(Part 3) Best bikes according to redditors

I'm going to second a torque arm. I use two and it keeps it from turning. One of them is normal and for one I used a dremel to cut a section so it could fit around without rewiring on the wheel.


https://www.amazon.com/EBIKELING-Universal-Torque-Electric-Bicycle/dp/B07C7J1ZD7/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2DJAUKK0TI7D1&dchild=1&keywords=torque+arm+ebike&psc=1&qid=1570539133&sprefix=torque+arm%2Caps%2C144&sr=8-3


Other things I've found useful on a similar setup are marine grade Solder Seal Wire Connectors and a heat gun. I got my rig fully waterproofed. I've also hit a few issues with flat tires (due to the weight of the front hub motor) and I just ordered a tubeless bike tire to try out on it.

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Absolutely terrible tbh. I'd really suggest against buying a bike on Amazon if you can avoid it, but if you absolutely have to it's probably best to stick with Diamondback.

https://www.amazon.com/Diamondback-Bicycles-Overdrive-Complete-27-5-Inch/dp/B0132I7496 < similar spec to the GT I linked

https://www.amazon.com/Diamondback-Trace-Street-Hybrid-Bike/dp/B01ATD93B4 < kind of a "dual sport" bike, NVX fork is maybe a little better quality than some, just designed for more urban uses. 8 speed/disc brakes.

https://www.amazon.com/Diamondback-Bicycles-Sorrento-Complete-Mountain/dp/B0119ONAES < M3030 fork isn't great, but if you're aware of its limitations it'll probably do. V brakes are probably just as powerful and more easy to adjust than a lot of cheap disc brakes. 7 speed freewheel setup is a bit dated/more difficult to replace, but it'll work.

Doubt you'll find better than that if you absolutely have to buy on Amazon and if you absolutely have to stick below $350. But it's definitely worth looking into your local bike shops instead, even if just for the option to try them out first and get some guidance on sizing. Even bigger manufacturers generally have something around this price range, if you're not willing to go second hand:

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/revel.2/22215/84076/

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/bikes/mountain-bikes/sport-mountain-bikes/820/820/p/1008600-2016

how do i talk my boyfriend out of buying this? https://www.amazon.com/Schwinn-Mens-Volare-1300-White/dp/B00P0IN0K4

Probably less love than you'd think . It was most likely cheaper than Ubering back and forth to the music festival, so I'm guessing it lives there now.

This one looks better to me https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VQR300I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_czIIxbE9VBBRH

Here is the desktop version of your link

I picked up the Diamondback Sorrento Hard Tail. First bike I've owned since I was a kid, just getting into riding. If anyone has experience with it I would greatly appreciate it.

I've been looking at a few bikes in the $500-$700 price range (original budget was $500, but have stretched it a bit to get a better bike). From research so far I'm thinking I may pick up a Diamondback Overdrive. Seems to be a pretty well reviewed bike in my price range and I'm not going to be using it for anything too serious... just to help get in shape and hit some mild single tracks.

Right now my problem is that I can't find anything describing the differences between the older models (29er's) and the newer 2016 model. I see that the 2016's have the 27.5" wheels but otherwise I don't know what the differences are. Anyone know anything about these bikes and the year-over-year changes?

Nashbar has a sale running right now so I could pick up the nashbar exclusive overdrive comp for about the same price as a 2016 sport (I've read the comp has many worthwhile upgrades over the sport) but it seems to be an older model with 29" wheels.

Did the 2016 overdrive models adopt any of the earlier Comp model upgrades? If so I may opt for a 2016 sport since I could buy at REI where I have gift cards to help offset the price.

On the other hand if the 2016's only change was to go to a 27.5" wheel I may pick up the 29" Comp since the prices are about the same for a better bike.

Or I suppose are there any other recommendations for bikes? I'll be searching craigslist later for used bikes but a quick search earlier today didn't turn up much.
___
I've almost got it down to either:

1. Diamondback Overdrive Comp 29er Nashbar exclusive - $679 on nashbar after the 20% off discount - looks to be an older model though with the 29" wheels?
   
