Best first bike?
07-26-12, 06:34 PM
#51
Hogosha Sekai
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This was never about 400 vs 3000 this was about 300-500 budget for a ROAD BIKE. Can you please get onboard with that instead of making bad analogies?
07-26-12, 06:37 PM
#52
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07-26-12, 06:52 PM
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Kia/Hyundai (along with many other manufacturers) last longer than any luxury vehicle, and longer than most any other vehicles.
Therefore, not only was dude's comparison absolutely counter-point to his own argument, but it was also completely irrelevant.
Last edited by uRabbit; 07-26-12 at 06:55 PM.
07-26-12, 06:54 PM
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Wow.... Just wow... Unless you are training for some sort of major competitive race with a reward high enough to pay for the crazy bike you are riding, then that 3k bike is just a way for people to identify you as an a-hole 
It's a bicycle.... Its like 2 steps up technologically from a horse drawn carriage.... I'd much rather have a 3k Kia over a 3k bike any day... We can take em head to head and see who wins....
It's a bicycle.... Its like 2 steps up technologically from a horse drawn carriage.... I'd much rather have a 3k Kia over a 3k bike any day... We can take em head to head and see who wins....
07-26-12, 09:07 PM
#55
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I never suggested he does. I merely suggested a sirrus or Trek FX would be a better commuting option in that price range because I personally wouldn't buy a bike from BD or any of the like.
In fact, the OP should buy a used bike as a starter if he really wants a true road bike in that price range.
You guys can hummm and Haaa about how great your $400 bikes are but the reality of the fact is they are crap. But if its the best crap you can afford then you should be happy with it. I know I wouldn't buy a bike like that but then again I care about quality and put a value on that. Others just care about the best deal they can get.
If someone can only afford a $200 wallmart bike no one is going to say its a good bike.....it might be the best you can afford but that doesn't make it any good.
In fact, the OP should buy a used bike as a starter if he really wants a true road bike in that price range.
You guys can hummm and Haaa about how great your $400 bikes are but the reality of the fact is they are crap. But if its the best crap you can afford then you should be happy with it. I know I wouldn't buy a bike like that but then again I care about quality and put a value on that. Others just care about the best deal they can get.
If someone can only afford a $200 wallmart bike no one is going to say its a good bike.....it might be the best you can afford but that doesn't make it any good.
Last edited by SlimRider; 07-26-12 at 09:11 PM.
07-26-12, 09:18 PM
#56
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Most modern-day bikes have very strong frames, regardless as to their point of purchase. Big box store outlets sell bikes with some of the strongest bicycle frames known to mankind. However, the problem with the BBS outlets, is that they are infamously notorious for improperly installing inferior components. Bikesdirect, Nashbar, and Performance, don't seem to have that problem. Most of bikesdirect bikes are manufactured by Kinesis, a very reputable bicycle manufacturer, based in Taiwan. A place world renown for excellent quality control in the production of bicycles. Kinesis makes bikes for Diamondback, Raleigh, Windsor, Dawes, Mercier, and Motobecane. The entire cycling world recognizes Kinesis as a world class bicycle manufacturer.
07-27-12, 09:38 AM
#57
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07-27-12, 09:55 AM
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I'd suggest the OP look to the used market. You get a lot more bike for your money in that price range. And when you want to move up, you can sell it for about what you paid for it as you've taken the issue of depreciation out of the picture.
07-27-12, 10:14 AM
#60
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07-27-12, 10:22 AM
#61
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or he got hit in the head w/ a hockey puck
This probably the best advice. I only lost $50 on my first used bike i bought on ebay after i resold it.
This probably the best advice. I only lost $50 on my first used bike i bought on ebay after i resold it.
07-27-12, 10:24 AM
#62
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he's just mad cuz BD doesn't ship to Canada. also mad that Slim is providing free advertising for BD when Trek and Spec spend millions on advertising.
