Alright I want a bike but of course I can't afford a 200-1000 dollar bike. (My parents wont buy me an expensive bike either)
So I am unfortunately gonna have to go to the dreaded department store or ***** sporting goods. Should I avoid a certain brand? I just want a cruiser bike or comfort bike, nothing special, and I plan to ride everyday if weather permits it.
Please don't tell me to go to a bike shop or the money is worth it, you all may be able to afford such luxuries but I am 16 and my mother is a single mom, we don't have that kind of money. ...thanks Steve. Hey, why don't you send me like 400 bucks, so I can buy a quality bike then? Hi Aijaana,
I think all Steve was trying to say that if your funds are limited, it's probably best to keep it as simple as possible. The components on department store bikes are just not made very well, and known to break, so the fewer parts on the bike, the less there is to break and have to repair.
That said, I mean, my husband bought a Huffy a number of years ago at K-Mart, and my stepdaughter is still riding it! I personally bought a 10 speed Schwinn Supersport, used, at a rummage sale for $35 almost 30 years ago, and I still ride it--all the time! It's totally bulletproof--my favorite commuter bike of all time! Oh, I also have a high-end AirborneTitanium racing bike, but no way would I ride it in rain, snow, or ever even think of leaving it unattended for more than 5 minutes, not even with a dozen Ulocks on it! Ain't no one gonna even think about stealing my rusty old Schwinn--and I've put more miles on that bike than most people do on their cars. I LOVE my old Schwinn!
That said, the rest of the information Steve gave is actually correct. You don't want to go with cheap disk brakes, they'll break, but even the cheapest V brakes should be just fine. Stay away from any type of suspension, it's pretty much worthless on anything other than the highest end bike, and the simpliest gearing system will work the best and last the longest. As long as you don't jump curbs, plan on doing any tricks or abuse the bike in any way, you should be just fine.
Enjoy your new bike!
Edit: I have to admit I'm somewhat confused by some of the answers below. Who are these "people who assemble them", (ie., bikes) anyway? MY $3,000 bike was shipped to my house unassembled--the person who assembled it was me! And hey! I was grateful that at least I didn't have to figure out how to put the spokes on the wheelhubs.
And taking it to the local bike shop to check it? Yes, did that after I was finished, and they charged me $69.95 to "tweak it." I could have bought and rode a Huffy right out of any Walmart store for that price.
It's not that hard to assemble, maintain, and repair your own bike. Many bike shops offer free maintenance classes, just bring your own wrenches. Otherwise, just go to Sheldon Brown's website which will provide all the information you need. You're probably throwing your money away, but you'll get a better bike for your money if you go for a dowdy looking one with no suspension and V brakes rather than disks. Walmart and target sell cruiser bikes as well as low end road bikes. I am not sure of the price, though i would image it would be around $120. Im not sure what your range is.
Check out www.craigslist.com and seach is the For Sale section for a bike. You should be able to find a used one for much cheaper than you can buy new, and you mught be able to find one in very good condition.
Hope that helps some. Yep, Steve was pointing out that it's best to go with a basic bike no "extras". A store like Dick's will have a better choice and better quality than Wal Mart. A cruiser or comfort is a great choice when money is tight. Any bike is better than NO bike. Part of the problem that the bikes that get the bad rap here -- are the people that assemble them.
Now you can't make a silk purse from a sows ear .... but, you can do better than they do at the store. If I were you I would buy the best one you can for the money, and take it to a bike shop and ask them how much to go over the adjustments on that bike. It will last you longer and ride better -- plus it won't cost you much for them to have a look at it. I know our local bike man does it for very little.
Good luck, ride! check out bikesdirect.com - they have a good variety of bikes. you may find what you need and i think there is free shipping. hope it helps I would sooner buy a used name brand bike (Trek, Raleigh, Specialized) than a Walmart bike. The used bike will be lighter, more reliable and more fun to ride than a new department store bike that is poorly assembled and made with cheapo components. I'll second McG here. Man can't live without bike. If you simply can't afford it, a department store bike is certainly better than no bike.
If you have to go with a cheap one, stay away from the full suspension ones. More moving parts means more opportunities for failure.
Not sure how mechanically inclined you are, but cruising nice neighborhoods on garbage day, or a garage sale, can get you a decent bike for minimal cash. With a little work, you can have a nice running machine. Bikes really aren't that hard to work on.
Lots of people buy bikes with all kinds of good intentions, then unload them cheap after they've been hanging in the garage taking up space for 10 or 20 years. Quality will be about the same. Just get the best one you can afford, and don't abuse it. Sometimes people on sites like craigslist even give away bikes they don't want. You may find something really cheap at a Good Will store.
Hope you find something soonGood luck. Hi Aijaana...
You are between a rock and a hard place. Maybe an explanation of bikes is in order as an appeal to your parents..
In the 1870s, when safety bikes (bikes with 2 wheels the same size) were first introduced, the average price was about $110, or 7 MONTHS pay for the average person. As you might imagine this was a BIG investment.
Fast forward to today. I don't recommend that anyone spend 7 months pay on a bike (although I have come pretty close to it). But don't you think it reasonable that a bike costing, perhaps, 1 or 2 weeks pay that will perform correctly and last a long time and be safe should be considered?
Understanding your financial position, another option is to contact your local police department. They usually have a gazillion unclaimed bikes and might help you out... but the bike may take a little work. |
