General Cycling Discussion - help for new inexperienced bike buyer please!!

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zzz1986
02-28-11, 11:07 AM
Ok, I am a college student on a budget and I would like to buy a bike for no more than $150. It'll be a daily commute Mon - Fri on pavement of about 7 miles round trip.

What would be better: a vintage 78 Schwinn Varsity road bike which seems to have had good work put into it-
http://baltimore.craigslist.org/bik/2237029685.html

or a $100 Huffy Ladies Savannah Road Bike from wal-mart. I've read that bicycle enthusiasts really seem to look down on Huffy and big brand name stores but customers have given the bike glowing reviews and again - money is tight. All the bike shops I've called in my area are out of my price range.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/700c-L-Savannah-road-bike-model-56770-burgundy/12517030

The last bike I had my parents bought me when I was 12 from Toys R Us. I really do not know anything about bikes so any feedback would so, so appreciated. Thanks!

10 Wheels
02-28-11, 11:13 AM
How tall are you?
Go test ride the 78 Schwinn Varsity .
Looks good for the $$ if it fits.
zzz1986
02-28-11, 11:34 AM
How tall are you?
Go test ride the 78 Schwinn Varsity .
Looks good for the $$ if it fits.

I am 5'6. So Huffy really is that bad huh?

Thanks for your help :-)

TromboneAl
02-28-11, 12:03 PM
You can get great old bikes on craigslist or at garage sales. A good old bike is better than a bad new bike.

The Schwinn looks good to me.
Bikewer
02-28-11, 01:17 PM
I'd lean to the Schwinn as well. The Huffys are seriously bad, and if you're commuting that far on a daily basis it's shortcomings will become rapidly apparent.
The main thing to be worried about with a Schwinn of that vintage is the condition of the main bearings... The hubs, bottom bracket, and headset.
It is not possible to really examine these bearings without taking the wheels off and turning the axles by hand, and without taking the cranks off and turning the bottom bracket spindle by hand.
Replacing these bearings is easy and cheap if you are experienced and have the requisite tools.
If you have to pay a shop, you may be adding considerably to the purchase price of your bike.
RonH
02-28-11, 02:58 PM
"The Electroforged frame is 20in from center of bottom bracket to top of seat post"

If you're not too tall the bike may fit. Do a test ride and see if it is comfortable (height) before buying. If it doesn't feel comfortable keep looking.