Help Please!!
 

I want to start getting into riding but right now its not feasible for me to spend over 200 and definitely not the 500 to 1000s of dollars I've seen as I'm still in college. I have found this one, http://www.walmart.com/ip/700C-GMC-D...-Bike/12080282 and also this, http://brunswick.craigslist.org/bik/2316998508.html. Are either of these a decent starter bike or should I wait till my next paycheck and get something like http://www.walmart.com/ip/Schwinn-Me...d-Bike/8399247 or http://www.walmart.com/ip/Schwinn-Va...-Bike/14956324. Remember that I am a poor college kid. Thanks for any info or advice you may give me.

The general rule of thumb is don't buy bikes from Walmart. They tend to use cheap parts and are assembled poorly. The Craigslist Schwinn's might be okay if they are in nice shape, especially since you can turn around and sell the second one. They look like classic garage finds. Probably low mileage.

Post ads around campus that you're looking for an inexpensive but dependable ride. You might find a sweet deal. If you must go the WallyWorld route just to get some transportation, have a friend who knows bikes adjust and tighten things up. No need to spend tons of cash just to get riding. One of my cleanest bikes is my older brother's Schwinn that he bought new in '78, and many years later gave to me free. All I had to spend was some time and buying a few parts to make it look and run great.

The local Craigslist ads are my recommendaion.

FWIW, CGOAB has a "journal" of a guy who set out to "prove" you could ride a "Walmart special" on a cross-country bike tour. He almost made it then real life intervened. Point is, he rode nearly 2500 miles on the "special" loaded down with bike touring/camping gear before ending his tour/ride. AND he did it with no major mechanical failures. Who knows how much further the bike could have been ridden?

Buy what you can afford and take care of it.

The worst offenders in discount bikes are full suspension mock MTBs. That sports road bike looks to be OK. The only concern would be the alignment of the frame.
If you can get to the store and see on in the metal, take some string and wrap it from one rear dropout up to the head-tube and back down to the other rear dropout. The vertical seat-tube should be equidistant between the string.
Check that the fork steerer tube and the fork blades are in line (a visual check is OK). Cheap forks sometimes have both blades leaning to one side.

For that money you would be better off with a good quality used bike that is not worn out.

+1 on that.

I remember the local Walmart had a bike sale once. These bikes were parked out front and priced in the 20-30 dollar range. The most common problem I saw with those bikes was that the front forks had bent right at the top. All had front suspension. Just seeing those, with front forks collapsed before they even got out of the store was a cautionary tale for me.

Go to your local bike co-op to find out if anyone is selling a bike.

Nashbar has free shipping on all bikes:
http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Categor...2326&pageView=

Get the Schwinn Madison if it fits you.

Alright guys, I found one on craigslist. He is asking $125. http://augusta.craigslist.org/bik/2321545838.html What do you think?

How tall are you? That's a mighty tall frame.

Do you know how to fit a bike to yourself? if not, you should not buy a bike on your own.

that schwinn le tour may be fine but it may need a lot of work. I would not pay much for it.

look at some of the older bike shops for a used bike, they can determine if it fits and it should be in decent operating condition. Make friends with the shop guys and they may call you if a deal comes in.