puddlezz

Hey guys!

I'm currently looking for a bike that I use to commute to and from school on the daily basis and also to exercise leisurely on the side. I've been looking on craigslist for a gently used bike so I can start commuting next week and came across this: https://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/bik/3160098512.html

Is this a decent deal? Does anyone have any info on avigo rialtos? I'm definitely new to biking so any advice from you guys would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Artkansas 

Here's a review of the Aviago Rialto. Kent is a large maker of bikes, though not particularly esteemed. Many of its bikes are sold by WalMart, others are branded for GMC, Fisher Price and Jeep. From the reviews, it sounds like you will get fairly solid use out of the bike if it doesn't break down immediately.

It appears that the bike is several years old. It's not in the current catalog and all the reviews are from 2009. Looks like it sold for about $119.00 when new. About $30 less than the owner is asking. A helmet might run $15 in WalMart.

It probably hasn't seen much use. You should find out why, as the reviews indicate there may be some mechanical issues with Rialtos. Also, it's advertised on Craigslist as a New Mountain Bike which it certainly is not. That should give you pause as well.

puddlezz

Thanks for your reply artkansas! I was having a really hard time finding the original selling price. I've decided to pass. I found another add for an 06 Giant Sedona Dx - I'm thinking about contacting the seller. What do you think? https://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/bik/3215675750.html

I liked that the frame was smaller since I'm barely 5'5

wahoonc

That is a much better deal, especially if you can haggle the price down a bit, but even it you don't it is still a decent value. Giant is a well known manufacturer and even their lowest end bikes are of a reasonable quality. They use a better grade of component than the other bike you linked to and can usually be repaired by a local bike shop. Here is a link to the original specifications page. That was a ~$470 bike new. And here is a link to the Giant website page for that bike.

Here is a review of that bike and as you can see it was very well rated.

I like Giant bikes I currently own 3-4 of them and have always found them to be a good value for the money. Make sure you get one that fits you comfortably.

Aaron

gerv 

I wonder if the Giant even fits you? Remember that no matter how good the deal or how nice the bike, if it doesn't fit you, it's a waste of money.

There's a bike co-op in Atlanta at https://sopobikes.org/about/.

Why don't you head down there and see what they have?

Roody

What kind of riding will you be doing, OP? (distance, hills, weather, etc.) What is your budget?

I agree with gerv's suggestion that you check out the bike co-op. And definitely NO to the Avigo.

Good luck and have fun with it!

puddlezz

Hey guys,

Thank you all for your replies. I ended up buying the bike today and I'm real excited about it. It was incredibly comfortable and I'm looking forward to riding it every day. I'm really glad I did not buy the avigo.

Thanks again!

Artkansas 

So you bought the Giant? Post a picture. We look forward to hearing about your rides.

wahoonc

Congratulations!

Now you need fenders for rainy days, lights for night riding, and a rack or basket to haul things

Aaron

Roody

And so it begins....

Artkansas 

n+1?

gerv 

I don't really believe in just constantly adding to your bike collection, but I do notice that you need at least several hundred dollars in parts and repairs to keep one or more bikes alive. I just replaced the brifters on my touring/commuting bike with bar end shifters and levers. I'm also hoping to set up a dynohub light system that will replace the old front wheel on the same bike. I'll do that later this year.

If you need a couple of bikes to cart yourself around, you do need to spend a few dollars every year just to keep them fairly reliable.

wahoonc

I forgot to add in the n+1 part.

If I had to depend on a bike as my ONLY source of transportation I would definitely consider getting a second one for backup. My son lives car free and at the moment without a bike. He walks or uses the bus/T/ferry services. His bike is in my shop being built up and will be on it's way to him in a few weeks. I lived car free for a few years and kept two bikes, but don't recall having to use the backup bike more than a couple of times. If you have a simple dependable bike to begin with and stay up on the maintenance you are ahead of the game. When I was in Savannah a few weeks back I was interested to note that a very large percentage of the bikes I was seeing in the down town area were the Huffy single speed cruisers or a similar bike. Great choice for that locale and dead simple to maintain.

Aaron

gerv 

I wonder how many of them became single speeds when their owners discovered the impossibility of changing cables on their grip shifters.

wahoonc

These bikes are single speeds from the get go, not the Huffy ten speeds.

Probably more do to with the fact Savannah is fairly flat and laid out on a grid. Most of the riders live in the downtown area and only ride a few miles at a time.

Aaron