Need Help Deciding on a Bike

[DurhamCycler]

Hi All. 1st time poster. Looking for advice on what brand and model I should look into. I'm 6' looking for a road or hybrid bike for excercise on the road, bike path and the occasional trip off the path in the park. I am looking to buy one used on Craigslist for no more than $200-$250 or so, but need to know more about what to look for.Thanks in advance!

 

[64Paramount]

Welcome to the forums!

If you are going to be doing some off road riding then you probably shouldn't get a road bike, a hybrid might be the better choice.

Just to get you started in the right direction, you might want to visit one or more bike shops in your area and test ride some bikes.

This will help you decide what type of bike you need and what size you need ( correct fit is very important to comfortable riding).

Then you can begin looking for bikes of that type and size that are within your budget.

Have fun shopping! /img/vbsmilies/smilies/smile.gif

 

[Phil85207]

I am sure you know this but sometimes we all need a reminder. Long after you forgot how much you paid for something you still are stuck with it. Try to get upper end name brand bike. Sometimes "good deals" come around that in the long run turn out to be not so good. Good luck

 

[DurhamCycler]

Thoughts on this one?

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/bik/2309123487.html

 

[DurhamCycler]

Any thoughts on this bike?

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/mercier/galaxy_al_xi_sc3.htm

 

[davereo]

Originally Posted by DurhamCycler .

Any thoughts on this bike?

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/mercier/galaxy_al_xi_sc3.htm

IMO this is very low end. For the same coin you could get a decent hybrib from your LBS.

 

[DurhamCycler]

Landed on this one

http://www.roadbikeoutlet.com/road-bikes/gavin-nouvo-road-racing-bicycle-shimano-sora-carbon-fork.html

I figured the Shimano parts and carbon fork are a good start - based on my research and forum comments.