Reddit mentions of Vilano Aluminum Road Bike 21 Speed Shimano, White, 54cm Medium

Do you need to spend $700+ on beginner bikes? Absolutely not!

[Cannondale Quick 5 2013 - $529.95] (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MG2L2HA/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2AE9TCT6D5MFR&coliid=I1EQE2JEFYNBJQ&psc=1)

[Vilano Shadow Road Bike - $349.00] (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CLV5ZVK/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2AE9TCT6D5MFR&coliid=II09S1TQ6UN25&psc=1)

[Schwinn Volare 1300 700C - $300.81] (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AWNI0CU/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2AE9TCT6D5MFR&coliid=I1AT3Y1WCLZ3C8)

[Vilano Aluminum Road Bike - $279.06] (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00595BNPM/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2AE9TCT6D5MFR&coliid=I2S39AD2RY1DHD&psc=1)

[Vilano Aluminum Road Bike/ Commuter - $199.00] (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D5WI3JA/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2AE9TCT6D5MFR&coliid=ISHBU8PWBW0LO&psc=1)

Simply put, the department store bikes (Target, Wal-Mart, etc.) are mostly assembled by people who have no training, which can lead to very bad accidents down the road. Ride on!

I ride regularly and race regularly. Normally to the tune of ~100 miles a week, with more on the weekends.

I say this because I believe you are really going to have a hard time starting on a fat bike. I mean, if it is just a normal mountain bike and I am reading what you wrote wrong, then you should be fine.

But if it is a fat bike with wheels between 3.7 and 5.2 inches, you are going to have a hard time. Fat bikes typically have no suspension, and the rolling resistance can be crazy high. This means that you aren't going to be coasting very much, if at all.

On a mountain bike you should be in better shape, they typically at least have a front suspension and although not ideal for road riding, they work just fine.

I am a bit concerned that the bike you received from your father may be a bit "too much" of a bike for you as you mentioned, which could really lead to you disliking biking.

How tall are you? What size wheel does the mountain bike have (Typical sizes are 26", 27.5" or 29")?. If it is a 29" bike you may dislike it simply because it feels too long and doesn't feel nimble to you. At 6'3" I have no problem with a 29" bike. Many people in the 5'6" - 5'10" height range prefer a 27.5" wheel.

If you want a good starting point and will be mostly riding on the road, Amazon offers some pretty stellar bikes for a good price.

This bike at under $250 should be a great starting point, is intended for road riding and likely won't lead to anxiety if it does end up being stolen.

That way you can commute/road ride on one bike and do trail rides on the nice bike your father gifted you.

I'd like to get a really nice, well-built bike that'll last me. But money is a factor, so I settled on this Vilano bike. It's gonna take me a bit of saving, but I'm hoping I can get it before summer's over.

UPDATE:
Upon reviewing some more options that are a bit more affordable to me, I've come across two bikes that strike my interest

This one: http://www.amazon.com/Aluminum-Commuter-Shimano-Speed-Bicycle/dp/B008CE9KKM/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1408395226&sr=8-4&keywords=commuter+bike

And this one: http://www.amazon.com/Vilano-Aluminum-Speed-Shimano-Medium/dp/B00595BNPM/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1408395226&sr=8-9&keywords=commuter+bike

(sorry for the long links) What do you guys think of these? They look pretty good, but I don't know much about bikes, so again reviews and insight on how good they are is appreciated.