Specialized Rockhopper SL Pro at $750 which was less than half MSRP this way. It was the bike I originally wanted, but wasn't keen on spending so much at the time.
 
The reality of the situation is if I don't buy walmart bike, then there will probably be no bikes. There are 5 of us getting bikes, Me, The wife, 3 kids (ages 6,11,13). There is not enough money to even entertain a $500 bike. If the bikes get used (thats the hope we are going to take them camping with us), then we can upgrade as needed. The to oldest kids have to earn some of the money for the bikes, but most of that is coming from me any how. I haven't ridden a bike in 30 years probably so I may crash and burn and that the end of it, but I hope not. I have lost a lot of weight in the last year and hope this helps to continue that as well as encourage the kids to be more active.
 
todpod said:
The reality of the situation is if I don't buy walmart bike, then there will probably be no bikes. There are 5 of us getting bikes, Me, The wife, 3 kids (ages 6,11,13). There is not enough money to even entertain a $500 bike. If the bikes get used (thats the hope we are going to take them camping with us), then we can upgrade as needed. The to oldest kids have to earn some of the money for the bikes, but most of that is coming from me any how. I haven't ridden a bike in 30 years probably so I may crash and burn and that the end of it, but I hope not. I have lost a lot of weight in the last year and hope this helps to continue that as well as encourage the kids to be more active.
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While I dont recommend Wal Mart bikes for anyone who is planning on any real riding, the fact is you dont know if this is something you want to continue.

Get what is affordable to you and the fam, get a mountain bike as they are typically going to be more utilitarian for what yoru lookign to do.

If cycling is something you get in to then you can re-examine the need.

The only real issue with approching it that way is some times if your bike is a pile of junk, you want to ride it but dont.
 
I guess Lotus that is the big concern, if we do really enjoy it and can't because of the junk bike. I am hoping on riding to work most days as well. Its not real far and hopfully better then walking. So we will see.
 
Shop used. If you live in a big area, look up your local bike co/op. You might be able to find some old mountain bikes that are much nicer and more reliable than what you have now. For instance, I'm selling my gary fisher aquila for $200 or so now - it was a $1200 bike at one point and still has many good miles left in it.
 
You could get a basic Giant mountain bike that would be decent for what you want or maybe a hybrid/cycle cross bike would be best too depending on the amount of loose gravel vs packed.
 
As others have mentioned, look for a quality used bike. By quality, i mean one than has an aluminum frame and parts that can be replace. Don't buy a throw away bike from wal-mart or target.

I recently bought a new bike for my wife because she decided to train for her first triathlon. Previously she had only ridden wal-mart bikes and she couldn't stop ranting and raving how much nicer it was to ride a higher quality bike. I got her a nomad GT for $250 which i would consider an entry level bike.
 
Scout80 said:
As others have mentioned, look for a quality used bike. By quality, i mean one than has an aluminum frame and parts that can be replace. Don't buy a throw away bike from wal-mart or target.

I recently bought a new bike for my wife because she decided to train for her first triathlon. Previously she had only ridden wal-mart bikes and she couldn't stop ranting and raving how much nicer it was to ride a higher quality bike. I got her a nomad GT for $250 which i would consider an entry level bike.
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It's going to be hard to outfit the family with all used bikes. Also finding a good bike used is hard.
 
todpod said:
I guess Lotus that is the big concern, if we do really enjoy it and can't because of the junk bike. I am hoping on riding to work most days as well. Its not real far and hopfully better then walking. So we will see.
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Head down to your local Bike shop and get fitted, also check out different styles of bikes to find one you like.

Then start to scour craigslist, heck even ebay can be a decent place to look.

Since you plan to ride to work, your bike should be a little higher quality.

Kids dont care as much, and unless your wife plans to ride a lot, any bike will do ok as long as it FITS.

Key thing here is to know which bikes fit you and what you prefer, Like I said a mountain bike is going to be best unless you have serious hills or plan on mostly paved riding.

If you actually enjoy and pick up cycling your going to have more than 1 bike, its just the way it goes.

It would help if you layed out a budget on what you plan to spend on each bike and the total for all bikes.

I can shoot you some samples of what I would be going for based on that.

Buts its all very subjective and to what peopel like.
 
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