Buying a bike...

[TenaciousTgarden]

So I am looking to buy a bike. Something around $200. I know nothing about bikes.
I know I'd like one that looks more like a mountain bike, but I don't need something as rugged. Basically i want something that I can use to ride around town, across campus, to the store, and sometimes on the Town Lake trails or other easy terrain.
Sun and Ski Sports is having a big sale in their parking lot. There is a nice bike there for about $220 I think, it's called Del Sol. Comfortable, looks pretty nice, 21 speeds. Anyone know about this brand? I don't know **** and don't know if the sales guy was just trying to sell me a bike and not being honest about it's durability, comfort, etc. I think it is this bike:The Link
Any advice re bikes, buying, riding, prices, and brands is greatly appreciated!

 

[UTDad]

I know nothing about that particular brand, but $220 is going to buy you nothing but a piece of crap.

 

[horn4life]

Look on the bulletin board outside of Freewheelin at 24th and San Gabriel.

Go to a reputable bick shop and have them fit you for size. Note how the bike feels.

Then go buy a used one. Pawnshops are a good place, especially the one's North on 183. I screwed up and didn't buy a road bike I saw for $200 I figured out that night it was probably worth upwards of $700 but it was gone the next morning.

I did buy a decent giant mountain bike for $140 (ALWAYS offer less than the tag at the pawnshop) I think they wanted $170 Had a nice careye head light on it, a cycle computer, and underseat equipment bag. The acessories woudl ahve cost about $75 or more by themselves....

 

[locohorn93]

I agree, $220 isn't going to get you very far, in terms of new bikes. It's probably just enough to satisfy your curiosity until it falls apart. By then you'll probably know if you're semi-serious about biking.

For used, try Ozone on Guadalupe. Also Waterloo Cycles. At least they know what they're talking about, as opposed to a Pawn Shop.

Also try Cothron's (for new). Decent deals on decent bikes. Most bike frames in that range are all made by the same outfit, anyway. It's a matter of how much the name on the frame is worth, because they all use the same components. A lesser-known frame might beget a better component package.

If you aren't interested in the steep and rocky, I wouldn't bother with a suspension fork, either; especially a low-end one. More weight than benefit.

Also, be careful when you have different brands of components in the drive train. Sometimes they don't really talk to each other very well (SRAM vs. Shimano).

Test ride the hell out of it. Try to find a slope where you can test the shifters, going up and coming down. Be fair, and try not to cross-gear it (ie, big ring in both the front and back, or small ring on front and back at the same time---you'll see).

Speakin' of which, finally gonna get back on my Titus, today. Can't wait. Doc kept me off it for about 2 months ona-counta my bad shoulder. I bloat.

 

[crayon1973]

best idea: find a friend who REALLY knows something about bikes and have him go to the pawnshop with you. I cant tell you the number of times I have seen a guitar or diamond ring at a pawnshop for $800 that was worth $500. Pawnshop owners just assume that you will think since its in a pawnshop, its automatically really cheap. And they are right.