Lazlow
join:2006-08-07
Saint Louis, MO
| reply to dibbb
Re: Need advice buying a bike
Most good bike shops will have a selection of used bikes for pretty cheap(sub $250). There are tons of people out there that trade their bikes every two years (like cars). These bikes are usually the same brand names (Trek/Cannondale etc) just a couple of years older.
I would also agree with the poster above who suggested a mountain bike with slick tires. They (and their tires) are much more durable and handle the streets (curbs, broken bottles, tree limbs) much better than the road bikes. Also keep in mind that your child is just starting to ride. Lots of kids ride until they are at least 16 (many much longer). |
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PCInTech
In another place and time.
Premium
join:2004-06-07
Massena, NY
clubs:
 ·VoicePulse
 ·RoadRunner Cable
| Yes! Used bikes from a bike shop are frequently a VERY good deal. People who trade into a bike shop have usually taken VERY good care of their transportation. And, you know it's going to be setup and adjusted correctly for you by an experienced mechanic.
Another idea, is that many bike dealerships have not yet put out the 2010 models, and will have very good deals on 2009's (or even 2008's!) brand new with full warranty. And, while I mention it, there's another reason to buy a bicycle from a real bike dealer. Warranty is a critical thing on a bicycle. The major quality brands take this seriously and will take care of you. That's why they choose not to sell through big box stores.
A bicycle is a vehicle, not a toy. As such, there are safety issues that can mean the difference between surviving a malfunction or being seriously hurt or killed. I ride my Fuji Crosstown Hybrid everywhere, as I choose not to drive. I know it's dependable and won't leave me by the side of the road, many miles from home. |
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PCInTech
In another place and time.
Premium
join:2004-06-07
Massena, NY
clubs:
·VoicePulse
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1 edit | reply to Matt
said by Matt  :I've looked at several bike shops and was unable to find anything in the $200-$300 range. $500 was about where the bikes you mentioned start. Then you haven't looked very closely.  The MSRP may start at $500., but I'm talking dealer street price. Also, the OP said up to $500. $200-300. would be a stretch for the latest "this year's model", but just over $300. there's far more possibilities.
Did you physically walk into a bike shop, or just looking at online? Just like buying a car, it's a world of difference. |
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Matt
Take me down to the paradise city
Premium
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC
 ·North State Commun..
1 edit | said by PCInTech :said by Matt :I've looked at several bike shops and was unable to find anything in the $200-$300 range. $500 was about where the bikes you mentioned start. Then you haven't looked very closely. The MSRP may start at $500., but I'm talking dealer street price. Also, the OP said up to $500. $200-300. would be a stretch for the latest "this year's model", but just over $300. there's far more possibilities. Did you physically walk into a bike shop, or just looking at online? Just like buying a car, it's a world of difference. I assure you I did look closely. We have several chain and locally owned bike stores in this area. Some had none for less than $800, used included. For $300-$500 you're not getting anything that is this year's model, unless it's a no-name. Even the no-name hybrid bikes from REI start at $300. You might find a 2009 model on close-out online starting at $500, but good luck finding it in your size.
Whether the OP will be able to find a reasonably priced bike at a bike shop is going to be totally dependent on what bike shops he has near him. My guess is, he's not going to find anything at a bike shop in his price range. |
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PCInTech
In another place and time.
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join:2004-06-07
Massena, NY
clubs:
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| said by Matt :I assure you I did look closely. We have several chain and locally owned bike stores in this area. Some had none for less than $800, used included. For $300-$500 you're not getting anything that is this year's model, unless it's a no-name. Even the no-name hybrid bikes from REI start at $300. You might find a 2009 model on close-out online starting at $500, but good luck finding it in your size. Whether the OP will be able to find a reasonably priced bike at a bike shop is going to be totally dependent on what bike shops he has near him. My guess is, he's not going to find anything at a bike shop in his price range. It must be your area, Matt. Is it a tourist area, or "upscale"? I checked two local dealers and several models were in the 300-500 price range, from name manufacturers. Several sizes available, and ready to drive out of the showroom. So, this has got to be a local thing where you are. |
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Matt
Take me down to the paradise city
Premium
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC
·North State Commun..
| said by PCInTech :It must be your area, Matt. Is it a tourist area, or "upscale"? I checked two local dealers and several models were in the 300-500 price range, from name manufacturers. Several sizes available, and ready to drive out of the showroom. So, this has got to be a local thing where you are. No, not a touristy area at all. Just a normal middle-class area. Can you give some examples of the brand and model? I think we may be talking about different classes of road bikes. You can get nice mountain or hybrid bikes in that price range, but not a high quality road bike. |
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PCInTech
In another place and time.
