Should I buy a $200 road bike at Target?
07-10-07, 08:23 AM
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Should I buy a $200 road bike at Target?
I'm very tempted to buy a Schwinn Prelude road bike at Target for $200. As a college student, it would be very difficult for me to spend even $500 on a road bike at the LBS.
I've been riding for almost a year now, commuting on my mountain bike mostly. I've ridden a few times with a local touring club, but they're a bunch of old men going 17 mph, and I can't quite keep up. So I want to buy a road bike.
Is there anything wrong with the above bike? Is a 700C bike the right size for me? I'm 5'9". The other problem, of course, is that I can only ride it up and down the aisles before I buy it. What should I look for during this test drive?
Thanks in advance
Bob
I've been riding for almost a year now, commuting on my mountain bike mostly. I've ridden a few times with a local touring club, but they're a bunch of old men going 17 mph, and I can't quite keep up. So I want to buy a road bike.
Is there anything wrong with the above bike? Is a 700C bike the right size for me? I'm 5'9". The other problem, of course, is that I can only ride it up and down the aisles before I buy it. What should I look for during this test drive?
Thanks in advance
Bob
07-10-07, 08:34 AM
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No. Used. Real bikes aren't sized by the wheels, 99+% of current road bikes have 700c wheels. The bike is probably a 58 cm bike, which is wrong for you.
Thread locked.
Thread locked.
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07-10-07, 08:42 AM
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Go buy a quality used bike. No brainer.
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07-10-07, 08:42 AM
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Originally Posted by BobSmalls
a bunch of old men going 17 mph
07-10-07, 08:46 AM
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Originally Posted by bsyptak
These are the guys to ask if any of them have an old road bike they would sell you, or have leads on one. I bet you will have success, and it'll be much better than the Target bike.
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07-10-07, 08:50 AM
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I said Thread locked.
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07-10-07, 08:52 AM
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lots of places to find a good used bike, this forum, ebay, craigslist, etc 
07-10-07, 08:52 AM
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Don't waste your $200.
Either:1) put slick tires on your MTB(if you haven't already) train a little harder, and save toward a nicer bike,
or, 2) get a used bike as suggested above.
Either:1) put slick tires on your MTB(if you haven't already) train a little harder, and save toward a nicer bike,
or, 2) get a used bike as suggested above.
07-10-07, 09:00 AM
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Originally Posted by merlinextraligh
Don't waste your $200.
Either:1) put slick tires on your MTB(if you haven't already) train a little harder, and save toward a nicer bike,
or, 2) get a used bike as suggested above.
Either:1) put slick tires on your MTB(if you haven't already) train a little harder, and save toward a nicer bike,
or, 2) get a used bike as suggested above.
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07-10-07, 09:09 AM
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Shipping weight of 42 lbs. = Bad bike choice!
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07-10-07, 09:30 AM
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Originally Posted by jjmolyet
Shipping weight of 42 lbs. = Bad bike choice!
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07-10-07, 09:35 AM
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Originally Posted by ElJamoquio
I said Thread locked.
07-10-07, 11:27 AM
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There was a thread on this topic yesterday! Here is the link!
www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=318909
www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=318909
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07-10-07, 11:58 AM
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Originally Posted by BillyD
. . . and don't be so dismissive of that "bunch of old men" --- they're still riding and staying healthy, and you can't even keep up with them. Let's see you remain a rider for that long.
07-10-07, 06:11 PM
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Yikes. I knew cyclists were a rowdy bunch, all high on adrenaline and full of the competitive spirit, but I wasn't expecting such a strong reaction.
Obvioulsy, I don't dismiss old cyclists. I respect a 60 year old who can ride faster than a 23 year old. However, I'm pretty sure I can make more Watts than them, and I want to get on a road bike and prove it to myself. Or at least be able to tour with them.
Thanks, Shawn. There's a lot of useful info there. I guess I'm not suprised that I'm not the only one who's looking for a road bike and is very attracted by a $200, new bike.
So is it the consensus on this forum that a $200, 15 year old used road bike is faster than a $200 Pacific Cycle bike?
I know the forum looks down on department store bikes. Yes, I am aware they are poorly assembled and not adjusted to the rider. I can correct that. I'd really like to know what else is wrong with department store bikes.
Bob
Obvioulsy, I don't dismiss old cyclists. I respect a 60 year old who can ride faster than a 23 year old. However, I'm pretty sure I can make more Watts than them, and I want to get on a road bike and prove it to myself. Or at least be able to tour with them.
Thanks, Shawn. There's a lot of useful info there. I guess I'm not suprised that I'm not the only one who's looking for a road bike and is very attracted by a $200, new bike.
So is it the consensus on this forum that a $200, 15 year old used road bike is faster than a $200 Pacific Cycle bike?
I know the forum looks down on department store bikes. Yes, I am aware they are poorly assembled and not adjusted to the rider. I can correct that. I'd really like to know what else is wrong with department store bikes.
Bob
07-10-07, 06:17 PM
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Department store bikes are comprised of very cheap components. Like someone else said, bikes should not be sized by the wheels but by the frame. You won't be able to "correct that" when you buy it because the frame size is the frame size.
If you go for an older road bike, you will still get much better components and it will be a smoother ride.
If you go for an older road bike, you will still get much better components and it will be a smoother ride.
07-10-07, 06:25 PM
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beeballman
42 pounds
There is no 20 pounds of padding, this bike weighs 32 pounds , Steer clear, save and by a better bike you will be very happy that you did.
07-10-07, 07:00 PM
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Originally Posted by BobSmalls
So is it the consensus on this forum that a $200, 15 year old used road bike is faster than a $200 Pacific Cycle bike?
I have run across a lot of these that don't even have the correct components put together. I worked on one at the begining of this year that had a 6 spd shifter and a 7spd freewheel. Then the calipers were so thin that applying the brakes and trying to roll the bike forward actually bent the calipers....rendering the bike without brakes.
For the love of god, care about yourself enough to get a solid used bike. Much better value for the money.
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07-10-07, 07:29 PM
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I'm in the same boat consdering it was me who posted that thread yesterday...
It seems fine in the store, and I really could care less if it doesn't fit me perfectly.
I will just be riding this around town in my everyday clothes, no jerseys, not competetive, but as a way to get around.
I'm sure that these bikes work fine considering probably 60 percent of the general public gets their bikes from target or wal mart.
I think I will buy the bike.. I'm sure it won't just crumble under me, and if it does I'll take it back.
I know its not a Trek or a designer bike, but I'm sure it will get me from point A to point B
It seems fine in the store, and I really could care less if it doesn't fit me perfectly.
I will just be riding this around town in my everyday clothes, no jerseys, not competetive, but as a way to get around.
I'm sure that these bikes work fine considering probably 60 percent of the general public gets their bikes from target or wal mart.
I think I will buy the bike.. I'm sure it won't just crumble under me, and if it does I'll take it back.
I know its not a Trek or a designer bike, but I'm sure it will get me from point A to point B
07-10-07, 07:47 PM
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Originally Posted by TeleJohn
At 5'9", I would look for a bike in the 632-638c size range.
700c is for those who can dial out 400+ watts.
700c is for those who can dial out 400+ watts.