What is most important in getting a good bike?

What you want is a hardtail mountain bike. My recommendation would be to look at Schwinn, Iron Horse, or Trek. When you don't really have any large biking goals, the things you want to look at a parts that will stand the test of time. Things that start out shiny rarely end that way. The things you have to watch are the derailleurs, the mechanisms on the front and back wheel that move the chain from gear to gear when you shift. Those are normally the first things to go, and the hardest to fix. Look for simple, metal derailleurs. Don't get anything that's primarily plastic, although it will be hard to find a cheap bike that doesn't have plastic on it.

For 180 you would have to go to a department store like target or Mal-Mart. The problem with those bikes is that they are not assembled properly. While some of the components and even the frame may have been made in the far east even on a decent bike, the final adjustments and some of the assembly is done by a bicycle expert who works in the bike shop, and will have to fix any problems that occur. Bike shops are also concerned with their reputation and will go over the bike to make sure everything is put together properly.

Department store bikes are put together in a mass production factory where the only concern is keeping costs low. Parts that shouldn't have been painted often are, spokes are not adjusted properly and the wheels will easily bend. Sometimes a bike may be adjusted sufficiently just by chance and work fine, but it is really a crap shoot.

I would suggest getting online and start looking for used entry level mountain bikes from respectable companies such as Giant, Specialized, trek, Jamis, Fuji (Schwinn used to make good bikes but they went under in the mid 90s, and the name was bought by a company that does not make good bikes). Most New entry level bikes cost 300-400 dollars. If you aren't going to spend much on a bike, get one with as few moving parts as possible. It is better to have no suspension than suspension that will break.

During my last trip to the bike shop, I saw this bike on clearance sale for $190. http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?... I think that Jamis is one of the last companies to make a rigid forked mountain bike, so this is probably your best chance to get a decent new bike close to your range.

umm... to be perfectly honest $180 doesn't get you far at all when it comes to decent trail bikes... My advice would be to gather up a little more gwap to spend on a decent brand name bike... My sister won a Jamis XC hardtail in a raffle last year so I'm sure that wasn't too expensive of a bike... Jamis is a VERY good bike manufacturer so maybe you could find an entry level model with a suspension fork for around 200 beans... try to consider '06 and '07 models because they will definitely be cheaper if you can find em! I bought a DiamondBack Response in '06 and it was the best $350 I've ever spent because that bike brought me years of CRAZY fun!!! I really hope you find the perfect companion liek I did! Here's a couple suggestions if you can gather up a bit more cash...

http://ypsilanticycle.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=439

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/17903-018_SETC58-...

Oh! And to answer your question... the most important thing to consider when picking out a bike is the size (for comfort and functionality) and what style suits your needs (rigid, hardtail, full suspension, skiny wheels, etc.)

I will tell you this from experience, do not buy a department store bicycle.

I worked on a new Roadmaster bicycle after Christmas one year for over 6 hours fixing everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) that was wrong. Pedals, wheels, frame, headset, brakes, both derailleurs and brakes, forks, and bottom bracket.

If a bike shop did the repair work, I suspect the bill would be around $500 dollars. For a $89 bike.

I would save up some more money if you are going to buy new. Budget around $300 for a new bike from a reputable manufacturer. Buy from a bicycle shop.

I would look on-line on E-Bay for used bikes in your area.

Good Luck

For $180, you will be able to find some kind of bike that will serve you fairly well around town for short distances. If you want to ride in the hills, especially if you want to go off road, you will have to spend more. A $180 mountain bike will break quickly and often, and will be very heavy and tiring to ride, even around town

You're not going to get anything decent for that price.A low end mountain bike will cost you at least $250 when they're on sale.

What you want to avoid is stores like Walmart. All they sell is junk.

I'd suggest going to a local bike shop and see what they have available.

the only thing ur gonna get 4 that price is walmart crap.u nedd at least $350 for a decent mountain bike.

Go to a good bike dealer and not Wal-Mart. You want something light, shocks are a plus but not necessary. Ask someone at the dealer.

I just saw on EBAY.com a low priced MONGOOSE 'Montana' mountain bike for your budget ( it also includes FREE shipping!). It is being offered by VM INNOVATIONS ( 866) 639 - 9320 0r (402)298-5168. It looks COOL for a hardtail---check it out,bro----

well i have a mountain bike and u wanna make sure it iz fast but haz good brakes and down in ohio u can get a bike for like $80 and there good im a leader of a huge bike gang so i should no wat a good bike iz