Bicycle help?

davis224
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davis224
Edited Date/Time 8/22/2012 4:33pm
Got my cheap ass Wal-Mart Schwinn stolen from my apartment building, looking to replace it with something a little nicer. Been looking on Craigslist and have seen some Giants, Treks, and a few other assorted brands for around $250. I'd be mostly riding it on the road and occasionally taking it to a trail maybe. Just looking for a decent bike that has slightly higher quality shifting to where it doesn't feel like the chain is going to derail every time I shift. Any pointers/tips/good brands to look for for the lower price range?
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gsxrcr28
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gsxrcr28 8/20/2012 6:42pm
8/20/2012 6:42pm
The common saying in buying a bike is "extend yourself" for example whatever you want to spend reach a little further because the quality will be worth it. That being said $250 is very low to spend for a bike. Trek, Giant and many others all make good bikes. Being that you are going to spend a lot of time on the road and a little on the trail I would recommend a hard tail, meaning no rear shock, because it is useless on the road and can easily require much more maintenance.

Hope that helps.
zippy895
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zippy895 8/20/2012 6:44pm
8/20/2012 6:44pm
look for shimano lx ,xt or xtr shifting/crank/brakes groupo on whatever bike u find at a 250.00 price.
zippy895
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zippy895 8/20/2012 6:46pm
8/20/2012 6:46pm
gsxrcr28 wrote:
The common saying in buying a bike is "extend yourself" for example whatever you want to spend reach a little further because the quality will be...
The common saying in buying a bike is "extend yourself" for example whatever you want to spend reach a little further because the quality will be worth it. That being said $250 is very low to spend for a bike. Trek, Giant and many others all make good bikes. Being that you are going to spend a lot of time on the road and a little on the trail I would recommend a hard tail, meaning no rear shock, because it is useless on the road and can easily require much more maintenance.

Hope that helps.
true.
250.,u can find an old alloy frame bike w/ older shimano parts i mentioned.
TX24
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TX24 8/20/2012 7:33pm
8/20/2012 7:33pm
Here's one. I have a Fuel 90 mountain bike I have been riding on the street . Finally put street tires on it last week. I know, get a street bike, too many toys. Anyway, putting a bigger front sprocket on. Haven't looked much, but would about 3 teeth more be about the most to go. Would I maybe raise the derailer a bit to shift it? I won't use the smallest on the front anymore.

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tunedlength
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tunedlength 8/20/2012 8:34pm
8/20/2012 8:34pm
As mentioned by others look for a name brand trek or giant with alloy frame.
Try and have $50 set aside to get the bike serviced.
A cheap bike with good working derailleur and brakes will feel just like a new bike.
BUTCH
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BUTCH 8/20/2012 8:37pm
8/20/2012 8:37pm
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/earlylaunch/crossroads/crossroads#specs
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/earlylaunch/secteur/secteurcompact#specs
http://www.cannondale.com/2012/bikes/recreation-urban/urban/bad-boy/2012-bad-boy-9-20108http://www.cannondale.com/2012/bikes/recreation-urban/recreation/quick/2012-quick-5-21008
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/town/urban_utility/district/9th_district/#
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/town/dual_sport/ds_series/
http://www.schwinnbikes.com/bikes/hybrid
BUTCH
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BUTCH 8/20/2012 8:41pm
8/20/2012 8:41pm
If you're gonna buy a new bike, at a bike shop .....the best time to do so in January and Febuary.
IWreckALot
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IWreckALot 8/21/2012 7:34am
8/21/2012 7:34am
I picked up a used GT Avalanche from a dealer for $300 a year ago. It has pinch brakes but other than that it is a great bike. I've since upgraded to a 29er but I still have the GT for friends to ride. I think it was the best bang for my buck.

In the $250 price range, you might be looking at shimano alivio derailleurs. They're on the low end of decent but if you're just riding on the road with the occasional off road, you can't go wrong.
DoctorJD
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DoctorJD 8/21/2012 9:05am
8/21/2012 9:05am
Don't forget frame size. If you're 6'1" you don't want to be riding a small frame. Determine what size frame to look for before you do anything else.
IWreckALot
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IWreckALot 8/22/2012 4:33pm
8/22/2012 4:33pm
Hands down, choose the Giant. . . The trek bike is strictly a beach cruiser. You will be miserable doing any sort of off roading.

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