Hey all -

After many years out of the saddle (as in, I haven't ridden since I was 17, and eight years later, here I go........), I'm getting back on the 'ole bike. I have a relatively short commute to the campus I am at, and once on campus, some fun walkways/bumps/parking lots/pedestrians to navigate over......and I suppose around, in the case of the last, if absolutley necessary...

Anyways, a friend just gave me his Raleigh Tarantula (alloy frame/tires, no suspension but a suspensioned seat to take off the shock). It's a bit beat up, but it's doing the job right now. I was thinking of getting a new bike, but am not sure it's worth it - especially as my budget right now is $300 CAD.

Now that you've all stopped laughing, I was looking at getting a CCM with a carbolite frame from Canadian Tire - the only reason for a suspension would be the on-campus riding, and I'm not sure it's worth it for the short duration of the ride. I do like the look of the CCM Revenge, but do realize it's designed to be an off-road bike.

Any ideas within the budget range? Stick with what I've got? Upgrade the parts, not the bike? Dig a hole for it? Any views on the CCM carbolite frames?

Cheerio and thanks,
INP

If you have a limited budget as many of us have, then fulll suspension is not a great option as it costs a lot.

Try out the bike you have been given. The best bike you can possibly get is one that fits you. You could have a 5k bike that is too big for you and it will be hell.

If the frame is decent enough then you can upgrade wheels and other parts over time and have quite a nice bike. Most important things with bike are wheels, I like the clipless pedals, frame etc.

Happy cycling

Sorry, should correct that - do realize it's designed to LOOK like an off road bike. I get the fact that a $300 dollar bike is not made to handle anything rough - but my commute is on half-decent side roads until I reach the university campus.......the CCM I was thinking of was the CCM Tabu Big Hit.....

(http://www.canadiantire.ca/assortmen...=1108198724489)

Anyways, thanks for the reply motorhommer.....

INP

Nothing to do with bikes but - isn't it a bit embarassing to have a, um, what do you call them.......oh right, NHL logo under your name? Heh heh heh......

Whoa, just making a wee bit o' joke there.........and a side note: despite the origins of the sport, and the Molson (bleah! Pissy beer) adds, not all Canadians watch/are enthralled by hockey. My 10 mo. daughter is much more interesting to watch!

Besides - I'm not too ashamed of insulting a bunch of whiny, overpaid weenies. Sports are supposed to be a thing of personal goals, achievement, and enjoyment (as I imagine most people on this site could agree with) - I personally don't idolize anyone who complains because their multi-million dollar salary is threatend to become a smaller multi-million (or several hundred thousand) dollar salary. That goes for owners AND players. The dispute is about greed, not about the future of the sport. Plain and simple.

anyways, this isn't supposed to be about sports, and I took the topic there, so I apologize. Back to bike decisions.......

If you need a cheap bike to throw around and won't mind getting scratches, dings or perhaps ultimately stolen go get an xmart bike.

For what its worth before I switched to my road bike the only thing I replaced on my canadian tire bike ($200 w/tax) after 1500km is the bottom bracket. It runs fine and I take it out for spins when I can't use my road bike.

If you're going to do serious mountain biking, get one from an LBS like Raiyn said. Or you can go around and see if you can buy a used road bike.

Honestly, if the Raleigh fits and is in reasonable working order, I would keep that. It's probably a better bike than what you'd find for $300 CDN. Instead take that $300 and go to the bike shop, have them give it standard tuneup. Then hold on to the balance, ride it for a while and see if there's anything that you don't like about it. Maybe you'd like crisper shifting, a better saddle, different pedals... you know. Take that money that you didn't spend and the bike back down to the bike shop and you should have enough to replace on or two components and ultimately have a better bike than the CCM.

Another option that may serve you even better is to do some shopping around at second hand stores, yard sales, classifieds, etc. You can often find a quality vintage bike for not a lot of money. I know that kind of cash would buy a very respectable used bike here (even after currency conversion).

Thanks for the replies, guys. I read some stuff on this forum, did some internet research, stopped by a local shop (conveniently about 6 blocks away) - I could've answered the question myself! Obviously, the Raleigh is staying......leaves my budget for important things like lights that are well sealed (in Victoria, BC - a wee bit damp this time of year), a decent lock, that sort of thing. Anyways, as I said, thanks for the input. Go Tampa Bay:)