2. 2016 Overdrive - $500 - newer model with 27.5" wheels
   
3. 2016(?) Overdrive Sport - $700 - 27.5" wheels so looks to be the newer model.
   
   

It's nothing special upgrade wise.

Like others have said and I'm adding another voice to reinforce it

• the wheels are relatively cheap, perfectly useable about on par with what I run on my winter bike for 1000km a month. They are the starting point of what I'd consider to be "wheels" instead of "wheel shaped objects".
  
  
• chainset looks like an aluminium perfectly useable one, either apex or non series apex level. Not something special to be highlighted as an upgrade.
  
  
• looks to be fitted with heavily used old 105. 105 is great, this has seen better days.
  
  If he paid RRP for them he's forked out a fortune for pretty big standard kit. Not putting a downer on it but nothing here is worth paying a premium for.
  
  530 is silly money for that bike. You can get a similar new one for that (not an expert in us pricing, talk to me about bikes in the UK and I can help lol)
  
  TLDR don't buy that bike.
  
  A quick Google brought up this
  
  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PUGUFIQ
  
  As well as a useful article on entry level bike prices in the us here
  http://www.davescheapbikes.com/cheap-road-bikes/road-bikes-for-beginners/
  
  Edit - the more I look at it that vilano forza looks bang on for a first road bike. Swap out the brake pads and tyres (for some decent 25c rubber) and its really a textbook starter road bike.
  
  If you get into it upgrade the wheels a bit later. It's got a triple (perfect for new riders who don't quite realise what an utter bastard hills can be and who can't push a bigger gear up them) and a carbon fork which is almost unheard of at that price point.

Actually, it seems like Amazon will do it for you now for $75, which is cool.

https://www.amazon.com/Schwinn-Mens-Volare-1200-Bike/dp/B00P0IN13K/ref=sr_1_3?s=outdoor-recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1501440884&sr=1-3&keywords=hybrid+bike

https://www.amazon.com/Schwinn-Discover-Hybrid-Wheels-Black/dp/B0030U8SU6/ref=sr_1_4?s=outdoor-recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1501440884&sr=1-4&keywords=hybrid+bike

https://www.amazon.com/Columbia-FitnessX-21-Speed-Fitness-Commuter/dp/B07148QYKN/ref=sr_1_6?s=outdoor-recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1501440884&sr=1-6&keywords=hybrid+bike

https://www.amazon.com/Schwinn-Mens-Wayfare-Hybrid-Bike/dp/B00TYB8QDE/ref=sr_1_10?s=outdoor-recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1501440884&sr=1-10&keywords=hybrid+bike

This Bike is Way Better than the Talon

I have the version 1 step up from this one (overdrive pro) and love it. I'm sure they would ride pretty similar. I'm not sure if you can get this up in Canada though but there was another question asked the other day about this and others were recommending this over Talons, etc.

Edit* Link

For example: https://www.amazon.com/Huffy-Mens-Alpine-Mountain-Bike/dp/B01NBB2ZXC/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1526474672&sr=8-4&keywords=huffy+bicycle

$100 bike. Cheaper in store, plus at Wal-mart there's always a few bikes on sale.

Sorry this one. https://www.amazon.com/Mongoose-Elroy-Adventure-Wheel-Bicycle/dp/B06X195B5R

​

or this one https://tommasobikes.com/collections/off-road-disc/products/siena-disc-tourney-road-bike ?

> https://www.amazon.com/Mongoose-Elroy-Adventure-Wheel-Bicycle/dp/B06X195B5R

I'd be wary of Mongoose. They were once a "real" bike brand but most of what they make these days is Wal-Mart crap. Read the reviews.

Thank you for the advice.
What do you think about this? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07148QYKN/ref=s9_acsd_top_hd_bw_b1NdjhD_c_x_w?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-3&pf_rd_r=8BB22Z5MPGNGAJ9AF396&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=f97c56ea-80d2-50f7-bcef-948446874953&pf_rd_i=1265459011

Is your campus flat or hilly? If flat, lots of ok steel fixies on Amazon for under $200. Otherwise, bikesdirect isn't a bad option if a local bike shop doesn't stock used models.

