Want to help a newb? Please do with choosing a bike...
 

Hi.

Here's my situation. I recently graduated from college and am moving to Virginia. I need a bike for riding into work and back, and for recreation with my girlfriend and exercise. The trip from where I will be living is at most 5 miles from where I will be working. I figure a bike will ease the commute and save me money of gas in the long run, besides being better for me and most importantly the environment.

I recieved 200 bucks in money at www.amazon.com . I want to use this money as a starting point for what I will need at first (bike, helmet, gloves, ???) On top of that credit I have 150-200 bucks that I can spend.

I'm a big guy, 6' 3" and 215 pounds.

The bikes I have considered the most are listed here as links to amazon.com

Micargi Super M3000
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...orting%2dgoods

Micargi M2000
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...orting%2dgoods

Jeep Dual Suspension
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...orting%2dgoods

Jeep S Dual Suspension
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...orting%2dgoods

Another Jeep
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...orting%2dgoods


Are any of these serviceable? I do want to get into using a bike as a means of transportation (at least for a good deal of my transit) but as a recent grad cannot spend 2000 dollars on a designer bike. If none of these bikes is recommended, can anyone say something that is quality for what I will be spending?

Thanks. If I can give any more info that will be helpful please know. Thanks to you all.


-DJ Solder

A good used bike.
Check local pawn shops,craigslist or goodwill.

Nope, also unless you commute down fireroads, those are fake DH bikes.
Look for hardtail, front suspension- less to go wrong- better for getting an o.k road hybrid.
(you swap out the knobbies for slick\ semi slick tread narrow tires.)
.....pick some other bikes, I can be very snotty. :D Probably an entry level Trek or Specialized HT would do and I think they are pretty reasonable. Say $300?

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...orting%2dgoods Maybe, do some research.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...orting%2dgoods Baby, thats a bike. Best one so far, I'm on page 18.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...orting%2dgoods That's the real stuff, a super good bike, probably a bit overpriced.

Yeah get a cheap XC bike. I don't really have much time too look for some examples. But keep looking i'm sure you'll find exactly what your looking for. But definatly do your research. That helped me a lot when I was looking for my new bike recently.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...418441-3882510

there are nice bike parts, but I saw no interesting frames except like the ellsworth. YA, GET THAT ONE!
Maybe get the Schwinn above, steel, heavy, but it won't break and spend the rest on accessories.
Basically, go to a bike store with $300. For the price of these 'toys' you can get an entry level 'bicycle.'
If you had expierience upgrading bikes, there were cranks, pedals etc at one store that were good stuff. But some PARTS that are the price of these entire bikes. The parts to me are worth the price, bikes not.

Sorry, not much help- never shopped there and had a good look.
Jef.

Now somebodies gonna start yellin...

Different angle, those cruiser bikes will screw up less, you could for a few bucks replace the garbage factory bearings etc... could run a few years. Get a steel one if possible.

The police bike 'Perimiter' is a cromoly steel frame- might be an o.k bike.

They have a 'Tactical'- I think it was with RockShock Judy for $669. Still a waste.

Schwinn as a budget, assuming they are all garbage, go cheap, or the 2'nd links maybe o.k. 'Perimiter' police poser bike. Might have some fun teasing kids. It MAY be better.

I'd buy the Soviet mail bike 'cause i'm a very cool fellow, and it look good on me.

I DREAM of owning an Ellsworth.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...A2CL167BI7GB4U This is a full suspension bike, not the jeeps, scary price eh?

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...A2CL167BI7GB4U all yer credit, one upgrade.

The store 'Beyond Bikes', you could get nice upgrades, for a REAL bike you get from a lbs, used, replace the worn etc.
But- see, the entry suspension forks are $200+

I'm a bummer, but don't waste your credit\ cash.

Good luck.
Jef.

DJ:

You can use the Amazon credit to buy accessories (a helmet, water bottle(s) & cage, gloves, and maybe a pair of baggie biking shorts)...

...But don't use it on one of those bikes. Try to scrape together another $100 in cash and you should be able to get a great entry level mountain bike (Trek, Giant, Specialized, Gary Fisher) for around $300.

When I graduated from high school, I go a suspension-less Specialized Hard Rock mountain bike for about that (granted this was 1996). And I LOVED that bike. Rode it on modest trails and lots of road. Had it for 8 years and just got a new one a week or so ago.

Those bikes on Amazon look scary. Beyond the fact that I think full suspension bikes are ugly, there is no way those bikes can be of quality at $179.99.

Especially as big as you are, those bike parts will give out.

ds

this is where I get yelled @....buy an old used mtb, the papers cheaper than lbs- no guarantee- ASK forum members if a good name. Check it out well, (deposit-then ride to an lbs and lie or pay to have them look @ it.)

You'll know and have maybe a barganing tool, needs pads, tires pedals.
Pay up to $200 whatever, best frame you can. Gonna have scratches, something will be buggered. Old but good.

Spend the credit getting new tires, pedals, seat and a helmet, change out all the crap that looked bad and wore @ 'Beyond Bikes.'

Have to a bit of work and get looking though. Maybe Ebay, but you have to know WHAT you're even looking @.

First thing- #1. Find out what size of frame you ride.

Just another idea.

I bought my favorite bike for $150 from the paper, $50 it's a good working 'bicycle'.

Year later and ??? $300..lots of work, and fun... and it's a superbike, climbs walls,..well :rolleyes: .
I factor my transportation cost as maintenance- I upgrade as I maintain.

Personal, not a recommendation unless you want to play bikes all the time.

>
Jef.