not exactly a zombie thread 'cause I'm asking another question here.
See signature. I bought it before finding this forum, and sub $200 was all I had to spend on a bike at the time.
With about 100 miles on it so far, it has not been a total waste of money. But now I am dreaming of new bikes, feel that I should up grade this one at the same time. A new bike ready to go that I like would be a navara transfer (
http://www.rei.com/product/808786 ) raleigh detour (
http://www.rei.com/product/798385 ) trek boneville etc. all in the $600-700 range.
But I could also start upgrading components on the schwinn. Brakes first, internal 8speed hub, I already have 40 bucks into bontrager hardcase tire for the back. The question is, can I spend less than another 400 dollars on upgrade parts and end up with something similar to the bikes I listed. My initial thought is that I can't. But I dont know much at all about available parts and costs. One LBS says buy a new one, one says the parts are available and if I did the labor it might happen.
Since a lot of commuters are on a budget, I thought this might make a good thread on taking something inexpensive and slowly upgrading when funds become available.