I need help!!!
 

I'm thinking about getting a bike for first time and I've been researching about bikes recently. I was thinking about cheap walmart bike since I will just be commuting to work(about 10 miles round trip) but when I tried it... it was a JUNK!!
My LBS has

2012 Giant Escape 2 for $400,

2009 Cannondale quick 4 for $409 and

2010 quick 5 for $350 because it was a return from customer.

HElp me!! I'm new to BIKE WORLD and I REALLY NEED HELP.

They both look really good bike to me!
oh... and also... I'm 5'7" should I get M or S?

Both models look fairly similar in construction and components. Best thing to do it try them out for a test ride and see if you prefer the feel of one over the other. The returned Cannondale sounds like a good deal, assuming it was not returned for being defective. I also noticed with an image search that the Cannondale has a guard around the chainrings, which might be convenient on a commuter bike.

I'm also 5"7", here's my similar bike, if it helps give you any idea what size range you are looking at:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7005/6...7da19799_z.jpg
Port Bolivar by Yo Spiff, on Flickr

Thank you for your reply.

is that MD? or SM?
and also ride quality seems pretty same. I will try again this weekend but trying to find out which will be better for the money because they are about same price. I narrowed down to

2012 Escape 2 and 09 Cannondale Quick 4.

I couldn't find specs for 09 Cannondale quick 4 and couldn't find much review about it.

To be honest, I would see if I could stretch the budget a little. In the price range you are looking at a couple of additional dollars will quickly translate to better quality. Assuming a daily commute you will spend around 40 minutes a day on it. You might as well make sure it's an enjoyable 40 minutes.

I don't know the Cannondale, but seeing it's an 09 model, one would assume that's marked down a bit, so is likely to have better components. Your LBS should be able to tell you (though they may be desperate to shift if).

My LBS was telling me quick 4 has better components such as carbon fork and yes price has marked down because it is 09 model. I see 2012 Cannodale quick 4 for around 6-650.
Which price range and brand do you recommend if i stretch my budget?

I'd say that the $600 mark would get you a nice bike for your purpose Obviously, the Cannondale is in that bracket, so that's probably a good bet. Make sure it's the right size for you though. The only real way to find that out is to ride it. You shouldn't feel cramped or stretched.

Oh, and it needs to look cool. You want to enjoy it ;)

Here are the specs for the Cannondales:

http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/B...ck+4&Type=bike

http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/B...ck+5&Type=bike


I'd rule out the Giant Escape 2, so the choice is between the two Cannondales. Either of them would be fine for 10 mile round trip commuting. Yeah, the 2009 Quick 4 is probably worth the extra $59 bucks over the 2010 Quick 5. I doubt you'd be able to feel any difference with a carbon fork with tires as thick as the ones on those bikes, but the other parts seem a bit better across the board. As far as sizing goes, keep in mind that a small, medium or whatever from one company isn't necessarily the same as a small, medium, etc. from another company. The bike shop should be able to help you with the correct size.

Okay, given the fact the primary intended use for the bike is going to be for commuting in L.A./Orange County CA, I have to ask where will you be 'parking' your bike? If it's leaning against a wall or some place that you can keep an eye on and there are no other bikes around it, then get whatever you feel like. However, if you have to lock up at a community bike rack or other place where other people will be locking up as well, then I'd shy away from carbon forks.



As far as what size frame will fit you- you claim to be purchasing from the LBS, they are more qualified to assist you in that area, since they will be able to eyeball it.

I agree that the likelihood of theft should come into the purchase decision, but I'm not sure where you gleaned the OP's location?

will be parked inside only where i could see.

Any reason for ruling out Giant escape 2? I was actually leaning more toward Giant Escape 2 or 09 Quick 4.

TX (Sorry, couldn't resist, since I read MD as "Maryland" instead of "medium")

I would call it a small frame, though I've never measured it. The frame was given to me for free about 3 years ago. Since it's an older model with a level top tube, the size in centimeters won't directly correspond to a newer bike. My road bike is about 21" center to center. (Height of the seat tube, measuring from the center of the bottom bracket to center of top tube) I just measured "Old Red" and she's 18". About right, since mountain bikes are made with higher bottom brackets for off road clearance. My legs are a slightly shorter than average with more of my height in my upper body.

BTW, reach to the bars an comfortable pedaling position are what is important, not standover height. There's an old rule of thumb that says you should have 2" clearance from top tube to crotch when standing over it. I had a bike like that once. WAY too small and could not get comfortable no matter how long a stem I put the handlebars onto.

I got the impression OP was inquiring about the size of the bike...

I ruled it out because for only $9 more you can get the Quick 4. I'm not totally up on the ins and outs of parts comparisons of bikes in this price range, but it looks to me that the Escape 2 is more comparable to the Quick 5, and the Quick 5 is $50 cheaper. I do know the Alivio rear derailleur on the Quick 5 is a couple of steps up from Altus rear derailleur on the Escape 2.

IMHO you'd be much better off with a Jamis Coda Sport. Alternatively, you might also check out the Trek Atwood.

Schwinn Dealerships might be worth your time, as well. Schwinn makes two really decent hybrids that cost much less than the competition. Check out the Schwinn Sporterra Comp and the Schwinn Sporterra Sport. These are both Signature Schwinn bikes that I'm most certain will provide you with many years of enjoyment at a discount.

Of course, there's always the Giant Cypress ST. and the Giant Sedona ST., as well. They both have steel frames and sell for $350.

Good Luck! :thumb:

- Slim :)

PS.

Also keep an eye out for used chromoly steel-framed bikes on CL and don't forget www.bikesdirect.com and www.nashbar.com

He was. I read it wrong, but it didn't make sense in the context of the thread, and I did a reedit, but you saw my original post.

Sorry about the misunderstanding. ;)

Where you buy the bike should be able to help you with sizing.