Current Events > Does this look like a decent starter bike?

(+) Yeah! (+)

Look nice but not positive its the right size for me

---

hmm I don't know enough about bikes to rly know coz I only just got into cycling myself! But I'd say check if it has multiple gears and isn't one of those single gear bikes coz theyre annoying to ride on.

Also if you get it second hand I would take it into a bike shop to have them do a wee check up on it so you don't run into any rly bad accidents.

I rode my bike for months and it had problems and I took it in. Apparently the fork was snapped and bolted on in an unsafe way and at any point it could have easily gave way and the wheel would come off which would be dangerous if I was going fast x

Yep its a 21 speed.

its being sold on the fb marketplace. But the guy sells tons of bikes. Looks like he fixes them up

but taking it in might be a good idea

---

lww99 posted...

Yep its a 21 speed.

its being sold on the fb marketplace. But the guy sells tons of bikes. Looks like he fixes them up

but taking it in might be a good idea

I'd say go for it! Don't listen to bike nerds, they're annoying. Eventually it could be good to get a new bike thats more fitted but for a starter bike it'd be perfect :) I only just learned how to ride a bike last year during lockdown since noone was around and I was like.. where have you been all my life??? (I'm 27)

How much is he selling it for?

---

Yeah I see tons of people recommending >$700 starter bikes lol.

im not even sure if I like it yet, not trying to drop that kind of money.

just need something to get me out there.

I picked up kayaking and snowboarding this year as well :)

---

DespondentDeity posted...

How much is he selling it for?

asking $170. Ill probably offer $150

---

Yeah don't get a 700 dollar starter bike. Bike nerds are the worst. You wanna see if you're rly into it first before you drop that amount of money and cycling nerds are the kind who go on these huge uphill trips wearing this funny looking cycling suits which is different from if you just wanna have a wee spin around the park or have a wee trip to the shops or basic commuting

I dont plan on hitting anything till crazy. We have a nice park system with some good trails

might do some city riding too

---

Oh I was gonna ask, have you ever learned how to ride a bike? If not make sure that the seat is adjustable since sometimes the seatpost is seized and bonded, and for learning you'd want to be able to initially have ur feet reach the ground, but once you learn you quickly adapt then you raise the seat up

I used to really enjoy it as a kid, but havent been on one in close to 15-20 years.

just looking to be active and outside more. But I hate running lmao

---

I think it's a fine bike. Check out if there's any signs of rust. Also, try manually in spinning the wheels and check if it wobbles around or touches the brake pads. If somebody had a collision with this bike, the forks or wheels might be slightly bent.

lww99 posted...

asking $170. Ill probably offer $150

Seems reasonable as an entry bike. Do it.

---

Looks fine for what you want it for.

Ask the seller if you can take it for a test ride and see how you like it.
---

might try to check it out after work, but I dont have a mount.

could probably fit it in my car with the wheels off

---

lww99 posted...

I used to really enjoy it as a kid, but havent been on one in close to 15-20 years.

just looking to be active and outside more. But I hate running lmao

I feel you haha, I hate running coz I have bad nerd sinus issues. But cycling lets me trick myself into exercise and its fun coz i get to go SANIC FAST

leverageblargh posted...

https://i.imgur.com/AcUlAIX.jpg

begone vile man! begone! a starter bike? this bike is a finisher bike! a transporter of gods! the golden god!

Bump

---

If you could find an old trek or something I'd recommend going that route. Should be able to find one in the same price range easy.

https://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?item=88944

Those old 8000s are great bikes with better components than any diamondback of the same era / price range.

But it'll do the job.

---

Ill see if I can find a good deal on one

---

lww99 posted...

Ill see if I can find a good deal on one

I wouldn't sweat it if not but it'd be awesome if you can. Nothing wrong with that diamondback but I can see from the front sprocket and the derailer that its definitely got lower end parts. Its still a perfectly adequate bike.

My only advice id ever give someone looking for an entry level bike is do not buy from Walmart or anywhere like that.

That bike you posted is 5 times the bike you'd get for double the price on a new Walmart bike. A used bike is always gonna be a better option than a new department store bike and you obviously already know that.

---

I actually have a dedicated bicycle repair shop in my city, and I believe they sell too. But I figured theyd have a decent mark up, with not much inventory rn

Ill probably end up changing out the seat for something more comfortable

---

lww99 posted...

I actually have a dedicated bicycle repair shop in my city, and I believe they sell too. But I figured theyd have a decent mark up, with not much inventory rn

Ill probably end up changing out the seat for something more comfortable

Yeah you'd definitely end up spending more. On the same note make sure you test ride it and go through all the gears and try the brakes and everything.

If it all seems smooth and solid you're good. If anything sounds off or feels loose or the gears don't wanna shift you'll end up spending half what you did on the bike just for a tune up.

---

CanuckCowboy posted...

If you could find an old trek or something I'd recommend going that route. Should be able to find one in the same price range easy.

https://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?item=88944

Those old 8000s are great bikes with better components than any diamondback of the same era / price range.

But it'll do the job.

hmm this one is more my size. Wonder if hed take $200


---

lww99 posted...

hmm this one is more my size. Wonder if hed take $200

That is a nice looking bike. Definitely try offering 200.

250 isn't crazy but its kinda high imo.

