phatkat

What do you think about a schwinn or a diamonback brand bike, for my budget it looks like one of these will work for me to start with. After i get back into bikeing again and some miles Im going to the LBS to upgrade . I do plan on going to the LBS first to see if they can fit me and my budget.

DieselDan

If you've got a good LBS behind your purchase, then either is good at that price point. If both are in the same shop, buy the one that fits you best and is the best value. If you're dealing with separate shops, then the better shop service should get your business. If the Schwinn is at Dick's, Target, Wal-Mart, or Toys 'R' Us, then get the Diamondback.

If all are equal, get the red bike.

deraltekluge

If you insist on buying a Schwinn, make sure it's one they admit to building...is it listed on their website? I've noticed that Target, Wal-Mart, etc., Schwinns don't always show up there...it's kinda like they're ashamed of them, or something...

atomship47

from where do you plan on purchasing the bike?

and how often/far do you think you'll be riding?

CACycling

We've had 3 Diamond Back Outlooks over the years (this is the lowest of the DB MTB line) and they were all decent bikes. Also bought my youngest a Target Schwinn MTB a few years back and it was actually a decent bike once I got it adjusted properly. If you go this route, you need to be able to do the maintenance and adjustments yourself. Taking one of these to an LBS for routine adjustments will quickly negate any savings you had from the purchase.

Buying used is also a good option for a first bike if you are able to work on bikes yourself. You can usually pick up an older MTB fairly cheap on Craig's List or at a garage sale.

I'd start at an LBS to see if they have something that fits your budget first. If you can't work on a bike yourself, you are definately better off going the LBS route.

phatkat

The bikes were at dicks sporting goods I do plan on going to my LBS first but I figure that they will try to sell me in the 600 to 800 price range and I just dont have it to spend. I figure if I would buy one from dicks and then upgrade it as needed.

Tom Stormcrowe

phatkat, where are you located? We might be able to come up with some options for you that are less expensive, but equal quality or better.

Tom Stormcrowe

Bikes like this, for example

$75 in the Dallas Area (I actually think you said you were around Dallas.....)

https://dallas.craigslist.org/bik/687212736.html

phatkat

Im located in central indiana

Tom Stormcrowe

AAAAAH, OK. I don't know your height, so I'll pull up a range of possibles off of Craig's list, Indy.

$65 in Fishers
https://indianapolis.craigslist.org/bik/686583182.html

19" Trek MTB: (Medium Frame) $175
https://indianapolis.craigslist.org/bik/686513460.html

3 spd City Bike from Free Spirit: Vintage $75, looks about 56-57 CM (Good for a 5'11" to 6+ footer)
https://indianapolis.craigslist.org/bik/686421577.html

Raleigh M60: 80's - early 90's vintage MTB- $75
https://indianapolis.craigslist.org/bik/680455025.html

All of these, if they will fit you would be decent starter bikes.

A little tuneup, maybe change the cables (recommended, unless already done).

bautieri

Don't let them steer you, generally LBS's are quite helpful in matching a bike to a rider on a budget. If they refuse to show you any mountain bikes less than 600 you should probably walk. There are plenty of decent mountain bikes for much less than that.

phatkat

Tom Im 5 foot 10 in I liked the raleigh m60 and the 27 in gaint I think the gaint mite be alittle to tall so i emailed them

Tom Stormcrowe

Cool! Go check them out. Worst case, you'll have to spend a few bucks on cables, etc.

Tom Stormcrowe

If you're 5'10",that giant is a 54 CM and will likely be about right. They call it a 27" because it has 27" wheels.

phatkat

I sat on a mountain bike today and it felt a little cramped for me woud a roadbike fell more comfortable

Tom Stormcrowe

That would depend on the Top Tube length, etc. That would be one good reason to go to a bike shop.....at least to kind of get a fitting. Even if you buy used, you'll still be dealing with them for parts and service eventually.

When you go in, just go in looking. You might also be surprised and see something in budget at the Bike Shop even.....it's clearance time after all.

phatkat

It sounds like going to a bike shop would be the smart thing for me to do before I buy now i just have to find one in the crawfordsville, lafayette area THANKS

Tom Stormcrowe

You will have a PM.

Wogster

A good bike shop will ask what your budget is, and then see what they have within it, showing someone with $400 to spend, an $800 bike, is just wasting your and the sales persons time. However they may show you models up to about $500.... Like automobiles, bike manufacturers, get good prices on parts from companies like SRAM and Shimano, so if you want a bike with Deore level parts, buying one with Altus level parts, and upgrading as you go, will end up costing you more, then buying the Deore level bike in the first place.

Now realise that Schwinn is an odd duck, there are really 2 Schwinns, there are cheap bikes, built like crap, for sale in high volume discount stores, and there are Schwnns that are sold in bike shops, which are a level up the quality scale.
The discount store Schwinns, are designed to be disposable, they may use non-standard components, such as Ashtabula cranks, or older component designs like freewheels. They are mostly designed for the rider who rides 3 or 4 times, and then leaves the bike sitting in the garage for 20 years, before some relative, going through their estate tosses it as worthless -- an accurate statement because it is. You will also find that they typically only come in one size and can not be fitted properly. They will also be very heavy.

Bike shop Schwinns tend to use standard components, but probably the lowest end of the component manufacturers line, these are not disposable, and can work as a starter bike. They typically will have more sizes available, can be fitted properly. Unfortunately they may still be quite heavy.

A good deal can often be obtained a couple of ways, like cars, bikes have a yearly model change, typically these models come out in the fall, if your in a place that gets real winter weather, where there are months that many people do not ride, then sometimes a previous model year bike will be marked down, so a $600 bike might end up $499......

Remember as well, the experienced bicycle market, there are some very good bicycles from 4-5 years ago, that are now quite reasonably priced. There are some bike boom bikes (late 1970's and early 1980's), that are down right cheap, but still in very good condition. It's not uncommon to find folks who buy these old bicycles, at garage sales and other places, fix them up and resell them. I'm trying to get my other half to get one..

atomship47

i bought a db wildwood from a chain sporting goods store. i was riding 15-30 miles/day 5 or 6 days per week. had to replace the wheelset under warranty. the chain store wouldn't do anything about it so i had to take it to an lbs that sold db's. also, the bb was bad. chain store bike tech couldn't fix it. had to replace it at 4 months. seat post went bad, etc. i had spent about half the price of the bike on parts and decided to upgrade. i got a leftover trek 7300 for about $125 more than the db.

for the $, the db was ok. i regret not buying it from an lbs. however, i wouldn't buy it for a bike you plan on putting a lot of miles on.