I know this has probably been beaten into the ground on this sub, but I've searched and I don't really see answers to the questions I have. Short backbround:
I've cycled quite a bit but always on mountain bikes, BMX even when I was younger and I just got my first road bike to ride around the lake where I live simply for exercise. The trail bike was just too hard to take hills with.
So I bought this one(pictured) it's a Vilano, it seems really short like, compact. The shifters suck, the brakes are ass, it's surprisingly heavy but it cost me $100 from some dude in a trailer park.
Now… I'm hooked. I feel like a monster. There's no hill I can't climb, there's no distance too far. Geeked.
But the bike doesn't fit (I don't think?) and I want a nicer one. So a few questions:
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How much money should I realistically spend on something to last me and perform well? Like can you get a nice bike for $600 or should I spend like $1200 or more if I want to do this all the time (I do).
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Are there certain brands I should check out more than others or brands to stay away from? Does my money go just as far with any brand? What I mean by that is like in cycling is there any time you are "paying for the label" when you could get more for your money elsewhere?
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I'm not a huge guy but I'm 6'1", should most bikes fit me or do I need to get a certain frame or something? Should I feel like I have a lot of weight on the front wheel?
Thanks for your help in advance, like I said I know "tHiS qUesTioN hAs bEen AnSwErEd 1000 tIMeS"
by Ok-Committee-1646