Which bike should I choose?
 

I have no idea which one to choose. Any help would be appreciated. Email me @ bgriego@glendaleaz.com

Here are the ones I am thinking of:

Bike Name Retailer Price
Schwinn® Men's 17" Coronado Cabelas $183.99
Schwinn® Solution GSD Mountain Bike Cabelas $261.99
Schwinn® 17" Ridge AL Mountain Bike Cabelas $186.99
Mongoose® Montana 18" Mountain Bike Cabelas $111.99
Schwinn® Solution FS AL Mountain Bike Cabelas $209.99
700c Schwinn Pathway Comfort Bike Walmart $287.00
700c Schwinn Avenue Hybrid Bike Walmart $219.00
700c Schwinn Varsity Road Bike Walmart $219.00

This is also my price range. I don't really want to go over 300. I currently am riding a Murray Ultra Terrain Mountain Bike to work (5.5 miles). Any and all suggestions would be great. Thanks in advance, Brian

Buying a bike from Cabelas or Walmart is risky. I like Cabelas for most stuff, but you need to try out the bike and have knowledgable folks help you with the fit. Also you'd like it to be put together by some one that actually knows how to. Find a bicycle store and see if you can't find something in your price range.

Joe
:beer:

Wait longer and save up some more money to get a decent bike.

Rather than go to the Cheap bikes from a Non Cycling outlet- Look on Craigs list for Secondhand. Just make certain it fits

What's wrong with the bike you're currently riding? None of the options on your list would be substantially better than what you're riding now if it's properly maintained.

Better to invest in tools and build up your maintenance skills fixing the Murray, and take your time to save for/fix up a better quality bike for your next rig. CL is a good place to look but finding good deals that fit properly can take time.

avoid department store bikes, you'll be much more likely to ride the bike if it fits and is fun to ride.

for just a little bit more you'll be able to find a better bike on craigslist (i just did). good luck!

You'd be better off checking out the local bike shops (LBS) and talk to the folks there. See what they have to offer. A solid relationship with a local bike shop is worth a lot more than you'll spend on your bike. As they get to know you, they'll know what you need for whatever type of riding you do. They'll be able to recommend the right gear and keep it maintained. It's well worth it!

There are a couple reasons I want to get a different bike. First off there is nothing "wrong" with the bike I have now. Everything works great. I was wanting to get a bike that is inexpensive and falls more in line with the type of riding I am doing. I was thinking of a hybrid because the majority of my riding time is on the road and a little is dirt roads. I also wanted to upgrade from having a frame that is steel. I just bought my daughter a cruiser and was amazed at how light it was compared to my bike. It has an aluminum frame. I started looking at the other bikes at walmart and noticed the same. I'd like to have a lighter bike that is more in line with the type of riding I do. The Murray I have now has a steel frame and no suspension. So, with all that in mind I had it narrowed down to the ones I had selected. I am leaning toward a hybrid. I figured I would try to find any information on the bikes I had it narrowed down to before I just went out and got the one I was leaning towrd the most (700c Schwinn Pathway Comfort Bike Walmart $287.00). Again, any and all info is appreciated.

Bump

Honestly, when you take your own weight into consideration, 5-10 extra pound of bike doesn't make a whole lot of difference. A non-suspension steel MTB is actually a reasonable choice for city commuting--just put on some slick tires (around 1.5" wide) for more consistent traction on pavement, maybe some fenders for the rain, and you're good to go, assuming you're not going to do any extreme off-roading. In the $300 price range, I'm not sure that suspension makes the bike better. I'd sooner see that money going into better components in other areas of the bike, for better durability. However, front suspension does smooth out road buzz pretty nicely so unless you're out there time-trialling every day on your commute it's not a big deal one way or the other. Whether aluminum frames are actually an upgrade compared to steel is the subject of considerable (almost on the verge of theological) debate.

That said, since you've already bought the Schwinn, the Murray will make a decent backup bike. :D

And the most important thing is the engine, so keep riding!:love:

The "cheapest" bike in the world is a $400 mountain bike from a really good bike shop. These bikes come with reliable components, and are well assembled and tuned for long life. Per mile, and per year, a $400 mountain bike is FAR, FAR cheaper than a $200 bike from a discount store.

And, many bike shops sell "trade-in's. You can buy a mountain bike that was "pro quality" back in 1990, with hand-made fork and pro level components...a bike shop would sell it for $175 to $250 depending on its appearance, tuned up and ready to ride. Some of these 20 year old mountain bikes have actually be used for two or three summers and then put in storage...they are often very close to "like new".

Ok....now that you all have convinced me to go to a LBS rather than Walmart, I will. So, is there anyone here from Phoenix that can recommend a shop to me?

Try posting that on one of the regional forums.