Commuting - Cheap bike to leave outside?

I'll be commuting to college this September and I'll have to leave my bike locked up outside on the bike rack. I don't want my "nice" bike to get stolen so I was thinking of buying a cheap bike to ride. Since I'll be riding it everyday I don't want a total piece of crap though. I was wondering about the Tomasso Capri. Has anyone ever rode this bike. I can get it for around $400. Thanks for your help.

~Mike :beer:

$400 isn't exactly cheap. If you need a beater bike just to get you around campus that's gonna get lots of exposure to theives and weather, go to the department stores and pick up a Huffy... a cheap one. How long is your commute to school? Seriously, there is a time for a department store bike and this just might be it.

Hey look, if you call that cheap, well...

marry me.... $400 bucks lost on a stolen bike would put me in tears for weeks!

Seriously, why not just go down to the local SuperK and get a bike there for a hundred bucks? Or try Sportmart. In fact, don't even get a bike that has a name on it. The cheaper the better. I wouldn't even waste my time on a brand name if I was that worried about getting your bike stolen.

Now, if you want, why not get a really good bike lock that thieves can't easily break- I got the New York Kryptonite 3000, and it just cannot be easily broken, at least as easily or as fast as the others. There are other locks like there on the market that will protect your bike. I invested the $110 on my bike and it's the best investment I could have made for my bike. I'm going to invest another $50 on the smaller version of the same lock. My plan is to use the big lock to secure the front wheel and frame to a solid object, then use the smaller lock to secure the back wheel to the frame. It worked while I was in Europe. I'm sure it will work while I'm in the mean streets of Chicago too.


Koffee

why not consider a used bike of decent quality, but of little or no collector value? something from the early 80's or something.

just a thought.
-rob

Thanks for the help guys. I'm not saying $400 is cheap but I would rather see that lost than a $1000 bike. It's just that I'm not sure how much I trust leaving my bike outside of school for a few hours. Do you think with a good lock that my bike would be safe? Also school is about 10 miles away so I want a bike that's pretty decent. By the end of the day I'll probably put in about 30 miles on it. This will be 5 days a week this semester.

My son recently changed jobs and needed a commuter bike to get from the T-station to work. He finally found a Sterling 10-speed with riser bars for the grand sum of $20. He spent more on the lock. Both disappeared the second day. Yes, college campuses are one of the hotbeds of bicycle theft, partially because there are so many potential buyers around. Get a cheap, used bike. Best not a MTB, they are too popular. Invest in a couple of serious bike locks. Broken up over the course of the day, 30 miles is not a lot. The breaks will give your rear end and hands time to recover. Of course, if you haven't been riding at all, start now to get in condition.

I built up just such a machine for commuting in London, and based it on a 1980s sport "10 speed" bike. It cost me £100 total, and rode so well that it has been worth upgrading over the years.

A good used machine will ride better than a low grade new one.

For commuting, make sure you can fit a rack, fenders and reasonably wide tyres such as 32mm touring tyres.

Drop bar touring style bikes tend to be less attractive to theives than MTBs, but are plenty strong enough for a 10mile urban commute.

That's a definite thought. I have one of those 80's 10 speed sport bikes that I got in good condition for a hundred bucks and with a warranty from a used bike dealer. It's not the best machine around to be sure but I'd feel comfortable locking it up and putting miles on it. Just be sure you have aluminum wheels for good braking in the rain. My bike is totally worthless in weather as it's got steel rims. Many if not most low to mid end bikes of that era came with steel rims and chicken levers.

Buy a second hand bike that looks a little used and scuffed. Not so attractive to steal. And don´t have to cost $400:)

Anders K

Get a reliable used bike - like a Schwinn Varsity.

That makes sense - a Varsity for on-campus riding.

I have a beautiful Varsity I will sell you for $50.00.

See http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?threadid=10646

It is posted on the bikeforums Buy, Sell, Trade.

The Varsity has a classic look, it has ten speeds which is appropriate for most city riding, and most importantly, it is extremely reliable. It is sad that they don't make them anymore.

Very pretty and shiny. Nice bike.

BTW Kraz, not to plug Mike's bike but the Schwinn Varsity was the ultimate college bike of the 70's. What was great then should serve you nicely now. I'd snag it. Just make sure it fits.

Hey guys, thanks for all the help. I actually won't have to buy a new bike now. My dad said I could have his old bike. It's not the lightest bike in the world but it rides nice. BTW that's a nice looking bike Mike. Great condition after all this time.

~Mike

Originally posted by oceanrider
Very pretty and shiny. Nice bike.

Then spray or hand paint it with purple and pink, so NO ONE WILL WANT IT. then you have a chance of it not getting stolen.

Thanks for the compliments on my Varsity, my beautiful friends.

It does have a neat look doesn't it. I like the way the old Varsities and Continentals used so much chrome to give the bikes a rich look.

They were kinda heavy and the wheels were steel, but Ooooooh, they still have a certain sexy appeal if you ask me. I can close my eyes and see Farah Fawcett riding on one in a Charlie's Angels episode.

One comment, though it's really too late, since you already have a bike.

Not to offend anyone, but don't get a Huffy or similar dept. store bike if you are going to leave it outside. Why not? Because they rust faster than you can say, "Wha--?" You can't afford rusty brakes.

If you want a cheap bike, search the thrift stores every week. Eventually, you may find that $400 quality bike for less than $40.
But it will take some searching, and you have to be quick to see it first.

Originally posted by mike
It does have a neat look doesn't it. I like the way the old Varsities and Continentals used so much chrome to give the bikes a rich look.Ahhhh, chrome. My Fuji fixed gear, lugged steel frame. I'm guessing it's early 80's.

Yes, that is an attractive machine, RiderX - love the shiny chrome!

riderx:
Isn´t it hard to ride without pedals;)
No, it´s a good looking piece of machinery:)

Anders K