roussie wrote:Also a very abstract rule of thumb is about $1000 is going to get a solid bike.

Bike mechanic here, Roussie's info is for the most part pretty spot on. Unless you are finding a good deal second-hand you are going to want to spend close to 1,000 if you are planning to ride regularly. The components (shifters, cranks, pedals, etc...) on inexpensive bikes DON'T hold up to hard/regular riding, so you end up paying quite a bit more on repairs and parts.

There's a double problem with bikes like these - not only are they cheaply made, but they're complex.

All of those suspension parts (shocks/springs/bushings etc.) will fail quickly and require time and money to repair (until you get frustrated and get a proper bike). What failure doesn't get, rust will.

If you want to save money, either go used, go for one of the Trek/Performance that are mentioned elsewhere or...go simple. A simple, fixed frame bike costs less and will last you nearly forever with a few repairs. My commuter bike (a Diamondback Ascent) is 21 years old and I've ridden it 2300 miles this year alone with almost no problems (for the fussy "almost no problems" = 1 flat, 1 broken spoke, one lost screw in the luggage rack).

same bike at walmart and cheaper.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Mongoose-Outer-Limit-20-Boys-BMX-Bike/15711158?findingMethod=rr

irqzero wrote:You will come to learn, cognitively dissonant one. A Schwinn is still a fine bike. These bikes unfortunately, break frequently, and dangerously. You JUST got this bike. Just be awfully careful to make sure the spokes are tensioned if you ride it more than a few times, mmkay? Give it a good pre and post flight check. Also, stock seats are nearly always brutal - even if you've paid 2k for the bike.

That's an excellent point:

1. If you're a recreational rider that doesn't even come close to the time and expense dedicated from high-level riders, then get yourself a mongoose and an excellent maintenance guide.

2. If you are high-end, have 5k to spend on bikes, and that scales to many other high-end deals you qualify for, perhaps Woot isn't the place for you at all.

I bought the Pro Wings 3 weeks ago when this deal first appeared. I got a blue bike instead of what was shown, which was not a big deal. The bike assembled easily, was true and undamaged from the box. I used to ride heavy thirty years ago and just decided I might want to try it again, but unsure if I will have time, motivation, so this was a great deal for me. The components are good, QR wheels, good crank, and derailers are decent quality. Is this something I will use to train for Rio? no. This is a great entry level bike that gives me better components than I am seeing on bikes in this price range in stores. I wanted to buy at my local bike shop, but the guy starts at $500, and had to order a mountain bike, he was a road bike shop. If I do ride as I want, I will sell/donate this and make a bigger investment built for what I am doing. Rode Mongoose BMX bikes, I know their Wally World specials are just that, this was not a dept. store bike.