sknhgy 

Is there a Toyota of the bike world? You know, some compny that makes higher quality bikes than the rest. I was thinking of bikes in the $300 range.
Thanks

Falkon 

does not compute

Many many bikes are made in the same factory under the same parent company. Truthfully, for a nice entry level bicycle of good quality, step that figure up to at least $450. I like Fuji, Felt, and Scott bikes, but you can find perfectly good bikes made by Giant, Trek, Raleigh, Soma, Jamis, Salsa, and many others.

The Fuji Newest 2.0, Scott Speedster 50, and Felt F80 are good entry level bikes.

alanbikehouston

The only "good" quality bikes in the $300 range are mountain bikes. Mountain bikes are built in such huge numbers that a reliable bike can be sold for $300.

In that price range, a good neighborhood shop that services their bikes before and after the sale is far more important than the name on the bike.

Buy from the best bike shop in your neighborhood. Never buy from a discount store or a mail order/E-Bay operation. A good shop will make sure you buy the correct size bike, will assemble and tune your bike before delivery, and true the wheels. A good shop will also re-tune your bike and re-true the wheels free of charge after a few weeks of riding stretches the brake cables and shifting cables, and stresses the wheel spokes.

A $300 bike mountain bike that is skillfully assembled and tuned can provide a very high quality riding experience. By replacing the mountain bike tires with lightweight "slick" tires, you will have a bike that is well suited for use for commuting to work or school, and for trips to the grocery store.

But remember, a $300 bike purchased on E-Bay, by mail order, or from a discount sporting goods store is usually a big box of headaches. After you take such a bike to a REAL bike shop to be re-assembled correctly, and re-tuned correctly, you have spent another $75 or $100...buy from a real bike shop and avoid those headaches.

Falkon 

Oh, I forgot about this. In this case, there are tons of good bikes to be had. Fuji Nevada 3.0, Scott Reflex

Oh and some decent hybrids. Fuji Crosstown 2.0

sknhgy 

The reason I ask is my Trek 820 mtb ($300) just broke an axel. Its less than a year old. And I did not abuse it. (I have a thread in "bike mechanics".)

I am wanting a hybrid. There is a shop close by that sells Cannondale, I believe.
So, you all are saying I'm going to have to pay around $450 for a decent bike? I thought $300 was a lot a year ago when I bought this Trek as a step up from the $60 Walmart bikes that used to last me 3-6 months.

a77impala

Fix your Trek and ride it til it breaks again and fix it. You are going to replace a bike because an axle broke?

Eatadonut

+1, but with a caveat.

My friend has an 820 he HAS abused, and it's stood up to it pretty well. Sure, I have to do repairs on it after every trail we ride, but it at least stays together.

On the other hand, I had a 4300 that I snapped 3 axels on in less than a year. I rode it hard and I weighed 250 pounds at the time, but that's still a little much. I suspect the quality consistency on their lower-end wheels is iffy.

Replace the axel, and try again. Certainly cheaper than a new bike.

DieselDan

If you want to spend $300 on a new bike, why not spend that money on a better rear wheel? The rest of the bike is in good order, and the rear axle broke. Broken rear axles were commonplace before the advent of freehubs and cassettes, which widen the bearing support. You have a freewheel now, which is screwed onto the rear hub. The axle broke from hard riding or a manufacturing defect. The LBS should replace it under warrenty.

Falkon 

I don't consider $300 a lot of money for a bike. I don't think I've paid under $300 for a decent bike. My LBS sells the high end cross bike I just bought for $1369

sknhgy 

I've been wanting a second bike for a while. In case something like this happens, and something made more for the road like a hybrid.

I know this bike isn't the best, but $300 ain't no chump change. I had a Schwinn Collegiate that lasted me for decades. I'm just a bit disappointed.

Free axel/ free wheel - huh? I don't understand. Maybe you can help me make a more informed decision if I decide to buy a second set of wheels.

alanbikehouston

If you have a problem with a bike that is only one year old, check with the dealer. You might be able to get the wheel fixed under warranty.

