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New to bikes, recommend me a bike for under $400

Old 10-07-20, 06:59 PM
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New to bikes, recommend me a bike for under $400

Hello y’all, new to cycling and was wondering what bikes would you recommend for under $400? I’ve been using my cousins bike (geared) and my friends and I have been doing 20+ miles on this bike path. It’s a flat surface with only 1 hills that is not steep. The bike could be single/fixed or even gears. All are welcome, thanks!

Edit: I was wondering the Retrospec Harper single gear because it’s cheap and around my price range but I don’t know if they are good ride for 20+ miles.

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Old 10-07-20, 07:00 PM
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Where are you from?
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Old 10-07-20, 07:01 PM
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Originally Posted by 10 Wheels
Where are you from?
Massachusetts
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Old 10-07-20, 07:02 PM
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Thanks
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Old 10-07-20, 07:10 PM
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$400.. pretty much that's a "toy store" or Walmart bike. Not that it won't have 2 wheels and pedals but the quality will be lacking. Also there is a shortage of bikes, so you'd get a better bike if you can find one used or maybe a police auction.

If you can push your budget to $700 there are some decent bikes in that price range and the level of quality will be much higher. Stay away from anything with suspension, you don't need it and it adds complexity and takes away from everything else.
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Old 10-07-20, 07:12 PM
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Originally Posted by GlennR
$400.. pretty much that's a "toy store" or Walmart bike. Not that it won't have 2 wheels and pedals but the quality will be lacking. Also there is a shortage of bikes, so you'd get a better bike if you can find one used or maybe a police auction.

If you can push your budget to $700 there are some decent bikes in that price range and the level of quality will be much higher. Stay away from anything with suspension, you don't need it and it adds complexity and takes away from everything else.
thanks for the reply. I wasn’t really trying to spend to much haha. Will stay away from suspension.
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Old 10-07-20, 07:14 PM
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Go Used

https://boston.craigslist.org/d/bicycles/search/bia

$200
https://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/bi...210070466.html
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Old 10-07-20, 07:17 PM
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[QUOTE=10 Wheels;21733415]Go Used

/QUOTE]

forgot to check on this website, thanks!
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Old 10-07-20, 07:20 PM
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Your cousin's bike.
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Old 10-07-20, 09:07 PM
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I'm not sure if google only appears on my browser so here's some help:

https://buyinghack.com/best-hybrid-b...r-400-dollars/

https://www.mountainbikeslab.com/mountain-bikes-400/

https://99spokes.com/bikes?category=...ain&price=-400
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Old 10-07-20, 09:14 PM
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Originally Posted by MyDisplayName
Hello y’all, new to cycling and was wondering what bikes would you recommend for under $400? I’ve been using my cousins bike (geared) and my friends and I have been doing 20+ miles on this bike path. It’s a flat surface with only 1 hills that is not steep. The bike could be single/fixed or even gears. All are welcome, thanks!

Edit: I was wondering the Retrospec Harper single gear because it’s cheap and around my price range but I don’t know if they are good ride for 20+ miles.
no to retrospect Harper. For $460 you can buy a State Bike 4130 chromoly steel.

https://www.statebicycle.com/collect...30-steel-bikes

Last edited by jay4usc; 10-07-20 at 10:37 PM.
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Old 10-07-20, 09:14 PM
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Do any of your neighbors leave their garages open?
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Old 10-07-20, 09:17 PM
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You might find something on Bikes Direct. Google it. They have some good bikes in that price range. The site is kind of a toy store for adults, but lots of us older folks buy bikes there. Ignore the sarcasm from the snobs. Some of us just want to get out and ride, not show off. Good luck and let us know how it goes.
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Old 10-07-20, 10:12 PM
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Originally Posted by 10 Wheels
Go Used.
Well, yeah.

It's only tretubi, but it's f'n rad.


https://boston.craigslist.org/nos/bi...209012506.html

Looked like a lot of vintage mid-level mid-sized road bikes under $200 on Boston craigs. My search:

suntour | campy | campagnolo | italian | italy | columbus | 531 | tange | ishiwata | motobecane | dura | lugs | champion | grand | cinelli | reynolds | 700 | 700c | miyata | mavic
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Old 10-07-20, 10:25 PM
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Fuji & Marin have some options

Take a look at the Fuji Absolute or the Marin Fairfax. Both are decent hybrids from respectable brands for less than $450.
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Old 10-08-20, 07:18 AM
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Massachusetts has a lot of hills .... if you ever want to get off the bike path you will definitely want some gears. Western Mass has some actual mountains.

