Full Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: The Lou
Posts: 340
Bikes: 82 Trek 710, 90 Trek 750, 86 Vitus, Nishiki Cervino, 1989 Bianchi CdI, 2 Nashbars, an Italian Steel MTB, Sears Spaceliner, and a 74 Schwinn Speedster. I also manage a fleet of Volcanic Patrol bikes, 83 of them.
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Most bikes in the $600 range are going to be the same. Most frames in that range are manufactured in Taiwan and components are all the same (Shimano Sram...).
I think the most important part of the process is the bike shop. If you have an issue after you purchase the bike you need to return to the shop for repairs, maintenance, warrantee issues, etc. If you don't feel comfortable with the people who you purchase the bike from you probably won't feel any better when you return to get the bike serviced.
I'm in my 60's also and I've been a customer in this industry for 40+ years. Build my own bikes work as a volunteer in a local bike shop and manage a fleet of bikes at work. I'm no expert but this is what I'll tell everyone who comes to me when they buy a new bike.