So me and my boyfriend are looking at starting biking. He will be biking about 6 miles to campus for his classes 3-5 times a week and I plan on biking to work, which is 4.2 miles if I take roads, or 7.1 if I take the independent bike trail (it's paved) our city has set up.

I will likely only be carrying a lunchbox to work and maybe a laptop one day a week. However my boyfriend will likely be carrying books, and on his heaviest days could have about 40lb of books and assorted class materials.

I originally bought a bike from walmart and am unhappy with it, and my boyfriend has made the rounds around all the local bike shops and has fell in love with this bike: Felt Verza Fit 1 2014 ? Pedal The Planet

He drug me out to that shop and I really liked the similar model Felt Verza Fit 2 2014 ? Pedal The Planet that's much cheaper. However, I liked the shifters on the bike he picked out.

Here's my question, the price difference between these two bikes, and the walmart bike is quite considerable and way more than I expected to pay for a bike. Because of this I want to make sure I'm getting a good deal. I don't think we'll have any issues using them. Are these bikes a good value? Should I be looking somewhere else or for something else?

Additionally, is it possible to put the similar shifters from the Verza fit 2 on the Verza fit 1? One is a SRAM and the other is a Shimano.

A used bike is almost always a better value than a new one, especially when you're talking about high quality bikes such as these. You'd have to take more time and amass more knowledge to get the best value when you buy a used bike. But is it worth it? I can't say; it's up to you. I always buy used, but I'm just one person.

Those are two good models, and the prices are probably about right. Be sure to get the right sizes!

You don't give enough information to say if the nicer shifter can go on the lower model. Does the lower model have an 8-speed cassette? The spec sheet just says 8-speed chain, which sounds suspicious. Are they misleading you? It's trivial to put an 8-speed chain on a 7-speed cassette, but that doesn't mean you have an 8-speed bike.

To be honest, I don't remember. I think so. It's a 24 speed and I remember the left shifter having three spots.

I do know that the guy at the shop asked us about our pants sizes and height before recommending a bike for either of us. They didn't have the right size for my boyfriend, but were willing to order one for him.

Edit: I've avoided used bikes because I currently don't know enough to pick out a good one. I plan on learning, but I don't have that knowledge right now.

Second Edit (because I don't want to bump): I should add that my boyfriend is a much better biker, he raced motorcross for years. I'm not a terribly good rider, I spent my boy scout days in canoes instead of bikes.

My guess is that the shifters and other components are largely responsible for the difference in price between the two models. Also one has a "triple" crankset (3 gears up font, 8 in the rear) and the other is a "double" (2 gears up front, 9 in the rear). More speeds isn't necessarily better. Some people find that doubles shift more reliably and have less chain rub than triples. If you live in a really hilly area, you may prefer a triple though.

There's no reason why the shifters from the first bike wouldn't fit on the 2nd (or vice versa) but it's not an even trade if you know what I mean.

They both seem like good bikes. I'm not crazy about the aluminum forks, some can lead to a rough ride, others are better designed. Test ride the bikes on a moderately rough surface to make sure that feel comfortable enough.

As far as price goes, since these bikes are sold through a shop you probably won't find much variation in price. Sometimes if you can hold off until Fall, - well after school starts, bikes will go on sale.

What kind of conditions are you planning to ride in, and how are the roads? If the roads are fubar, you may want to get a model with a carbon fork or put on slightly fatter tires. Are you planning to ride in winter, does it snow where you are? If so, you may well want to think about fenders, not only to keep you clean, but to keep salty road goo & slush off the bike & corrosion prone parts.

For laptop & lunchbox, you may want to look into a rack with a laptop trunk bag, lunch may be able to fit too, depending on model. Other option is to use backpack.

Basing it all on your confidence level as a rider and your budget, it may do you good to get something a little more expensive if it meets your needs better, otherwise getting a less expensive basic model till you find your groove may be the best option.

One last thing on gears... If you are dealing with hills, it is a nice thing to be able to switch to a lower gear if you have a heavier load that particular day. That in mind, check the tooth counts on the cassette & chainrings, as that is what will translate into the climbing power you end up with.

- Andy

I live in kentucky and it's quite hilly here, but not a lot of snow. During bad weather I can work from home or drive so that's not a major concern. I plan on getting fenders and a rack for mine for sure.

At those price points you would not want to add the price of shifters to the mix. You thought bikes were expensive??? The whole bike is a super value compared to the prices of the individual pieces.

Besides, there's nothing wrong with either Sram or Shimano components. Both are of equal quality along the same price ranges. Furthermore, as new bikers, there is even less reason for you to worry about brands. You wouldn't be able to tell any difference in them.

I think either Felt would be an excellent for you. They are a very good quality brand. Just make sure you get a good fit.

The reason they are more expensive than the Walmart bikes is that Walmart bikes are basically junk that can hold up to an occasional, not regular use. The extra money is well spent.

I wasn't concerned about the brands, it's just when I test drove them, I like the way the Verza Fit 1 shifted better than the second one. I think we have an expedition this weekend to visit all the local bike shops, luckily there's a bunch.

It's heartening to hear that there's a consensus of quality about the felt bikes.

Yea, i live near a guy that drives a felt demo van & i got to ride a few & i can say they are good for the money. Only thing, is those models do not have rack mount points. I'm sure your jaunt to the shops will sort out what you end up getting.

