kids bicycle sale image
justwonder
Currently in my early 40's. I haven't spent much time riding a bike since I was a kid, though I have used the Lifecycle at the gym many times. Now I have moved to a place where there are a lot of outdoor trails and I want to get into outdoor cycling. But I don't want to spend a lot of money for a fancy bike right away, since I'm still a beginner.
What is a good entry-level bike that I should look for. What price range are we talking? 300? 500?
Thanks.
Forgot to add, I'll be looking at men's bikes.
;-)
Answer
Avoid buying a bike at a place like Wal-Mart. Often the bikes are put together incorrectly, are unsafe, and they are so-o-o heavy and uncomfortable. In addition, they often have very few sizes, if any beyond child and adult, and fit is THE MOST IMPORTANT THING with any bicycle. While these bikes are cheap, the quality also absolutely sucks. (Try picking one of those babies up, then compare it to a bike from an actual bike shop!)
Next: what kind of riding do you want to do? All paved bike paths, on the road, on trails? If you want to do any trail riding, you want a mountain bike. If you are going to only ride on paved paths or roads, you will want a hybrid or road bike.
Find a local bike shop and talk to a sales person about the kind of riding you want to do and your budget. Actually, go to a few shops that sell different brands. Test ride a few different bikes and see what feels good. Different brands all have slightly different geometries. Some good brands to look for include Specialized, Trek, Giant, Gary Fisher (mountain bikes only), Jamis, Cannondale, Bianchi and Fuji. Schwinn is even back in the market making some decent stuff, but only if you buy it from a bike shop, not a big chain store! Jamis bikes are not as widely available as some of these other brands but are often the best priced for what you get.
For just starting out you can find a bike for under $500. Generally avoid anything under $350 unless it is on sale. If you buy after the 2007 models come out, you can probably get a 2006 model on sale this fall.
A road bike (with drop bars and everything) will probably be out of your price range--they generally start up around $600+ since they are not as popular with recreational cyclists. But if you are going to ride on pavement, you can find a 700c wheel hybrid, or "flat bar" road bike in the $500 range. If you are going to be riding off road, stick to the name brands, but you can get an entry level bike in the $400-$500 range.
Avoid buying a bike at a place like Wal-Mart. Often the bikes are put together incorrectly, are unsafe, and they are so-o-o heavy and uncomfortable. In addition, they often have very few sizes, if any beyond child and adult, and fit is THE MOST IMPORTANT THING with any bicycle. While these bikes are cheap, the quality also absolutely sucks. (Try picking one of those babies up, then compare it to a bike from an actual bike shop!)
Next: what kind of riding do you want to do? All paved bike paths, on the road, on trails? If you want to do any trail riding, you want a mountain bike. If you are going to only ride on paved paths or roads, you will want a hybrid or road bike.
Find a local bike shop and talk to a sales person about the kind of riding you want to do and your budget. Actually, go to a few shops that sell different brands. Test ride a few different bikes and see what feels good. Different brands all have slightly different geometries. Some good brands to look for include Specialized, Trek, Giant, Gary Fisher (mountain bikes only), Jamis, Cannondale, Bianchi and Fuji. Schwinn is even back in the market making some decent stuff, but only if you buy it from a bike shop, not a big chain store! Jamis bikes are not as widely available as some of these other brands but are often the best priced for what you get.
For just starting out you can find a bike for under $500. Generally avoid anything under $350 unless it is on sale. If you buy after the 2007 models come out, you can probably get a 2006 model on sale this fall.
A road bike (with drop bars and everything) will probably be out of your price range--they generally start up around $600+ since they are not as popular with recreational cyclists. But if you are going to ride on pavement, you can find a 700c wheel hybrid, or "flat bar" road bike in the $500 range. If you are going to be riding off road, stick to the name brands, but you can get an entry level bike in the $400-$500 range.
How much should I pay for a used bicycle?
Madelynn
I don't need anything fancy. I just need it to get around to nearby places like the library and the record store, since I'm only 14 and can't drive.
Again, nothing fancy.
How much should I pay for a used bicycle in decent condition?
Answer
This is a good question, but it is hard to answer. There are an incredible number of factors that will influence how much you will have to pay for a bike. I always found getting a bargain really is a matter of how much time and effort you are willing to put into the pursuit. If you need something right now, you usually will pay top dollar. If you have time and are willing to spend some effort looking around you can scout out all sort of deals.
Here is what I've noticed about bicycle prices. A 2 to 5 year old bike should never sell for more than half the price of a comparable new one. Older bikes can be easily had for $20-$50, but may need some work to get on the road. (Tires and brake pads often need to be replaced, but these are pretty cheap and easy to deal with.) The more someone simply wants to get a bike out of their house, the less it will cost. Nearly every one who has kids has a couple of old bikes collecting dust in the garage that they may want to get rid of.
Here are the places to find a decent used bike:
- bike store expect to pay top dollar
- used bike cooperative - lots of places have cooperatives that rebuild and sell bikes
- thrift store
- police and/or town sales of abandoned and stolen/recovered bikes
- craigslist.com
- neighbors - try sticking a note in all of your neighbors mailboxes or doors stating you are looking for a decent used bike. (You may get one for free.)
Good luck and happy hunting.
This is a good question, but it is hard to answer. There are an incredible number of factors that will influence how much you will have to pay for a bike. I always found getting a bargain really is a matter of how much time and effort you are willing to put into the pursuit. If you need something right now, you usually will pay top dollar. If you have time and are willing to spend some effort looking around you can scout out all sort of deals.
Here is what I've noticed about bicycle prices. A 2 to 5 year old bike should never sell for more than half the price of a comparable new one. Older bikes can be easily had for $20-$50, but may need some work to get on the road. (Tires and brake pads often need to be replaced, but these are pretty cheap and easy to deal with.) The more someone simply wants to get a bike out of their house, the less it will cost. Nearly every one who has kids has a couple of old bikes collecting dust in the garage that they may want to get rid of.
Here are the places to find a decent used bike:
- bike store expect to pay top dollar
- used bike cooperative - lots of places have cooperatives that rebuild and sell bikes
- thrift store
- police and/or town sales of abandoned and stolen/recovered bikes
- craigslist.com
- neighbors - try sticking a note in all of your neighbors mailboxes or doors stating you are looking for a decent used bike. (You may get one for free.)
Good luck and happy hunting.
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Title Post: What is a good bicycle for a beginning cyclist?
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