DU bicyclists, what is a good bike in the $300 to $500 range?

[galadrium]

I have been trying to get into better shape recently so I want to get a good bike so I don't have to drive for short trips. What is a good one in the $300 to $500 range?

Thanks!

[Mara Steele]

1. I have no idea

Because I got mine, a mid-1980s style road bike in perfect condition, 4 years ago for only $40 at a used sporting-goods store. Have you tried looking at places like that?

You can get some really good deals if you are willing to buy used, and a decade out of style. Doesn't affect the performance at all if you buy from a good dealer.

[jdsmith]

9. Agreed. Shop the local thrift stores too

I've been riding used bikes for the last twenty years. Depending on the store, you can pick them up for $10-50, including most of the bikes in the "Below $500 gotta suck" post below. A good time to shop: about a week after New Year's, when all the resolution-makers have said, "Screw it" and taken the Fuji to the Salvation Army.

And they're so unhip that they're much less likely to be stolen.

[jukes]

23. jeez, mara

you're everywhere!


:bounce:

[Mara Steele]

24. Can't get away from me...

Can you?? Ha ha ha. :D

[Blue-Jay]

2. What kind of bike do you want?

For jaunting around the city, I'd recommend a hybrid. There are lots of good ones available in that range made by Trek or Giant. Also, most good bike shops have a selection of slightly used bikes for about half of what you'd pay for a new one.

This one is pretty sweet and only retails for $469.99. You can probably buy it for around $400.

(Fixed link)

[harrison]

4. I don't have a Trek, but I have friends who do. They tell

me it is a good quality bike. I have a custom made Bruce Gordon which a friend sold me.

[galadrium]

6. That is a very nice looking one.

I figure most of what I do would be riding on paved bike trails and around the city. I guess the term hybrid refers to a mix between the tradition style and a mountian bike.

[prolesunited]

12. Hey, that's MY hybrid!

:-)

I will concur that you can't go wrong with that for general purpose riding. It will take you from paved bike paths to crushed limestone trails with ease.

Because it has shocks in the front fork and seat, it's great for riding on rough pavement and the wider tires handle gravel well. I did 83 miles all over Chicago on mine on Sunday and had a great ride.

I have 1,800 miles on mine and haven't had any problems at all. I even did a couple of century rides on it.

But, beware. It is a gateway bike. You'll have so much fun, you'll turn around and buy a really nice road bike.

I like having both so I can pick the one best suited for the riding conditions, but the Trek 7300 is a great place to start. It's a great investment in your health and the ride is soooo much better than a department store bike, you'll really enjoy it.

On edit: Whatever you decide, go to a real cycle shop where they will take the time to find the right frame size for you and adjust the seat and handlebars for proper body alignment. Cycling is a pleasure, not a pain, if you have the proper setup.

[BiggJawn]

3. Wow....$500?

That's a little on the light size for quality that isn't gonna piss you off and make you quit in 2 weeks.

Seriously, a heavy "gas pipe" frame, the wrong size, brakes that don't stop or rub the rim all the time, gears that sound like you're making crushed stone when you try to shift, all potential un-happy makers.

The most important thing is to get a bike that FITS you. If it doesn't fit, the ride will be shit.

here's some things to look for:

Alloy rims. There's no reason to buy a bike with steel rims unless it's a collector's item.

"Cotterless" crank. (do a Google for explanation)

Shimano components (gears, brakes, etc.) Indexed Shifting is nice!

If you're just getting back on, look for what's called a "comfort" or "City" bike.(what Blue-Jay called a "hybrid") It has the now-standard 700C-sized wheels and handlebars that look more like ATB bars and a wider saddle to go wwith the more upright riding position.

If you are sure that you will do 90% of your riding on pavement, avoid "mountain" bikes with their heavy knobby tyres. they slow you down and you don't need them for the local bike trail.

Some brand names to look for: Giant, Schwinn (NOT the "Department store" models)Cannondale (not sure if they're in your price range) Trek, Fuji, Raleigh USA...

Check out the used market, too. All my iron is used, and I've never paid more than $35 for a bike. Of course, I've spent MUCH more than that buying them "presents"....:7

[harrison]

5. Do NOT get a Department Store bike whatever you do. If

you invest in a good bike, it makes it all worthwhile.

[BiggJawn]

8. AMEN!

I CAN NOT stress that point stongly enough. there's a reason why they sell bikes for only $79 at Wally-World. Sure, it's a "Schwinn", but Schwinn has some bikes built in Taiwan, and some bikes built by the "Happy Peddlar Bicycle and Personal Massager Factory" in China...

[galadrium]

Thanks for the info!

[Blue-Jay]

7. Here's Another

Made by Giant. It'll run from $300-$600.

[HuckleB]

10. Check to see if there is a Bike Collective in your area.

For that kind of money, you can get a lot more bike by having someone build one to your need out of good used parts.

It looks like you're in Cinicinnati? Try contacting this group for advice:
http://www.cincinnaticycleclub.org/

Good Luck!

