tb582

Hello, Last May I recieved a bike for my birthday from my girlfriend, we live in the city and I have been wanting a new bike, well a bike other than the one that I used when I was a kid. The bike is a Merida Road bike, its really nice and lightweight. BUT it doesn't suit my needs, neither one of use knows that much about bikes, so she just ended up buying me a bike....... Anyway I don't really like it, living in the city requires you to ride on the sidewalk, switch to the street fairly rapidly. I must of switched too rapidly because I went from the street to the sidewalk and I must of caught the sidewalk just right and my tires poped . Now its almost a year later and the tires are still flat but now I have done my research and have decided what kind of bikie i'm looking for, i think.......

She paid around $500.00 for the bike I'm not looking to spend much more than that on a new one. I want to get a Mountian bike, perferably with disc brakes but its not essential. I want it to have front-suspension. One of the biggest things that I do not like about my Merida bike is the handle bars, I don't like bending over that far, I perfer the more upright ride. I really really really really don't want to spend over 560.00 on a bike, what is out there that has the features that suits me? How much could I get for my Merida bike?

There is a Boston bike show coming to the city next weekend and I was hoping to get a good deal there? what do you think????

https://bicycleshows.us/boston/

phantomcow2

Look in the 500 dollar MTB thread. If your looking for disc brakes and all, your better bet is used in a pawn shop or ebay.

tb582

it doesn't have to have disc breaks i just thought i would be better.





anyone else have any comments i was hoping to pick a bike up at the bike show, but i dunnno??

MichaelW

If you want a practical utility bike, then make sure your new machine has threaded eyelets for luggage rack and fenders. Even if you dont fit them initially, you always have the option later.
$400-$600 should get you something that is adaquate quality, get the lightest one you can, most are over-built for city riding. A good , strong wheel is needed so avoid fancy ones and look for more rather than fewer spokes. Switch knobbly tyres for a medium slick tyre with puncture protection: the best upgrade you can make.
Disk brakes are good in wet dirty or snowy conditions but are not a neccesity. The rear disk can interfere with luggage racks and rear brakes are not all that useful anyway.
Pick your bike shop first, one that sells to commuters and tourists as well as racing and sport riders. You should be able to find a suitable model from most brands. The shop (if it is good) will help you pick the correct size.

tb582

thanks for your response....do you have any specific bikes in mind that are in my price range that you can send me a link to? How much do you think I will get for my Merida bike?

MichaelW

You have to budget for accessories as well as the bike: helmet, fenders, rack, lights, waterbottle, whatever you think you might need. It is easier to get discounded extras than discounted bike.
Find out what brands your local bike shop (LBS) does.
Fuji and Jamis are 2 brands where you pay less for the label.
https://www.fujibikes.com/2005/mtb.asp
https://www.jamisbikes.com/hardtails.html

most of the $4-500 weigh in at 30lbs, whist their flat-bar road bikes are closer to 24lbs.
Try picking up similar priced bikes and see how that feels.
Trek,Giant,Specialized are all big brand names and do similar models. First find your LBS.

pnj

comfort bikes allow you to sit upright. they often have larger tires and front suspension.

people make the mistake of saying "i want a mtn. bike" when they really want something else. tell the sales guy you want a bike that is comfortable and won't have you hunched over the bars and will allow you to ride easily over the rough city streets.

LowCel 

In addition to fuji and jamis check out Giant, Specialized and KHS. They have some great bikes in your price range.

The best way to find out what your bike is worth is to do a search on ebay for your bike on completed auctions.

tb582

interesting....thanks, do you think I will be able to find a good deal at the bike show? Fortuntily or unfortunitly I already have a helmet, light, and water bottle.

LowCel 

I have no idea, I have never been to a bike show.. The best thing you can do is do as much research as possible so you will have some idea what you are looking at. Learn the component group lines, for example, shimano kind of goes deore - lx - xt - xtr. Another good idea is to take your cell phone and some phone numbers to the local shops. If you find a bike that you like call your local dealer and see they sell it for. If the price difference is minimal buy it locally that way you will have someone to work on your bike when something goes wrong.

Scottluebke2004

yup, the $500 MTB thread covers this in detail. It comes to one of 2 bikes: Trek 4500 or Specialized Hardrock

tb582

where is that thread? can you post a link to it please

jeff williams

https://www.bikeforums.net/mountain-biking/56148-around-500-mtb-thread.html

tb582

I havent got a chance to read the thread yet but from what Scottluebke2004 posted I have another question. is the Trek 4500 and the Specialized Hardrock "so called comfort bikes?"

hooligan

Kona Lana'i
Treks in the 4000 range.
Specialized Hardrock.(Don't get disc vs, it sucks.)
Giant Yukon

tb582

could you clarify your post a bit more, i didn't really understand it

tb582

how is this bike? https://www.fujibikes.com/2005/bikes.asp?id=62

Why are there no prices on there site?

Original 6

I did a search using Merida on ebay and only a jersey came up. I do not know much about road bikes but we'll definitely need the model to do a better search.

Here are links to 2 bike from Kona's XC line. The 2005 Kona Fire Mountain retails for $549 and includes disc brakes. The 2005 Kona Hahanna retails for $449 with V-brakes. There are lots of good bikes out there... I've personally owned Kona and Specialized. I think they do a great job. I would also look at Giant, Trek, and any other you see at the show. Take your time and ride a few bikes before you end up with another one you are not happy with.

LowCel 

Most companies don't list their prices on the websites. It would be nice if they did, be nice if they listed weights as well but that doesn't happen much either.

a2psyklnut

Merida is the factory that makes several brands of bikes, the one most know and love is Specialized.

I'm guessing if you go to the Specialized website, you can find a similarly spec'd bike. Start there with their MSRP's. Then figure since it's used, it'll be worth about 50%.

tb582

I'll have to look tonight and see if i can find a serial number or model on the bike.... but I don't think its a specialized .... the bike actually has Merida written on the side, this is there site ( https://www.merida.com/s0_global/main...hp?group0=home)

a2psyklnut

You misunderstood me.

Meridia is the Factory where many different brand bikes are assembled, and painted and decaled for companies such as Specialized.

They decided they could undercut everyone's price (Much like GIANT did 20 years ago) and sell their own Name brand bike.

tb582

ahhh...i got you now


I'll check tonight and reply, hopefully i will be able to find a serial number or something

tb582

Alright guys/girls I have good news, The following is on the bike, All of the decals say Merida, along the top vertical bar it says Extreme 900 ( obvisouly the model number) on the handle bars it says "HSINLUNG" and underneeth that it has HL. I found this page.... ( https://www.cykloshop.cz/nikita2/karta.php3?ID=684 )but its not in english so maybe some one here can translate it?

a2psyklnut

I can't read it either, but can help you with the basics and with what I can decipher:

Merida Extreme 900, 2002 model year, Kinesis aluminum fork with a full Shimano Sora group. Alex rims mounted on Formula hubs with CST tires (Continentals maybe???)

Stem and seatpost are generic items (IKE brand).

Hey, it gives an MSRP in Euro's and U.S. Dollars.

Not a bad bike. You could probably sell it for $400, maybe even $450.