Ben's Bargains

[Ben]

REI has the K2 Big Easy Coaster Bike for $200 + shipping. Select free in-store pickup to avoid the shipping fee. Shipping is $73. It features high-tensile steel frame, Trail XC front suspension fork with 50mm of travel, linear-pull brakes, 21-speed SunRace twist shifters, and Kenda Dual Sport 26 x 1.95 tires. [Compare]

K2 BMX Mixer Bike - '07 Closeout for $170 + shipping
K2 Big Easy Coaster Bike - '07 Closeout for $209 + shipping

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[dave_c]

Might be slightly better than the typical dept store bike, but not something you'd want to take offroad on anything more than a fire trail.

At least some parts are replacable when they fail to meet expectations or fail completely, but for light duty MTB use you might as well spend another $150 or so now rather than later and get a used bike off craigslist or something from bikesdirect or Target/Forge 5xx.

[Ross]

K2 Easy Coaster, or Diamondback Outlook? The K2 bike is actually a pretty cool looking bike. It's a single speed cruiser with the crankset set a little further forward - something a long-legged guy like myself would like.

[cleverendeavor7]

This bike is fine for cruising around town and light-duty trail riding, as #1 stated. You'll find better deals, however, on craigslist. For example, on Tuesday I bought a 2004 Specialized Rockhopper A1 FS that was in immaculate shape for $180 on craigslist (retail ~$770.) If you don't mind buying a new bike but don't know what to look for, shoot me a PM and I can help out.

If you need to buy a new bike, search for some Target coupons and buy the Forge Sawback 5xx. It's essentially a bike with excellent components that you'd find at your local bike shop in the $500 range, and you can often get it for under $300 from Target with coupons.

[cvbn]

dont buy steel bikes they are too heavy made in china same quality as walmarts $70 bike,hevy bikes you will ride it a few times AND GIVE UP

[misfit138]

Get a Hutch Trick Star. That's all you need.

[tiburoncito2000]

this sounds like a nice deal for a bike to ride to the local store and hope no one steals it. So if you get it make sure to lock it but do not think you will take this heavy bike off road you will not be happy at all.

[dayray]

Once I got #6's sisters' lock off, I rode her but I didn't walk away happy

[Ross]

#4, steel bikes aren't all that heavy. I had an old steel Giant bike that was lighter than my son's aluminum frame Schwinn. Also the price point where bikes start to be made somewhere other than China (like Taiwan) is around $800 these days. My $550 Rockhopper was made in China.

[real_cheep]

Agree with #1 and #3, the Forge Sawback 5xx, despite having a ghey name, is your best bang for the buck in an entry-level mountain bike. I have one, unfortunately I hardly ever ride it because I spend almost all my cycling time on the road. But it still looks sweet hanging up in my garage.

[cadaver]

#9, sell?

[dave_c]

Steel framed bikes really aren't all that bad. I mean they weren't back when more than just the cheapest ones were steel. Think of the context, a 25lb bike plus 100-300 pound rider for at least 125 lbs total is substantially effected by 5lb difference in the bike wieght? Maybe it matters more in steep uphill trails or racing but since the cheap bikes are fit for neither...

There is one area where the weight makes the most difference, the parts that rotate. Cranks, gears, wheels.

Nobody wants steel on a good bike but if you're buying junk it would be better to spend the money on the other components instead of aluminum frame with generic components.

[cleverendeavor7]

[cleverendeavor7]

That being said, the bike featured in this deal is not made from high-quality steel.

[RKLE]

shocks, pegs, every take it off some sweet jumps