Originally Posted by
kwrides
Sorry Hachi, you're right. I should have been more specific. All companies make high end and low end components. SRAM does make cheap stuff and they also make good stuff, just like Shimano and Campy.
As for fit, have you ridden a few bikes? I have to assume not, because your point "a" is wayyyyyyyyyy off. I'm not saying it is perfect, but if you get on a Surly Crosscheck and then get on a Breezer and ride both for 10 minutes, you will know right away which one you prefer. Then you get on a few of the style you like and figure out your size for each brand. Each brand is different. A 54 is not always the same, nor is a "L". You need to ride them to know. Once you know a bike you like (lets assume it was the Crosscheck), then you go to the bikes website and see what the geometry is on the bike...how long is the top tube, the headtube, what are the angles, etc. Once you know this, you can compare apples to apples.
I've ridden a couple of bikes, one at a bike shop a while ago and one that my dad just bought for himself when I visited him. I have no idea which one fit me better though, no idea at all. Neither one was particularly uncomfortable so I would be inclined to say that both bikes "fit" me.
And I really dont know which SRAM parts are good and which ones are bad, so I just assume when the more expensive bikes on most websites have Shimano parts on them and their most budget bikes have SRAM parts, I naturally assume that SRAM is generally low end and if I can get the same Shimano parts that are on the more expensive bike, for cheaper I feel like I've gotten a good deal.
Originally Posted by
kwrides
Having said that, your commute is 2 miles...less than 10 minutes...why not go to Walmart and buy a crap bike for $100. Then, if it gets stolen, who cares?
I was thinking about that, but I also want it for recreational riding as I need to be in better shape, and so I want something that isn't trash. Where I'll be riding to for work the bikes are locked up completely so it's fairly secure and it getting stolen will be more a concern if I ride the bike to go buy groceries than ride it to school.
That said, I hate cheap stuff and don't feel like I would be getting the most out of my money if I got a crappy bike at walmart, even if it is super cheap I would still feel ripped off.
My budget is around $400 though.
P.S. for semi new bikes, 1-4 years old, is it typical for bikes to go for 25% off of MSRP ?