Budget Hybrid Bike under $300

[Shiv78]

Hey everyone. I've had a crappy Walmart "full suspension" "mountain bike" for around 7 years, I'm 16 now. It's a ' 24" ' Next PowerClimber with falcon shifters if that matters (one of my friends had the same bike with different derailleurs and shifters, strange). Finally getting a new bike, would like a hybrid, preferably with front suspension and trigger-fire shifters, for around or under $300, around $250 preferred. Disk brake(s) would be great but not a deal breaker. I can't buy used (parental safety concerns). I live around 15 minutes away from Halter's Cycles in New Jersey if that seems like a good place to look around. Right now looking at a Schwinn DSB from Walmart... yes BBS I know but cheap and seems decent for the price. I'm around 5'8" 170lbs but 16 so hopefully will grow so keep that in mind. I don't mind assembling the bike myself, would be a fun learning experience.

 

not sure what section to put this in lel

[Zando_]

There's not really any good bikes to be had new for less than $500. Tell your parents a used mid-range bike is MUCH safer than a Walmart bike. ou don't have to worry about snapped frames, wheels bending, and the handlebars coming off on good bikes. 

[Shiv78]

1 minute ago, Zando Bob said:

There's not really any good bikes to be had new for less than $500. Tell your parents a used mid-range bike is MUCH safer than a Walmart bike. ou don't have to worry about snapped frames, wheels bending, and the handlebars coming off on good bikes. 

I got the exact same advice on Reddit... this pattern seems to be in my favor lol

 

Thanks!

[Zando_]

Just now, Shiv78 said:

I got the exact same advice on Reddit... this pattern seems to be in my favor lol

 

Thanks!

Yup. Just take your parents to Walmart, clamp the wheel between your legs, and nice the handlebars a good wrench. They'll most likely twist something awful, and if you pulled up too hard, they'd come off. the brakes are likely misaligned, and the gears will be tricky to get shifting right (and if you're a dude, you don't want the chain popping on a climb and dropping you tenders first onto the hard metal top tube). 

[Shiv78]

2 minutes ago, Zando Bob said:

(and if you're a dude, you don't want the chain popping on a climb and dropping you tenders first onto the hard metal top tube). 

rip

[Zando_]

Just now, Shiv78 said:

rip

I watched that episode with my cuz! We both laughed at that! And the way Jeremy just stands there and watches is perfect!

[Shiv78]

@Zando Bob

Is the Diamondback Trace a good bike? $250 new on eBay from a good seller

[Zando_]

3 hours ago, Shiv78 said:

@Zando Bob

Is the Diamondback Trace a good bike? $250 new on eBay from a good seller

Which trim level is it, and what year?

[Shiv78]

15 minutes ago, Zando Bob said:

Which trim level is it, and what year?

2017 and I think the base "Adult Trace Hybrid/Dual Sport" it's light blue. This one but ebay and $250 https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p/diamondback-adult-trace-hybrid-bike-17dbkatrcbknbmxxxdsb/17dbkatrcbknbmxxxdsb?categoryId=264123 or https://www.diamondback.com/trace

[Zando_]

5 minutes ago, Shiv78 said:

2017 and I think the base "Adult Trace Hybrid/Dual Sport" it's light blue. This one but ebay and $250 https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p/diamondback-adult-trace-hybrid-bike-17dbkatrcbknbmxxxdsb/17dbkatrcbknbmxxxdsb?categoryId=264123 or https://www.diamondback.com/trace

It's around the $500 basic bike price when new, and looks decent. It's around the level of my bike (the drivetrain is slightly lower), but you'll have $50 to start you saving toward some better parts. For a road/trail bike, the brakes should be fine. I'd think the pads may need to be replaced, and maybe the cassette/chain. Your LBS (Local Bike Shop) will be able to help you out. Try and do it yourself if you have the tools though, since labor ain't cheap. 

[Shiv78]

12 hours ago, Zando Bob said:

It's around the $500 basic bike price when new, and looks decent. It's around the level of my bike (the drivetrain is slightly lower), but you'll have $50 to start you saving toward some better parts. For a road/trail bike, the brakes should be fine. I'd think the pads may need to be replaced, and maybe the cassette/chain. Your LBS (Local Bike Shop) will be able to help you out. Try and do it yourself if you have the tools though, since labor ain't cheap. 

Not sure if u realized but I'm getting it new for $250 not used. Kinda suspicious why a new 500 bike is only 250 but credit card dispute is always a backup option lol

[Zando_]

5 minutes ago, Shiv78 said:

Not sure if u realized but I'm getting it new for $250 not used. Kinda suspicious why a new 500 bike is only 250 but credit card dispute is always a backup option lol

Nice! As long as it's legit, its a great deal. And Diamondback makes good bikes, You can check out Seth's Bike Hacks on YouTube, he has one and is really happy with it (it's a higher end one, but still).

[SlipperyPete]

11 hours ago, Shiv78 said:

Not sure if u realized but I'm getting it new for $250 not used. Kinda suspicious why a new 500 bike is only 250 but credit card dispute is always a backup option lol

if you havent already use paypal for payment as they have great policies and will accept the loss themselves if the situation cant be resolved

 

[Shiv78]

Alright, ordered the Trace in large for $250... let's see how this goes lol

[Zando_]

2 hours ago, Shiv78 said:

Alright, ordered the Trace in large for $250... let's see how this goes lol

If you used PayPal, they'll cover you if something goes south. 

[Legolessed]

On 7/17/2017 at 2:49 PM, Zando Bob said:

There's not really any good bikes to be had new for less than $500. Tell your parents a used mid-range bike is MUCH safer than a Walmart bike. ou don't have to worry about snapped frames, wheels bending, and the handlebars coming off on good bikes. 

I used to ride a rigid Walmart bike and the handlebars Completely came off while I was biking and caused me to hit a lampost. I had to get many stiches from that I mean who puts a screw in the handlebars as the only thing keeping the top and bottom together

[Zando_]

5 hours ago, Legolessed said:

I used to ride a rigid Walmart bike and the handlebars Completely came off while I was biking and caused me to hit a lampost. I had to get many stiches from that I mean who puts a screw in the handlebars as the only thing keeping the top and bottom together

All old bikes used to be like that (quill stems). Those bikes give me the jeebies though, since they've got a crappy clamp. One hard tug, and your handlebars are away laughing.