Worth it?

[C_KingAdventure]

So boyfriend is big into biking and my experience has been just walmart bikes up until this point. If I ever want a chance of keeping up I definitely need a nicer bike. However spending $600 on a bike is not something I'm comfortable with dishing out at the moment. Found this one listed on facebook was wondering if it is worth it and if it would be a good bike for me? The brand from what I can see is a nicer brand but like I said I know nothing about bikes. I am 5'8".

 

[C_KingAdventure]

it is a 26 in Bianchi Ocelot if that wasn't clear from the pictures

 

[rustyroger]

Perhaps you should ask your boyfriend, you say he's into bikes and I'm inferring he should know a good bike from a poor one. From what I see of the bike it looks fine to me.
If it turns out biking isn't for you you can always sell it again so it shouldn't hurt your pocketbook too badly to buy it, that is if you have $600 to spare without sacrificing anything.

Roger.

 

[biggs682]

@C_KingAdventure welcome
The only comment i would make is the twist grip gear shifters are normally worth replacing with trigger shifters and needn't cost a lot to do

 

[SkipdiverJohn]

That's a new one on me as I wasn't aware that Bianchi made 26" MTB's. Looks like a reasonable bike, the lack of suspension is a big positive, and probably about 22" frame so it should be manageable size-wise.
Don't assume it will be any quicker than a Walmart bike though, as the two biggest factors are the rider and the type of tyres fitted rather than the bike itself. If you are riding something on knobbly MTB tyres alongside someone on a bike fitted with road-oriented tyres you are either going to be slower than them, or you are going to have to work significantly harder to keep up.