Looking for a cheap entry level bike...thoughts on Schwinn
07-23-12, 01:40 PM
#26
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07-23-12, 02:29 PM
#27
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Wow, wphamilton. I give you respect for rolling 16,000 miles on ANY bike. I also give you respect for rising above the pain and general terror that comes with putting so many miles on such a terrible bike.
However, (and I mean NO disrespect when I say this) I have to assume you're a masochist. I can't help but think that if you spent the cost of a few tanks of gas extra, your 16,000 miles would be so much more enjoyable. Do yourself a favor and put that bike to rest. As a seasoned cyclist, you owe it to yourself to ride a better bike. I'm no gear head, and I absolutely agree it's more about the ride than what you ride, but I also know how terrible it is to put 5 miles on a bike like that, let alone 16,000, when a bike that costs 1.5 cents more per mile would make those many miles so much better.
So let this be a lesson to the OP (and all new riders). Don't cheap out. Or at least not entirely. You don't need a $10,000 bike. You don't need a $1,000 bike. But do yourself a favor and spend more than a few hundred bucks. You might find yourself really enjoying it and putting in 16,000 plus miles. Many people get on bad bikes and think biking is not enjoyable. It's totally enjoyable if you have halfway decent equipment.
...Although I guess for some people, it's even enjoyable on bad equipement.
However, (and I mean NO disrespect when I say this) I have to assume you're a masochist. I can't help but think that if you spent the cost of a few tanks of gas extra, your 16,000 miles would be so much more enjoyable. Do yourself a favor and put that bike to rest. As a seasoned cyclist, you owe it to yourself to ride a better bike. I'm no gear head, and I absolutely agree it's more about the ride than what you ride, but I also know how terrible it is to put 5 miles on a bike like that, let alone 16,000, when a bike that costs 1.5 cents more per mile would make those many miles so much better.
So let this be a lesson to the OP (and all new riders). Don't cheap out. Or at least not entirely. You don't need a $10,000 bike. You don't need a $1,000 bike. But do yourself a favor and spend more than a few hundred bucks. You might find yourself really enjoying it and putting in 16,000 plus miles. Many people get on bad bikes and think biking is not enjoyable. It's totally enjoyable if you have halfway decent equipment.
...Although I guess for some people, it's even enjoyable on bad equipement.
Anyhow, there was no particular discomfort on those miles on the Denali and the amount of maintenance was nothing unusual. It's actually pretty comfortable if you don't try to make it a race bike. Mine's (Denali that is) a little large, which facilitates a more relaxed setup with little seat to bar drop - with bigger tires and a rack on back it's fine for utility and recreation.
Last edited by wphamilton; 07-23-12 at 02:33 PM.
07-23-12, 02:35 PM
#28
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A 2011 Single Speed Schwinn Madison got me into biking! I only moved up to a road bike after 5 months on the single speed because, I wanted to go on longer rides. It got me in amazing shape in the short amount of time as well. That being said I suppose it's not fair to compair a single speed Schwinn to a road Schwinn, but I still think for an entry level rider Schwinn isn't that bad. They just has a bad rap because they sell them @ WalMart =p
Good bikes for the money IMO.
Good bikes for the money IMO.
07-23-12, 10:39 PM
#29
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I really want to thank you all for helping me to avoid a potential money pit and for your advice on which bikes would suit my interest, price range, and cycling needs as a beginner. While perusing through the local bike shop this afternoon I had been repeatedly directed towards the $1000+ bikes, despite telling the salespeople/owners/gardeners that it was not what I was looking for and well out of my price range. After logging in today and seeing all the straightforward replies from you all, I can tell I will be remaining with this site for may years to come.
Despite so many entry level bike names being thrown around by the varying degrees of riders, the one name that kept coming up is the one I will now focus my attention, (and wallet), on: the Gravity Liberty series. Between the Liberty 1 and 2 Im hoping to have the choices narrowed down by the end of the month and be riding it by the first weekend of July. I will lurk the forums for questions regarding those as Im sure the have already been posted.
Thanks for all the advice and with luck pics coming soon!
Despite so many entry level bike names being thrown around by the varying degrees of riders, the one name that kept coming up is the one I will now focus my attention, (and wallet), on: the Gravity Liberty series. Between the Liberty 1 and 2 Im hoping to have the choices narrowed down by the end of the month and be riding it by the first weekend of July. I will lurk the forums for questions regarding those as Im sure the have already been posted.
Thanks for all the advice and with luck pics coming soon!
07-24-12, 07:51 AM
#30
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I have an aluminum bike with a carbon fork too and I like it very much. on quiet streets when I'm going fast, the carbon fork (I think) makes a really nice hum. It's a Bottecchia but it's not this one!
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...bzeuro_pre.htm
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...bzeuro_pre.htm
Last edited by rumrunn6; 07-24-12 at 11:53 AM.
