Looking for a new bike
Aesop101
Posts: 758 Member
I looking at the Merax Finiss on Amazon and the Hyper spin fit at Walmart. Both are 700 cc and 21 speed bikes. One is a hybrid and the a road bike. The Hyper is $ 130 and the merax is $239. Any suggestions or preferences? Hints and tips are welcome too.
Thank you!
Thank you!
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Replies
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I'd recommend buying a used bike on Craigslist before a bike-shaped object at Walmart, because you'll get a much better value for your money.7
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NorthCascades wrote: »I'd recommend buying a used bike on Craigslist before a bike-shaped object at Walmart, because you'll get a much better value for your money.
+1
A used bike will be far, far better than either2 -
NorthCascades wrote: »I'd recommend buying a used bike on Craigslist before a bike-shaped object at Walmart, because you'll get a much better value for your money.
Another thumbs up to this.
I used to buy Walmart bikes every year. Why? Because they only last a year. And it's not like I abuse them.
If possible, take whatever you buy to a shop and get custom fitted.1 -
NorthCascades wrote: »I'd recommend buying a used bike on Craigslist before a bike-shaped object at Walmart, because you'll get a much better value for your money.
absolutely.
i would recommend going to a local bike shop and getting something second hand. And getting actually fitted for the bike, learning how to do maintenance on it, etc.
In my opinion, a bike should be a similar purchase to a car. Don't buy a junkyard car you'll have to replace every year, buy something like a reliable pre-owned.
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I settled for buying a bike on CL and 650 miles later it is falling apart. It's a Schwinn Hyrbid which probably came from a wal-mart like store. I just cannot afford another bike right now. I wish I could because it's a struggle to ride this bike 20 miles a day.0
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I want to second Mistah J's warning about X-mart bikes not being always assembled carefully. That can be a safety issue when you're coming down a hill at 30 mph.
If you do buy a used bike, bring a friend who knows about bikes. And don't buy used carbon unless you know its history. Never ride a carbon part that's been crashed (unless it's been inspected by somebody with an x-ray).I used to buy Walmart bikes every year. Why? Because they only last a year. And it's not like I abuse them.
You did surprisingly well.
I saw a bike out by the garbage dumpster of my apartment one day. Asked around about it. It was a Walmart bike, the owner had paid $100 for it, and the chain wore out. He didn't know why he would spend $40 on a new chain (and having it installed, wasn't a DIY guy) when he could get a new bike for $100. I moved it out to the sidewalk and left a "free polo bike" sign on it.1 -
I actually favor the Merax. I saw many good reviews. I will swing by a local bike shop but I have heard they are extraordinarily expensive. The Walmart bike though allows me to get a hitch mounted bike rack. Something I really want. My current bike is a fixie and old. I've been hauling that thing in the back of my SUV. It's awkward.0
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Is there an actual bike shop close by?
If your budget can stand spending a little more money (maybe $200 more or so) you can probably get a decent entry level bike that's been properly assembled etc that you'll be much happier with (when i started riding again I picked up a Marin Larkspur from a LBS, I've since moved on to a couple of better bikes - I race a bit - but my daughter is still riding the Marin 10 years later and I've had to do minimal maintenance to it)
If that's not in the budget then used is an option (I missed a late '70s/early '80s steel framed Bianchi that had great components on it that sold for $100 a few weeks ago). If you're not comfortable looking at used bikes do you have a friend who may be more knowledgeable that can help?1 -
I've bought cheap bikes; I've bought more expensive ones. My experience is you definitely get what you pay for. I've bought my last two bikes at bike shops and I'd have no issues buying a used one from a bike shop. Honestly, I'd budget my $$ and save up for it...the better it operates the more you'll be on it (and enjoying it too!)
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I'm going riding tonight on my fixie. Then tomorrow after work I'll run by the LBS. It's about 1 mile away. Then we'll see what I learn.0
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NorthCascades wrote: »I'd recommend buying a used bike on Craigslist before a bike-shaped object at Walmart, because you'll get a much better value for your money.
This^^^
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Support your local bike shops. They will support you if you have issues3
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Jumping on the LBS train - a good one should have a range of bikes in a range of prices. Some even have inventories of used bikes.
Ordering online is a bit dicey - are you bike maintenance knowledgeable? You'd have to do some assembly and tune ups and make sure everything is put together properly. Or a LBS would do that for a fee, and at that point might as well just a slightly more expensive bike from them for the same price as the cheaper online version+assembly fee.
Good luck!0 -
Buying a bike from craigslist may not be the best idea if you don't know anything about bikes (just like you probably wouldn't want to buy a car unless you're a mechanic). Because then you don't know what kind of wear and tear to look for, what it's actually worth, how long it'll last, etc. You could either get a fair deal or a piece of junk.
I'd recommend going to a bike shop. Yes, it's going to be more expensive, but on the other hand, the bike is going to be reliable for a LONG TIME. And the bike shop will usually doing a couple of complimentary things for you (a 30 day tune-up, a free fit, etc). And many bikes come with fantastic warranties. My boyfriend had a mid-range Specialized for about 6-7 years, and one day he backed into his garage with his bike still on the roof rack. Turns out it snapped the back fork. He called Specialized and they gave him a whole new bike.
