schwinn , raleigh,canadian tire , money avail.$300/350.00 - Page 3 - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

06-14-2004, 02:25 PM

Well what I would do I take the specs down, and go to local shops
and ask what they want for the same specs. You will be able to see
if there is a huge price difference or not. Problem is most of the time
LBS don't sell very low quality stuff like you might find at superstores,
so you are comparing apples with oranges. I am sure you could find
a Norco bike with similar pricing than what Canadian Tire is offering.

Also remember that once he has the bike, if he needs maintenance
Canadian Tire has to be the worst place for it. So he will have to
pay extra to have it done while it might be free or at lower cost
from the local bike shop.

Hope this helps

"rick" <rick @ nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:WD9zc.19358$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]. ..
> My son want to buy with his own money his first bike.He is 15 and ride
> mainly on paved road and nice bike path . He is a serious kid and take
care
> of his thing.
>
> He looks now at the hybrid or comfort bike.There is one on sale this week
> and made by Schwinn. To be honest with you all the brand I have seen with
> him seems to be made from the same components, brake, derailleur, wheels,
> most of them come from Taiwan.
>
> Can you get a decent bike within his price range ( 250.00 to 350.00)
> Canadian.?
>
> We visited a few local bike shop but man, they want an arm and a leg for
> their bike, and I dont know for you but I need my both legs and arms to
ride
> ;-)I can understand that their stuff is maybe better but its like any
other
> stuff, the sky is the limit and we must stay rational.
>
> 300.00 for my boy is a lot of dollars,lots of sacrifice, so I would like
to
> see him happy with his purchase, can you minimise my worry ?
>
> Thanks for your input
>
>

06-14-2004, 04:11 PM

I don't know if you have Dick's Sporting Goods or Sports Authority in
Canada, but it you do they are a good place to look for a $200 to $250 (US)
comfort bike that will last. Forget about a hybrid for that money anywhere
(except used). The reason I mention these stores is because they will have
somebody on staff in their bike department that will be reasonably
knowledgeable if not an expert and they have a wide selection. I bought a
Mongoose at a Dick's 3 years ago for $225 and have put about 10,000 miles on
it (bottom bracket went out last year and cost me $35 to replace, that's
about it for repairs). My boss bought a Mongoose at the same Dick's last
year for $200 and he's been happy with it, too.

Consumer Reports (this month) says that you can find comfort bikes for $250
US in some bike shops and if that's true they are certainly worth a look.

One tip. Everybody seems to want to put front shocks on comfort bikes
nowadays. Avoid it if you can. Your best bet is an aluminum frame and
chrome-moly forks. The forks will have some give, but will not waste energy
like a suspension fork that you don't need for road use.

The idea of a used bike is a good one if you can find a nice one in your
area. Big if.

Good luck.

--

- GRL

"It's good to want things."

Steve Barr (philosopher, poet, humorist, chemist,
Visual Basic programmer)
"rick" <rick @ nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:WD9zc.19358$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]. ..
> My son want to buy with his own money his first bike.He is 15 and ride
> mainly on paved road and nice bike path . He is a serious kid and take
care
> of his thing.
>
> He looks now at the hybrid or comfort bike.There is one on sale this week
> and made by Schwinn. To be honest with you all the brand I have seen with
> him seems to be made from the same components, brake, derailleur, wheels,
> most of them come from Taiwan.
>
> Can you get a decent bike within his price range ( 250.00 to 350.00)
> Canadian.?
>
> We visited a few local bike shop but man, they want an arm and a leg for
> their bike, and I dont know for you but I need my both legs and arms to
ride
> ;-)I can understand that their stuff is maybe better but its like any
other
> stuff, the sky is the limit and we must stay rational.
>
> 300.00 for my boy is a lot of dollars,lots of sacrifice, so I would like
to
> see him happy with his purchase, can you minimise my worry ?
>
> Thanks for your input
>
>

