smf0211

Hello all,

I am looking into getting into road biking. I've always wanted to get into but now have the time to do so. My budget for a bike is around $200, I know that is nearly nothing in the world of road bikes but im just looking for an entry level bike, something to get me started. I've already sized myself, I am 6''2' so probably need a 58cm bike. I've narrowed my options down to a couple ones but was just wondering which was the best.
Heres what I was thinking.


700c Genesis Road Bike
I know this bike is from walmart but not all things from there are bad. I like that this bike has the brakes in two places, where you can brake holding it like a regular bike and where you can brake holding the curves of the bars (sorry, I don't know the lingo yet). I also like the detachable front wheel that comes on it.
Also, a thing about this bike is I CANNOT find a lot of reviews about this bike. Maybe bc its new to market? or just people don't buy it? Im not sure.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/700c-Genes...k-Red/22899845

GMC Denali Road bike
This is another one I saw at Walmart but I like the price point and I liked the overall feel of the bike. And I really like the color of this bike.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/GMC-Denali...Large/12080282

Schwinn Prelude 14 Speed Bike
I like this one bc it has the detachable front tire. But its a bit more expensive that the others and im not sure why.
https://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/st...899+4294965420


I'm leaning toward the first bike just bc of the brake positions, but I'm not sure. I understand that a bike purchased at this price point will probably need a few upgrades like different brakes and such and I am prepared for that.
SO, are these options good? Is there another place I should look? Is there some awesome $200 road bike that I haven't seen yet? What do you all recommend.

Things I want/ would be nice in a bike are:
Detachable Front Tire
Dual Brake Positions, both on the top of the bars and on the 'curve'

BykOfALesserGod

Look for an old used road bike in CL, local ads or Salvation Army.

achoo

Spend more than that.

Seriously.

You don't need a cheap bike that's going to be a pain to keep in working order. Go to a bike shop. Buying a bike at Walmart is like going to the barber to fix a ripped crotch in your pants.

StanSeven

My advice is don't buy either. Save some more money and buy something used like CL (already mentioned above). One of those new bikes is junk. It will fall apart, won't work properly ,and will frustrate you constantly.

Bob Dopolina 

Don't buy any of those bikes from Wally World.

They, in keeping with Wally World tradition, are festering piles of crap.

Nakedbabytoes

Really, CL is your best option. My hubby got a aluminum trek last summer for $125. As much as he rides it, I am glad we only spent $125. At least it looks purty hanging in our garage. Keeping it pristine for the next owner I guess.
A $200 bike from CL used will be way better than a $200 job from Walmart.

YOJiMBO20

All of the above is very good advice. If you can add even $50-100 to your budget, you will be much happier.

Find a good local bike shop (LBS) and talk to the people there about what you want. Who knows, one of them might even have a bike they're selling that fits your criteria.

But all those "bikes" that you linked to are really just bike shaped objects.

Homebrew01

You can also check ebay for used bikes within 'X' miles of your zipcode, to avoid shipping costs.

smf0211

Thank you all, I've got a lot to think about then.

halfspeed

If you don't like the answers you get here, try here: https://www.bigboxbikes.com/viewforum.php?f=1

ramt1960

Hope you took halfspeeds advice and checked out bigboxbikes.com and bought the genesis roadtech. People there are a bit more tolerant of WM bikes. From the limited time I've spent in here it seems the rote answer for questions if you're not buying LBS bikes is buy used or spend more money, usually without knowing anything about the bike or reading the original question.

Sidney Porter

The problem with buying a used bike from craigslist in that price range is that you might be buying a 30 year old department store bike that needs work. Even if it is a desirable vintage bike i is going to need work in that price range. If it doesn't someone from the c&v snatched it up while I was writing this post.

For $300 I would consider this https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...lt_dt_xiii.htm

likebike23

Lots of times if forum members know the area you are located in, they can forward links to used bikes in your area that look good.

Sidney Porter

I just looked at the date of the thread. It is a bumped old thread. OP is probably not around.

Hiro11

People here generally know what they're talking about and rejecting their advice out of hand is probably a bad idea. The OP came here and asked the question, there's the response.

Every big box bike I've ever seen or worked on operates poorly and will fall apart very, very quickly. They are junk, pure and simple. You simply can't build something as complex as a bike for that kind of money with any sort of reasonable quality or baseline function. Trust me, do a few 15+ mile rides on a Walmart bike and you'll see what I'm talking about. You'll either get frustrated and give up cycling or end up wanting a better bike in a month or so. Regardless the money you've spent is wasted and you've "saved" nothing. This is why people recommend saving up a bit and buying something used with some quality up front. As already mentioned the difference in money isn't necessarily that great, even $300 is going to get something much better. This isn't snobbery or unfounded thinking, it's solid advice based on experience.

sreten

Hi,

I fed up with people talking nonsense about cheap bikes.

Some are awful, some so-so, but some are good / really good value.
Nothing flash but simply do the job, with prosaic technology.

rgds, sreten.

The OP is long gone, and got very little help.

Dead Roman

My bike was 85 dollars and craps on a wal mart bike. You can get an old steel bike for a hundo that will be of infinitely better quality.

KZBrian

The Prelude is a great choice if you can find one like this:
https://bikecatalogs.org/SCHWINN/MODELS/Prelude.html