So while a craigslist or walmart bike is going to be cheaper in the short term, it comes at the price of many risks. A bike bought at a shop is going to last longer, come with a warranty, and you'll be in better hands if something happens to it, and so will likely save you money over the next several years.
I guess it depends on how long you want the bike to last and if you are willing to (potentially) invest more money in it if something breaks/wears down.2 -
Another vote against Walmart and big box bikes. Your LBS will help you find what you need for they way you want to ride. With bikes, you really get what you pay for. If the LBS is too daunting (it can be intimidating for women) than check out REI. They have some great mid range bikes that are pretty budget friendly.
Bottom line is, you won't ride a bike you don't like and you probably won't like a cheap, heavy bike.1 -
I really like my hybrid bike!
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I got my road bike at an LBS last year. I can safely say it's the best bike I've ever owned and will probably last forever if I take good care of it.0
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Bikesdirect and Performance bike are other good online sources. Performance bike has the sort of thing you'd find at a large LBS.1
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One suggestion if you're thinking about buying used on Craig's list, etc. Ask your LBS if they will do a pre-purchase inspection for you. They may want a little bit of money for it, but it will save you buying a mistake! They might even be able to give you some recommendations on what size, etc you should be looking for ( and a lot of the LBS employees I know watch the used market pretty closely)0
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Of the two, I'd go with the Merax. No matter which one you get, please don't let Walmart assemble the bike for you. If you don't have somebody who knows what they are doing in the household, take it to a bike shop. Walmart, Target, Toys-R-Us, etc., pay the kids by the number of bikes they assemble. They end up getting thrown together and often at the expense of your--or your child's--safety.
For what it's worth. No local bike shop in my area will touch a walmart, etc bike to assemble or repair. The quality of thr parts used won't let them stand behind their work.
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I'm with the LBS crowd here. A LBS should have a fairly wide variety of quality bikes...for a little more than you'll pay at Wal-mart you can get a solid entry level bike. There is a world of difference in how a "real" bike feels and rides vs something you would get at Wal-mart or other big box stores...and trust me, the more you actually enjoy the bike the more you will be inclined to get out there and ride.
I've made this mistake in the past and just went with a cheapy bike...I really didn't like riding it all that much...it just wasn't an enjoyable experience. At the time I just thought I wasn't all that into cycling...but nah...it was really just the bike.
Most of the LBSs in my area also sell used bikes which they have inspected and fixed up as well. You can get good deals on CL as well, but really I'd only recommend that to someone who is fairly seasoned and knows what they're actually looking at.
As far as a hybrid vs a road bike...well, it's just a personal preference and you have to consider how you're going to ride...and also consider how you may possibly ride in the future...when I upgraded my bike I went into it with the idea that I may or may not participate in cycling events or races but I wanted something that was at least capable in the event that I did end up doing those things (which I do and they're tons of fun). In my experience, many people who go with a hybrid outgrow it in pretty short order as it simply doesn't perform how they would like...other people do just fine...but if it were me, I'd opt for an entry level road bike.1 -
abitofbliss wrote: »I settled for buying a bike on CL and 650 miles later it is falling apart. It's a Schwinn Hyrbid which probably came from a wal-mart like store. I just cannot afford another bike right now. I wish I could because it's a struggle to ride this bike 20 miles a day.
This is why I'm hesitant to recommend a second hand bike unless you know the previous owner. You have no idea how the bike was used or abused, maintained or not. Anybody can clean up a bike and make it look nice to sell it for a few bucks.
Not to mention, I know nothing about bicycles!
Sucks. 0 -
abitofbliss wrote: »abitofbliss wrote: »I settled for buying a bike on CL and 650 miles later it is falling apart. It's a Schwinn Hyrbid which probably came from a wal-mart like store. I just cannot afford another bike right now. I wish I could because it's a struggle to ride this bike 20 miles a day.
This is why I'm hesitant to recommend a second hand bike unless you know the previous owner. You have no idea how the bike was used or abused, maintained or not. Anybody can clean up a bike and make it look nice to sell it for a few bucks.
Not to mention, I know nothing about bicycles! Sucks.
well, learn!
http://sheldonbrown.com/beginners.html
This site looks like a potato, but it's one of the greatest resources of information for cyclists.
And of course, there is a plethora of information and you can ask questions/get opinions here:
https://www.reddit.com/r/bicycling2 -
Thank you!0
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I bought my hybrid from an LBS 25+ years ago and I am still using the same bike - granted, I have had to replace some of the components from wear and tear, but the basic frame/headset/bottom-bracket are still original and I would ride that bike anytime and anywhere. We bought my daughter a big-box bike a year ago (my wife was adamant about not spending TOO much on her bike) and the first thing I had to do was take the brakes apart and put them together correctly AND replace both tubes since the peeps who installed them pinched BOTH tubes when putting the bike together... basically, you get what you pay for.0
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I bought my hybrid from an LBS 25+ years ago and I am still using the same bike - granted, I have had to replace some of the components from wear and tear, but the basic frame/headset/bottom-bracket are still original and I would ride that bike anytime and anywhere. We bought my daughter a big-box bike a year ago (my wife was adamant about not spending TOO much on her bike) and the first thing I had to do was take the brakes apart and put them together correctly AND replace both tubes since the peeps who installed them pinched BOTH tubes when putting the bike together... basically, you get what you pay for.
And i just want to mention, depending on the tire size... that replacing the tube can be an infuriating process.
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