Jul
05
I need a bicycle for crusing around campus. My budget is limited to 100~200. whats a good brand that makes sturdy bikes?
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 Very Nice Schwinn Airdyne Comp Exercise Bike Bicycle Great Condition w Computer  US $192.50
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 Schwinn Montague Biframe Folding Bike US $152.50
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 Schwinn Lil Tiger bike US $102.50
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ironhorse makes great bikes. you wont find a reliable bike for less than $200, but if you are willing to up it to around $300, i know ironhorse makes some sweet looking hardtails. hardtails are ideal for your purpose, and they are much cheaper and easier to maintain than a dual suspension frame.
other brands worth looking into are Giant, Trek, and Jamis. they are high quality makers that have decent priced hardtails that will last a long time.
DO NOT buy from walmart or target. you will regret it after owning the bike for a few months, i know i did. Sports authority or dicks sporting goods is a good place to look for an entry level bike.
good luck
Have a look at the folowing website,
http://www.consumersearch.com/www/sports_and_leisure/mountain-bikes/index.html
I don’t think you can get a "good " bike in that price range. My wife has a Novara from REI. She isn’t a hard core rider but she likes it.I think you should try to get into the 500 to 700 dollar range if you can or get something used. Anything new less than 150 is crap.Also, you really dont need a mountain bike. You probably dont want a "steat" bike either. I think the type I am thinking of is touring.Some loser may try to insult your taste, but it would be alot more comfortable. – unless you are jumping off cliffs.
Many are strudy. You get what you pay for up to a point. Then at about $1500 the law of diminishing returns kicks in and you pay much much more for very minor improvements. If I were you, I would not try to purchase a new bike for your price range, but would rather buy a used (but cared for and well maintained) bike.
At $100, a good used bike will be a much better machine than a new one. Depending on the market and what is available locally, the pivot point for used v.s. new is between $350 to $500 where the new bike would start to be a better choice. If you look for a couple of months, you will find the right deal.
Go to some bike stores (without the intention of purchasing… leave your money home) and let them describe the various features of the bikes they sell. Get them to tell you what size would fit you. THIS IS MOST IMPORTANT! Try some different brands and get a rough idea of the quality of the components and the difference in price they make. Most shops will let you ride a couple (not the real expensive ones, but the ones you would be likely to buy)
Names like TREK and GT make high quality, moderately priced bikes.
Schwinn tend to be solid, but too heavy and not very good detail.
Huffy are not very well made.
Gary Fisher are way out of your price range unless somebody doesn’t know what they are selling or it is badly broken.
Specialized makes a great bike for the price.
Many bike catalogues put out 1 or 2 models of bike each year.
Some of these are Nashbar or Performance (they still have different catalogues, but are owned by the same company now)
REI, and EMS both sell good stuff.
Look at want ads and if you have friends who you see have a bike they don’t ride, make an offer. If you are not off in the woods racing it, the bike doesn’t have to be perfect. Make sure the brakes work. all the gears should work without skipping. Chain should be not too dirty, but never dry or rusty. Tires should not be showing any cracks or dry rubber. You will be able to make use of a luggage rack (a lightweight platform) over the rear tire. a few bungee cords will help you to carry books, groceries, a small duffle bag, what have you…
Once you become a little bit of an expert regarding the type and size of bike you want you will be able to make a fair deal with a private seller. Some bike shops selling new bikes don’t have much use for a used one. If you happen to be at the right place at the right time, you might get a great deal from a person upgrading to a high-end bike who can’t store the older one and could use the cash…
A mountain bike is a lot of work at high speed, but great for jumping curbs, potholes, storm drains, and is less tempting to thieves. For all around use with lots of low gears so you can easily pedal up any hill without being a super athlete, a mountain bike is a fair choice. For speed and least effort on the flats or in a wind, a road bike or street bike is better but can be worse on the hills. I rode my ex-wife’s Hybrid (almost mountain geometry with street components), it was was worst of both styles, without any of the benefits of either.
If you have a bad back or don’t look good in spandex, then you are on the right track with the mountain bike.
you can probably get away cheap with just a beach style cruiser… check out Nirve or Elektra… when you have a bit more money, you can look at a crossroads bike, comfort bike, or mountain bike. then you will want to look at Trek, KHS, Specialized, or Giant. please remember to wear a helmet!