chip1

So some brands make bikes across all price range, even to bottom of the barrel level. Who cares? I have a high end Bell helmet that weighs under 250g but they're also sold at various department stores. You could add Diamondback to the list and I wouldn't hesitate to ride their flagship bike.

chip1

Btw I had that exact Trek bike; same color, size and everything (looks like a 52cm). It was a great bike. Too bad it's not the right size for you..that's an amazing deal.

kokol

You'll never find an Orbea at Walmart.. thats guarenteed.

dvdslw

Maybe so but the store I bought my Cannondale from also sells Specialized and Raleigh. The Raleigh's look every bit as nice as anything on the floor equally spec'd. GT's have also been very popular around here for years, especially with the mtb crowd.

shelbyfv

Nothing wrong with being a newbie, everyone was at one time. What's important is to "know what you don't know" and avoid the embarrassment of flaunting your ignorance. You should first decide if you want a road bike, mtn bike or hybrid. Then read up on sizing. Then learn the hierarchy of components. Then begin looking at CL. Finding a decent bike for you budget will be challenging unless you are able to recognize value regardless of label.

kokol

Which trek were you referring to? The last one I linked which is the 4100 with the 19.5" frame? Heres the link. Is this it?

Trek Alpha Aluminum 4100 Series Mountain Bike - No Reserve! Free Shipping! | eBay

kokol

Theres these serious bikers from my neighborhood. One of them owns an Orbea that cost him $4000. Each of them tells me to stay away from GT. I actually saw a GT broken in half. Nahh.. I'm staying away from those weak cheap made bikes. I'll stick with the proven brands.

TenSpeedV2

There are different levels of some bikes, like Mongoose. There is the garbage sold at Wal-Mart, and then there is this. They are not all the same.

dvdslw

Yeah, this GT really looks like a pos

dvdslw

How about a Raleigh, here's another pos

kokol

LMAO... yeah ok compare that garbage truck GT to this Orbea:

kokol

Hmm.,. Wonder why GT isn't on this list:


Keep your GT and Huffy. I'll look for serious bikes out there for me.

Iride01 

Raleigh's and Schwinn's of the 70's and 80's are not the Raleigh's and Schwinn's of today. I own one of each. The 1978 Raleigh Competition GS is 23 pounds. and cost me less than your max budget. Also the Japan made frames of that period were pretty good frames if you know which to look for.

You can find Schwinn Tempo's, Preludes and Premis's from the 1980's on Ebay and elsewhere that are rideable and also within you budget, if... you are patient. You might even find a Raleigh or other vintage light weight bike cheap too. They can also be modified with newer components. I just put brand new 11 speed Shimano 105 5800 group on my 1991 Schwinn Paramount. I feel as up to date as anyone on a brand new bike.

New Raleigh's as well as some of the new Schwinn's do have some acceptable models depending on what it is you want. I still don't know that any of us know what it is you want. Bike choice depends on a lot of factors. There is no "best" everything is a compromise.

At the very least, Road Bike or Mountain Bike?

draganm

for $200.?
the bikes in that video start at $3K, and go up from there
As others have pointed out, first decide mountain or road bike, 2 totally different animals, then
For $200. look for something that fits you and is mechanically sound.

Super-bike bench-racing talk, although entertaining, is simply not relevant to your situation at this time

MRT2

Good advise on all counts. OP needs to decide if he wants a road bike, a hybrid or a mountain bike, and get a better sense of his size in each.

Seems like OP is looking for steak when, at best he can afford hamburger. Given his modest budget, he might have to look for a diamond in the rough. No high end bike in pristine condition will be in his price range. Therefore, it is likely he will need to look for an older bike, or one that is cosmetically not perfect, a brand that is undervalued, or all three. And, SOME Schwinns, Raleighs, Diamondbacks and GTs, not to mention vintage Peugeots, Gitanes, Motebecanes, Panasonics, Bridgestones, and Fujis are in this category. Many of these brands were not just household names, but were among the best of the best 25 or 30 years ago but have faded into semi obscurity today. And if your budget is in the $200 range, that is about the best you can hope for.

I have found some deals on CL and from local bike shops, or even from guys working at bike shops over the years. For example,
A clean 1985 Schwinn Letour Luxe. American made, Columbus tubing, touring wheels. Bought it for $60. Paid a bike shop to overhaul it for another $100 or so. (new chain, freewheel, bar tape, tires, etc) Was my primary ride for a few years. Sold it after a few years because I realized I wanted a bike with STI rather than old school downtube shifters.