06-14-2004, 04:11 PM

I don't know if you have Dick's Sporting Goods or Sports Authority in
Canada, but it you do they are a good place to look for a $200 to $250 (US)
comfort bike that will last. Forget about a hybrid for that money anywhere
(except used). The reason I mention these stores is because they will have
somebody on staff in their bike department that will be reasonably
knowledgeable if not an expert and they have a wide selection. I bought a
Mongoose at a Dick's 3 years ago for $225 and have put about 10,000 miles on
it (bottom bracket went out last year and cost me $35 to replace, that's
about it for repairs). My boss bought a Mongoose at the same Dick's last
year for $200 and he's been happy with it, too.

Consumer Reports (this month) says that you can find comfort bikes for $250
US in some bike shops and if that's true they are certainly worth a look.

One tip. Everybody seems to want to put front shocks on comfort bikes
nowadays. Avoid it if you can. Your best bet is an aluminum frame and
chrome-moly forks. The forks will have some give, but will not waste energy
like a suspension fork that you don't need for road use.

The idea of a used bike is a good one if you can find a nice one in your
area. Big if.

Good luck.

--

- GRL

"It's good to want things."

Steve Barr (philosopher, poet, humorist, chemist,
Visual Basic programmer)
"rick" <rick @ nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:WD9zc.19358$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]. ..
> My son want to buy with his own money his first bike.He is 15 and ride
> mainly on paved road and nice bike path . He is a serious kid and take
care
> of his thing.
>
> He looks now at the hybrid or comfort bike.There is one on sale this week
> and made by Schwinn. To be honest with you all the brand I have seen with
> him seems to be made from the same components, brake, derailleur, wheels,
> most of them come from Taiwan.
>
> Can you get a decent bike within his price range ( 250.00 to 350.00)
> Canadian.?
>
> We visited a few local bike shop but man, they want an arm and a leg for
> their bike, and I dont know for you but I need my both legs and arms to
ride
> ;-)I can understand that their stuff is maybe better but its like any
other
> stuff, the sky is the limit and we must stay rational.
>
> 300.00 for my boy is a lot of dollars,lots of sacrifice, so I would like
to
> see him happy with his purchase, can you minimise my worry ?
>
> Thanks for your input
>
>

06-14-2004, 04:11 PM

I don't know if you have Dick's Sporting Goods or Sports Authority in
Canada, but it you do they are a good place to look for a $200 to $250 (US)
comfort bike that will last. Forget about a hybrid for that money anywhere
(except used). The reason I mention these stores is because they will have
somebody on staff in their bike department that will be reasonably
knowledgeable if not an expert and they have a wide selection. I bought a
Mongoose at a Dick's 3 years ago for $225 and have put about 10,000 miles on
it (bottom bracket went out last year and cost me $35 to replace, that's
about it for repairs). My boss bought a Mongoose at the same Dick's last
year for $200 and he's been happy with it, too.

Consumer Reports (this month) says that you can find comfort bikes for $250
US in some bike shops and if that's true they are certainly worth a look.

One tip. Everybody seems to want to put front shocks on comfort bikes
nowadays. Avoid it if you can. Your best bet is an aluminum frame and
chrome-moly forks. The forks will have some give, but will not waste energy
like a suspension fork that you don't need for road use.

The idea of a used bike is a good one if you can find a nice one in your
area. Big if.

Good luck.

--

- GRL

"It's good to want things."

