Eddie G wrote:
On Aug 13, 8:48 pm, Tom Sherman
wrote:
Eddie G wrote:
Hi,
I am in the market for a new bike that will be used 98% on the street
and 2% on light trails. The ratio may change. My budget is $200 max.
What kind of bike should I get? Street bike? Hybrid? Are there
street bikes that can be ridden on light trails, or would that be a
hybrid?
A drop bar cycle-cross bike would be excellent for this use, as would a
touring bike. Any road bike that has room for reasonably wide tires
(i.e. 28-mm or more) and is not designed for criterium handling will
work fine on the average hiking trail (when the trail is dry).

Of course, a hybrid bicycle will be fine, but is not as good for longer
distances due to the lack of variety in hand and upper body positions.

What brand should I consider? Are Huffy's still crappy like they were
30 years ago? How about Dynacraft? Or should I stick with
Schwinn,Giant, etc. What bikes are overpriced?
Are Mongoose bikes any good?
You will NOT get a decent bicycle for less than what the lowest price
bicycle is selling for at a real bike shop (or proper store like REI)
[1]. In the long run, the cheaper bicycle will cost more money due to
repairs (that is if you do not give up on cycling because of the poor
fit and quality).

There are good used bikes for less than $200, but getting the right one
is beyond the normal newbie.

[1] Unless you happen to find the same type of bicycle on closeout or
liquidation sale.

Thanks. I am the occasional rider so I am not too concerned "the
long run" if that changes anything.

That is what you think now, but a good bicycle could convince you to
become more than an occasional rider, while a bad (or poorly fitted
good) bicycle will not.

What is the lowest price in a
bike shop, anyway?

The dealers that participate here can give you a better idea, but
typically around $300 for a basic hybrid that would serve well for the
type of riding you describe. Sacrificing $100 from other activities
would pay off in the long run.

Whatever you do, do NOT get something that looks like a full suspension
mountain bike for $200 from your local discount store. You would be
better off with an old "city" 3-speed for $25 from a thrift shop or yard
sale. Real full suspension mountain bikes start at about $1000, and for
good reason.

Also, what is a "drop bar cycle-cross" bike?

Here is one of the best one's, made by my Cheesehead neighbors:
http://www.gunnarbikes.com/crosshairs.php. A cycle-cross bike differs
from a standard road bike by having cantilever brakes that allow for
wider tires for off-road use and sometimes a slightly higher bottom
bracket. A cycle-cross bike will be almost as fast as a racing bike on
the road and much faster than a true mountain bike, but will be much
better than the road racing bike to ride on gravel, limestone screenings
(common on unpaved bike trails), hiking paths, etc.

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
“Mary had a little lamb / And when she saw it sicken /
She shipped it off to Packingtown / And now it’s labeled chicken.”