is the trek fuel OCLV bike really worth buying?
457738
I think you should seriously shop around. Maybe you are looking at a fully or hard tail???\n\nScott is a much better brand, lighter and stronger at the top end of the market.\n\nYou could seriously buy something as good for a lot less money than you would pay for a Fuel.
555142
The Schwinn hardtail mountain bike from Wal-Mart is very inexpensive, has good quality shifting, good components, and is one of the few very inexpensive bikes that I could possibly praise in this way.  It does have front suspension that is suitable for mild trails and a cushy ride in the city.  This represens a well done $139 product.    \n\nHowever, a trip to the bike shop might be more educational and much more fun.  There's something special about a real bike-store-bike.  ;)  \n\nLast time, I bought an all-alloy 7 speed crusier, and it turned out to be a tad faster than my road bike.  I was so very surprised!    \n\nRevo-shift/grip shift isn't bad, and it is nicer than the SIS lever shift.\n\nIf you're looking in the "inexpensive" market, DO read the brand name from the rear derailer to make sure that it says "Shimano" or "SRAM" and never "Falcon".  That will save you a lot of money despite the tiny additional price.
762555
Regarding price, consider that if you keep a bike for 5 years and ride only during the "100 days of summer" each year, that a $500 bike will only cost you $1.00 per riding day, or about 27 cents per calendar day....\n\nForget a mountain bike. You'll want either a hybrid or a comfort bike depending on how you ride:\n\nRiding on paved trails or on the road asks for a hybrid. They have narrower tires and are quite comfortable for hour long or day long rides. I would recommend either Raleigh, KHS or Diamondback for the best value. Trek is OK too but aren't as well equipped for the same money. Expect to pay $300 to $500.\n\nIf you want to go "off the beaten path" every now and then- perhaps a rain rutted trail or a mildly rocky path- choose a comfort bike. If a hybrid is a road bike, then a comfort bike is a mountain bike. Diamondback invented comfort bikes, but Raleigh, KHS, and Specialized also have some nice models. Consider these in the $250 to $500 range.\n\nIn full disclosure, Diamondback and Raleigh are both Raleigh USA products.\n\nIn any case, forget full suspension as most "production" bikes in this price range are meant for riders in the 120 to 170 pound range. Also, for the type of riding you plan to do it robs energy...every time you pedal the suspension flexes, so instead of your power going to the rear wheels it gets damped out by the suspension.\n\nWhen shopping, be sure that there is a mechanic available that can "tune" your bike for your weight. This will include stiffening up the wheels and things like that. I have tuned bikes for people as large as 275 pounds with great results. \n\nGood luck!
232523
Gary Fisher mountain bikes or Trek mountain bikes would I say. Just have a look at some options from these two brands.
830552
There are three which has traditionally competed at this price level, the Specialized Allez, the Trek 1000 and the Giant OCR.  \n\nThe Allez and the Trek are so similar, they have mostly the same components! The big difference is the frame geometry (and so your seating position), and you can only figure out which is right for you by trying them out. Also the Trek has the mounts for a rack which the Allez lacks. Try a branch of Evans Cycles - they stock both. \n\nI decided against the OCR because it has the Campagnolo groupset (rather than Shimano), which I have on another road bike, and I find Shimano more reliable and snappy changing gears. \n\nAs another answerer said, you have a choice of triple or double. If it's your first road bike go for a triple. \n\nI have a Specialized Allez Double and am extremely happy with it. My wife has a Trek and she is extremely happy with that too, and if it was my size I would be very happy on it too :-)
731910
The difference in bikes sold at K-Mart, Walmart, Toys R Us, etc and brand name bikes sold at bike shops are price, reliability, quality and durability.  You get what you pay for...that being said...the frame and components will be better quality if you go for a name brand bike. You will get a better bike if you pay more. You need to weight out your options...are you willing to pay 2 to 3 time more for a bike that will last a lot longer and will require little to no maintenance. Or do you want to pay a small amount for a bike that will not last as long, will require more maintenance or even a new replacement bike in the next few years (depending on how much you ride it.) They may look the same; however, they really aren't at all.\n\nA good story that will relate to your question: My fiance and his buddies all pulled together about $100 bucks to get a mountain bike from a Kmart type store. He broke the bike with in the hour of riding it like he rides his name brand bikes. Granted you will not be hauling down mountain trials but it just shows the poor quality of the cheap bikes.\n\nGo to your local bike shop and do some comparison shopping before purchasing the $99 bike. \n\nGood luck!
241849
It depends on what you want to spend.  Cyclists are known for upgrading equipment often.  You might want to find a used mountain bike.  I would recommend one without rear suspension.  A decent two-year old used bike goes for about half the price of a new one.\n\nTo convert the mountain bike to a commuter bike, you need to add three things:  urban tires (slicks), fenders, and a rack.  You might also need a light, front and rear.  You can get the new tires for about $30, fenders for $40, and a rack for $20.\n\nIf money is not an object and you want a true commuter bike, you might want to look at the commuter bikes by Breezer. http://www.breezerbikes.com/bikes.cfm  These bikes have racks, fenders, lights, and an internal 7- or 8-speed hub (like the old English 3-speeds).\n\nGood luck and happy trails.
350040
most higher dollar bikes changecolor patterens every year\n check with your trek or cannondale dealer.
