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Conference noted::bicycle

Title: Bicycling
Notice:Bicycling for Fun
Moderator:JAMIN::WASSER
Created:Mon Apr 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3214
Total number of notes:31946

711.0. "HELP IN BUYING A BIKE" by TELALL::TROTTO () Wed Jun 08 1988 04:08

    
    My girlfriend and I are looking to buy a couple of 10 speed 
    bikes to go touring with. What I would like to know is we dont 
    have too much money to spend but we would like to get the 
    best bike for the money. We figure about $150.00 per bike
    any help would be appreciated. Also I am leaning more for
    a mountian bike. any advice????
    
    thanks in advance,
    
    Steve
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711.1A few hints of quality...MOSAIC::WASSERJohn A. WasserWed Jun 08 1988 13:5214
> We figure about $150.00 per bike

	There is not much choice for quality bikes in this range... I
	would look at Sears, Child World and other department stores
	for any bike in that range with alloy wheel rims.  

	Consider it a bonus if you can find one with a Chrome-Molybdenum 
	alloy frame.  At that price there is almost sure to be a sticker
	on the seat tube announcing the fact.

	Another bonus would be a cotterless crankset but unless you
	plan to stick with these bikes for ten years or more, any
	crank will do.

711.2Consider Used BikesFRAGLE::RICHARDWed Jun 08 1988 14:075
    As recommended before in this note file, look at good quality used
    bikes!  If you are not familiar with the different styles & brands,
    get someone who is experienced to help you out.  I have seen some
    good prices on quality bikes in the want advertiser (but have also
    seen some high ones too)
711.3Consider Used BikesMAILVX::HOOD_DOWed Jun 08 1988 18:0513
    Like the previous note said: consider used bikes. I don't know
    what the used bike market looks like where you live, but in 
    Atlanta a bike will come up for sale about once a month (in the
    newspaper) for about half price. It seems some people go out and
    purchase a mountain bike "to look cool". Six months later, it is
    up for sale. A good entry level mountain bike starts at about $400,
    but can be had for half of that used (and the tires may have never
     touched dirt). Unfortunately, they are usually gone the next day.
    For three months, I would buy the Sunday paper on Saturday evening,
    and would call Sunday and find the bike had been sold!! Keep your
    eyes open, and good luck!!
    
    
711.4On sale at SearsRAINBO::WASSERJohn A. WasserMon Jun 13 1988 12:0225
	A used bike is a good idea.  If you want new bikes, Sears is
	having a sale on "Spalding" brand adult bikes.  They all have 
	12 speeds and come in both diamond ("mens") and step-through 
	("womens") frame styles:

		27" wheel, racing style, alloy rims 		139.99
		27" wheel, touring style, fenders & rack	139.99
		??" wheel, All-terrain style			149.99

	The normal price is $40 more.  Note that the touring style
	and All-terrain style bikes probably have steel rims which
	aren't very good for stopping.  The racing style and touring
	style have quick-release front wheels but you would still
	need to carry a wrench if you wanted to fix a flat rear
	tire.

	For flat roads, any of these bikes would do fine...  it's
	only when you need to get them up a hill that you notice
	that they weigh much more than a $350 bike.

	Note about frame styles:  Diamond frames are stronger than
	step-through.  The step-through frame seems to be a hold-over
	from the days when women rode bikes while wearing long skirts.
	I recommend that both men and women get diamond frames.