Showing posts with label cheap. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cheap. Show all posts

12/05/2011

Mongoose Placid Men's Comfort Bike (26-Inch Wheels) Review

Mongoose Placid Men's Comfort Bike (26-Inch Wheels)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
This is your typical sporting goods/department store comfort/hybrid bicycle. It has a near bottom of the line Shimano RD-TZ30 rear derailleur, a front Falcon derailleur / Suntour crank combo, SRAM MX twist shifters, linear pull V-style brakes, an adjustable seat shock, front shock, and an aluminum frame. The seat tube length is 18", the top tube length is 21", and the stand over height is ~28 - 30" (top tube slopes down to the seat tube). From the seat tube and stand over height, this bike is sized for someone with a 30' - 32" inseam.
The bike comes partially assembled. You have to put the handlebars, front wheel, seat, and pedals on. You will need metric size Allen wrenches. The gears were adequately factory set, but the brakes needed to be adjusted.
I purchased it for occasional street recreational riding. For this purpose, this bike is average. If you want something with better components (more expensive) then look at the GT Nomad / Timberline, Schwinn Sierra / Voyageur, or the Giant Sedona.
Pros: Better price than I found at a local sporting goods chain store and free shipping. Amazon shipped it double boxed. Light aluminum frame. Comfortable seat with adjustable shock tension. Linear pull V-style brakes. Adequate for recreational street biking, which is what about 90% of us do.
Cons: Components, but you get what you pay for. Front and rear wheels are not quick disconnect. One size, if your tall or short this bike will probably be a bad fit for you.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Mongoose Placid Men's Comfort Bike (26-Inch Wheels)

Ride in style and easy comfort with the 26-inch, 21-speed Mongoose Placid men's comfort bike, which features a lightweight, oversized aluminum alloy frame. You'll be protected from bumps and obstacles by the reliable front shock fork, which helps to smooth your ride as well as provide better control. As befitting its designation as a comfort bike, the Placid offers an anatomically padded two-tone sport saddle with added springs for increased comfort on long rides and a taller handlebar stem for an upright seating position.
Specifications:
Frame: Handcrafted Oversized Alloy Frame
Fork: Element Alloy Crown Suspension Fork
Handlebar Stem: Mongoose Riser Bar and Adjusting Stem
Shifters: 21-Speed Rear Index SRAM 3.0 Shifting
Derailleurs: 7-Speed SRAM 3.0 Rear Derailleur
Brakes: Front and Rear Alloy Linear Pull Brakes
Levers: Alloy Brake Levers
Crank: Oversized 3-Piece Suntour Alloy Crankset with Chainguard
Freewheel: Shimano 7-Speed, 14-28T Index
Rims: 36-Spoke Silver Anodized Alloy Rims
Hubs: CP 36 Hole Hubs
Tires: 26 x 1.95 inches Center Line Comfort Tires
Assembly of the Bike: This bike comes mostly assembled. Minor assembly is required before the bike can be used.
Amazon.com Bicycle Buying Guide Finding the Right BikeTo really enjoy cycling, it's important to find a bicycle that works for you. Here are some things to keep in mind when you're in the market for a new bike:
The Right Ride In general, bikes are broken down into three major categories:
Road and Racing Bikes--As a general rule, road and racing are built for speed and longer distances on paved surfaces. Thinner tires, lightweight 29-inch (700c) wheels and drop bars that allow for a more aerodynamic position are the norm. Most road bikes, regardless of price, offer many gears for tackling both hilly and flat terrain.
Mountain Bikes--With their larger tires, hill-friendly gearing and upright position, mountain bikes are very popular for all types of riding, both on pavement and off. Mountain bikes that are designed specifically for rugged trail use typically feature a suspension fork. Some may have rear suspension, as well. A quick change of the tires on any mountain bike--even one that you use regularly on trails--adds to its versatility and makes it a worthy street machine.
Comfort/Cruiser Bikes--For tooling around on bike paths, light trails, or for cruising a quiet beach-side lane, comfort/cruiser bikes are the ticket. With a super-relaxed riding position, padded seats, and limited or no gearing, these bikes are made for enjoying the scenery and having fun with the family.

The Right Price A bike's price boils down to three essentials: frame materials, bike weight, and component quality and durability.
Entry-level--You'll find a wide range of comfort and cruiser bikes in this category, as well as some lower-end mountain bikes and road bikes. Most will have steel frames and components that are designed to last for several years with frequent use.
Mid-range--Bikes in this range may feature a lighter aluminum frame with mid-range components that keep performing after miles of use. If you're looking for a quality bike that is relatively lightweight and will stand up to abuse, this is the "sweet spot." Most serious commuter and touring bikes fall into this category, as do mid-range mountain bikes with a decent front suspension.
High-end--Racers and serious enthusiasts who expect lightweight, high-performance components will want to stick to this category. For road bikes, exotic frame materials (carbon fiber, titanium) and ultra-lightweight components can add thousands to the price tag. Mountain bikes in this class often feature advanced front and rear suspension technology, as well as components designed to handle lots of rugged trail action.

