reliable bicycle?

[sunshine estate]

I'm thinking about getting another ten-speed bike, but the last one I had needed to be adjusted constantly it seemed...it's been several years and I don't remember the brand, but I did buy it at Sears...I have no problem with minor repairs and/or occasional adjustments, but I don't want to adjust it every time I ride it. The "beach" bike I'm using now...well I would like more speed and less frantic pedaling, you know what I mean? (pant, pant, pant)

Does anyone recommend a reliable ten-speed? I'll need to be riding it offroad and on some dirt roads (but no hills) - I'm guessing maybe a mountain bike? Thin tires are definitely out.

[clovis]

If you are looking in the $300 and up range, consider a Trek. We love our Trek bikes. I just got a deal of a lifetime on ebay for a Trek 7300, which is a comfort bike. I also have an older Trek 7000, and is a wonderful bike.

I think you will find that you get what you pay for with bikes. I have never adjusted anything other than the seat on my 7000.

In my opinion, and opinion only, stay as far away from Giant brand as you can. I think they are marginally better than a bike from Wal-mart, but cost almost what a quality Trek would. I think the Giants are absolute junk, and lack tremendously in quality. (Just yesterday I read a post on Craigslist from a gal that has a broken frame on her Giant. A broken frame on a bike that cost over $300?????)

I fully expect our Treks to last the rest of our lives, and we are in our mid-30's.

I suggest you educate yourself by visiting a real bike shop, then shop around on craigslist and ebay.
clove

[roughingit]

I vote for the bike shop too. I plain bought mine new because as a person smaller than the average male (read female) I couldn't find a used bike that fit me. They were either too big or kid sized. I'd agree on Giant, only their higher end bikes are any good, and some of those are iffy even now, same goes with low-end Specialized. Treks are good (care on their lower-end hybrids), I *love* my Fuji, Kona are good, Bianchi are good, Cannondales are good (best for big guys, many of their models are a bit stiff riding for folks my size), out: anything from Sears, Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Target, Kids R' Us, etc. If you are thinking of buying used, take someone who knows bikes with you (just like buying a car!) and you might want to peruse those chain places so you know what brands *not* to buy. Here's a few: Huffy, new Schwinns, and Pacifica, but there's lots more. Your life's not worth it!

Ask the bike shop if they have any of last year's models too, they are waaay cheaper normally. Sometimes shops will have flyers with people selling used bikes, these are often very nice bikes, but the owner wanted an upgrade! Run don't walk from any store that tries selling you one of those cruiser-style bikes! (Normally they only try this on females, but I don't know which you are and I see you already have one.) I'd probably go with a mountain bike or a *good* hybrid. The cheapies won't be much better than what you already have.

[Ramblin Wreck]

The best bike I ever owned was made by Specialized. It was a "Rock Hopper" that I had for over ten years. It took a lot of use from me and abuse from the boys. It and I took a tumble a couple of years ago, and it came out on the worse end of the deal. I tried to convince the guy at the shop to fix it, but he kept suggesting a new bike. It was like putting a pet down to let that bike go. Now I have a Marin, and it is an OK bike. But I miss the old one, and I don't ride as much now.

[roughingit]

Yeah, Specialized used to be a good brand, and their more spendy bikes are still good. They seem to be neglecting their entry level line though, including your old fav. Shame since those used to be darn near indestuctable!

Marins are pretty neat actually, look into their history and you might come to like them better Still owned by the original guy and one of the first commercial mountain bike makers if I recall correctly. Marin county is one of the original homes of mountain biking, and I think they are the only company left there that didn't relocate overseas or go under. Gives me that nice warm fuzzy American success story feeling.

[moonwolf]

Here is my experience, and I ride about 20 km at least every day in the warm months.
I got a John Deere bike 21 speed. It's okay, but the bike shop repair guy I know pointed out the cheap stuff on it that matters like the suspension, the unsealed sproket bearings, and not so good gear metal. Shimano components are very good though, including brakes. The rims were found acceptable, but in many cheap bikes that can be a problem also.
Now when I had the house fire, the Raleigh 18 speed I had since the late 80's was 'salvaged'. So, I took it to the repair shop and the fellow told me it was worth reconditioning with new tires and some adjustments. The older Raleighs like that were well made with solid parts. The new ones now made with cheap stuff will fall apart faster. I've always enjoyed riding it on highway or dirt country roads. It'll soon be back resurrected to ride again!
The John Deere's are backup spare bikes now, even though brand new.

My Raleigh is called a 'Bighorn' model. If you can find a good Raleigh made 20 years ago in reasonable condition, it might be worth spending $75 or so to get it going again. I've heard Trek are good for new bikes, but I'm out of the loop on that information pretty well.

[raymilosh]

I asked an avid bicyclist and bike repairman friend of mine to suggest the best bike for me. ( I use a bicycle as a work vehicle to transport tools, laundry, etc in a rear mounted rack on dirt and gravel paths) He said without a doubt to get an old Raleigh 3 speed. If told me that If I kept oil in the rear end, it would NEVER wear out and he said that three speeds may seem like not enough, but that it would be fine. I haven't gotten one yet, but I'm looking (I'm waiting to find one for free)