New bike, low budget
- Thread starter FolkMusikDigital
- Start date
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cyberknight
As long as I breathe, I attack.
- Location
- Land of confusion
Hi Folk Music 
Will you be riding off road or just on roads/ cycle paths and how far will you be going?
I you only intend it for on road use then the chunky knobbly tyres will make it harder to pedal than some slicker tyres.
The frame will be made of plain gauge steel which will be heavy so it might be ok for short distances but for an extended commute then it might be better to shop around for a lighter bike.
Unfortunately such bikes in that price bracket tend to be made with low grade components that are deigned for the occasional ride rather than extended use and are built to a price rather than to last.
Still in the cheaper price range i did find this ..
http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/p_10151_10104_080W020612670001P?prdNo=17&blockNo=17&blockType=G17
aluminium frame so it will be lighter, a rack for carrying stuff and 700c wheels which in general roll better.
I have found other bikes that might be better suited but are a lot more , at the end of the day if that is all you can afford then get it and once you get it set up then enjoy cycling as any bike is better than none.I did a quick search on ebay usa and i did see a few second hand bikes but i am not sure on your exact location so it was hard to nail down a particular bike.
I hope you do not take this post as a put down on your bike choice as i truely wish to help but if you can afford to spend a bit more then do so as you get a lot better bike or look at second hand bikes , my commuter was a second hand bike from ebay that does a stirling job.
Will you be riding off road or just on roads/ cycle paths and how far will you be going?
I you only intend it for on road use then the chunky knobbly tyres will make it harder to pedal than some slicker tyres.
The frame will be made of plain gauge steel which will be heavy so it might be ok for short distances but for an extended commute then it might be better to shop around for a lighter bike.
Unfortunately such bikes in that price bracket tend to be made with low grade components that are deigned for the occasional ride rather than extended use and are built to a price rather than to last.
Still in the cheaper price range i did find this ..
http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/p_10151_10104_080W020612670001P?prdNo=17&blockNo=17&blockType=G17
aluminium frame so it will be lighter, a rack for carrying stuff and 700c wheels which in general roll better.
I have found other bikes that might be better suited but are a lot more , at the end of the day if that is all you can afford then get it and once you get it set up then enjoy cycling as any bike is better than none.I did a quick search on ebay usa and i did see a few second hand bikes but i am not sure on your exact location so it was hard to nail down a particular bike.
I hope you do not take this post as a put down on your bike choice as i truely wish to help but if you can afford to spend a bit more then do so as you get a lot better bike or look at second hand bikes , my commuter was a second hand bike from ebay that does a stirling job.
BentMikey
Rider of Seolferwulf
- Location
- South London
"Buy cheap buy twice".
DrSquirrel
Guest
Define cheap then if you must say that... as a £1k bike is cheap compared to a £5k bike.
£100, £200? etc. what type of bike, etc etc... its not always like that at all.
£100, £200? etc. what type of bike, etc etc... its not always like that at all.
Nigeyy
Legendary Member
- Location
- Massachusetts, USA
Yeah, can't say I'd recommend a Sears buy for a couple of reasons:
i. unless you are bike savvy or know someone who is, you'll end up paying a local bike store to tune it up properly anyway.
ii. you get what you pay for -that bike is cheap for a reason. That's not to say you'll not have problems with it, but it's more likely you will, plus it will be considerably less pleasurable to cycle on. Usually with the cheaper bikes the brakes are more finickety and the gear changing a little rougher.
An alternative? For someone in the USA try craigslist.org. You can get absolute bargains and get considerably more for your money -e.g. I've seen very nice quality 1990's unsuspended (which is what you want usually for commuting on the road) mtbs going for less than $75. Throw on a couple of city tyres and you'll be good to go.
Just be patient and you will end up with an extremely nice bike for very little money.
i. unless you are bike savvy or know someone who is, you'll end up paying a local bike store to tune it up properly anyway.
ii. you get what you pay for -that bike is cheap for a reason. That's not to say you'll not have problems with it, but it's more likely you will, plus it will be considerably less pleasurable to cycle on. Usually with the cheaper bikes the brakes are more finickety and the gear changing a little rougher.
An alternative? For someone in the USA try craigslist.org. You can get absolute bargains and get considerably more for your money -e.g. I've seen very nice quality 1990's unsuspended (which is what you want usually for commuting on the road) mtbs going for less than $75. Throw on a couple of city tyres and you'll be good to go.
Just be patient and you will end up with an extremely nice bike for very little money.