---

Bit more of a drive for it. But it might be a much better bike for just an extra $50 possibly

---

lww99 posted...

im not even sure if I like it yet, not trying to drop that kind of money.

Troll garage sales, or just buy a walmart bike.

Yea for my money id definitely be looking to grab the trek if I could snag it for 200.

Plus diamondback is kinda strange in that they make some really good bikes but they also make way cheaper department store level bikes too.

Id warrant that treks original price point was double what the diamondbacks was so you're definitely getting a lot more boke for the money.

---

Questionmarktarius posted...

Troll garage sales, or just buy a walmart bike.

No q no! Lol.

Sincerely I strongly believe a used bike from a good brand is always always always better than buying a new bike at Walmart.

Also a decently maintained used bike is gonna be in better shape than any bike assembled by a Walmart employee unless you get really lucky. They don't gaf about properly putting em together or even making sure things are tight.

---

i could be wrong. The trek mightve been made in 07.

should I stay away from something thdt old?

Im just going off the color though

---

That looks like a solid choice to get into biking. Its a versatile bike. That looks like it could also handle light off-road riding, too. Looks like a hybrid road/mountain bike, which were my first few types as an adult.

Ive recently been riding a road bike (the faster ones with thin tires), but Im thinking of getting some kind of fixed gear cruiser. I love riding bikes, but Ive been chasing the perfect bike forever. Im an avid bike rider, but I dont spend more than $500 on a bike (and thats brand new).

In terms of the bikes age, my bike is from the 70s. Older Japanese road bikes are really great, but Im definitely nervous being on something so much older than me.

Payzmaykr posted...

That looks like a solid choice to get into biking. Its a versatile bike. That looks like it could also handle light off-road riding, too. Looks like a hybrid road/mountain bike, which were my first few types as an adult.

Ive recently been riding a road bike (the faster ones with thin tires), but Im thinking of getting some kind of fixed gear cruiser. I love riding bikes, but Ive been chasing the perfect bike forever. Im an avid bike rider, but I dont spend more than $500 on a bike (and thats brand new).

In terms of the bikes age, my bike is from the 70s. Older Japanese road bikes are really great, but Im definitely nervous being on something so much older than me.

is this in regards to the trek or first one?


---

lww99 posted...

is this in regards to the trek or first one?

That was the first one. I posted before I saw the Trek. Those are good bikes, too, so I think either would be a good choice.

CanuckCowboy posted...

No q no! Lol.

"Starter" implies intent to upgrade later.

Damn this is hard lol. Dont want to end up pulling the trigger on the wrong bike.


---

Questionmarktarius posted...

"Starter" implies intent to upgrade later.

Yea but you can get an almost infinitely better bike for much less money going the used route. and unless you're able to do some work yourself the Walmart bike is gonna be assembled really poorly too and things are gonna come loose and generally just be a pain in the ass.


---

lww99 posted...

Damn this is hard lol. Dont want to end up pulling the trigger on the wrong bike.

I think either of those would serve you well. Personally I'd try to get the trek but there's nothing wrong with the first one you posted.


---

CanuckCowboy posted...

and unless you're able to do some work yourself the Walmart bike is gonna be assembled really poorly too and things are gonna come loose and generally just be a pain in the ass.

Look at the bike in the store, order it from the website. It'll show up in as parts in a box.

Payzmaykr posted...

That looks like a solid choice to get into biking. Its a versatile bike. That looks like it could also handle light off-road riding, too. Looks like a hybrid road/mountain bike, which were my first few types as an adult.

Ive recently been riding a road bike (the faster ones with thin tires), but Im thinking of getting some kind of fixed gear cruiser. I love riding bikes, but Ive been chasing the perfect bike forever. Im an avid bike rider, but I dont spend more than $500 on a bike (and thats brand new).

In terms of the bikes age, my bike is from the 70s. Older Japanese road bikes are really great, but Im definitely nervous being on something so much older than me.

My mountain bike is a 2001 trek 8000 and its been a great bike. I'd love a nice new front suspension mtb if I was loaded but as is its plenty of bike for what I use it for and I ride further and more difficult stuff than the average person is likely too.

That said I also bmx and given the abuse those take I'd never spend less than 800 or so. My current we the people was about 900 and change with the pegs added on.

Anyone who freestyle bmxs and rides reasonably hard should aim for a full chromoly frame and its tough to find those below about 500 us.

---

CanuckCowboy posted...

My mountain bike is a 2001 trek 8000 and its been a great bike. I'd love a nice new front suspension mtb if I was loaded but as is its plenty of bike for what I use it for and I ride further and more difficult stuff than the average person is likely too.

That said I also bmx and given the abuse those take I'd never spend less than 800 or so. My current we the people was about 900 and change with the pegs added on.

Anyone who freestyle bmxs and rides reasonably hard should aim for a full chromoly frame and its tough to find those below about 500 us.

https://raysmtb.com

you ever hear of this place @CanuckCowboy
only ask bc you brought up the bmx bike.

only been once but ton of fun


---

lww99 posted...

https://raysmtb.com

you ever hear of this place @CanuckCowboy
only ask bc you brought up the bmx bike.

only been once but ton of fun

I have actually. Never been but I bet it would be awesome. Behind Woodward I think its about as big a destination for riding as i can think of.

---