Bikes

I have ridden bikes for daily transportation since 1987. A bike should not cost thousands of dollars.

I did some triathlons in the late 80's on my brother Schwinn world road bike. It was too large for me and weighed well over 30 lbs. I still was competitive.
In 2008 I decided to try the tris again.

I searched for a reasonably priced road bike. Bike shops and name brand bike start at $400. However I found Schwinn sold to Pacific cycle a mass producer from China. They still produced worthy bikes in all categories for $500 and up sold at bike shop BUT they also produce mass consumer models sold at Target, Wal Mart and Amazon. These bikes come with lower grade compoments at a fraction of the cost. You also lose the benefits from a local bike store with service. I found the Schwinn Prelude MSRP $235 was retailing at $199 at Target and Amazon. I went to Target to try it out for sizee at get a close look at it since very little info is available on line. Thes consumer bikes are not even listed on the Schwinn website. The bike fot, it looked well made with decent components and it was on sale for $178. I took it home. PS It has a lifetime warrantee on parts.

On this bike I finished 13th in my first Tri (overall) 1st in Age grou and 2nd overall in the next tri. I find that the biggest factor for the bike is the weight and VO2 max of the rider. The weight of the bike and components is second.

That said you can waste your money by buying a CHEAP bike. Department store brands (other than the schwinn often look like their expensive counterparts but are just REALLY heavy poorly constructed bikes. Gettin a full suspension Murray Mountain Bike is absolutely pointless. You will not be able to use it for it's intended purpose.

My other bikes that I got new:
- a 2001 Schwinn Mesa GS MTN bike with rear suspension, luggage rack, trunk, lights, computer $200 (marked down ffro $449)
- a 1994 Giant Boulder (no suspension) $200 that I pull a 2008 Instep double stroller $149
- a 1978 Ross cruiser - christmas gift

I laso have a Used Schwinn Tandem ~ 1958 given to me I spend $100 making it nice.

I am in my first year of serious triathlons so I am buying a new Tri bike - more to come on it soon.