I saw this new "automatic shifter" bike ad on tv. Its around $400-$500.
Seems to be the perfect bike for the average person. Any experienced bikers have any input on this. Have forgotten the name,but they had about a hour informational on this past saturday.
Thanks

 

My wife when I first met her had a Auto Bike. IMHO it was more hassle than it was worth. She paid somewhere along the lines of $300 for it that was 7 or 8 years ago. It basically was the same quality as a dept. store bike that shifted as you went faster weights moved out and shifted the der.
However the bottom line is without the auto shift the bike is worth about $70 to $80 retail in any X-Mart. The auto shift certainly does not merit an adittional $400. For $500 you can get your self a real nice bike from most any LBS. If you for example are looking at a comfort, or hybrid bike for $500 you can get a smokin bike. You will get fitted right which is important, a warranty policy and in most cases a service plan after the sale.

 

thanks precision pedal,

Appreciate your reply. I had similiar concerns. I don't do any serious biking.
Just riding around locally when the mood strikes me. Definitely don't want
something i have to fix all the time.

 

Worked on several AutoBikes. Same money can get you a good bike at a local bike shop. One that works and won't break down 2 months after you get it. Also shops will stand by their customers purchases (most of 'em, anyways) and make necessary adjustments while you're breaking the bike in. Don't be afraid of shifting nowadays. It has been engineered to be effortless. Chains are designed to shift under pressure now and more gears doesn't make it anymore complicated.

 

Thanks for the info. general concensus is as you state. don't want to be fixing the thing all the time.