The Right Size Fit is crucial for comfort, control, and proper power and endurance on a bike. Here are some basic bike fit tips:
Stand-over Height--To find out if a bike's overall height fits your body, measure your inseam. Next, determine how much clearance you'll need between your crotch and the top tube of the bike. For a mountain bike, you'll want three to five inches of clearance. A road bike should offer between one and two inches of clearance, while a commuter bike should have two to four inches. Compare the stand-over height for a given bike to your measurements (inseam + clearance) to determine the right bike height.
Top Tube Length--You can measure your torso to get a good estimate of proper top tube length. First, make a fist and extend your arm. Measure from the center of your fist to the end of your collarbone (the part that intersects your shoulder). Next, measure your torso by placing a book against your crotch with the spine facing up. Measure from the spine to the bottom of your throat (the spot between your collarbones). Finally, add the two measurements (arm length + torso length), divide the number in half and subtract six inches. This is your approximate top tube length. Compare this number to a bike's posted top tube length. You can allow for about two inches longer or shorter, as most bikes can be adjusted via stem length/height and saddle fore/aft position to make fine adjustments to the fit.
Bikes for Women--Proportionally, women tend to have a shorter torso and longer legs than men. Bike makers design women's bikes that offer a shorter top tube and many comfort/cruiser bikes built for women may also provide more stand-over clearance.

The Right Accessories When you make a bike purchase, don't forget these crucial add-ons:
Helmet (this is a must!)
Seat pack
Lock
Hydration pack, or water bottles and bottle cages
Spare tubes
Portable bike pump
Gloves



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10/29/2011

Bike USA Titan Pathfinder Men's 18 Speed ATB Review

Bike USA Titan Pathfinder Men's 18 Speed ATB
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
This was a gift and we have only gone for one ride around the neighborhood. So... during that ride all worked great and looked great and felt great. But it hasn't really been put to the test. So this rating is a first impression. Seems to be a good bike.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Bike USA Titan Pathfinder Men's 18 Speed ATB

An all-terrain bike perfectly suited for the budget-minded buyer and novice riders. Equipped with 18-speed gearing along with a hi-tensile steel frame and fork. Also includes 36"-hole aluminum alloy rims, 36"-hole alloy hubs, 26"L x 1.95"W all terrain tires, quick-release seat pin and a water bottle with cage. Assembly required; tools not needed. Measures 69"L x 23"W x 40"H.

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7/25/2011

Huffy Men's Moire Bike, CharcBlack, 26-Inch Review

Huffy Men's Moire Bike, CharcBlack, 26-Inch
Average Reviews:

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Pretty good bike for what your paying. The shock absorber in the front of the bike doesnt really absorb shock too well but it works. Assembly was really easy although the manual that came with it was a joke (It was a multiple bike manual and the other bike was a beach bike). Its sturdy, not too heavy, and after I finished calibrating the brakes and fine tuning the gear shifter, handles the mountain terrain pretty well. All in all, great bike but needs a little love from the get go to stand up to the competition.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Huffy Men's Moire Bike, CharcBlack, 26-Inch

Stylish and sturdy, the Huffy Moire men's 26-inch bike is ideal for trail riding or moderate commutes. The Moire is loaded with reliable features, including a steel dual-suspension frame, an ASR suspension fork, and Enzo 21-speed twist shifters. The bike also stops securely on any terrain thanks to the front disc brakes and rear linear pull brakes. Other features include a steel three-piece crank, a padded quick-release seat with a Huffy logo, and alloy wheels.


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7/23/2011

Huffy 26-Inch Men's ATB Granite Bike (Silver) Review

Huffy 26-Inch Men's ATB Granite Bike (Silver)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
very nice bicycle, although in the description it says it's a five speed,
actually its a 15 speed. not to hard to assemble, pretty much assembled out of the box
just attach front wheel, pedals, seat, and handlebar, your good to go. The tires
are even fully inflated.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Huffy 26-Inch Men's ATB Granite Bike (Silver)

Huffy Granite 26 inch bike is Cool silver metallic with precision crafted steel hard tail frame, RSS fork. Tires are 26" x 1.95" knobby. Extras include quick release seat binder, Kraton grips, and Kolo front load stem.

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7/18/2011

Polaris Ranger Men's Dual-Suspension Mountain Bike (26-Inch Wheels) Review

Polaris Ranger Men's Dual-Suspension Mountain Bike (26-Inch Wheels)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
My 19 yr. old son requested this bike for Christmas. He is not a serious bike rider, just wanted to be able to go if his friends were going. He liked the seat suspension and the look was acceptable. Shipping was fast but when it arrived, pieces of the bike were poking through the box all around but fortunately nothing was seriously damaged (some scratches tho')so I took it to a bike shop to have it assembled and adjusted for his height and to make sure nothing was missing and they said that if he became more serious about riding he would need a bigger frame (not wheel size) as he is 6'2" tall. They also said it had features a more expensive bike would have. My son said it is a pretty heavy bike but everything works well and he is happy with it so far.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Polaris Ranger Men's Dual-Suspension Mountain Bike (26-Inch Wheels)



