Originally Posted by
DiabloScott
Sorry if we sound like bike snobs here... but I do think your price point is a little lower than the low bar most of us would set for a friend who asks us for advise. It's just that we've seen too many people buy junk bikes and then don't enjoy them. I don't know if this is a fair comparison, but if someone interested in taking up golf asked you for an opinion on the $150 golf clubs (complete set including bag!) at Target vs the $190 ones at Walmart... what would you tell them?
Those bikes will be rideable; probably won't be much fun to ride, probably won't be assembled very well, probably won't stay adjusted very long, and probably will be hard to maintain. Costco and Walmart probably won't let you take them out for a ride first so you won't really know.
This! There is a cost of entry into biking as a sport or even semi regular activity. If you don't have the budget for $1,000 to $1,200 to start, the bike co op suggestion is a good one. That or, find a local bike shop that sells used bikes. They are out there. Not the big corporate shops, but many smaller shops will take a bike in trade, tune it up, replace worn parts and sell it at 50 to 75% markup. Pretty much a win win for both you and the shop if you can get a bike that sold for $500 or $600 a few years ago but within your budget of $200 to $275.
Stay away from department stores and other big box retailers. While you can get a great deal on toilet paper, it isn't such a good idea for bikes unless you really know what you are doing.