Originally Posted by Lioness1961

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We took the bike to his regular local bike shop and it will receive a tune-up, new brake pads, cables and new tires. I'll still be well under my budget of $500! Bike shop said it was a great bike and it should give me many years of enjoyable riding.

Thanks everyone for the guidance and opinions. It is greatly appreciated, and I'm sure I will be coming back with more questions. I will have the bike in two weeks (they are really busy, and I am out of pocket all next weekend, so that works). I need to pick up a helmet and shoes--any recommendations?