07-27-12, 10:45 AM
#63
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If you got more time then $$$$ you could always go nuts and build a bike from the ground up, also requires a lack of common sense too.. it's not for the faint hearted beginner.
07-27-12, 11:28 AM
#64
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Update
Manutd, just because you idolize Trek so much, I'd just like to inform you that in addition to the bicycles I've already mentioned in my previous post, Kinesis also makes bicycles for Schwinn, Felt, Kona, GT, Jamis, Kona, and last but most certainly, not the least, Trek!
Kinesis exports bikes to about a dozen different countries. A company that has its own brand name that sells bikes to at least a dozen different countries and actually makes bicycles for major bicycle companies like GT, Kona, Felt, Jamis, and Trek, I can assure you, is well respected, world renown, and is considered as a world class bicycle manufacturer. That's whether it's written on the internet, or not!
You can no more refute fact than you can science. They both are inextricably rooted in the truth!
Have A Nice Day, Son!
Reference:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinesis_Industry
Manutd, just because you idolize Trek so much, I'd just like to inform you that in addition to the bicycles I've already mentioned in my previous post, Kinesis also makes bicycles for Schwinn, Felt, Kona, GT, Jamis, Kona, and last but most certainly, not the least, Trek!
Kinesis exports bikes to about a dozen different countries. A company that has its own brand name that sells bikes to at least a dozen different countries and actually makes bicycles for major bicycle companies like GT, Kona, Felt, Jamis, and Trek, I can assure you, is well respected, world renown, and is considered as a world class bicycle manufacturer. That's whether it's written on the internet, or not!
You can no more refute fact than you can science. They both are inextricably rooted in the truth!
Have A Nice Day, Son!
Reference:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinesis_Industry
Last edited by SlimRider; 07-27-12 at 11:34 AM.
07-27-12, 12:04 PM
#65
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I have a couple friends that are really interested in taking up cycling - you know what sparked their interest? Riding my way-too-small (for them) steel single-speed Motobecane from BD. One did 20 miles, the other did over 30 on that thing. I figured they were going to hate it, but it was the exact opposite. The both described it as like being a kid again!
In fact, since it hasn't been mentioned before, if you don't plan on doing any huge miles or hills, for commuting, that may be all you need, and leaves you with room to spare in your budget:
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...essenger_x.htm
That's not to say BD is the only option. As has been suggested, Performance and Nashbar may be worth looking at. Performance doesn't have a shop in SC, but there are ones in NC and GA, so if that's an option, I would say check it out. You may find a good deal on one of the brands they sell (Fuji, Scattante, GT, etc.), but I don't currently see anything on their site in your budget (unless you want to go the fixed/singlespeed route). It looks like Nashbar has one or two worth looking at.
There's also a Tommaso in your price range:
https://www.giantnerd.com/tommaso-imo...-beginner.html
All that having been said, if you want to support a local bike shop instead of an online-only retailer like BD, you'd need to save some more or justify something in the $700-900 range. With that, you have options for an entry-level bike from a name-brand like Specialized, Trek, Felt, etc., and the warranty that comes with those.
I haven't had problems with my BD bike, but I imagine it's probably easier to get warranty work done if you buy from a local shop. Another upside is you often get things like free adjustments, free first tune-up, etc. So, there are some tangible benefits to buying from a brick-and-mortar store.
In fact, since it hasn't been mentioned before, if you don't plan on doing any huge miles or hills, for commuting, that may be all you need, and leaves you with room to spare in your budget:
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...essenger_x.htm
That's not to say BD is the only option. As has been suggested, Performance and Nashbar may be worth looking at. Performance doesn't have a shop in SC, but there are ones in NC and GA, so if that's an option, I would say check it out. You may find a good deal on one of the brands they sell (Fuji, Scattante, GT, etc.), but I don't currently see anything on their site in your budget (unless you want to go the fixed/singlespeed route). It looks like Nashbar has one or two worth looking at.
