Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Commuting
Reload this Page >

Looking for a commuter/city bike under $500--offer opinion on brands?

Search
Notices
Commuting Bicycle commuting is easier than you think, before you know it, you'll be hooked. Learn the tips, hints, equipment, safety requirements for safely riding your bike to work.

Looking for a commuter/city bike under $500--offer opinion on brands?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 01-28-16, 12:19 AM
  #26  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,737
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 147 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times in 8 Posts
Originally Posted by mr geeker
Schwinn is a decent brand, heck one of the local shops around here used to carry them before they decided to become an online bike parts warehouse. In fact, shops that sell shwinn bikes sell ones that are unavailable to big box stores so you end up with a better put together product than the "mart" stores.
Schwinn is a value brand owned by Dorel Industries. It sells bikes both through big box stores and through independent bike dealers. The latter are top of the line bikes.
NormanF is offline  
Old 01-28-16, 12:22 AM
  #27  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,737
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 147 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times in 8 Posts
Originally Posted by loraflor
Thought about Craigslist and took a look, but I need this bike within a week or two. Mine is in bad shape and not really working, and I ride a lot.

Is there any reason NOT to get a Schwinn? I have a dealer. Prices are enticing.

The Trek verve is a new one on me. I have someplace that sells Trek.
A LBS Schwinn will last forever. If you choose one over a WallyWorld Schwinn, you're assured of getting a bike that is built with a light frame and high quality parts. Moreso if you can find one in your budget.
NormanF is offline  
Old 01-28-16, 12:36 AM
  #28  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,737
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 147 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times in 8 Posts
Originally Posted by loraflor
Thought about Craigslist and took a look, but I need this bike within a week or two. Mine is in bad shape and not really working, and I ride a lot.

Is there any reason NOT to get a Schwinn? I have a dealer. Prices are enticing.

The Trek verve is a new one on me. I have someplace that sells Trek.
Performance sells the Schwinn Allston. Allston 1 is over your budget by $50. Has 8 speed. The 3 speed Allston 2 is on budget at $499.99:


NormanF is offline  
Old 01-28-16, 05:27 AM
  #29  
Day trip lover
 
mr geeker's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: capital city of iowa
Posts: 813

Bikes: '16 Giant Escape 3 (fair weather ride), Giant Quasar (work in progress), 2002 saturn vue (crap weather ride)

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 21 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by NormanF
Schwinn is a value brand owned by Dorel Industries. It sells bikes both through big box stores and through independent bike dealers. The latter are top of the line bikes.
A LBS Schwinn will last forever. If you choose one over a WallyWorld Schwinn, you're assured of getting a bike that is built with a light frame and high quality parts. Moreso if you can find one in your budget.
I do believe that is what I said.
mr geeker is offline  
Old 01-28-16, 06:39 AM
  #30  
Zip tie Karen
 
Phil_gretz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Fair Oaks Ranch, TX
Posts: 7,004

Bikes: '13 Motobecane Fantom29 HT, '16 Motobecane Turino Pro Disc, '18 Velobuild VB-R-022, '21 Tsunami SNM-100

Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1465 Post(s)
Liked 1,542 Times in 806 Posts
Breezer Downtown 3, available from dealers in Tampa, Orlando or Gainsville, FL. Nicely put together bike for the OP's purpose...

https://www.breezerbikes.com/bikes/de...downtown-3-st4

Last edited by Phil_gretz; 01-28-16 at 06:42 AM.
Phil_gretz is offline  
Old 01-28-16, 07:50 AM
  #31  
Full Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Charleston, SC
Posts: 329
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 103 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 28 Times in 15 Posts
I would look at the Schwinn from your local dealer. The Allston 2 or Travler or maybe the Fiesta since it has smaller wheels and you may feel it fits better. A number of mail order options are available but you also stated you ride almost daily. The LBS that sold you the bike will be a good resource when you roll in with your child in a trailer and a rack full of groceries and you need a small adjustment. You mentioned your husband (assuming you as well) have very little mechanical abilities. Your LBS is the place for the adjustments and such.
danmyersmn is offline  
Old 01-28-16, 08:11 AM
  #32  
Sunshine
 
mstateglfr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,664

Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo

Mentioned: 123 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11018 Post(s)
Liked 7,565 Times in 4,221 Posts
Originally Posted by Darth Lefty
Schwinn the American bike company of the past was sold to its creditors in the early 90's. Schwinn the brand today is a trademark of a Chinese company. Their bikes are pretty much nothing special, no better or worse than others like them. Specialized and Trek are both still nominally American companies and there are a lot of smaller ones, but most of them make most of their bikes in China. I'm not sure if that bothers you. What's probably more important is that, if you buy from a bike dealer then you have their support. Priority has been great to deal with too, though they can't directly work on your bike for you.
Semantics, minor correction, not important to the discussion- Schwinn is owned by Pacific/Dorel. So its US/Canadian owned. Same conglomerate owns Cannondale, GT, Mongoose, and a handful of other names.

Your post's point is spot on, please dont take the clarification as disagreeing with the actual important points.
mstateglfr is offline  
Old 01-30-16, 09:14 AM
  #33  
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 95
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by Phil_gretz
Breezer Downtown 3, available from dealers in Tampa, Orlando or Gainsville, FL. Nicely put together bike for the OP's purpose...

Breezer Bikes - Downtown 3 ST - Bike Overview
I saw that the Breezer Downtown line got recalled. I hope they fix the issue, I'd love one.
bfuser284953024 is offline  
Old 01-30-16, 11:17 AM
  #34  
Zip tie Karen
 
Phil_gretz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Fair Oaks Ranch, TX
Posts: 7,004

Bikes: '13 Motobecane Fantom29 HT, '16 Motobecane Turino Pro Disc, '18 Velobuild VB-R-022, '21 Tsunami SNM-100

Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1465 Post(s)
Liked 1,542 Times in 806 Posts
Originally Posted by hannathing
I saw that the Breezer Downtown line got recalled. I hope they fix the issue, I'd love one.
Cheap Chinese pedals can be swapped at purchase. Done.

EDIT: to clarify, it appears that the recall concerned pedal bodies coming loose from their spindles. It's likely that whatever fastener (nut on the end of the spindle) hadn't been torqued properly, or the threading was not within spec. Either way, few people keep the pedals supplied with new bikes. Simply choose your own and the problem is solved. @hannathing, I apologize for the terse response. Have fun. PG

Last edited by Phil_gretz; 01-30-16 at 12:40 PM. Reason: Added clarification.
Phil_gretz is offline  
Old 02-13-16, 03:25 PM
  #35  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 8
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Update--I bought a Linus Scout 7, just squeaking under by price range at $499. I almost bought a Schwinn Voyageur, but the Linus was a nicer ride and they were selling it a store I like and trust. Also, I freely admit it was a cuter bike and they sold me on it being somewhat higher quality components (hope it's true).
loraflor is offline  
Old 02-15-16, 02:45 PM
  #36  
Senior Member
 
valleyrider's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Shenandoah Valley
Posts: 78

Bikes: 2014 Trek Crossrip Elite, *mart Mongoose XR-150

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
You probably got a good one. Enjoy it!
valleyrider is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
unionmade
Hybrid Bicycles
2
09-01-15 05:14 PM
old_bikr
Hybrid Bicycles
7
06-16-15 01:37 PM
fowlowl
Recreational & Family
6
05-11-15 10:35 AM
mild steel
Classic & Vintage
9
09-09-11 12:42 PM
Bazaaretw
General Cycling Discussion
37
03-05-10 05:54 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.