General Cycling Discussion - Need some sound advice

Hey

I am looking to get into cycling mostly for the exercise and fun of it. I am in need of some advice. I am a college student so I don't have a lot of money to spend (~in the 200-450 range). I went to a local bike shop in Vancouver and the guy there suggested a hybrid type bike since I am not going to be going to the mountains or anything - mostly just on the road.

He suggested the Devinci Milano as a good option for me:
http://www.devinci.com/bikes/browse#4_10_27

However this is around $450 bucks.

I also went to sportchek and found another hybrid - a nakamura - it was around $250. - It was something like this I believe.
http://www.sportsexperts.ca/sportsexperts/equipment/bike/hybrid-bikes.html?product=983

And then theres this diamondback insight 1 - that i found online.
http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_514526_-1_202003_10000_200348


What should I do?

Well.... these are very similar bikes. We don't see the Milano brand around here, but the component spec is about in the ballpark for that price range. However, IMO, it is not That much nicer than the Diamondback you can get from Nashbar.
This type of bike is becoming more and more popular, since folks were taking the gnarly mountain bikes they'd bought and found they never took offroad....And putting street tires on them.
Best is to ride each one, see how it fits you, and see if the dealer will be willing to deal with you a little. (don't expect much on a bike in this range, the profit margin is pretty thin.)

Taking a test ride is very good advice.
You might consider looking at used bikes, especially if you or anyone you know has some experience, or if there's a bike store you can trust.
Also, where do you plan to ride?

I plan mostly to ride on roads along bike routes throughout Richmond BC, and up to UBC about 20-25 miles both ways - with one big ass hill to climb.

We also have a gravel dike to ride on in my city along the shore line and its not too bumpy.
I have an old rusty mountain bike and the tires are just so fat I cant get any good speed going on it and the rhythm of it just feels off. Unfortunately I don't have too much bike IQ and I think buying used online I could end up with a lemon.

If you have any other suggestions on good intro bikes Id appreciate it and I will definitely be taking some test rides.

thanks again

"College student" Is this going to be a bike for riding on campus? College campuses are notorious for both bike theft and theft of parts off of bikes. A good solution is to acquire a POS. That way you won't feel so bad when it gets stolen.

"College student" Is this going to be a bike for riding on campus? College campuses are notorious for both bike theft and theft of parts off of bikes. A good solution is to acquire a POS. That way you won't feel so bad when it gets stolen.


Yeah the campus im at has major theft issues .. I don't plan on leaving it unattended anywhere though. I hate bike thieves...

My wife had a low end Schwinn mountain bike, and I put 1.25" Paselas on it. The first time she rode it, she said: "It feels too fast."
So, you might try putting smooth tires on the bike you have, as long as it fits you well. It will still be good enough for a bit of gravel or dirt, although you won't have as much traction on loose sand.