felipemadonia

Hey there.
I'm interested in owning a bike instead of a car (starting my life).
I was reading a lot and still not decided between a fixie or a road bike. The thing is, as I'm new to this world, I would get a road bike, also, I'm in a small (very small) budget, I don't want to spend more than $350,00 (all included, bike, helmet and lock).

I'm looking into a cheap road bike for now, to get me going. I'm looking at this pieces:

GMC Denali Road Bike (bike)
https://www.amazon.com/GMC-Denali-Med.../dp/B002GNWPK2

Kryptonite 999485 Black (chain lock)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001JPS200

Helmet
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008Z9H1NM

Gloves
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009R76R9U

Is this an acceptable start combination? I'll be doing around 10km/6.20miles each way to work. I will for sure upgrade the bike, but not right now, I would use it as it is in the moment.

Any thoughts?
Thanks.

the sci guy 

you probably don't need gloves right away, or at all to be honest.
bike is alright, it'll get you started. it doesn't have braze ons for a rear rack though, so you'll either have to go seatpost rack or get a p-clamp.
the grip shifts also hinder putting things like lights on your handlebars.
that lock is probably worth more than the bike, though.
helmet is fine.
don't get a fixie.

turky lurkey

I recommend not getting that bike. If you are a little patient you will be able to find a much better one used on craigslist in your price range. Look for one that is made by a quality bike company such as trek, specialized, giant etc. Many of the road bikes made in Japan in the 80's are also very nice and can be found for under $200.00 with a little patience. You'll have to do some research to find out which ones are good and which brands are reputable. If you are looking at older bikes, some indicators of quality are down tube shifters (rather than stem shifters), three piece cranks, they do not usually have suicide levers, also make sure the rims are aluminum rather than steel. You'll have to study to figure out what that stuff means, google is very helpful. It will help if you are willing and able to learn how to do some bike maintenance and repairs as older quality bikes can often be made to ride as good as new with a little TLC. With google and you tube you can learn how work on a bike. If you can't or won't work on your bike, then you can get one that has recently been overhauled by a shop that sells used bikes, or a bike flipper, but it might cost an extra 50-100, still within your price range and better than the GMC.

WestPablo

If your commute is under 30 mi RT, then a single speed should be just fine, as long as you're traveling on a flat landscape. Otherwise, a used cromo steel road bike from the 80's or 90's should do just fine. You can get a reasonably priced single speed from Bikesdirect.com, Nashbar, or Performance. Good Luck!

ItsJustMe

I started with a $300 Giant hybrid bike. I rode it for 30,000 miles, about 8 years, before getting a different bike. I did some repairs and some improvements in that time.

I would recommend a similar strategy, buying an inexpensive bike first and then figuring out what you like and need over the course of a year or more. Right now you don't really know what you need. The standard advice of "buy a used bike" is a bit sketchy in your situation because you both don't really know what you need and will be tempted to take whatever you find, and also you may not know how to fit a bike, and again may be tempted to buy a bike that "kinda fits" - an uncomfortable bike really will turn you off.

Honestly, go to a bike shop. Preferably one that sells Giant or one of the other decent but inexpensive lines, as opposed to Specialized/Cannondale exclusive type shops.

FWIW the GMC Denali is kind of a piece of crap. 28s are kind of narrow for generic city riding. I'd go 32s or 35s but that's just my preference. Perhaps the roads in your city are smoother than they are around me.