Steve Barr (philosopher, poet, humorist, chemist,
Visual Basic programmer)
"rick" <rick @ nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:WD9zc.19358$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]. ..
> My son want to buy with his own money his first bike.He is 15 and ride
> mainly on paved road and nice bike path . He is a serious kid and take
care
> of his thing.
>
> He looks now at the hybrid or comfort bike.There is one on sale this week
> and made by Schwinn. To be honest with you all the brand I have seen with
> him seems to be made from the same components, brake, derailleur, wheels,
> most of them come from Taiwan.
>
> Can you get a decent bike within his price range ( 250.00 to 350.00)
> Canadian.?
>
> We visited a few local bike shop but man, they want an arm and a leg for
> their bike, and I dont know for you but I need my both legs and arms to
ride
> ;-)I can understand that their stuff is maybe better but its like any
other
> stuff, the sky is the limit and we must stay rational.
>
> 300.00 for my boy is a lot of dollars,lots of sacrifice, so I would like
to
> see him happy with his purchase, can you minimise my worry ?
>
> Thanks for your input
>
>

06-14-2004, 04:11 PM

I don't know if you have Dick's Sporting Goods or Sports Authority in
Canada, but it you do they are a good place to look for a $200 to $250 (US)
comfort bike that will last. Forget about a hybrid for that money anywhere
(except used). The reason I mention these stores is because they will have
somebody on staff in their bike department that will be reasonably
knowledgeable if not an expert and they have a wide selection. I bought a
Mongoose at a Dick's 3 years ago for $225 and have put about 10,000 miles on
it (bottom bracket went out last year and cost me $35 to replace, that's
about it for repairs). My boss bought a Mongoose at the same Dick's last
year for $200 and he's been happy with it, too.

Consumer Reports (this month) says that you can find comfort bikes for $250
US in some bike shops and if that's true they are certainly worth a look.

One tip. Everybody seems to want to put front shocks on comfort bikes
nowadays. Avoid it if you can. Your best bet is an aluminum frame and
chrome-moly forks. The forks will have some give, but will not waste energy
like a suspension fork that you don't need for road use.

The idea of a used bike is a good one if you can find a nice one in your
area. Big if.

Good luck.

--

- GRL

"It's good to want things."

Steve Barr (philosopher, poet, humorist, chemist,
Visual Basic programmer)
"rick" <rick @ nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:WD9zc.19358$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]. ..
> My son want to buy with his own money his first bike.He is 15 and ride
> mainly on paved road and nice bike path . He is a serious kid and take
care
> of his thing.
>
> He looks now at the hybrid or comfort bike.There is one on sale this week
> and made by Schwinn. To be honest with you all the brand I have seen with
> him seems to be made from the same components, brake, derailleur, wheels,
> most of them come from Taiwan.
>
> Can you get a decent bike within his price range ( 250.00 to 350.00)
> Canadian.?
>
> We visited a few local bike shop but man, they want an arm and a leg for
> their bike, and I dont know for you but I need my both legs and arms to
ride
> ;-)I can understand that their stuff is maybe better but its like any
other
> stuff, the sky is the limit and we must stay rational.
>
> 300.00 for my boy is a lot of dollars,lots of sacrifice, so I would like
to
> see him happy with his purchase, can you minimise my worry ?
>
> Thanks for your input
>
>

06-14-2004, 04:11 PM

I don't know if you have Dick's Sporting Goods or Sports Authority in
Canada, but it you do they are a good place to look for a $200 to $250 (US)
comfort bike that will last. Forget about a hybrid for that money anywhere
(except used). The reason I mention these stores is because they will have
somebody on staff in their bike department that will be reasonably
knowledgeable if not an expert and they have a wide selection. I bought a
Mongoose at a Dick's 3 years ago for $225 and have put about 10,000 miles on
it (bottom bracket went out last year and cost me $35 to replace, that's
about it for repairs). My boss bought a Mongoose at the same Dick's last
year for $200 and he's been happy with it, too.

Consumer Reports (this month) says that you can find comfort bikes for $250
US in some bike shops and if that's true they are certainly worth a look.

One tip. Everybody seems to want to put front shocks on comfort bikes
nowadays. Avoid it if you can. Your best bet is an aluminum frame and
chrome-moly forks. The forks will have some give, but will not waste energy
like a suspension fork that you don't need for road use.

The idea of a used bike is a good one if you can find a nice one in your
area. Big if.

Good luck.

--

- GRL

"It's good to want things."