There's also a Tommaso in your price range:
https://www.giantnerd.com/tommaso-imo...-beginner.html
All that having been said, if you want to support a local bike shop instead of an online-only retailer like BD, you'd need to save some more or justify something in the $700-900 range. With that, you have options for an entry-level bike from a name-brand like Specialized, Trek, Felt, etc., and the warranty that comes with those.
I haven't had problems with my BD bike, but I imagine it's probably easier to get warranty work done if you buy from a local shop. Another upside is you often get things like free adjustments, free first tune-up, etc. So, there are some tangible benefits to buying from a brick-and-mortar store.
07-30-12, 08:13 AM
#66
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Update
Manutd, just because you idolize Trek so much, I'd just like to inform you that in addition to the bicycles I've already mentioned in my previous post, Kinesis also makes bicycles for Schwinn, Felt, Kona, GT, Jamis, Kona, and last but most certainly, not the least, Trek!
Kinesis exports bikes to about a dozen different countries. A company that has its own brand name that sells bikes to at least a dozen different countries and actually makes bicycles for major bicycle companies like GT, Kona, Felt, Jamis, and Trek, I can assure you, is well respected, world renown, and is considered as a world class bicycle manufacturer. That's whether it's written on the internet, or not!
You can no more refute fact than you can science. They both are inextricably rooted in the truth!
Have A Nice Day, Son!
Reference:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinesis_Industry
Manutd, just because you idolize Trek so much, I'd just like to inform you that in addition to the bicycles I've already mentioned in my previous post, Kinesis also makes bicycles for Schwinn, Felt, Kona, GT, Jamis, Kona, and last but most certainly, not the least, Trek!
Kinesis exports bikes to about a dozen different countries. A company that has its own brand name that sells bikes to at least a dozen different countries and actually makes bicycles for major bicycle companies like GT, Kona, Felt, Jamis, and Trek, I can assure you, is well respected, world renown, and is considered as a world class bicycle manufacturer. That's whether it's written on the internet, or not!
You can no more refute fact than you can science. They both are inextricably rooted in the truth!
Have A Nice Day, Son!
Reference:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinesis_Industry
07-30-12, 09:04 AM
#67
Recusant Iconoclast
07-30-12, 09:05 AM
#68
Recusant Iconoclast
Wow.... Just wow... Unless you are training for some sort of major competitive race with a reward high enough to pay for the crazy bike you are riding, then that 3k bike is just a way for people to identify you as an a-hole It's a bicycle.... Its like 2 steps up technologically from a horse drawn carriage.... I'd much rather have a 3k Kia over a 3k bike any day... We can take em head to head and see who wins....
It's a bicycle.... Its like 2 steps up technologically from a horse drawn carriage.... I'd much rather have a 3k Kia over a 3k bike any day... We can take em head to head and see who wins....
07-30-12, 11:14 AM
#69
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07-30-12, 11:56 AM
#70
Hogosha Sekai
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07-30-12, 12:49 PM
#71
Senior Member
Are you for real?
To the OP: I've owned and assembled several BikesDirect bikes. I've also owned and built several non-BikesDirect bikes. If you've got the knowledge to do a little wrenching on your own (or are willing to wait to ride your new bike while you learn a little wrenching on your own), and you're willing to take a chance on buying a bike sight-unseen and all that entails, BikesDirect is a good deal.
If that's not your bag, then BikesDirect isn't your bag. You'll need to either buy used, raise your budget, or look into a lesser expensive hybrid-style bike.
To the OP: I've owned and assembled several BikesDirect bikes. I've also owned and built several non-BikesDirect bikes. If you've got the knowledge to do a little wrenching on your own (or are willing to wait to ride your new bike while you learn a little wrenching on your own), and you're willing to take a chance on buying a bike sight-unseen and all that entails, BikesDirect is a good deal.
If that's not your bag, then BikesDirect isn't your bag. You'll need to either buy used, raise your budget, or look into a lesser expensive hybrid-style bike.
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07-30-12, 01:02 PM
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