xbomber88

I have a $150 Mongoose Mountain Bike. Even though it is a mountain bike 95% of the time I use it for road biking. I got such a cheap bike because when I bought it a few years ago I wasn't really very into biking. But in the last few months I've gotten really into biking. My current bike is in my opinion a pretty good bike and I've never had any real problems with it. Would it be worthwhile for me to upgrade or should I just stick with my current bike? What are the advantages of having such an expensive bike. Are they faster, more efficient, more comfortable or what? Also should I get a road bike instead of a mountain bike?

AndrewP

Cheap bikes may be stiff where you need them to be flexible which gives an uncomfortable ride. They may also be flexible where you want them stiff which makes for inefficient power transfer to the wheels, and sloppy handling. Cheap bikes will be heavier which gives slower acceleration and harder climbing hills. You will immediately notice great improvements on a bike costing $600. Things get better the more you spend but the improvements will be less noticable. You can still have tremendous fun on a cheap bike without getting neurotic over theft fear, provided you keep it maintained.

shimanopower

get a road bike.... a used $150 dollar one maybe... hmm... maybe read that $700 road bike thread.

crb189

Sounds like you just use your bike for commuting. If that's the case and you're happy with your current bike, then there's no need to upgrade. If you have aspirations of doing some moderate rides (15+ mi.) then definitely check into buying a road bike. Just understand that new ones are not cheap (usually 600+ usd.) - but there's always ebay and roadbikereview.com classifieds (I'm a huge proponent of buying used bikes).

Ostuni

depends on how you will use it, but in general, if you are riding on the road regularly - especially for fitness? - then a road bike would make a world of difference. not necessarily an 'expensive' one, either...

natethaskate

Cheap chain store bikes are fine if you're only riding occasionally. If you're commuting 5 days a week, or plan to ride regularly for fun or fitness, I'd suggest you spend more money. It doesn't mean you have to break the bank. You can shop for deals online (ebay, craigslist, etc) or look for closeout models at local bike shops.

I've never had a good experience with a chainstore bike. They work well for a few months and then start beaking down. Cheap bikes tend to have inexpensive parts that don't hold up under regular use. You can get a great used bike with great components. You just have to shop around.

And make sure you maintain you bike. It's a machine that requires upkeep just like anything else with moving parts.

Nashville Man

"Worth it" is relative. It might be worth it to me, but not to you or anyone else.

I believe you get what you pay for, regardless of what it is. Whether or not you want something enough to justify paying the price is your call(demand elasticity).

Phantoj

If you're "into" cycling, and you mostly ride on the road, you will find a true road bike to be much more efficient. If you can't afford $600 or so for an entry-level new bike, look patiently for a well-loved used steed. I have a 1980's Centurion that's only a few pounds heavier than a modern machine. It's a nice ride; worth about $100 or so.

Totoro

My commuting bike is a '73 Raleigh Super Course. Cost me about $50 in parts to restore it to riding condition (and a lot of elbow grease). Although it's old, it was a high end bike when new and it's a lot better than most new department store bikes. Anyway, you can get a nice bike for around $300 new. Check out ibexbikes.com, REI outlet, and Ebay. For example, for $280, you can get a new Schwinn on Ebay.

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=7174682106



But if you know what to look for, your best bet is used.

bbp

Yes

Cornbread

I usually commute on my cheap MTB because I would have to lock my road bike up outside which I don't want to do. I think the best and cheapest thing you can do is make your MTB more efficient. This is what I did. Get slicks for your MTB, those big knobbies really slow you down. Something like this. https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...eid=&pagename= Also, make sure your seat is high enough to properly extend your leg. Most cheapie MTB seat stems don't extend very high and so you don't use all of your legs like you could. I had to get a new, longer, seat tube that fit me properly. I actually lean over pretty far more like a road bike than the typical upright position you see on a MTB.

Monument Man

i think taht for really short, unstructured rides it doesn't really matter.

if you are doing 50-60-70-100 miles you will want a better bike. i find that only at longer distances, and higher sustained speeds do the benefits of better bikes (carbon/ti/lightweight/better drivetrain) become apparant.

xbomber88

Thanks to everyone who replied. I think that I probably will get a roadbike eventually to replace my mountain bike because I do sometimes ride up to 60 miles in a day and also I someday hope to bike coast to coast if I ever have the time. But for now I will have to deal with what I've got because I don't have the money to get a good new one. Right now all I have is $250 but hopefully I will be able to get a decent road bike by next summer.

gcasillo

Here, let me hook you up.

xbomber88

lol wow that is ridiculously expensive. I don't think I could ever bring myself to pay that much for a bike even if I had tons and tons of excess money.

gcasillo

You're further evolved than I then. I let my primal urge to spend get the better of me.

rmwun54

It is worth it if you can afford it and if you've been riding long enough to know you want to appreciate a unique and a good quallity bike.

DannoXYZ 

You ever see anyone win the Tour on a cheap bike?

shimanopower

Oh is he tryiing to win the tour? Because I thought he was a newbie with a mongoose... hmm discrepancies....

Nightsky565

Hey, I have seen guys win the tour on a huffy... lol

RhumbRunner

JMHO, it all depends on how serious a rider you want, or turn out, to be.

If you buy a $7000 Ti. DA bike and ride 10 or 15 miles every other week, no it won't make any difference over that $159 road bike at Wally World.

If you ride 7000, 10,000 or 15,000 miles a year....yes, you will learn to appreciate your Porsche over a Yugo!

If you want to ride with your wife (and she wants to ride with you) look at a Tandem. If you want to pack up your bike with a tent and see roads that hardly ever see cars anymore and enjoy nature, buy a touring bike.

Each has it's purpose and each is unsuited to the function of the other. On this part of forum, we are "generally" speaking of people who wish to go uot with others, or alone, and ride 30, 50, or 100 or so miles in a day and improve thier body condition and self esteem. Some "race", some cruise...some talk....but it looke to me like most love thier rides!

The incredible thing about road bikes is that you can go out and buy a piece of equipment that is virtually the same as a professional uses. You can't go out and buy a F1 car, or a NASCAR Dodge and drive it on the street.

Will that $9000 Trek Madone 5.9 SSL make you as fast as LA? Nope! Will you "feel" stronger and faster than on that $159 WW special? You 'betcha!!

Rhumb

xbomber88

I'm thinking that when I can afford it I should probably get either a road bike or touring bike. I'll probably look to spend about $500. What are the differences between road bikes and touring bikes and which do you think I should get?

DocRay

expensive bikes are better. period.

However, they are not for everyday riding/commuting where they are locked up outside, they will be stolen in a week. No lock will prevent this.

PhatRoadie

D@mn. That's hot! Just my size too.

Sigh.

gcasillo

xbomber88, I would recommend looking for a hybrid type of bike. These bikes afford you lots of options for setting up your bike the way you want, and they can be very affordable. I have a Bianchi Volpe. I can use tires as wide as 35mm or so, I have a rack for mounting panniers/saddle bags, it steel which rides nicely and is durable, and the geometry is comfortable too. Cyclocross bikes typically fit this bill too.