Steve Barr (philosopher, poet, humorist, chemist,
Visual Basic programmer)
"rick" <rick @ nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:WD9zc.19358$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]. ..
> My son want to buy with his own money his first bike.He is 15 and ride
> mainly on paved road and nice bike path . He is a serious kid and take
care
> of his thing.
>
> He looks now at the hybrid or comfort bike.There is one on sale this week
> and made by Schwinn. To be honest with you all the brand I have seen with
> him seems to be made from the same components, brake, derailleur, wheels,
> most of them come from Taiwan.
>
> Can you get a decent bike within his price range ( 250.00 to 350.00)
> Canadian.?
>
> We visited a few local bike shop but man, they want an arm and a leg for
> their bike, and I dont know for you but I need my both legs and arms to
ride
> ;-)I can understand that their stuff is maybe better but its like any
other
> stuff, the sky is the limit and we must stay rational.
>
> 300.00 for my boy is a lot of dollars,lots of sacrifice, so I would like
to
> see him happy with his purchase, can you minimise my worry ?
>
> Thanks for your input
>
>

06-14-2004, 07:05 PM

"Daniel Crispin" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:0Bpzc.52051$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].. .
> Well what I would do I take the specs down, and go to local shops
> and ask what they want for the same specs. You will be able to see
> if there is a huge price difference or not. Problem is most of the time
> LBS don't sell very low quality stuff like you might find at superstores,
> so you are comparing apples with oranges. I am sure you could find
> a Norco bike with similar pricing than what Canadian Tire is offering.
>
> Also remember that once he has the bike, if he needs maintenance
> Canadian Tire has to be the worst place for it. So he will have to
> pay extra to have it done while it might be free or at lower cost
> from the local bike shop.
>
> Hope this helps
>
>
> "rick" <rick @ nowhere.com> wrote in message
> news:WD9zc.19358$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]. ..
> > My son want to buy with his own money his first bike.He is 15 and ride
> > mainly on paved road and nice bike path . He is a serious kid and take
> care
> > of his thing.
> >
> > He looks now at the hybrid or comfort bike.There is one on sale this
week
> > and made by Schwinn. To be honest with you all the brand I have seen
with
> > him seems to be made from the same components, brake, derailleur,
wheels,
> > most of them come from Taiwan.
> >
> > Can you get a decent bike within his price range ( 250.00 to 350.00)
> > Canadian.?
> >
> > We visited a few local bike shop but man, they want an arm and a leg for
> > their bike, and I dont know for you but I need my both legs and arms to
> ride
> > ;-)I can understand that their stuff is maybe better but its like any
> other
> > stuff, the sky is the limit and we must stay rational.
> >
> > 300.00 for my boy is a lot of dollars,lots of sacrifice, so I would like
> to
> > see him happy with his purchase, can you minimise my worry ?
> >
> > Thanks for your input

He read all your post and suggestion, but he really wants the Schwinn Sierra
( known as Santa Monica in Canada) So will see if he is taking the right
decision.

I went to the store with him, we looked at it and at some Raleigh of the
same category. The Raleigh Portage looks better but the Sierra seems to be
equipped with better wheels and derailleur.

I do not think that he his really making a bad move for the price, and you
know how the kids are, they need to learn by themselves.

I managed to get out of the store without the bike, I want him to think
about it a little more, the sale end in 5 days.We have the choice to get it
build for free or I can have it delivered at home not built. I certainly can
handle this task ( I'm a mechanic) but can you direct me to a good web site
where I can get good info on bike maintenance and repair. I want him to
build the bike to have a better feel about it.

BTW can you get a bike not made in China,Taiwan or Vietnam ???

Once again I appreciate your suggestion, but he is in love with that
bike.... and you know what love can do at 15 !!!