409634
Second hand in my opinion is always the best way, you can get a better quality bike at a greatly reduced price. By second hand I dont mean 'broken', just previously owned.\n\nTo find a good second hand bike I would recommend online auction sites like e-bay.\n\nYou need to know what you are buying though, so you get a good deal and not ripped off, so educate yourself through mountain biking magazines or easier still reviews on websites. \n\nhttp://www.mtbr.com/\nIs good.\n\nI bought a GT moto second hand with heaps of upgrades including new wheel sets, Sram X9 shifter/derailleur, mrp 'bones' crankset and upgraded forks for a great price and has been a quality ride so far.
888396
I would recommend talking to your friends who cycle as well as stop in at a few bicycle stores. Odds are you plan on riding with others so it is a good ice-breaking to start talking about bike types and applications. It's great to know a few good bicycle shops in your area. Then ask yourself, what kind of terrain I plan on riding on (paved streets, dirt roads, trails, etc.) How often do I plan on riding my bike and how much can my budget afford. A good bike shop can help you with those. Then as far as women specific bikes, again talk to the bike shop, maybe take one for a test ride and see how the bike fits you. The bike fit is very important, if it doesn't feel good to you, are you really going to ride the bike. I personaly like the Trek bike line. I've riding one for the past few years (over 35,000 miles and counting) and I love it. Good luck and happy cycling. jim
568370
i'd echo prairiebiscuit's answer - Giant really do pack a stackload of features into their bikes.\n\nSome mountain bikes that regulalrly do well in the entry-level grouptests are:\n\nGiant Terrago / Rincon, Specialized Hardrock, Mongoose Amasa, GT Avalanche, Claud Butler Cape Wrath\n\nAs most of the guys here are saying, do make sure you go to a proper bike shop and speak to someone who knows what they're talking about. It'd be better if you could go during the week (and not on a busy Saturday) as you will get better service.\n\nMake sure you get a test ride, and if you think you may get bitten by the mountain biking bug, then aim for something with a reasonable frame that you could justafiably upgrade the components on.\n\nOne point I would make, is that for the amount you are looking to spend, I'd probably avoid going for disk brakes. Some manufacturers will put cable-operated disk brakes (cheaper and far less effective than hydraulic disks) on as a selling feature, though to be honest a reasonable set of v-brakes are as good in all but the grimiest conditions. The added cost of the disks will probably mean that other features (like the fork or crankset) are of a lower-spec than on a similarly priced bike with v-brakes. The thing to make sure of is that the frame, fork and wheel hubs have all got the necessary mounts to allow you to easily upgrade to (hydraulic) disk brakes in the future, if you think you may want to.\n\nThe possible exception to this rule is the Giant Terrago (not sure how much that sells for in the U.S.), which comes equipped with Giant's own-brand MPH hydraulic disks.
405649
Personally as a Trek Salesman, I can say that I think the FX Product is a great product depending upon your style of riding.  The FX is designed for those who want to be a casual rider, but also gain more performance out of their ride.  The bike is very similiar to the regular 7300.  The bike rides nicely and had great components for the price.  However, the bike is designed with a fitness rider in mind.  The upper body positioning is designed for a more agressive positioning than the Hybrid line.  The geometry is the biggest difference betweent the two bikes.  I think the 7300 FX is a great bike and we rarely have customer complaints about the product.  As always, make sure to ask your local dealer to test ride the bike before purchasing to make sure it is the correct feel for you.  In terms of the quality of the bike however, its MSRP is fantastic for what you get from the bike.
110351
pointless on road unless its an urban assult bike.  if you invest in some nice carbon disc brakes, you can match the weight of XTR v brakes, but expect to spend 600 plus dollars for those.  discs have no fading and have great stopping power.  the pads are really simple to change out too.  bleeding gets a little messy though.  and you can ride home if you knock your rim out of true.
32685
if you are planing to go off road, i just purchased a giant trance 3 and i love it, full suspention, disc brakes, twenty-seven speed, aluminum frame it weighs about 26lbs, and i payed around $1300, extremely happy with this purchase. \nI recommend talking to your local bike dealer and getting sized for a bike to fit you and your needs, don't just buy one from wal-mart, because when you shop at a dealer they will give you mantainance packages and they can help you better
716838
Haro and hoffman bikes are far best by standards. and its reliable.. Cheers
358203
Reallistically, I don't think you can expect to get more than $150 if it is a 1990 model.  There is a glut of decent used mountain bikes on the market.  A two year old mountain bike typically sells for half the original retail.  \n\nAlso, if this is a 1990 model, you probably have a 1" threaded headset, 130 mm rear dropouts, and a geometry that is not suitable to front suspension.  These are not considered to be desirable features on today's bikes.\n\nI have a 1990 Trek 8000 that was nearly top of the line in 1990.  I would say it's worth about $100.  So instead of selling it, I bought two mountain bike road slick tires and turned it into a commuter bike.  You may want to consider this fate instead of selling.
1178650
Santa Cruz is far superior.  The rear suspension design appears more efficient (lighter!) and I am certain the build quality cannot be matched by the new Trek (Fish-Trek-Bontrager-Klein.)\n\nTrek used to make fine bicycles in the 80's and early 90's, all made here in the US and most made by hand.  In the late 90's, they started making them overseas and by machine.  Go to a store that sells both and check out the difference in the welds.  \n\nIf it's a component thing, you can always upgrade later.  Hang on to the Santa Cruz.