My wife rides an Electra Townie 7D and likes it very much. It's priced at around $650.

I've had two high end bikes since 1990. Both Cannondale. The name on the bike only covers the frame. One company will make the majority of components. Another makes the seat. Another makes the wheels. Another makes the tires, and so on and so forth.

I was in Walmart this evening and they had some nice 26" bikes with 18 speeds for $126. Do I need another one?? Well...not in Pink!

I started with a Walmart bike. Second bike was an entry level Trek. Last two were Cannondale. The difference between a Walmart bike and my Cannodale is like the difference between a logging truck and a Jaguar. There are much better higher end bikes. But, there aren't much worse than the logging truck.

Walmart bikes are not always put together by people who know what they are doing.

The components are cheap and inferior materials. When a component like a shifter fails on a Walmart bike it usually costs more than the bike to get the repair completed.

I would much rather go to a bike shop and buy a used bike than buy a Walmart bike.

As to Trek or Cannondale both are okay bikes, but if the budget is $700.00 you can do better by looking at Giant/Liv, Orbea, or Bianchi.

My bro is going into this with "buy once, cry once" thinking. I told him he was on the right track. After riding my circa-1984 74-pound steel Myata for YEARS and then popping the bucks for an Orbea that is 75% lighter , the difference is night and day. The Myata, with some slight mods, has been converted into my indoor trainer housed in a Kurt Kinetics Rock 'n Roll trainer.

I can appreciate the low cost of a Walmart bike, but you're gonna get EXACTLY what you pay for. I'd rather buy a used low-end Trek or Cannondale than give Walmart my business anyway...

My one good road bike, bought in 1991, is a Cannondale.

I rode hybrids and mountain bikes to death, including two Treks. My current hybrid bike is a Giant.

YMWV.

Previously covered, needs repeated. If you use a bike, it needs to fit, and it needs to work well. You cannot run well in someone else's sneaker 2 sizes larger just because he does. And you'll need service, consider a local shop with good reviews to keep you enjoying the ride.

They should listen to how and where you ride to make good recommendations. There is more value in the right fit and appropriate model, than between the top 6 bike brands.

quote:

I can appreciate the low cost of a Walmart bike, but you're gonna get EXACTLY what you pay for. I'd rather buy a used low-end Trek or Cannondale than give Walmart my business anyway... Wink

Yep...Walmart bikes probably have been ridden around in the store and are now used.

Think I will take a look at the Good Will store for bikes. The books there go for a $1 at times and a homeless person could probably scratch out a living selling them on Ebay.

Caneau nailed it. At this price, there’s almost no real difference. Maybe some slight differences in components, but for what she’s interested in, not enough to make any real difference. The frames are probably made in the same factory in China. The only thing that really matters is getting a good fit. Trek and Cannondale will have different geometries, meaning they will fit differently. Best thing to do is ride both and buy the one that feels the most comfortable.

I've always had great luck with Trek. Why are you complaining about it in this section?

The one with the better grade components. All things being equal, we have two Treks.

Check this one out:

Specialized Roll Sport

We got one for my wife to use on family bike rides and she LOVES it. I'll be honest, I take it for a spin myself when nobody's looking.

It has disc brakes, an upright seating posture, wide tires, and tons of comfort. Well within your budget, too.

I own a Trek FX7.3 and a Specialized Sirrus - both smaller 15" frames for my wife and daughter. I had a Trek FX7500 and loved it.

At that price point ($400-700), you'll do fine.

Avoid the Walmart bike.

quote:

Originally posted by jaaron11:
Check this one out:

Specialized Roll Sport

We got one for my wife to use on family bike rides and she LOVES it. I'll be honest, I take it for a spin myself when nobody's looking.

It has disc brakes, an upright seating posture, wide tires, and tons of comfort. Well within your budget, too.

I might be willing to admit as much.

I thought I'd resurrect this thread rather than start a new one.

I retired recently and want to start some casual cycling around my neighborhood and local bike paths. I'd settled on a Trek (Verve 2), but it's out of stock at my LBS and they can't get one until June 1st at the earliest.

Now that I've got the bug to get out and the weather is finally getting warm enough to ride in the Chicago area, I'm not thrilled about waiting till June (especially if that date slips).

Another local shop has a Cannondale Quick Disc 4 for $50 off, which would make it the same price as the Verve 2 ($650).

So, I'm wondering what you all think. Wait for the Trek? - or pull the trigger on the Cannondale and start riding? Thanks in advance for any input!

quote:

Verve 2

Rich, the Verve has fatter tires vs the Cannondale. These bikes have comparable build quality and components, so it may come down to preference.

My preference would be the bike with the skinnier tires. The Verve looks to have the 700*45 vs. the Cannondale's 700*32. If you're on pavement, go with the Cannondale.

Either way, I think you'll be happy. If you're not a DIY kind of guy, buy a reasonable maintenance plan with the LBS. A well tuned and operating bike will be more fun to ride. Quick tune up kind of thing (adjusting brakes and derailleurs.

Thanks Russ. I was heading out of town for a week, but made a quick visit to another shop to test ride the Cannondale before leaving.

To me the Trek and Cannondale were pretty similar, but I thought the Trek had a bit better ride. I was resigned to waiting till June for the Trek, but happened to check the website of another LBS and they have the Trek in stock now.

I liked the fellow at the first shop who was very helpful, but I’m anxious to get out riding. So, I plan on buying the bike at the one shop, but having it serviced at the other.