Is it better to purchase a store brand Road Bike or an overhauled vintage bike around $200?

Question

I was wondering if a store brand road bike will be worth $200--I have no experience with any of the bike parts. I was also wondering if a store brand bike will have better parts than an overhauled vintage bike valued at around $200.

Link for store brand bikes that I am interested in:

http://www.target.com/Men%E2%80%99s-Schwinn-700C-Prelude-Road/dp/B000KZ1GHQ/sr=1-14/qid=1215462589/ref=sr_1_14/602-4006588-9621414?ie=UTF8&pricerange=&index=target&field-browse=1038604&rh=k%3Abikes%2Cn%3A12941841&page=2

http://www.target.com/GMC-700C-Denali-Road-Bike/dp/B000FGI99I/sr=1-12/qid=1215462978/ref=sr_1_12/602-4006588-9621414?ie=UTF8&pricerange=&index=target&field-browse=1038604&rh=k%3Abikes%2Cn%3A12941841&page=13

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3663046

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4698938

Of these 2 choices, I would prefer a durable bike that is faster than a mountain bike and not too much slower than a nice road bike.

Answer 1

The bikes that you have linked to should NOT be considered. You would be MUCH better off finding a used road bike in your price range... there are zillions of them out there if you are willing to look. If you don't dig eBay, look in newspapers for yard sales and auctions, then attend them. Take the bike to a shop for a checkup and you are good to go.

The parts you find on those "store brand" models are very poor quality and are not very servicable.