Mostly a hiker here, but I recently got my old Huffy Pyromaniac out of the moth balls and started riding a fwe trails to switch up my excersize routine.

Nothing really wrong with the huffy, except it's a 1998 or so model, that weighs a ton, has no suspension, and the cables and brakes are beginning to get worn. The tires are about 60% life left and I have the derailures (sp?) all adjusted well from tinkering on it for the last 9 years.

So I went to buy some parts and seen a new bike at wal-mart. A "Next - Shocker" 21 speed, full suspension. Was ready to ride for $74.95 so like a newbie sucker I grabbed it.

Maiden voyage going up a small rise the rear cassette / gear cog spins on the rim.. No matter what I did it was like I was freewheeling while peddaling foward! So I took it back the next night after work. I showed them all of the loose and mis-adjusted things and they replaced the bike with an exact copy.

This one is better, and as a professional auto mechanic I have spent some time getting the wheels to stop cocking everytime you pedaled hard, and the brakes are now adjusted and working. I have a problem with the front derailuer if anyone can direct me to a web site that covers basic adjustments.

But my main questions I guess would be, I see guys on the trail with these fancy shoe / pedal combinations and was wondering if I should bother doing this, or wait to see if I enjoy it enough to spend money and THEN upgrade to a bike that would be worth it or even come with them?

Should I just put a sale sign on this thing and fix up the huffy?

thanks in advance for any advice

one thing you should learn when buying gear: do you own research. don't go to the shop and expect the salesclerk to help you out because their job is to sell. though they sound like they're giving good advice, they're main goal is to sell. so you shouldn't have gotten the bike in the first place (please do not take offense )

Well, shopping for bikes is like shopping for anything - you have to do a lot of research before you spend on it, otherwise it could be money wasted. Even the less expensive bikes need some research. However, if money is an issue, I'd say go for the cheapest one - after doing some reading and shopping around. Who knows? The cheap bike you buy might be a diamond and could last you for years with proper maintenance!

Vancouver, Washington USA