An early 2000s Schwinn Moab for my son to get him started with mountain biking. Paid maybe $150 from a bike mechanic who basically guaranteed it for the season. I knew it wasn't a department store Schwinn because it came with Deore LX and XT components and sold for around $1,000 when new. It wasn't the prettiest but it was a solid bike that served its purpose and I got most of my money back when I traded it for another used bike a few years later.

An early 80s Gitane, that I bought for a couple of hundred. Another find for my son. It is a bit of a Frankenbike, and not the prettiest. Even the wheels are mismatched. The front is a Mavic and the back is a Velocity, but both have Ultegra hubs. And the frame is really lightweight and someone put STI on it at some point because the bike is a 2 x 8 with a mix of Shimano 105 and 600 components, which was really good stuff in its time.

kokol

Thast exactly the point I was making.

To answer your question I’m looking to get a used Cannondale, Trek, Haro or Specialized. Trust me, if I had money I’d buy a $5000 bike. But most of us aren’t as rich.

But I did find this little gem that I’m very attracted to. It’s a vintage retrobike Haro Extreme from ’91 I think. Mind you, its chromoly not aluminum given that it’s a ’91 bike. But the design got to me. Plus, Haro is one of the most innovative bike companies on earth which I respect a lot.

Theres a dude around my way who's very reluctant to sell it. He loves it big time. He says he may sell it but won't guarantee it. Anyway here's a pic. If I get it, it'll just be for casual biking in NYC and venturing out as far as New Jersey. Later on when I save enough I'll get a serious road bike. Let me know what you think.

MRT2

Cannondale, Trek and Specialized are not brands that are undervalued, so you might need to pay a premium for said products. The reason being, these three brands, and Giant are the brands you are the most heavily advertised and sold currently new. IDK about Haro, and I am scratching my head as to why you would pick Haro, or all brands as standing out over 10 or 15 other quality brands you didn't mention. The real bargains are the brands you don't see at your local urban or suburban bike palace. Educate yourself about some of the brands, that might fly under the radar.

kokol

Well I'm scratching my head as to why you wouldn't pick Haro being that it's one of the most innnovative companies. You need to educate yourself and be more open as to the companies who've contributed their creative genius to the bike world. But to each their own.

Youre confusing top brands with economics. Said it a few times but I'll say it again though its tiring. Read my last post. If I had the money I'd buy a top bike. Do you want me to steal a Cannondale to satisfy your standards?

That said, I dont want to turn this into a flame war. Its not needed and will tempt the trolls. I'm hoping your not one.

Anyway, I got my eye on this Haro whose pic I attached in my last post. What do you guys think and the reason I gave to buy it?

tsurr

I have a 2008 Trek Madone 5.5, with Dura Ace, 56 cm, I am 5'11", that need a home, $850. Just bought a new bike

GrainBrain

Confusion probably comes from you asking about an mtb in the road biking forums instead of general cycling or MTB?

The Haro looks sweet, but I wouldn't sell it for less then $200, especially in NYC Good luck convincing him!

Those other two bikes you posted from eBay both have disclaimers stating they may have dents and scratches from use, which would scare me off right away. You'd be SOL if those aluminum bikes arrived with a dent.

shelbyfv

I think it's an old MTB from a company more known for BMX. If you can get it for $200 and you want to ride off road, go for it. Otherwise.... Maybe your mom can chip in, raise your budget some?

Nachoman

Yeah, you guys are all confused and don't understand. And give lousy advice.

Dirt Farmer

IBTOPIROOT

(In before the OP is run out of town)

MRT2

I would pass. It isn't that old mountain bikes can't make fine urban assault vehicles. They can. But by modern standards, such a bike will be heavy and relatively slow. And that doesn't seem to fit with what you are looking for, which is light and fast.

Second, any bike that is 26 or 27 years old, unless it was very recently overhauled, is potentially in need of some work. Again, if money isn't an issue, then no problem. Bikes are relatively simple machines and if the hubs need servicing, if the brake pads are worn or dried out, if the chain is stretched, if the bottom bracket needs replacing, etc, etc,,, then no problem. It is only money. But if money is an issue, you are maybe better finding something for cheaper knowing you have $100 or more in parts and maybe labor to put into it, or pay a bit more for something that is either newer or freshly overhauled and ready to go.

San Pedro

Looks good to me.