Bicycle question :-)

[JackoliciousLegs]

I've recently fallen in love with cycling! I've got a mid 80s Schwinn World Sport 12spd with nonindexed tube shifters... and it's sweet. Problem is... it's old. I'm in a little over $200 since I've had it, which has been about 4 months. I ride recreationally only. I use the bike to get around the city (Chicago) and that's about it. I don't race or spend too much time on it. I got the bike to test myself. Basically, it was to determine whether or not I'd actually use it. I do use it. I love biking.

So... here's the question. It's been developing some creaks which I think are coming from the bottom bracket. So that's $50 to replace right there (and who knows if that's it). There's something weird about the rear derailleur. It won't raise the appropriate height above the gear set (because it's old). It might benefit from some new wheels. Basically, it's an ok bike. It's fiiiine. I can fix it up and still be happy. The thing is, now that I know I'll bike a bit more, I'm ready for a newer bike I think. I'm not quite ready for something that's like $700 because I'm riding in the city, but I'd be ready for something $3-400 and a little newer. While looking on ebay (which I was told is the place to get great deals on bikes), I found a guy on that sells new Dawes frames with cheap with cheap shimano components. Total cost inc. shipping is $250. Here's his description:

Full Chrome-moly Dura-Forte Frame and fork; with Alex Aluminum rims, Shimano 2200 14-speed der's with stem indexed shifters, Maxxis 130 PSI 700c tires, quick release wheels front and rear, aluminum alloy hubs, SHIMANOaluminum crank, Aluminum alloy pedals including toe clips with straps, aluminum stem, aluminum handlebar, aluminum seatpost, ProMax aluminum side-pull brakes and levers, plus a very nice Velo Road bike seat.

He's got 99.9% positive feedback and I've read reviews that I've found on google that seem very positive. I know the 2200s are the bottom of the range, but at least they're index shifters (which I don't have).

Will this bike be a huge piece of crap? (Keep in mind, I'm not going to spend more than $400)

Another option from the same guy is an aluminum framed dawes bike which uses aluminum parts and shimano sora parts for $350.

* ALUMINUM KINESIS ROAD FRAME
* Light weight road fork
* SHIMANO SORA SHIFTERS with brakes&shifting in one lever
* QUICK RELEASE FRT & RR WHEELS
* FSA FORGED 30/42/52 ALUMINUM CRANK
* SHIMANO SORA DER
* ALUMINUM SEAT POST & PRESSURE RELEIF ROAD SEAT
* FORMULA ALUMINUM HUBS WITH ALUMINUM RIMS
* KENDA TIRES
* TEKTRO DUAL PIVOT ALUMINUM ROAD BRAKES
* ALUMINUM ROAD PEDALS WITH TOE CLIPS & STRAPS

What do you all think? Remember. City bike. Cheap. Nothing I would cry over if it got stolen.

[Mike]

yes, that bike is a huge piece of crap. for $400, you really won't get a new road bike that is a worth a damn. you CAN get an OK mountain bike at that price. i would stay away from these custom built ebay crappers, and go used ONLY if you can check it out in person.

[Goodspeed]

Wal Mart. Quality selection, always low prices

[white_2kgt]

The wife and I picked up some bikes a few years ago. I've never really had a 'decent' bike until now. She was appalled that I wanted to spend $700 per bike but every time we go riding it's a joy. Her parents have some 'cheaper' bikes and she takes one of them out every once and a while and hates it, she really appreciates a 'nice' bike now. From doing my research a few years back it really appeared that the old adage of 'you get what you pay for' holds true in the bike world. We got Hybrids so I know nothing of 'road' bikes other than they look gay as fuck. Basically what I'm saying is if you only plan to spend 3-400 you might as well keep the busted pile you have now.

[Mike]

3-400 WILL buy you a decent used bike, but have it checked out before you purchase it. and as chad said, up until around $1200, differences in price are VERY noticeable.

[mrbaggio]

I ride a flat bar road bike in the city. It is sort of like a cross between a mtn bike and a road bike. It is fast and light like a road bike and strong like a mtn bike. For me itÔÇÖs the best of both worlds. I can ride much faster and it still takes all the bumps and jumps that city riding sometimes requires.

Since I was already used to mtn bike geometry the flat bar road bike did not require much adjustment. The two bikes feel a lot alike underneath you.

I bought mine on sale from performance. It was last years model so it was pretty cheap, within your $400 budget.

I agree with Mike. I would not buy a used bike you have not had the chance to ride. If the bike feels like crap when you ride it you will hate it.

[WRXtranceformed]

Jack you're hippy-ish, just get a moped.

[JackoliciousLegs]

Gay as fuck. Except straight. :-)

It's not a used bike. It's new, just with very low end components. Check this out to see what it is...

[Mike]

i know it's new... i'm saying the only way you'll get a decent bike in your range is to get used.

[REED]

butted tubes?


sounds pretty gay to me

[PDenbigh]

check the classified section of mtbr.com.

For City stuff, I'd go with something similar to what mrbaggio suggested - a "hybrid" of a Mt. and Road bike. Specifically, a decent Mountain bike with a low-travel front suspension, no rear suspension, smooth tires and fewer gears.

The reason is that it's tough, light, and fun. The geometry of a Mountain Bike makes it very maneuverable and city speeds. Also, they are easy to ride - hopping a curb or going down a small set of stairs is something you could be doing a few days after learning to ride a bike. The front suspension really takes the bite out of city riding. You don't need 5" of travel - 2" would be fine. Stick with fatter smooth tires, they take a beating and add enough cushion they keep the ride smooth.

[PDenbigh]

Here's an example Jack:

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.fisherbikes.com/bikes/series.asp?series=dualsport">http://www.fisherbikes.com/bikes/series ... =dualsport</a><!-- m -->

They look a lot cooler than road bikes too ;-).


YMMV on all of this, but if I were getting a city bike, this would be it, so I'm sharing my opinion with you!

[Mike]

i'm with pete... a dual duty bike is the answer. they have most of the speed of a road bike, decent styling, and then are rugged.

[JackoliciousLegs]

Bah, I'm sticking with a road bike. I fly on it :-)

[mrbaggio]

get rid of the kick stand.

[PDenbigh]

Here's a road bike with straight bars for $459 new MSRP: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.fisherbikes.com/bikes/bike_detail.asp?series=fastcity&bike=Wingra">http://www.fisherbikes.com/bikes/bike_d ... ike=Wingra</a><!-- m -->

[JackoliciousLegs]

You know, everyone keeps telling me to get rid of the kick stand and the "suicide levers" or whatever. I love my suicide levers even though i know they don't brake as well, and i love my kickstand. It doesn't rattle or anything and it's useful :-)

Pete, that bike looks great.

I think I'm just going to keep my bike. I like it a lot. I think I'm not attached to anything enough. This is like my RX-7. Old and finicky, but fast as hell and good for the money.

[CaptainHenreh]

... my RX-7. Old and finicky, but fast as hell...

How do you know?

(I keed, I keed. :-p)

[JackoliciousLegs]

You never got to ride in it after I got the A/F fixed :-)