I have a much older Sears labeled bike that i have been riding for the past couple of years to commute with. Unfortunatly, it is old, parts are not "standard" anymore, and it needs some work. So i was thinking of a new bike rather than sink money into what i have. I went to the LBS and was blown away, as anything i wanted was in the $500 range. I like bikes, but i am not going to spend that kind of money for one---yes, i am somewhat cheap. So i found this (see link below) on Ebay, and i thought it looked decent. But i can't find any reviews. Does it look decent? I need something dependable, without costing me alot. I aslo looked for used on Craigslist, but i have to be honest, i have no idea what i even am looking at when i see stuff online. I am more of a touch and feel type of buyer. So what are your opinions?

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

It's likely better than your Sears bike, and at $249 with free shipping it looks like a decent choice for a self-admitted cheapskate. Cheap bikes serve a good purpose by tactilely demonstrating their performance and functionality limitations while testing the buyer's resolve to restrict their budget on the next bike they purchase.

Why not just go to Target, Sports Authority, or Walmart for a bike like that. You can touch and feel there.

Is it the right size for you?

Is that about the level I am looking at? I am not sure which is why I am asking. I really don't want to go to Gov't-mart to buy a bike. I really like what my LBS has, it's just more than i am willing to spend. What was $350 2 years ago at the LBS is now $500---that increase is a little tough to swallow for someone who hasn't got a raise in 3 years--damn economy.

According to what they are saying in thier ad it is.

One thing that i was concerned with, was the weight of the bike, Its aluminum, but 35 lbs seems heavy. I was hoping to get a little lighter than my old steel Sears bike, but i know the weight deal is also related to costs.

I understand that i am not getting the best components with a bike like this either. But vs riding something thats probably 30 years old, i figure it has to be better. I bike about 1000-1500 miles a year, would like to do more this year. My old Sears bike i bought from someone whom comutted, i have no idea how many miles they put on it, i have put about 2000 miles on it since i had it.

I also dont want a Mountian bike as i have one i started with and its a tank. The more straight bar road bike is what seems to work for me, but i cant really tell where the one above i mentioned falls. I think i would have to put a $300 cap on the budget which will put me in something like this or hold out for something used. My biggest fear is if i order the above bike, and don't like it, i am going to have expense in sending it back---which is why i am a little fearfull of ordering online--but that seems to be where deals are. Whatcha all think?

To me, it looks very similar to a target or walmart bike of similar price and if you went with one of them, you could at least see it to see if it's the right size. If you want to look online, you could also try bikesdirect.com. They have some bikes in your price range, but most of them have suspension forks, which is not what you want.

it would work

I think you should bring your old Sears bike into the local bike shop and have it tuned up. It would probably be $50 well spent, and then you have really bonded with it.

It may be old, but that doesn't make it bad. They were heavier then, but one could also buy a decent new entry level bike without getting junk quality.

Other options:
- look at garage sale listing in your paper, and hit the ones that say they have bikes.
- Look for a bike co-op in your area
- Look on Craigslist and at least email/call guys with bikes that look like they might be OK. These guys are local, so it doesn't take much to go and look at them in person, and you could probably get a lot for $250.

I sold a nice bike on craigslist last week for $50. You just have to be watchful and be ready to pounce on the right one.

I believe Amazon.com has this Schwinn Volare bike.

Also you should consider the Schwinn Tourist from Target. A few folks have it and it gets +ve reviews. Light and fast.

The Schwinn Ranger at target on the other hand, not so good. Heavy and with a useless shocked fork.

Dude. If you buy that bike... you're a moron. And i'm not just saying that to be a ****** either. If you wanna drop $250 on a bike... log onto craigslist. For that kind of money you can buy a bike five times as nice... with a GOOD component setup. And you can probably bargain with them as well. If you do this... you could find a bike that's a few years old at a decent price that will easily last you another 20 years if you have it tuned up each year and take care of it.

At the end of the year with that schwinn... it's going to be all used up. You're going to take it to a LBS for a tune up because it's running like junk... and they're gonna laugh at you.

https://albany.craigslist.org/bik/1731707622.html

https://albany.craigslist.org/bik/1736600254.html

https://albany.craigslist.org/bik/1731116004.html


Those might not be style or size specific to you... but they're examples of decent bikes that will serve you a lot better than that Schwinn you're looking at above. And these bikes are in your area.