06-14-2004, 07:05 PM

"Daniel Crispin" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:0Bpzc.52051$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].. .
> Well what I would do I take the specs down, and go to local shops
> and ask what they want for the same specs. You will be able to see
> if there is a huge price difference or not. Problem is most of the time
> LBS don't sell very low quality stuff like you might find at superstores,
> so you are comparing apples with oranges. I am sure you could find
> a Norco bike with similar pricing than what Canadian Tire is offering.
>
> Also remember that once he has the bike, if he needs maintenance
> Canadian Tire has to be the worst place for it. So he will have to
> pay extra to have it done while it might be free or at lower cost
> from the local bike shop.
>
> Hope this helps
>
>
> "rick" <rick @ nowhere.com> wrote in message
> news:WD9zc.19358$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]. ..
> > My son want to buy with his own money his first bike.He is 15 and ride
> > mainly on paved road and nice bike path . He is a serious kid and take
> care
> > of his thing.
> >
> > He looks now at the hybrid or comfort bike.There is one on sale this
week
> > and made by Schwinn. To be honest with you all the brand I have seen
with
> > him seems to be made from the same components, brake, derailleur,
wheels,
> > most of them come from Taiwan.
> >
> > Can you get a decent bike within his price range ( 250.00 to 350.00)
> > Canadian.?
> >
> > We visited a few local bike shop but man, they want an arm and a leg for
> > their bike, and I dont know for you but I need my both legs and arms to
> ride
> > ;-)I can understand that their stuff is maybe better but its like any
> other
> > stuff, the sky is the limit and we must stay rational.
> >
> > 300.00 for my boy is a lot of dollars,lots of sacrifice, so I would like
> to
> > see him happy with his purchase, can you minimise my worry ?
> >
> > Thanks for your input

He read all your post and suggestion, but he really wants the Schwinn Sierra
( known as Santa Monica in Canada) So will see if he is taking the right
decision.

I went to the store with him, we looked at it and at some Raleigh of the
same category. The Raleigh Portage looks better but the Sierra seems to be
equipped with better wheels and derailleur.

I do not think that he his really making a bad move for the price, and you
know how the kids are, they need to learn by themselves.

I managed to get out of the store without the bike, I want him to think
about it a little more, the sale end in 5 days.We have the choice to get it
build for free or I can have it delivered at home not built. I certainly can
handle this task ( I'm a mechanic) but can you direct me to a good web site
where I can get good info on bike maintenance and repair. I want him to
build the bike to have a better feel about it.

BTW can you get a bike not made in China,Taiwan or Vietnam ???

Once again I appreciate your suggestion, but he is in love with that
bike.... and you know what love can do at 15 !!!

06-14-2004, 07:05 PM

"Daniel Crispin" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:0Bpzc.52051$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].. .
> Well what I would do I take the specs down, and go to local shops
> and ask what they want for the same specs. You will be able to see
> if there is a huge price difference or not. Problem is most of the time
> LBS don't sell very low quality stuff like you might find at superstores,
> so you are comparing apples with oranges. I am sure you could find
> a Norco bike with similar pricing than what Canadian Tire is offering.
>
> Also remember that once he has the bike, if he needs maintenance
> Canadian Tire has to be the worst place for it. So he will have to
> pay extra to have it done while it might be free or at lower cost
> from the local bike shop.
>
> Hope this helps
>
>
> "rick" <rick @ nowhere.com> wrote in message
> news:WD9zc.19358$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]. ..
> > My son want to buy with his own money his first bike.He is 15 and ride
> > mainly on paved road and nice bike path . He is a serious kid and take
> care
> > of his thing.
> >
> > He looks now at the hybrid or comfort bike.There is one on sale this
week
> > and made by Schwinn. To be honest with you all the brand I have seen
with
> > him seems to be made from the same components, brake, derailleur,
wheels,
> > most of them come from Taiwan.
> >
> > Can you get a decent bike within his price range ( 250.00 to 350.00)
> > Canadian.?
> >
> > We visited a few local bike shop but man, they want an arm and a leg for
> > their bike, and I dont know for you but I need my both legs and arms to
> ride
> > ;-)I can understand that their stuff is maybe better but its like any
> other
> > stuff, the sky is the limit and we must stay rational.
> >
> > 300.00 for my boy is a lot of dollars,lots of sacrifice, so I would like
> to
> > see him happy with his purchase, can you minimise my worry ?
> >
> > Thanks for your input

He read all your post and suggestion, but he really wants the Schwinn Sierra
( known as Santa Monica in Canada) So will see if he is taking the right
decision.

