Mercier Galaxy AL (used) vs Vilano Tuono (Brand new) vs GMC Denali (New) ? Which one
 

Ok guys i am just not getting into cycling and I have been riding a friend's hybrid schwinn volare for about 4 weeks now and did a 45 mile ride once and a few smaller rides. I am not prepping for a 100 mile ride soon and I am thinking about getting my own road bike. I am a college student strapped for cash. So i am trying to get the cheapest and best bike for my price range of about $250ish. I know some of you will think all these bikes are crap but please just give me your opinion out of these three bikes and which one is best out of them or if you know of any other bikes that compare to these for my price range. I have been looking for used bikes like a crazy mad man on craigslist spending every chance i get checking the local postings for a bike but I have not seen anything yet. My first option is a decent used bike over the entry level vilanos.

Here are pictures of the mercier. Looks like it needs new tubes and a new chain. can anyone see anything else wrong? I have not had a chance to look at the bike personally yet.

here are links to vilano and gmc bike:
Vilano: http://www.roadbikeoutlet.com/vilano...road-bike.html

GMC: http://www.amazon.com/GMC-Denali-700...ef=pd_sbs_sg_8

Please give me your opinion of which one would be the best out of these three and also any other bikes that i might be able to get for around my price range. thanks. My first post. If i made any mistakes I am sorry.

How tall are you, that Mercier looks on the large size. Also search gmc denali interesting threads about it

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ght=gmc+denali

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ght=gmc+denali

Forget about the Vilano or the GMC. I wouldn't buy them for $50 if they were new. Trust me, it's not even worth money or effort. The bikes are very low quality, heavy, and impossible to keep tuned.

The Mercier Galaxy AL is the best out of the three. The chain does look pretty rusted... you may be able to clean it and lube it to get it working. The tires could just be flat and need to be inflated. You could also try patching them with a patch kit (cheaper than new tubes) to save some money.

Don't get ripped off the on the Mercier AL. You can buy it new for under $400. http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/..._al_xi_sc2.htm If you're going to try and haggle with the seller mention the flat tubes and rusty chain. It could cost $50 to get both tubes replaced and a new chain if you take it to a bike shop. That doesn't even include a tune up fee, which could cost even more. Mention this to the seller, and maybe you can get a good deal on it.

Just make sure it fits you if you're going to buy it. However, your best bet is Craigslist. I usually check it five to ten times a day. I've gotten lucky and on three occasions bought a decent (older) road bike under $125.

i am about 5 10 or 5 11 i was fitted for a 56cm at a LBS. gmc denali is my LAST LAST option

yeah the mercier guy is asking 350 i said i would buy it for 200 because of the tires and chain and tune up stuff. and brand new is 450 i sent him that email before posting on here he has not replied still. is 200 good for that bike? i know condition is hard to tell from pictures but a rough estimate i guess.

I would not go over $200 for the Mercier. You're going to spend at least $50 geting it going.

Anything north of $250, and you're too close to what you get a brand new one with a warranty for.

Go with the Denali
 

I own a GMC and has been great for me I put 2000 miles on it already and the only thing I have to replace was the tires. I have been looking on eBay for parts to upgrade my GMC and I saw a post for parts that were taken from a FUJI Sportif I won them for $56. The crank was a FUJi compact aluminum, he included a brand new chain, a Sora back derailur, a front double Shimano Claris and a set of 2x8 Claris Brifters (brake and shifter combination) I did all the work myself took me about a week to replace all the parts and tune the bike and ended out great I completely love it. Brand new the bike cost me 150 plus new set of continental tires 50 plus the 56 of the upgrade parts I have a total 256 dollars. I recommend you to buy it ride it until the current parts wear out and keep looking for a good deal for parts on eBay. I am not an expert bike mechanic but it’s tons of YouTube videos that show you how to do it don’t be afraid on don’t listen to people that tell you the bike is a piece of ****

Brilliant timing.

Start with used, with higher quality. Have fun.

I didn’t saw the date of the original post but could help someone else or no. If I was able to find the post by a search engine someone else still can benefit from the advise or you don’t think so

I'm quite late to this thread as well.

With all this mild winter weather, Michigan's roads are wet, salty, and gritty. I'd never think to take out my better bikes, like my vintage Peugeot or Miyata, even my aluminum Nishiki or Fuji. The salt and grit would just kill my bearings and chains. Lately, I've been using the car analogy. A winter beater. I see cheap GMC and Kent bikes often on CL and FB Marketplace. They are truly garbage. But, are they garbage enough that I don't mind buying one that lasts a winter season or two and chuck it for another winter beater? I'm thinking this might be my best solution.

The Mercier guy is dreaming with the asking price. In perfect condition it is worth no more than $225. However, it isn't in perfect condition. Rusty chain? Maybe it is worn out -$20. Worn out chain? Maybe the cassette is also worn out, -$30. Flat tires? Have to check condition of tires and inner tubes, - $20 to - $50. Are the wheels true? If not, by how much? -$30 to the price of new wheels. A seller who can't even be bothered to inflate the tires to see if they hold air has no negotiating position price wise while a knowledgeable buyer holds all the cards if they are prepared to walk away. At $350, that bike will be on the market for a long while. While it is a much better bike than the other 2, it probably needs work. I haven't even mentioned that all bearings(wheels, bottom bracket, pedals and headset) should also be serviced. As presented, that is at most a $150 bike

Wonder if it's still on the market nearly a decade later.

possibility https://www.randombikeparts.com/coll...-x-8-speed-new
Not a true road bike but better then the GMC and Vilano by far, use the discount code cart and its real close to your range.

What size is your friend's schwinn?
https://www.amazon.com/Schwinn-Volar...ls&sr=1-3&th=1
sz Med/53 for 212.00

https://www.amazon.com/Giordano-Acci...-deals&sr=1-34
Probably better then the Mercier but not by much. also a little above your range at 296.00

Good catch
 

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