Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.
newbie biker
09-12-06, 02:29 PM
as my user name might suggest, i'm new to this bike world. read a few things online and found it very useful so thought i might try my hand at this. my 13 year old son got his bike stolen and is trying to buy a bike with the money he's saved. any thoughts on what would be a good value for his $? i thought a gently used bike might be the best way to stretch his buck, but have no idea on what kind. he wants a hybrid/mtn bike. so far that's his only criteria.
Craigslist might be worth a shot.
alanbikehouston
09-12-06, 03:03 PM
Getting the precise correct size and fit is critical for safety and enjoyment. For around $200, you can find used bikes that sold for $1,000 ten years ago. But, unless you buy that used bike from a good bike shop, you might also be buying concealed problems with the frame, fork, and components.
Right now, most bikes shops are doing "clearance" sales on their 2006 model mountain bikes. Trek, Specialized, and Giant have some very nice mountain bikes with a list price between $250 and $399 that are currently selling for between $200 and $300. With these bikes, you can get a precise fit, a life-time warranty on the frame, a tune-up before delivery, and another tune-up free in thirty days.
Buy from a shop that is within a mile or so from home. That makes it easy to get the regular small adjustments to the shifting and braking that are the difference between an "okay" riding experience, and a great riding experience.
Buy an OnGuard Pitbull to lock around the rear wheel, and a $20 cable lock for the front wheel. And, don't leave the bike out of sight, even in "safe" areas for more than an hour or so.