Need a bicycle ... any suggestions?

[MJinZ]

I have no clue when it comes to bikes. Haven't ridden one since I was a kid.

So I need something that is:

1) A road bike, not a mountain bike, but not one of those crazy skinny tire ones (seems really fragile?)

2) Value oriented, but high quality. Looking for the ideal price/performance bike for um...

3) $100 - $150 or so?

:thumbsup:

 

[Mike Gayner]

http://publicbikes.com/
:awe:

 

[Ken g6]

http://publicbikes.com/
:awe:

PUBLIC D1
$600.00

And that's for a one-speed!

I went to a local bike shop to get my current bike. It was ~$200-300, and it's an 18-speed.

 

[l0cke]

Craigslist

/thread

 

[MJinZ]

Craigslist

/thread

Looking for brand and model recommendations.

Not ...

"Newegg.com /thread"

 

[gaidensensei]

Fast bike like a road bike but bigger tires are called Hybrid Bikes. Google the rest, but quality ones will run several hundreds and higher.

Usually the $100-150 new range is for crap stuff from target/wal-mart.

You can start looking at retailers like REI to get an idea of some of what's out there considered as quality.

 

[RelaxTheMind]

1) see #3
2) see #3
3) $100-$150 = go to wal mart and test drive them all until u find one u like and/or choose from the 2 bikes in that price range from the kids section at a local bike shop.

 

[RelaxTheMind]

1) see #3
2) see #3
3) $100-$150 = go to wal mart and test drive them all until u find one u like and/or choose from the 2 bikes in that price range from the kids section at a local bike shop.

 

[MJinZ]

Fast bike like a road bike but bigger tires are called Hybrid Bikes. Google the rest, but quality ones will run several hundreds and higher.

Usually the $100-150 new range is for crap stuff from target/wal-mart.

You can start looking at retailers like REI to get an idea of some of what's out there considered as quality.

That sucks...

What starts becoming quality? I don't want to spend more than $200 or so.

 

[InflatableBuddha]

Give me a break...$200 will buy you a 25 year old road bike in shit condition off craigslist.

I've seen city/cruiser bikes new for $500-600. For cyclocross or hybrid bikes, they start around $750-900 and go up from there. I bought a Kona Jake last year for $900.

Increase your budget. A LOT.

 

[gaidensensei]

If I were you with your budget it's not easy to work with unless you go the used route and pick up a steal on craigslist or something.

If you want quality and customization options, that's what all the $500+ range bikes are for. Often these have features that set them aside from the cheaper class and the riding experience is instantly noticeable.

It's like going from a civic.. to benz seriously.

$200 range sounds like Schwinn is the only route you can't really go wrong. They aren't bad from my experience, but they aren't the best either. A lot of enthusiasts like their 80's era bikes and customize them to their liking.

 

[Schadenfreude]

Give me a break...$200 will buy you a 25 year old road bike in shit condition off craigslist.

I've seen city/cruiser bikes new for $500-600. For cyclocross or hybrid bikes, they start around $750-900 and go up from there. I bought a Kona Jake last year for $900.

Increase your budget. A LOT.

Brotha please!

OP: It may not be the best bike in its class, but with the budget you can find something no problemo. I'd say look up what bikes in your price range are available on craigslist that you might consider buying, and then do your online homework on the make/model of those bikes.

 

[Mike Gayner]

What is it about bikes that brings out the retardedness in people? If all you're looking for is a basic commuter, just get something cheap and suitable from CL - seriously, $200 should be more than enough.

 

[MJinZ]

If I were you with your budget it's not easy to work with unless you go the used route and pick up a steal on craigslist or something.

If you want quality and customization options, that's what all the $500+ range bikes are for. Often these have features that set them aside from the cheaper class and the riding experience is instantly noticeable.

It's like going from a civic.. to benz seriously.

$200 range sounds like Schwinn is the only route you can't really go wrong. They aren't bad from my experience, but they aren't the best either. A lot of enthusiasts like their 80's era bikes and customize them to their liking.

What about these:

http://www.amazon.com/Schwinn-Midmoo...4571309&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Schwinn-Crest-...4571409&sr=1-1

I can't get over the fact that bicycles have suspensions... I am in the prehistoric bike era.

 

[MJinZ]

What is it about bikes that brings out the retardedness in people? If all you're looking for is a basic commuter, just get something cheap and suitable from CL - seriously, $200 should be more than enough.

Not commuting, for exercise and running basic errands and definitely going to the gym.

 

[gaidensensei]

Huh, I can't really say much.
They look like they will do your job but how much to your expectations I can't judge based on that, you generally want to try out a bike before you buy it to see if it's for you. But if you're spending half a grand or more, most of the time you're going to get your money's worth.

If you plan to go serious biking, buy it from a local bike shop where you can develop relations for advice, cheaper costs, gear/tuning, free fixes.

As for Gayner's comment, that is commonly misunderstood by newbies to biking. The reason why others can pass you on trails, a good amount of the time with superior components. Makes all the difference when you're still huffing against headwind while someone whizzes past you looking like he's using minimal effort.

Most of the junk sold in walmart is what puts you at the backseat of the competition.

 

[PottedMeat]

I like using my hard tail mountain bike /w non-knobby tires on the road. Giant Boulder SE model year ~2000 I think. Probably cost me about $300 total after adding a drink holder, tires, cyclocomputer, pump. Look at Trek, there are a lot of low end but good manufacturers.

Also remember really really cheap bikes are very heavy.

 

[cheezy321]

1. Go on Craigslist
2. Look up bike brands such as Kona, Trek, GT, Specialized or Bianchi
3. Find a bike you like a little above your price range
4. Go to bike, give it a test ride and see how it feels
5. Negotiate price
6. Purchase
7. ...
8. PROFIT!

 

[JEDI]

whats the diff between quality bikes, and the ones sold at walmat?

besides the quality ones being a little lighter in weight

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

I have no clue when it comes to bikes. Haven't ridden one since I was a kid.

So I need something that is:

1) A road bike, not a mountain bike, but not one of those crazy skinny tire ones (seems really fragile?)

2) Value oriented, but high quality. Looking for the ideal price/performance bike for um...

3) $100 - $150 or so?

:thumbsup:

In your price range, you might want to go to Wal-mart

 

[PhoKingGuy]

I bought my Trek mountain bike for about 250-300 I think (was like 5 years ago). Says Made in USA on the side and I rode it to school for 2 years and went off-roading with it as well. Try and find one of those if you can.

 

[glenn beck]

whats the diff between quality bikes, and the ones sold at walmat?

besides the quality ones being a little lighter in weight

there you go

 

[guyver01]

here's one... you might be able to get it in the $150 range..

 

[Gibson486]

you might be able to get a trek fx off someone who is dumb enough to sell it that low (I almost bought one for $125 3 years ago) on craigslist. Otherwise, in the price range, you get what you can get....

Target had a $60 bike last year. Not sure if it is still that price. i downgraded from a Trek Mountain bike. It was a mountain bike and, well, you get what you pay for. I bought thinking I would not need anything better. I sold it 3 months later. the bike i own now cost me $400.

 

[FleshLight]

http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1073653_-1_1512507_20000_400307