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7/17/2011

GMC Topkick Dual-Suspension Mountain Bike Review

GMC Topkick Dual-Suspension Mountain Bike
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
This is a good bike - the best feature is the dual suspension. Light and easy dropping off curbs on the way to work - huge difference from my hardtail mountain bike.
Disc brakes are nice to have, on front and rear - work much better than rim brakes. To adjust them hold the brake lever in and tighten them down via a hex wrench on the opposite center of the disc brake until the pads are flush against the disc, then turn back until the brake lever has enough play in it.
The rims are v-shaped, and narrow - much more so than my other bikes. It was quite a job to add tuffy liners to to the tires. I think I will have a bike shop change the tire next time they need it. The hard part is getting the tire off and on those narrow rims. The people at REI said to squeeze on the sides of the tire as you put it on, so both ends go deep into the rim.
Be careful when you put the front tire on that you have the fork facing forward. (I had it backwards the first time). Make sure the big round points on U part of the fork point towards the front of the bike.
The tires are very knobby. If you ride on the street a lot you might want to change them to something with a smoother tread in the middle.
The bike weighs 38 pounds put together - not exactly light, but since I ride for pleasure and exercise, and don't plan to race, the weight is fine.
If you get it for less than 150, (what Amazon is selling it for the week of Feb 20), it is quite a bargain. (disc brakes by themselves often add $100 to a bike).
I raised the seat pretty high for a comfortable ride at my height, and found the handlebars are two low. I fixed this by adding some handlebar extenders which allow me to be more upright when I am not braking.
To my knowledge you can't raise the stem on the handlebars without adding a spacer. If anyone finds out otherwise, please comment to this post.
Another possibility (besides handlebar extensions), would be to replace the handlebar with one that has more of a rise to it.
The Topkick is made by Kent Bicycle Company for GMC. They also make some Cadillac Mountain Bikes - the Cadillac AM2.4 and AM2.7, which are sold on Amazon. They are both dual suspension with disc brakes and have a very similar frame as the Topkick. Both bikes sale for over $1000.

Click Here to see more reviews about: GMC Topkick Dual-Suspension Mountain Bike

Boasting a full-suspension, extra-strong aluminum frame, the GMC Topkick mountain bike is an ideal choice for both trail riding and rough city riding. The frame employs a floating beam suspension design mated to a Zoom suspension fork with elastomer/spring technology. This gives the bike a smooth, steady performance even on rough terrain. The Topkick's drivetrain, meanwhile, is outfitted with Microshift push shifters that control Shimano's tried-and-true TZ-30GS derailleur. The drivetrain also offers a strong aluminum wheel set with a V-shape rim profile and high-flange alloy hubs. And to keep you stopping smoothly in any circumstance, the Topkick boasts front and rear Promax disc brakes. Disc brakes are vastly superior to rim brakes, especially under adverse road conditions. True to its GMC roots, the Topkick mountain bike is rugged, good looking, and built for the long haul.
Specifications:
Frame: 26-inch full-suspension aluminum MTB frame
Fork: Zoom CH-386 suspension fork, 65mm travel
Shocks: Kind Shock, adjustable to 650 pounds
Chain: KMC Z51
Crankset: Alloy ISA 335P, 28/38/48, L170mm
Front derailleur: Falcon MF 31 T
Rear derailleur: Shimano RD-TZ30GS SIS, 7 speed
Shifters: Microshift TS-50 ADII index L3/R7
Brake levers: GP 30 AP aluminum
Brakes: LCHI DSK-320 disc brakes, 160mm
Rims: Alloy black 26 x 1.5 inches
Tires: Kenda black with yellow band 700 x 25C
Stem: A-head TDS63K-8, EXT: 100mm, 15D
Handlebar: HL-MTB 153, W: 600mm, R: 30mm
Saddle: Velo, black padded
Seat post: Alloy micro-adjust 27.2 x 300mm with quick-release



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7/16/2011

Pacific Stratus Men's Mountain Bike (26-Inch Wheels) Review

Pacific Stratus Men's Mountain Bike (26-Inch Wheels)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
This bike is good looking and you can't beat the price. You will need to take a some time to put it together and double check everything. Make sure you turn the fork 180 degrees. They did this so it would fit in the box. It came packaged good. We're just using the bike for around town with the kids. I would recommend it. FYI, pacific cycle is the parent company for Schwinn and Mongoose bikes so I believe this will be a decent reliable bike for us.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Pacific Stratus Men's Mountain Bike (26-Inch Wheels)

Get off the beaten path when biking in the great outdoors with the Pacific Stratus men's 26-inch mountain bike. The Stratus is equipped with steel mountain frame geometry, along with sure-stopping front and rear steel caliper brakes. The Torque Drive 15-gear thumb shifters, meanwhile, help you change gears quickly while on the move. Other features include a mountain handlebar and stem, a one-piece MTB crank, and steel wheels for control and durability.


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