Ok ~$200 steel fixies on Amazon (find the right size for your height):

RALEIGH Bikes Back Alley, Red https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073PLGFYS/

Retrospec Critical Cycles Harper Single-Speed Fixed Gear Urban Commuter Bike;, White & Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078981N29

6KU Track Fixed Gear Bicycle, White/Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018NVRFIC/

Schwinn Kedzie Single-Speed Fixie Bike, Featuring 58cm/Large Steel Stand-Over Frame with 700c Wheels and Flip-Flop Hub, Perfect for Urban Commuting and City Riding, Blue https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GZSMBW0/

There is also this Raleigh “Back Alley” that comes with risers instead of drop bars. Slightly pricer, but you get what you pay for.

If you can bump up your budget a bit more, this bike can get up northwest style hills w/ mostly casual pedaling. It's adequate quality, so long as you learn some basic bike maintenance (adjusting brakes, keeping the bike clean). Then there's taking care of the battery (have to discharge/recharge cycle the battery once in awhile or it'll die).

Even Amazon is getting in on the action. This one is a fat tire folding bike. Probably not the highest quality, but for $700 its hard to beat...

Have this ordered and on the way https://www.amazon.com/EBIKELING-Universal-Torque-Electric-Bicycle/dp/B07C7J1ZD7/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1542468818&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=torque+arm+ebike&psc=1

​

I have this bike and absolutely love it. I live far from the train so I usually bike to the train, and it's so much better than taking the bus. Regardless or what bike you get, I'd also suggest you buy some bungee cord so that you can keep the bike securely closed when you're on the train or wherever

My route to campus has a few hills on it so I was hoping to avoid single speed. Is there any reason something like this (https://www.amazon.com/Schwinn-Mens-Volare-1300-White/dp/B00P0IN0K4/ref=sr_1_38?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1478881892&sr=1-38&keywords=schwinn) wouldn't work? It's under $300, and it's not like I'm looking to use the bike for anything other than my short commute to school.

would you recommend this:
https://www.amazon.com/Vilano-FORZA-Aluminum-Carbon-Shimano/dp/B00PUGUFIQ

I was looking around and i came up with these two
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/gravity/650b-27.5-bikes-fsx-275ltd.htm?gclid=CMerz-Xx-c0CFZNhfgodqAoIrQ#reviews
and
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0119ON6B0/ref=twister_dp_update?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I don't wish to be rude to you because you're just stuck in the middle of this, but my counter is that he's flat-out lying.

Kestrel complete bike on Amazon - $1200

Fuji complete bike at Performance - $1250

Basic no-name carbon frame/fork on Amazon - $450

And now I'm going to bow out of this with as much grace as I have left. I get the feeling that he's trying to justify greed by any means possible, and that doesn't require my involvement. Sorry again that you got roped into this.

Looking for a good road bike for under $1500. I got a Giant Cypress but really want a bike with more forward sitting geometry and drop handlebars. Thinking about this or this

Dear mtb experts, I have a nice road hybrid (Ghost Panamao X3) but friends keep inviting me to go trail riding with them in SoCa and I do not feel that riding stuff like this on my X3 is a particular bright move. So, I am in the market for a new moderately priced mountain bike (as a tall dude @ 6'4 and on a budget so I do not want to drop several thousand for a bike at the moment) for which I am considering either option 1 or option 2 (or happy to consider other options in a similar price range if I am totally missing something here). My main question; what the heck is the spring thing under the middle bar in option 1 and is that useful to have or is 2 just as good to get? Thanks for your time!

A follow up question if you don't mind.

Would it be better to get the Overdrive Comp above or something like this or this and immediately put money into some upgrades? If it matters I'm relatively heavy, about 240 lbs. So I worry about the forks.

FWIW, I live in North Florida. There's some nice trails here but not a lot of elevation change.

Honestly, I wasn't expecting to find any bike that I would be willing to recommend. But I did find one. And one only. If you don't want to buy this bike, do not buy any other $400 bike from Amazon in order to do this trip. If you do buy this bike, do not buy any size other than the xl.

