Complete newbie, I'm overwhelmed.

I would advise going to a shop and at least get stats on sizing and then shop for a used bike. $500.00 unfortunately won't go far toward a new bike. If you find something in your size and price range post the results here for feedback. There are a lot of variables and considerations in buying a bike but getting the correct size is a good start..

What about bikes direct?

Quote: Originally Posted by Mr Scott [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]

What about bikes direct?

If he's not sure about what size he needs, probably not a good idea to order a bike blind from an online source, and it's not like he's going to find an LBS that has a bike with Motobecane, Gravity, Windsor, or whatever other label that BD orders slapped on a generic Taiwanese or Chinese frame so he can showroom one.

Also, those bikes need assembly, and he's likely not going to be able to do it. That adds LBS labor to the price.

Better off looking at some lower cost complete bikes from companies like GT, Schwinn, Raleigh, or Diamondback.

I'm pretty competent when it comes to the workings. I've refurbished the current bike I ride, but I think size is the biggest unknown for me. There's just absolutely no reason for me to drop a G on a bicycle. That's why I was wondering what low cost bikes I should absolutely avoid.

Quote: Originally Posted by Mr Scott [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]

I'm pretty competent when it comes to the workings. I've refurbished the current bike I ride, but I think size is the biggest unknown for me.

There's just absolutely no reason for me to drop a G on a bicycle. That's why I was wondering what low cost bikes I should absolutely avoid.

GMC Denali and CCM, for starters. Same [censored] frame, same lousy components, different label. Put together by chain store employees. Probably the same guy that puts together the cheap demo gas grills. f you can set it up correctly after buying it, that's one plus. But I would still look at Diamondback as a starting point for an inexpensive but serviceable ride. People look down on them because they're sold by [censored]'s, Sports Authority, and Costco, among other box stores, but they are a decent bike for that price range.

But I would look for a bike with at least Shimano 2300, or Microshift, components. Under a grand, you're probably not going to do better than a Sora group. For myself, having ridden both 2300 and 8 speed Microshift, I'd choose MS. The brifters are more ergonomic, and you can reach the upshit lever from the drop bars. 2300 (or whatever Shimano calls its 2013 successor) uses a thumb button to go to a higher gear (or to the small ring on the front).

Thanks, exactly the type of feedback I need!