First bike
 

I have been looking around for an entry level bike for around $150. I have found three that i am looking at. I found a Diamondback Outlook from 2005 at Dicks Sporting Goods for $169. I also found two bikes at Target that interest me. The first is a Mongoose Iboc, the other is a Schwinn sx-2000. Please give me some good input on the parts on each and the pros/cons. Thanks for your help.

i'm pretty sure everybody's gonna tell you the same thing.

and that is, to go to your local bike shop, and look for a used bike or a bike a little bit more expensive. ( you can get a decent brand new bike for around 300, maybe even 250). you can try buying last year's models of bikes at a bike store to bring the price down as well.

bikes at big department stores are more like toys than bikes.

i'd try to help you with the bikes you listed, but i know nothing about them.

yep, what he said. If you plan to actually ride this off of pavement, spend at least $300 for a new bike. Your best bet is to buy used, but avoid all dept. store bikes.. its just not worth it.

Dick's carries some iron horse bikes badged as a warrior sport or team, but they are really mavericks...not bad bikes for the buck. i paid $300 and its sturdy, lots of room to upgrade too.

Dicks
 

Yea Dick's carries the outlook i was looking at. They have the 05 for 169 and the 06 for 199. I was wanting to get the 05 but didn't know much about it. I have heard that Diamondback makes quality stuff and is better than Schwinn and Mongoose but i was just wanting some input from more experienced riders.

i like scr1be's advice hes totaly rite