I went to the store with him, we looked at it and at some Raleigh of the
same category. The Raleigh Portage looks better but the Sierra seems to be
equipped with better wheels and derailleur.

I do not think that he his really making a bad move for the price, and you
know how the kids are, they need to learn by themselves.

I managed to get out of the store without the bike, I want him to think
about it a little more, the sale end in 5 days.We have the choice to get it
build for free or I can have it delivered at home not built. I certainly can
handle this task ( I'm a mechanic) but can you direct me to a good web site
where I can get good info on bike maintenance and repair. I want him to
build the bike to have a better feel about it.

BTW can you get a bike not made in China,Taiwan or Vietnam ???

Once again I appreciate your suggestion, but he is in love with that
bike.... and you know what love can do at 15 !!!

06-14-2004, 07:05 PM

"Daniel Crispin" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:0Bpzc.52051$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].. .
> Well what I would do I take the specs down, and go to local shops
> and ask what they want for the same specs. You will be able to see
> if there is a huge price difference or not. Problem is most of the time
> LBS don't sell very low quality stuff like you might find at superstores,
> so you are comparing apples with oranges. I am sure you could find
> a Norco bike with similar pricing than what Canadian Tire is offering.
>
> Also remember that once he has the bike, if he needs maintenance
> Canadian Tire has to be the worst place for it. So he will have to
> pay extra to have it done while it might be free or at lower cost
> from the local bike shop.
>
> Hope this helps
>
>
> "rick" <rick @ nowhere.com> wrote in message
> news:WD9zc.19358$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]. ..
> > My son want to buy with his own money his first bike.He is 15 and ride
> > mainly on paved road and nice bike path . He is a serious kid and take
> care
> > of his thing.
> >
> > He looks now at the hybrid or comfort bike.There is one on sale this
week
> > and made by Schwinn. To be honest with you all the brand I have seen
with
> > him seems to be made from the same components, brake, derailleur,
wheels,
> > most of them come from Taiwan.
> >
> > Can you get a decent bike within his price range ( 250.00 to 350.00)
> > Canadian.?
> >
> > We visited a few local bike shop but man, they want an arm and a leg for
> > their bike, and I dont know for you but I need my both legs and arms to
> ride
> > ;-)I can understand that their stuff is maybe better but its like any
> other
> > stuff, the sky is the limit and we must stay rational.
> >
> > 300.00 for my boy is a lot of dollars,lots of sacrifice, so I would like
> to
> > see him happy with his purchase, can you minimise my worry ?
> >
> > Thanks for your input

He read all your post and suggestion, but he really wants the Schwinn Sierra
( known as Santa Monica in Canada) So will see if he is taking the right
decision.

I went to the store with him, we looked at it and at some Raleigh of the
same category. The Raleigh Portage looks better but the Sierra seems to be
equipped with better wheels and derailleur.

I do not think that he his really making a bad move for the price, and you
know how the kids are, they need to learn by themselves.

I managed to get out of the store without the bike, I want him to think
about it a little more, the sale end in 5 days.We have the choice to get it
build for free or I can have it delivered at home not built. I certainly can
handle this task ( I'm a mechanic) but can you direct me to a good web site
where I can get good info on bike maintenance and repair. I want him to
build the bike to have a better feel about it.

BTW can you get a bike not made in China,Taiwan or Vietnam ???

Once again I appreciate your suggestion, but he is in love with that
bike.... and you know what love can do at 15 !!!