I'm buying a bike, what do I need to know/look for?

yukee888 · 01-14-2008, 07:07 AM

I would like to purchase a bike that I can use both in a an off-road forest dirt trail setting and on the road. I bike 4-5 times a week and it's a pretty big part of my life weather permitting. I have a price range of about a thousand dollars give or take maybe 200$. Although I love biking I know decidedly little about what makes a good bicycle.

What things are a must have, and what optional things could I get with my budget? Also what kinds of things do I need to look out for as to not be ripped off?