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join:2004-06-07
Massena, NY
clubs:
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| The OP wasn't looking for a HQ road bike, (I don't think he's planning on tackling Tour De France THIS year, at least.) just recreational bike. I was recommending hybrid or mountain bikes for that reason.  Sorry for the misunderstanding. I just checked w/ De Oro and Revolution near you. |
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nonymous
join:2003-09-08
Glendale, AZ
| reply to dibbb
People have way too much money to go to a bike dealership.
There are two classes of people now broke WalMart then rich people. Manufacturers now cater to both. Either cheap Chinese crap or American made then just charge dumb amounts because they know someone with money will overpay for anything.
Unless you are a pro tell me the true difference between a well made few year old model and this years greatest model. A few ounces, maybe something slightly different on the gears. Unless you are a pro you are not going to notice the difference. Manufacturers know you are paying for a status symbol more than a bike after some point. You have a dealership not a bike shop. Probably a service area where they can gouge on repairs. Keep it overnight and see if it rides the same in the morning.
Seriously have prices changed that much in say the last 10years. I bought a decent American made bike for less than $400 around 2001. |
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Matt
Take me down to the paradise city
Premium
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC
·North State Commun..
| reply to PCInTech
I was recommending a hybrid or mountain bike too. I totally forgot that local bike shops probably sell them also. Cycles De Oro and Revolution are good shops, but I've never bothered to look for anything but road bikes with them. So *I* apologize for the misunderstanding. |
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elbm
join:2000-08-03
Reisterstown, MD
 ·Verizon FIOS
2 edits | reply to nonymous
said by nonymous :People have way too much money to go to a bike dealership. There are two classes of people now broke WalMart then rich people. Manufacturers now cater to both. Either cheap Chinese crap or American made then just charge dumb amounts because they know someone with money will overpay for anything. Unless you are a pro tell me the true difference between a well made few year old model and this years greatest model. A few ounces, maybe something slightly different on the gears. Unless you are a pro you are not going to notice the difference. Manufacturers know you are paying for a status symbol more than a bike after some point. You have a dealership not a bike shop. Probably a service area where they can gouge on repairs. Keep it overnight and see if it rides the same in the morning. Seriously have prices changed that much in say the last 10years. I bought a decent American made bike for less than $400 around 2001. I have never been accused of having way too much money. I have never raced a bike. I am 45, 20lbs over weight and put about 1500 miles per year on my road bike and yes there are significant differences in bikes. I can assure there is noticeable ride difference in my 6 year old 1200.00 aluminium/carbon bike and your 400.00 bike-- as much as there is between my 6 year old bike and the one I bought this year 2300.00. The efficiency and power transfer is substantial better on the new bike. The new bike is drastically stiffer than my old bike-- on the old bike on a steep climb I could distort the frame enough to bring the chain into the derailleur. New bike-- no matter how steep and how much power I develop there is no movement of the bottom bracket. Control and stability are worlds apart between my two most recent bikes. I could go on.
Neither of my bikes are expensive in the big scheme of things though they were for me. I did with out things and saved to be able to afford a better quality bike that I do truly do appreciate for what it is-- a marvel of modern tech. There is no status, ego, flashy bike clothes, group rides, racing or snobbery. I ride alone with my gps and carve many wonderful miles on a wonderful machine.
Don't talk about things you don't understand.
Edit: punctuation |
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PCInTech
In another place and time.
