bike suggestions please

[Boar]

Hi, Im looking to purchase a new bike, with gas prices going crazy an my muffin top over the belt, looking buy a new source of transportation. im looking for an afordable bike with in 200 bucks an that can handle the qaurter mile hill in my town geard down enough so i dont get a coranary or blow out the main artery in my thighs. Any suggestion would be great. How are the bike at walmart? thanks boar

[so haaad]

I'll just say that bikes are a lot like other things in that you usually get what you pay for in terms of quality. The components on less expensive bikes are usually lower quality, which tend to wear out faster and fail when you least expect them to fail. Less expensive bikes are usually heavier too, so it will make it harder for you to pedal up that hill in town. Personally I would shy away from bikes sold in the big-box retailers, but that's just my opinion. But if your budget doesn't allow you to upgrade to a mid-range bike then look into the proven brand names like Schwinn. Good luck.

[CAMAN]

I would look for a used one on that list HSOforum. Nothing from the big box stores, even Schwinn is as low as you can go in quality nowadays. Look for bikes like the Trek 7100 that have an ultra low gear for those big hills. I would rather buy a slightly used, or last years model on clearance from a good brand like Trek, Giant, Specialized and the like, than the junk they call bicycles at the big box stores that will break undoubtedly.

[jnfish]

Hello,

I just bought a SALSA el Mariachi 29er....awesome mt. bike....a bit pricey but well worth the cash! Salsa is also based in MN. Definitly check one out! I love it! It is a hardtail with top of the line components. They offer a complete bike. In my opinion the best bike for the money! STEEL is REAL!

[yakfisher]

I would concur about avoiding box stores. When a bike shop sells a bike it gets a visit with the mechanic before it is allowed out the door. I have seen bike at box stores with the forks mounted backwards and they do not have mechanics building those bikes.

If that is your absolute budget I would look for a used bike lots of them on [Note-from-admin-Please-don't-send-folks-there] and at used sporting goods stores. Visit your LBS and talk to them, they may be able to come close to your price range, then again maybe not. But, you should at the very least be able to figure out what brands they sell to help your search in the used market and you will still need a place to get it fixed and to buy tires and tubes.

Also do a little research about bike fit for the style of riding you will do. A properly sized bike will keep you riding for miles a poor fit will have that bike riding the sidwall of your garage. Good luck.

[Boar]

Thanks for all the replies, i really appreciate it. You solidified my feelings about big box stores. Thanks again, boar

[smeese]

Cannondale

[Boar]

i have searche the e bay site an see someone is selling a road bike by the name gravity, it a very sharpe looking bike. 239.99 plush shipping. dont no anything about it anyone have an Idea? thinking about it, but not sure. search road bike on HSO-Classifieds an tell me wat u think if u can, I appriciatge al responses, thank you, boar

[Boar]

Please disregard the previous post. i am actully looking at a bike, it cal vilano hybrid 21 speed, sharp looking bike, might be what im looking for, cause i do have trials as well as the road here in RLF. any opinions on these. Thank you boar

[Gunnin4fish]

Hey, I'm looking for a similar bike. I was looking at the Cal Vilano and couldn't find a country of origin or dealership. I see it has Shimano works but I'm a bit leary of it just because I'd like to deal with a bike shop and not a internet webpage (call me old-fashioned)

But thanks for mentioning it. I'm considering this bike also.

[yakfisher]

I have not heard of that brand before. Where did you find them?

[brad coin]

I buy alot of used bikes I commute to work with them,, a mountain bike will lose you mre weight has they are heavier to pedal with wider smaller wheels also they require less maint because the rims are heavier duty

DEFINITLTY buy a used bike $200 goes nowhere in a shop you get junk however it gets a very decent bike used,,,target the uptown area of minneapolis if you can, people in that area buy bikes and give up on them alot of young yuppies who buy a bike on a whim or a girlfriends request will ride around the city lakes and parks a couple times then let them sit forever till they decide to move or just sick of looking at it take space,,,I just picked up a real nice Raleigh road bike for $70 from the uptown area off the list

you might consider the MPL's police bike auction..done on thursdays once or twice a month March through October,,,

google-Minneapolis police deparment

then page dowm on the first page to where it says 'auctions'

decent deals can be had and some very high ened bikes show up,,,if you know somebody looking for kids bikes especially BMX they can really pick them up cheap

cash or check only and there still is sales tax these are confiscated or abandoned bikes and dont let that fool you there can be some highend quality

[itchmesir]

got my bike through HSO-Classifieds.. $120 for a bike that originally would have sold for $600... like the above poster said.. just some rich yuppie that bought it and barely rode it..

[ScubaAl]

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