If all you really want to do is ride the same bike path over and over, a $100 single-speed from Walmart or Anywhere will be fine. On a flat path with only one small hill, no need for complexity. Save the other $300 so that when you finally amass $600-$800 you can get a bike from BikesDirect with a proper 50-34 crank and 11-32 or 11-34 cassette. It will be a while until there are many bikes in stock so no hurry.

Seriously, Anyone can build a cheap single-speed bike which will survive gentle use. No need to buy a brand-name bike when 90 percent of what you will be buying is the brand name.

Go used if and only if you know someone who really knows bikes---nothing hurts like getting all excited, getting your new used bike home, and finding out it has tons of terminal issues. If you can shop with someone who can tell whether a bike works or how much it might cost to get it working, then used is your best bet---particularly since you are willing to ride single-speed. If the derailleurs don't work, just jam them in the desired gear with the set screws and ride away.

of course, if you buy used, you will probably need minimum $100 for new tires and tubes, cables, maybe brake shoes, and probably a chain .... but since you can basically ride any bike that fits, you have a lot of options.
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Old 10-09-20, 05:48 AM
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https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/mercier/kilott.htm
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Old 10-09-20, 06:16 AM
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Originally Posted by MyDisplayName
I have been doing 20+ miles on this bike path. It’s a flat surface with only 1 hills that is not steep. The bike could be single/fixed Retrospec Harper single gear because it’s cheap and around my price range but I don’t know if they are good ride for 20+ miles.
I'm not familiar with the Retrospec quality but the overall design would suit your needs.
I have a few geared bikes (Road and Hybrid) but my favorite is my Single Speed especially under the right conditions. ie. relatively flat terrain and little head wind.
The ride is more enjoyable not having to think about shifting gears and hearing the chatter of the drive train.....
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Old 10-09-20, 07:43 AM
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Try to find something used that works well and fits you.

But the State option seemed solid.
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Old 10-09-20, 07:48 AM
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Look up KevCentral on Youtube.
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Old 10-09-20, 08:16 AM
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Originally Posted by MyDisplayName

Edit: I was wondering the Retrospec Harper single gear because it’s cheap and around my price range but I don’t know if they are good ride for 20+ miles.
I'm sure the bike itself will be fine; you've ridden that far already so you'll be fine too assuming the bike fits and is comfortable. The single gear it has could be the deal breaker though if it isn't the ratio you'd rather have instead.

I'd rather have a bike with gears.
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Old 10-09-20, 09:08 AM
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Originally Posted by MyDisplayName
Hello y’all, new to cycling and was wondering what bikes would you recommend for under $400? I’ve been using my cousins bike (geared) and my friends and I have been doing 20+ miles on this bike path. It’s a flat surface with only 1 hills that is not steep. The bike could be single/fixed or even gears. All are welcome, thanks!

Edit: I was wondering the Retrospec Harper single gear because it’s cheap and around my price range but I don’t know if they are good ride for 20+ miles.
I wouldn't buy any new bike for $400 or less, they may look nice, but I don't think you'll get much in terms of quality. Try to find a guy who sells used bikes on craigslist, sometimes these flippers will do a basic tune-up before selling them.
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Old 10-09-20, 09:47 AM
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Used may be an option or see if you can find something at Dicks sporting Goods they usually have someone who tries to be a Bike mechanic unlike Walmart or Target.also at that price point skip all types of suspension it will perform poorly and just add weight.

Originally Posted by MyDisplayName
Hello y’all, new to cycling and was wondering what bikes would you recommend for under $400? I’ve been using my cousins bike (geared) and my friends and I have been doing 20+ miles on this bike path. It’s a flat surface with only 1 hills that is not steep. The bike could be single/fixed or even gears. All are welcome, thanks!

Edit: I was wondering the Retrospec Harper single gear because it’s cheap and around my price range but I don’t know if they are good ride for 20+ miles.
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Old 10-09-20, 10:44 AM
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<$500 is mostly used bike or a really cheesy department store bike. you will not find many new bikes in a bike shop that are worth much more than a neighborhood casual cruiser for that price. if you need something that cheap, a singlespeed might be best because the shifting drivetrain components at the price range are very flimsy.

more importantly, the covid-induced bike boom made all bicycles disappear fast with no ETA on new bikes, and the cheapest bikes were the first to go.
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Old 10-11-20, 11:47 AM
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My experience riding in MA was on tons of awfully rough pavement.

bikes direct Mercier Kilo WT is good for something new.

but anything with wide slick tires is going to be way nicer than a regular road bike.

Maybe check your Local Bike Shops for used bikes- they might work with you on an old mountain bike and some nice new slicks to put on it.
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