As this bike is going to come somewhat disassembled, keep in mind that you, or someone is going to have to finish assembling the bike.

http://www.amazon.com/Diamondback-Insight-Flat-Road-Bike/dp/B017TEZORS/ref=sr_1_1?s=outdoor-recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1462684459&sr=1-1&keywords=bicycle&refinements=p_36%3A-40000

I am recommending this with all due caution. Between it being a low end bike, and coming partially assembled, and the fact that it is a flat bar bike, which are not generally considered ideal for distance riding, it is difficult to enthusiastically recommend getting this bike. Some people have difficulty riding 10 miles on them without hand fatigue. There was a guy who posted recently who rode across the country on a flat bar bike. But you don't know if you will be able to do 60 mile days on a flat bar bike.

My suggestion would be to rent, or to buy a more expensive bike, and sell it afterwards, getting most or all your money back rather than buy a bike without getting a chance to even test ride it.

For 3 miles anything will work.

https://www.amazon.com/Schwinn-20-Inch-Loop-Folding-Bike/dp/B01JNPQ1UU

Interesting challenge. If I had to narrow it down to one ride at that price, it’s going to come down to both how it’s set up at purchase, and how potentially upgradeable it is.

That being said, after a bit of shopping, this is my pick, at the moment:
Schwinn Volare 1400 Road Bike, 700c/28 inch wheel size, red, Fitness Bicycle, 53cm/Medium Frame Size https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N5XTB94/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_CMtXCbVDDFV54

It’s “near” the setup you’d likely eventually want. 2x up front, pretty standard 100/130 spacing for the wheels, brifter-style levers, 1 1/8 threadless forks, comes with “decent for the price” Tourney stuff for both derailleurs and the brake/shifter levers, quick releases. It’s also pretty light, at I think 25 pounds or something. The cheap Schwinns usually use pretty standard sized, and therefore easily upgradable, bottom brackets, things like that.

I’d use the rest of the $300 to replace the freewheel to something like this:
DNP Epoch Freewheel 7spd 11-28 Nickel Plated https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007A8RPUS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_4ZtXCbXVFYWQK

That might get you a bit closer to a more fancy road bike’s gearing, with the 11t high gear. Past that, when you had the cash, I’m sure a change of tires, brake pads, a different seat, maybe a cheap replacement free hub wheelset would make quite a difference. Maybe a bigger chain ring. I think those Tourney front derailleurs can handle 50t.

I’m sure most people would say not to upgrade a $266 bike. But all of that doesn’t add up to much more, especially since so many are basically maintenance/wear parts anyway.

I can’t say I wouldn’t pick something else tomorrow. But if I had to put one in the cart right now for that price, that’s the best I can do.

I would look through things like Craigslist/OfferUp in your area. If you can't find anything good there then you might have to buy a Mongoose with that budget.

Just know that the Mongoose you listed is unsuitable for freestyle. It is for riding around the neighborhood. Anything with 1 piece cranks is not a fully featured freestyle bike.

A Mongoose Legion series would be better. L40, L60, and L80 would be good options. They go for 175-225 on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Mongoose-Legion-Freestyle-20-Inch-Wheels/dp/B01LW1D4Q6/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=mongoose%2Blegion&qid=1559327460&s=gateway&sr=8-4&th=1

I'm getting a bike for a 10 year old kid to ride to school on. Doesn't need to be fancy, just durable. Would prefer for it to be from Amazon or a major retailer like Performance Bike. Up to $300 is fine.

Currently looking at something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Mongoose-Legion-Wheel-Freestyle-Bike/dp/B01LW1D4Q6/

I’ve been looking for something like this to get around university, but $1200 is a bit ridiculous. If anyone is in the same boat, maybe look at this? (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MTOL6HF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_hZW-Bb36929QG)

It's an electric bike 30 x 39 inches, 42 lbs.

This is in your price and new.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01MZ8VECC/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1523131420&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=diamondback%2Boverdrive%2Bcomp&dpPl=1&dpID=51-aX9IJx6L&ref=plSrch&th=1&psc=1

amazon

edit: re assembly, bikes ship partially assembled, 99% of the time all you need are a philips screwdriver and set of allen wrenches.