Premium
join:2004-06-07
Massena, NY
clubs:
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| reply to nonymous
said by nonymous :People have way too much money to go to a bike dealership. There are two classes of people now broke WalMart then rich people. Manufacturers now cater to both. Either cheap Chinese crap or American made then just charge dumb amounts because they know someone with money will overpay for anything. Unless you are a pro tell me the true difference between a well made few year old model and this years greatest model. A few ounces, maybe something slightly different on the gears. Unless you are a pro you are not going to notice the difference. Manufacturers know you are paying for a status symbol more than a bike after some point. You have a dealership not a bike shop. Probably a service area where they can gouge on repairs. Keep it overnight and see if it rides the same in the morning. Seriously have prices changed that much in say the last 10years. I bought a decent American made bike for less than $400 around 2001. I assure you, I am far from rich, living well below poverty level. But, I know the difference between quality and crap. You learn something in over 56 years on this planet. "Cheap you pay, cheap you get". If you can't tell the difference between a $100. Walmart bike and one from a bike shop, then perhaps you should visit the Walmart Optical Dept, that's where I get MY glasses. There's a vast difference in the quality of rims, tires, tubes, dérailleurs, brakes, frame assembly and just about every component imaginable. How much is your safety worth? My wife, a couple of years ago, went to Walmart and bought a cheapie bike, without consulting me, so she could go riding with me. The very first time she took it out, she got one block away and one of the pedals sheared off right at the crank. Also, the brakes jammed and wouldn't release. These two things were due, without a DOUBT, to the cheap quality of those components, ones I'd NEVER put on a bike! She went flying and was hurt very badly, having to go to the Emergency Room. The cheap rims bent so badly they couldn't be repaired. The front fork bent out and the bike became instant junk. This adventure wound up costing far more than it would if she bought a GOOD bike from a reputable dealer who would never have let it out the door. Some things in life you don't "cheap out" on. |
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Warzau
Premium
join:2000-10-26
Naperville, IL
clubs:
| reply to nonymous
Re: Need advice buying a bike
said by nonymous :People have way too much money to go to a bike dealership. I don't have way too much money if I did I'd be paying off my mortgage.
Regardless. When I was young when I bought my Schwinn I saved for months. I knew I can buy another POS from big box store. Where the handle bar became lose even thought I torque it as much as I could. Or save more a quality built Bike. There were MORE expensive bikes but the one I bought was right for me. |
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bent
not broken
Premium
join:2004-10-04
Loveland, CO
clubs:
·Comcast Formerly ..
| reply to nonymous
said by nonymous :Unless you are a pro tell me the true difference between a well made few year old model and this years greatest model. That's not what's at issue here, though. The issue is the difference between the bottom end of what bike shops sell and the top end of what Walmart sells. I've never owned a Walmart bike, but I have a friend whos family bought him one for his birthday. It weighed at least 15 more pounds than my 15 year old entry level Cannondale. When we went out riding he couldn't keep up with me even though he's younger and in better shape. The rims would never stay true and the cables would always pull out from under the adjustment nuts on both the brakes and the rear derailleur. He gave up on it after a handful of rides and bought an entry level Fisher. The low end Fishers aren't what they used to be, but they're still far superior to the Walmart bike. He hasn't had problem #1 with that bike.
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slyphoxj
join:2002-06-23
Brook Park, OH
·AT&T Midwest
| reply to dibbb
I've got a 14 year old (approx.) Murray mountain bike that was purchased at a local Toys 'R' Us for about $150. I'm really wanting a new bike- a QUALITY bike. My bike's brakes suck and it needs a new rear wheel bearing- the rear wheel wiggles when I move it from side- been like that since it was new. And it needs a new back tire- the tires are original- I just don't wanna dump more $$$ into that stupid bike. But I have put quite a few miles on it though.
And oh lordy, the inner tubes and flats I've been through!!
I most likely would have gotten one this year had I not have been looking for, and not bought, a home this summer.
Can anyone here recommend a good local bike shop in the western Cleveland 'burbs or the west side of Cleveland? |
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slyphoxj
join:2002-06-23
Brook Park, OH | reply to PCInTech
As for buying a used bike off of Craigslist... is there any way to make sure that I wouldn't be inadvertently buying stolen goods? |
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Matt
Take me down to the paradise city
Premium
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC
·North State Commun..
| said by slyphoxj :As for buying a used bike off of Craigslist... is there any way to make sure that I wouldn't be inadvertently buying stolen goods? Have them send you the serial number off the bike and check it with the local police department.
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jeremyv
join:2007-05-22
Los Angeles, CA
| reply to dibbb
Did anyone mentioned Fuji or Jamis already?
»www.jamisbikes.com/
»www.fujibikes.com/
You can never go wrong with those brands and you can get a good deal for your $500 |
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PCInTech
In another place and time.
Premium
join:2004-06-07
Massena, NY
clubs:
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2 edits | As I noted earlier, my beloved Fuji bike is my favorite. Funny you mention Jamis, I ALMOST got one when I got this Raleigh, but the dealer (who sold both) didn't have my size in the comparable Jamis town bike.
This is my baby. Got it from Ellen Degeneres, actually. A few weeks after Oprah gave away cars to everyone in her audience, Ellen gave away Fuji bikes. But, I was just about to buy one anyway.
»www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/Bike···ype=bike
Also have one of these, Raleigh C30, which is like new and for sale. Excellent bike, I just like the Fuji better, which I got for free shortly after I just bought this one. So, it's got only about 10 miles on it.
»www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/Bike···ype=bike |
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