With bikes under $1,000, the wheels are often the weakest link. Unless owners are careful to keep their wheels perfectly trued, and keep the tires at optimum PSI, the chance of a problem with a wheel is fairly high.

I would not buy a new bike because my old bike had a problem with a wheel. That would be like buying a new truck, because your old truck got a flat tire. Tune-ups, wheel truing, and replacement of worn and damaged parts is simply a routine part of owning a bike.

Most of my bikes are twenty or twenty-five years old. And, with reasonable care, they ought to last as long as I will...hopefully for another twenty years or so.

Big_knob

Yes there is, the bikes are Pacific bicycles & Magna.Take you pick

lyeinyoureye

meh?

That, or used I suppose. Some real deals can be had used.

Machka 

There are some bicycles which are higher quality than others.

But if you are after one of the higher quality ones, you won't find one for $300 ... you might be more successful if you're willing to pay $3000! And believe me, bicycles for $5000 and $6000 aren't that unusual.

Around here, $300 will get you a top-end Walmart bicycle. $600 will get you a low-end LBS bicycle. And then they go up ... and up ... and up from there.

If you'd rather just fix your bicycle, which would probably be the least expensive option, take it in to an LBS and see what they can do. Or post a question in the Bicycle Mechanics forum here.

Dr.Deltron

Best quality bikes?

The ones that are lighter than a fart, and more expensive than a divorce!

Barabaika

You know the answer.
When you have a fewer number of parts to fail, the quality and realibility are higher.
For example, this bike has no derailleurs and no brakes.


In reality, all bike companies use the same components.

trmcgeehan

Take a look at the Fuji line. Fuji has been building bikes for 110 years, and they are quality. I recently bought a Fuji Tourer, and it's the best bike I've ever had. I paid $950 for it, but I'm sure they have less costly bikes in their line. My bike was about $200-300 less than a comparable Trek.

cs1

Well, yes there are bikes that are like Toyota. They are expensive though. Remember, Toyota is usually one of the most expensive cars in it's class. People pay more for Toyotas and Hondas because they are made better and last longer. You aren't going to pay Kia money and get a Toyota. Even used Toyotas fetch a lot of money. Anything equipped with a Shimano group of Sora or above, will last a long time if taken care of.


Tim

edp773

Sorry, but I have to disagre with this. Bike manufacturers use components made by the same component manufacturers, but not the same components. Pacific Cycles, for instance, does not normally use Mirage, Alivio, or Sora and above components.

To OP: This is a good time of year to shop for a 2006 bike. You should be able to find a last years model MB or Hybrid at a reduced price.

Also, you did not mention what type of riding you wanted a new bike for.

Banzai

Broken axle?

Spend the $300 on a new wheelset, something "bomb proof". I'm guessing the "stock" wheels on the Trek were skimped on a bit...a lot of bikes do that.

New and high quality wheels will make that bike a "new" bike.

AJC

craigslist.org......

good things cheap me thinks

Barabaika

I wonder how it is possible.
For example, there are two bike companies that have $300 bikes.
How can one company use good components and another bad if they both buy them from Shimano? I understand if the second company uses noname components that can fail.

DieselDan

I don't see any breaks or brakes.

Thor29

Shimano makes both good components and really cheap junk. It is possible that one company specs a slightly better cheap component for a bike in the same price range (for instance, Alivio instead of Acera).

You get what you pay for in most cases. My mountain bike, a single speed with no derailleurs and no rear suspension, would cost about $2500-3000 if you paid retail for it. I was working in a bike shop so I didn't pay full retail. I still paid a lot of money, and I couldn't get a deal on the frame which cost me $750. Was it worth it? It was to me. In truth, I could still have fun on a Redline Monocog 29er that cost $550 (the cheapest bike in the category) but it would be heavier, slower, more painful (no front suspension) and break more often.

A $300 bike has lots of cheap parts that will not last. You don't have to spend $2500 but $500-800 is a more reasonable price range for a bike that will be ridden regularly.

twahl

Beat me to it. I was gonna say...it looks brand new, I hope there aren't any breaks.