new bikes in the price range you're looking at are absolutely bottom-of-the-barrel quality-wise. they are designed to look good on store shelves, not to be ridden. the suspension parts on them break very easily, are extremely heavy, and wind up providing very little cushioning power at all. most people who buy bikes of this type ride them very little, if at all - because they aren't very much fun to ride.


if your budget is firm, a used bike is unquestionably the way to go. for $150, you should be able to pick up a mountain bike that cost somebody $500 a few years ago - and a $500 bike is at least ten times better than a $100 bike in terms of light weight, comfort, and durability.

for $100, you will easily be able to find a road or touring bike 15-30 years old which was built out of excellent parts and will probably outlive your children.

where do you live? I would be happy to look at craigslist ads in your area to give you some ideas of what might be up your alley... also, what type of riding do you plan to do?


also, you're lucky you wound up here! there is a wealth of knowledge - thousands of years of experience when you put us all together. i'd like to warn you, though, that many people here (myself included) wouldn't hesitate to spend more - sometimes much, much more - than $1,000 on a bike - and some of them won't be able to give you helpful advice, and may even tell you that there's no way to get a good bike with your budget. it's not true - you'll be able to find something great, as long as you pay attention to the advice you get.