Hello. I am 28 years old and I am going to ride in the MS-150 (Miami - Key Largo) in April, 2005. I need to buy a bike to start training and of course use in the ride. I am very ignorant in knowing nothing about bicycles! I am looking for used bikes and I recently came across for sale a: Huffy Powerline with velo web springs and zoom suspension. Does anyone know anything about this? The name Huffy to me seems synonomous with Wal-Mart junk, but I don't know. Is this even a road bike? Any help is appreciated. I do not want to make a large investment on a bike yet because I may not decide to continue after the MS-150, but if I do I will make the larger investment then. Any help on this "powerline" good or bad or other tips is greatly appreciated! Thank you very much!

The Powerline is a MTB.

Avoid at all costs.

Based on the idea of training for... and riding... the MS150, you'll need something more substantive than a department store special. If you're going with a NEW bike, plan to spend about $500 for a decent starter bike.

Check out your public library's back issues of Bicycling Magazine's Bike Review issue from 2002 or 2003. Get familiar with some of the Brand Names.
Then weigh what you see on Ebay with what you read in Bicycling.

If all goes as usual, you'll be hooked.
Say good bye to a normal like.

IMO I think you want a touring bike. You can probably get an 80's tourer set up well for cheap. Maybe ask some questions in the touring forum.

Newbie- Here are some brand names that work well for the cyclist on a budget looking for a road bike: Raliegh, Giant, Fuji.

The key is to get a bike that will not hurt you. It is all about fit. I have short legs, and the Giant small frame worked for me better than any. I can honestly say I was tired after the double century Seattle to Portland last summer, but there was nothing about the bike itself that hurt me.

I am doing the same this fall, the MS150. We have a mountain bike MS challenge here too I have done before in June, probably doing it again this year. You could get away with a mountain bike ride on your Huffy, but it might break down in the middle of the ride.

This was my daughters experience on a church ride of sevreal days last summer. I got her a Kona asphalt bike ( the Aloha ), which is something you might consider, and hers was the only bike that did not break down.

I commute on a Trek multitrack 7300. This is a good solid bike sometimes called a "hybrid" and can be purchased new for somewhere between $300-$500. I saw a lot of these on Seattle to Portland. You will not break any speed records, but you will get there and the bike will hold up. Fit it with a rack and buy some painiers and you will be amazed how much you ride. Then after a while buy the road bike. The mutitrack is sturdy and the most versitle bike I own.

Thank you all for the information. I went to the bike store yesterday and they have a used Schwinn (early 90s model) for just under $100. It is in great condition and seems comfortable. Do you guys think this is a good starter just for the MS and then if I decide to keep riding after the event I would go full pocket and get something more serious. Thanks for the help again all.

Is it a road bike? what model bike is it?

Yes it is a road bike. It is a "Schwinn Sprint" and has a "Shimano SIS drivetrain." From what the guy at the bike shop said it appears to be a great start, but I thought Id ask opinions here from others in the sport in case the guy is just trying to make a sale, but then I would think if he wanted to sell he might try to upsell me to a more expensive model. Thanks again.

That sounds perfect. Start pedaling! There are lots of different sources on line for training to ride 75 miles in one ride, if that's interesting to you. If you just start riding now you should be fine.

Schwin is an interesting story. The bike is probably heavier than its contemporaries, but will hold up. They didnt seem to grasp they could not keep making a heavy bike back then, and sales dropped. When they finally got The Word it was too late and slipped into bankruptcy. Now that once flagship name is owned by some mega factory spewing out bikes about the quality of the huffy you talked about earlier under that name plate.

I would give the $100 bike a try. What do you have to lose? $100, worth it.

Incidentally, it was 4 years ago I began this maddness trading my bow and arrows straight accross for an old Schwin Varsity to ride to work. Buy the bike. You will never be the same.

Thanks for the tips and words of encouragement. good story...Picked up the Scwinn. Will be on here more often now. Having fun so far! Thanks again!!!

Today $100, tomorrow whole paychecks.