- Andy

Just to clear it up, are you talking how the shifter triggers are on each bike that you like the difference? I know when I was shopping, the LBS had some leftover previous year bikes and they had SRAM shifters and I didn't think I would like the thumbs operating 2 triggers for up and down shifting vs. the Shimano shifters on the newer bikes having the triggers on the thumb for downshifting (on the right side) and index finger for the up shift. I like it that way, but don't know if all SRAM shifters are both up and down using your thumbs.

Or, is it you think one bike just shifted smoother than the other? That I would guess is a difference in the derailleurs that move the chain to shift.

Shimano Altus shifters vs SRAM X.5 shifters ? both are sufficient for the task and you get used to either shift direction..
Check that rack and fender fittings are bolt on, not clamp.

It's hard to tell from those particular pictures but they do have rack and fender mounts, - check Felt's site.

I'd personally get the Versa Fit 1,even if it has only (Lol - only!) 18 speeds. It has one thing I luv, and that's disc brakes. They're better in wet/snowy weather. The other bike doesn't have discs.

Good to know........

I just didn't see where the mounts were on the fork & rear dropout.....

- Andy

I was under the impression that disc brakes weren't much of an advantage for road bikes. This article indicates that they're a bad idea for road bikes: Disc Brakes vs. Cantilever Brakes

They both shifted smoothly, but the SRAM felt more like it had a more well defined break (*** trigger terminology, not sure if it applies to bikes), and the shimano felt more spongy. It's not that big of a deal.

Edit: Apparently the word for a tool the fires high velocity projectiles is eaten by the filter.

Pistols and *****s are for shooting, guns are for fun. (Quirky censor!!!)

Don't be so awful concerned about the disc/rim arguments. You can find a pile of persuasive arguments for either side. (Lexington is a rather moderate climate, you do get snow but tomorrow's sun makes a great snowplow. Unless you have a bunch of idiots like we do in Atlanta that all make a mad dash for home at the first flake then blame the State because they had to set in stalled traffic all night.)

You can get either style to throw you over the bars and with the right braking material either will stop a commuter as well as they would ever need.

On your shopping trip this weekend make sure to check out the Trek FX line, Giants and stop at REI---they have a variety of brands and styles. You'll find the same bits and pieces (derailleurs, brakes, levers etc....) hanging off of all the different brands. Don't get confused with particular details. And, there's nothing wrong with Felt bikes. I actually was unaware that they made entry level commuters---cool.

Look and see if there's any cyclocross bikes in your price range. You might like them and for the most part they make super commuters. Might be a bit pricey for a first excursion into two wheels.

Fun is the most important part of your search.

I like disc brakes due to the fact I'm a heavier rider. Bend a rim and the rim brakes are a pita. And as for stopping power during wet weather, I will admit Kool Stop brake pads are miraculous!

The moderators are the most cautious people I have ever met, except that I haven't met them.

It's never a bad idea to shop around,but bikes sold at bike shops will almost always be much better than bike from big box stores. X-mart bikes are build to a price,and and just put together by someone following an instruction sheet. Bike shop bikes are built with components intended to be reliable,and are assembled by actual mechanics who go over the entire bike.

SRAM and Shimano use different ratios(amount of cable pull) on their derailleurs,so your shifters much be brand matched to the derailleurs. The exception is that SRAM makes a couple Shimano-compatible shifters named 'Attack'(trigger) and Rocket'(twist). So if you like the SRAM style double thumb levers(I do too),then you can put a set of Attack shifters on the Shimano bike.

Disc and rim brakes both have their advantages and uses. Disc brakes work better in the rain and snow,so if you're going to ride in bad weather,they are def a good idea.

My biggest issues with the bikes you posted would be the alloy frames combined with straight blade alloy forks. That combination will not ride very well. DC has bad roads,and I have mild CT,so those bikes would be a no-go for me. Only you can decide if you like the way they ride,so def test ride the bike,or any bike you're considering,before buying. The most important issues in buying a bike are that they fit and that you like the way they ride and handle.

Thank you for the information on the shifters.

What type of frame/fork combination would provide a better ride? What makes these bad?

I suggest you go to ebay and look at bikes. You don't have to buy one. But it will give you an immense variety of bikes to look at. And all of the different things that go with them. That's one way to learn.

And my opinion on Walmart bikes and the higher end bike that you're looking at, is that the Felt will have better components that will be easier to adjust, will be more durable, and are of higher quality than the stuff they use for those bikes.

The rule of thumb is that aluminum (alloy) frames tend to ride a bit harshly. They're light, cheap, and can be very stiff but they're generally kind of buzzy and rough. Pretty much all the other common materials such as cro-mo steel, carbon fiber, and titanium are known for providing smooth rides. Steel tends to be heavy. Carbon and titanium are expensive. There's other differences as well.

But these are all kind of generalizations. A well designed aluminum alloy bike can easily ride more smoothly than a cruddily designed steel bike. A high-end steel bike can easily be too light for UCI races. There are geriatric carbon fiber bikes still out there on the road.

If the bike feels good to you, don't believe a generalization that says it must be too buzzy or rough. Your body knows what's up.

FWIW my bikes are all steel frame/carbon fork except for a vintage cyclocross bike that is steel/steel. It's not uncommon for frame and fork materials to be different.

Aluminum with a carbon fork gives a good ride - most quality aluminum bikes at least have this. Or s high quality steel bike. I don't think you are at the stage for needing, or spending on, Carbon fiber.