Commuting - Would you consider this bike

Click (http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=3663046&cat=5297&type=5&dept=4171&path=0%3A4171%3A133073%3A61904%3A5297)
The roadie in me just laughs at the thought of considering it, but the realist in me says I should buy it for a pure commuter basis so that I'm not risking my Giant on the school bike rack. I mean it isn't a horrible bike, just not what most real roadies would ever consider.

What do you think from a pure commuting stand point (2 mile one way)

Elvish

If I were you, I would just buy a used bike, or fix up a thrift store bike. It would probably cost less.

My Nishiki was $5 at a thrift store.
$20 to true both wheels
$20 for some cheap tires
$8 chain
$9 bar tape
$15 cables

$77 dollar total (plus tax and a good cleaning) for an 1980s bike in very ride-able condition. Sometimes you can find a few cheap old bikes and use the best parts to make one bike. My handlebars and a set of wheels came off an old Peugeot that was $7 at a yard sale.

If I were you, I'd get a $5 thrift shop bike and turn it into a singlespeed. Total investment: $5

Wouldn't converting to a signle speed cost me some more money? I just need something to commute on so I don;t risk my giant to the dumbies at school.


Elvish

It probably would last you a lot longer than most would think, really. See if it has rack mounts or room for fenders. I would recommend checking thrift stores and flea markets, or if your area has a local bike swap meet, you can usually get good deals there. Otherwise, for the price, it seems like a decent enough bike for getting to school on -- I bet you could probably ride the heck out of it. Either that or it will grind and rattle and fall to pieces on you, hard to say with a Wal*Mart special eh?

By the way, my first post here...long time lurker. Howdy everyone. :)

even though we all know that's a cheap ass bike that won't resell for jack, it's still shiny and new looking with a good paint job. It'll stick out in a rack more than the thrift store bikes the others were talking about.


btw - "Revo Twist Shifters for easier gear control"....in case you missed it. twist shifters on a road bike. Also it says "for ages 10 and up" and also says the frame is 57cm. do 10yr olds ride 57cm bikes? mine is a 54cm and i'm a bit older than 10. Also note it says "Bike Type: Mountain", and it's in the Toys section...lol

if you want a sweet ride from wal-mart, get the folding trike (http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=882975&cat=5297&type=21&dept=4171&path=0%3A4171%3A133073%3A61904%3A5297) it looks cool and you could fold it and take it into class, no locking to the rack!....plus it's a single speed. you'll be able to start posting in the single-speed forum as well!

I'm looking at several options, I want a drop bar bike, and that one just seemed like a half decent solution, yes the grip shifters are the sucks, and converting to STI wouldn't be worth it. I'll keep my eye out at yard sales and stuff, I wouldn't mind some down tube shfiters....now to hunt the classifieds!

Elvish

now to hunt the classifieds!


I've been on the lookout for a decent 80's touring bike. I've mostly been on craigslist.org and have emailed a few people a couple hours after they posted only to find that the bike is sold already! Today at work I mostly just refreshed the page all day long.

this thread reminded me about the thrift stores though, there's a couple on my way home so I'll stop by tomorrow. I'll worry about how to carry a bike home on another bike if I find one that I like :)

For two miles each way I would WALK! ;)

For two miles each way I would WALK! ;)

See but then I don't get that little bit of riding in each day during the off season.