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help a beginner on road bike

post #1 of 31
3/6/07 at 3:10am
Thread Starter 
budget is really tight for a road bike. at first very intrigued to buy the gmc denali from walmart but didnt read much review on them especially on the forum.

can anyone suggest any good road bike to get in terms of quality and durability? budget only have $200 or less for a broke student in college =(

thanks a lot
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post #2 of 31
3/6/07 at 3:28am
Thread Starter 

Re: help a beginner on road bike

no one could help me out? i could only find the few selection below

gmc kent denali road bike

schwinn varsity road bike

or the dawes lightning sport road bike

any experience on any of those stated pls?
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post #3 of 31
3/6/07 at 6:18am

Re: help a beginner on road bike

Don't know where you are located. But for that price, get second hand from eBay, Craiglist etc.
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post #4 of 31
3/6/07 at 6:22am

Re: help a beginner on road bike

Walmart is in the US, approximates BigW over in Aus
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post #5 of 31
3/6/07 at 7:00am

Re: help a beginner on road bike

My cheapest new bike was about $1000 (Trek 1200 w/ Tiagra triple) and it lasted me until today. I would be hard pressed to go with anything cheaper since I rode a lot on that one and had to change the Tiagra to a Ultegra double 18 months later.

I would shy away from a $200 new bike because in the medium run you will not be happy with it... it will cost you much mroe to get parts replaced/upgraded. Check local bike stores or eBay for a good second hand bike. Maybe even an older beauty (steel frame w/ downtube shifters) would do nicely. If you were in Europe I would sell you my Concorde with Shimano 105 from 1991. It still runs great :-)
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post #6 of 31
3/6/07 at 9:43am
Thread Starter 

Re: help a beginner on road bike

thanks guys but i really dont have much money to do that.

say i do get a used bike what model and brand do u guys recommend.


out of the 3 bike i listed , not even 1 will last me? i just need it to travel 5 mins to school. and need something to pedal fast and effortlessly

oh i am in US too btw
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post #7 of 31
3/6/07 at 10:22am

Re: help a beginner on road bike

Quote:
Originally Posted by s14
budget is really tight for a road bike. at first very intrigued to buy the gmc denali from walmart but didnt read much review on them especially on the forum.

can anyone suggest any good road bike to get in terms of quality and durability? budget only have $200 or less for a broke student in college =(

thanks a lot
If your just looking for cheap transport, I'd go for it. I have a family & understand money I spend is money they don't get. You don't need to spend a fortune to have fun or get from A to B. If it get's stolen at least your not still paying for it on a credit card. In your case spending a grand would be rediculious. You don't need a Corvette, get the Chevette. Get in great shape & smoke the rich kids on their 3 thousand dollar bikes! That's FUN!!!!
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post #8 of 31
3/6/07 at 10:33am
Thread Starter 

Re: help a beginner on road bike

well thats exactly what i have in mind. but i just wouldn't want to buy a cheap bike and have it break down on me every week and i will have to spend more repairing it you know.

lionfish: out of the models and brands i listed , do u have any experience with any of them or heard good/bad things about them?


or hope at least u guys can give me a brand of used bike i can get from ebay or pawnshop for the budget i have for.

thanks a lot guys
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post #9 of 31
3/6/07 at 10:34am

Re: help a beginner on road bike

Quote:
Originally Posted by s14
no one could help me out? i could only find the few selection below

gmc kent denali road bike

schwinn varsity road bike

or the dawes lightning sport road bike

any experience on any of those stated pls?
Don't let people scare you away by saying you can't get a good bike cheap! I have a Huffy that I bought a few years ago at Wal-Mart for under $100. While it is somewhat heavier than most of the more expensive LBS bikes (about 35 lbs) it has held up well. Would I recommend it for competitive riding, No; for cross-country touring, No; for a reasonably short daily commute, Yes.

I am not familiar with the Denali bike, but I understand it has gotten good reviews. The Schwinn, while not up to the standards of the older Schwinns should be a decent bike, and I have heard some good things about Dawes.

Keep in mind, if you buy a bike from somewhere like Wal-Mart, that it was probably assembled by an "Associate" who knows little or nothing about bicycles. You need to either go over it very thoroughly yourself or have a bike shop do it for you (they will charge from $40-$80) to make sure that everything is set up properly and safely.

Lastly check out your local bike shops for unsold prior year models. Sometimes you can get an excellent buy on a "New/Old" bike.

Good luck to you!

BTW: If your college campus is like most, you probably don't want to get too nice a bike anyway. Buy something no one will want to steal!
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post #10 of 31
3/6/07 at 10:39am

Re: help a beginner on road bike

Quote:
Originally Posted by s14
well thats exactly what i have in mind. but i just wouldn't want to buy a cheap bike and have it break down on me every week and i will have to spend more repairing it you know.

lionfish: out of the models and brands i listed , do u have any experience with any of them or heard good/bad things about them?


or hope at least u guys can give me a brand of used bike i can get from ebay or pawnshop for the budget i have for.

thanks a lot guys
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...Specifications

I was considering this bike for a commuter based on a number of factors (cost & reviews). Though that Shwing your talking about looks good as well & a bit cheaper.
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post #11 of 31
3/6/07 at 3:29pm
Thread Starter 

Re: help a beginner on road bike

a yukon , the price is getting higher and higher lol. well did u actually get one?
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post #12 of 31
3/6/07 at 7:10pm

Re: help a beginner on road bike

Quote:
Originally Posted by s14
a yukon , the price is getting higher and higher lol. well did u actually get one?
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=4698938

although it makes me cringe seeing people buy a bike from walmart.
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post #13 of 31
3/6/07 at 7:18pm
Thread Starter 

Re: help a beginner on road bike

well if given a choice i wouldnt want to as well =|

what about the road bike sold by "chicabike" called dawes lightning sport?

the varsity is a good bike?
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post #14 of 31
3/6/07 at 7:41pm

Re: help a beginner on road bike

don't mean to throw this topic totally off but is your name after your car as in the e30 m3 with the s14. If so i'll buy it from you to give u the funds for whichever bike u want, maybe even a few of them .
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post #15 of 31
3/6/07 at 7:47pm

Re: help a beginner on road bike

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bikelyst
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=4698938

although it makes me cringe seeing people buy a bike from walmart.
Seems pretty good value for money. Don't like the gear leavers. Does the rear wheel have quick release?

LOL at the labeling 26" 700C well which one is it?

Funny how u guys kicked out the Brits in 1776 but still use their measuring systems even though they don't use them themselves any more.
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