Originally Posted by
mtb_addict
While I agree with that statement if applied to people who don't want to learn how to wrench. Like a coworker who pay LBS to fix his flat tire and lube the chain.
But if someone is willing to lift a wrench and get his/her hands dirty, I think most cheap bikes can get the job done. At a fraction of the cost. I am very happy with all the money that I saved. And I learned so much valuable skillz. I have not a single regret for buying cheap bikes.
There are cheap new bikes and cheap used bikes. Cheap new bikes tend to have a pile of crappy parts put together to make a low price point. Cheap used bikes may be crap, or can be something pretty decent.
IMHO, a good older used bike can be made to ride quite well. Buy from a good co-op and you can get a very good bike, ready to ride, at a reasonable price.
Like a lot of exercise gear, a lot of bikes don't get ridden much. So if stored well, a 15 year old used bike can be very nice and infinitely better than Walmart crap.
On a super tight budget? Many good but older MTB s can be had for very little.