And buy a good, comfortable helmet! Oh, and then wear it when you ride!

Salud!

Regardless, go and talk to some local bike shops. Learn something about the bikes, and then, you're probably better off buying used with your budget. Bike resale sucks, so you can get a lot more bike by purchasing one that's a year or two old.

[Blue-Jay]

13. Agreed. Also....

If your bike shop doesn't have a decent used selection, ask to see a few of last year's models. They're usually not on the floor, but somewhere in the back and priced to sell. Shops like to display the most recent models as they'll make a bigger profit off of them.

Most people that work at the bike shops are very eager to talk with you all day long about the ins & outs of cycling, and which bike will fit your needs/budget. Friendly, helpful people for the most part, as long as you stay away from "Sporting Goods" stores that also happen to carry a few bikes.

[dwckabal]

11. Just bought a Cannondale Comfort 400

It cost me $529, but it was worth it. Like you, I haven't ridden in years, and the "department store" bike I owned left me with a sore ass for 3 days. This is the most comfortable bicycle I've ever ridden, 27-speed, Shimano grip shifters, shocks on seat post and front forks...highly recommended.

[sbj405]

14. Ibex

My boyfriend got me an Ibex bike. http://www.ibexbikes.com/ I got the Corrida which looks to be $299 now. It's a flat bar road bike. I believe they only sell them via the internet. The components seem to be good (Shimano). If you are not very adept at bike maintenance you may need to take it for an adjustment at a bike shop. I think I paid $50, but still cheaper. The downside is that you can't test drive it. He spoke with them on the phone and said they were very helpful with sizing, etc.

After having my last bike ( a Trek stolen), I like having an unusual brand b/c I don't think people know if it's good or bad and they just leave it alone :-)

Happy riding.

[Blue-Jay]

16. Heeeyyy. Some of those road bikes are pretty sweet!

(bookmarked for later perusal)

[HuckleB]

15. You've got some good stuff going on in Cincinnati and Ohio.

Cincinnati Bicycle Transportation Program:
http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/transeng/pages/-6807-/

Ohio Bicycle Federation:
http://www.ohiobike.org/

[cprise]

17. Highly recommend Trek 7200

http://www.trekbikes.com/bikes/2004/citybike/7200.jsp

It costs about $350, it's lightweight, very easy to shift (just twist the grips), has hybrid tires (decent for offroad, but low rolling resistence on pavement), and a wider seat with built-in shock absorber. And this bike just seems to move better than all the others I tried.

[Shakespeare]

19. STRONGLY second that.

I have a different but similar Trek model that I love. The hybrid tires will give you a much "easier" ride than a road bike, which may be beneficial if you're just climbing back on a bike for the first time in a long time.

Also, it's worth investing a little extra in a better seat if you find a bike you like that doesn't have a very comfortable one. The more comfortable you are riding, the more likely you are to stick with it.

Also--and somebody else may have covered this already--the biggest benefit to buying a bike from a bike shop is that they can fit the bike to you. If you buy at KMart or someplace similar, you get a one-size-fits all, and that sucks. Bike shops will carry the same model in a variety of heights/wheel sizes, and that's really critical in getting a comfortable (and safe) ride. Have fun!

[frylock]

18. used..

for that price range, you're not going to get much in the quality department. Check your newspaper's classified ads, or check with the local bike shop.

[Speck Tater]

20. I got one six years ago at a garage sale for $15

It's very comfortable and reliable.

To spend more that $50 on a used bike is to waste money on status.
To buy a new bike when used ones are just as servicable is, likewise, pure vanity.

[Misunderestimator]

21. Cannondale... they have a wide range of prices

and you can definitely get a really good bike under $500. I have a Silkpath 300 Hybrid that I got about 6 years ago... I ride the heck out of it and have never had a problem with it.

If you're doing it to get in shape, I'd go with a Hybrid... heavier than a road bike and a much better workout.

[jukes]

22. galadrium

my SO wants excersise also, and her mass Xit stop moved closer, so we went bike shopping this w'kend.

bought a nice 26 spd schwinn mountain bike @ target for under $200, counting accessories (light, helmet, batting gloves). she loves it.

[jmowreader]

25. One word of advice

Throw the saddle that came with it in the trash and get a nice one. Then put some padded handlebar tape on.

I paid good money for a Cannondale and hated it with a passion. One day I was bitching about it and my platoon sergeant took one look at it, removed the saddle, threw it as hard as he could and gave me the address of a bicycle shop with a lot of saddles in stock. The one I wound up with was gel-filled, had an indentation for my tailbone, cost about $50, and it improved the bike a thousand times.

Either Cannondale or Trek if you're buying new, maybe Raleigh USA, and just about anything with a lightweight brazed lugged frame if you're buying used--but if you go used, I'd change the rims and the gruppo.

[galadrium]

26. thanks to all who responded

I know it has been a while since I posted. I just wanted to thank everybody for their suggestions.