General Cycling Discussion - sub $250 bike

Hi guys, I will be starting at Cornell (Ithaca, NY) this fall & I need to buy a bike to help me commute on the campus (b/w classes and stuff). I wont be doing any offroading and I have a very modest budget of just $250. Can you guys give me any nice suggestions for bikes under this price tag.

I searched around on the forums and everybody with a similar problem is referred to a LBS or suggested to increase their budget. Sorry I really really can not shell any more cash. And as for LBS, they just have a couple of bikes in my price range. I woudl really appreciate any suggestions. Also I know the xMarts bikes suck but should is it okay to buy one since I really cant spend any more cash and would not be doing any offroading. I personally think that they would be okay for me until I can save up some cash for a nice one.

I woudl really appreciate ur help. Thanks

Get a secondhand bike!

Get a secondhand bike!


look on ebay, sorry cant recommend anything, i bought a 300 dollar specialized hardrock pro disc 2003 that coincidentally enough was used as a commuter bike too :)
I think i saw a 2004 on there recently for 300, search ebay for bikes,


good luck

I actually had one. Got it from a firend of mine who used it for almost 3 years. It served me good for almost an year but just got stolen a few weeks ago. Thats why i need the new one.
That friend has moved out and I dont know anybody with interest in cycling. Can you suggest me some good places to find used bikes. Also I am apprehensive about buying a used one this time cause I have very little knowledge of bikes. (it was okay the last time cause i bought it from a friend of mine but again dont have any friends this time).

Here's a few:
http://kozy.com/site/showitem.cfm?page=264&searchtype=custom&Catalog=1&sort=Price

At that price, definitaly skip any sort of suspension! But a solid brand, built by a bike shop, should do your job for you without tempting too many thieves.

Good Luck!

I'd go to a Bike Shop and see if they can get their hands on any 2003 or 2004 models of some entry level bikes of the brands that they carry. You can sometimes get some great deals that way. Also, Performance Bicycle, last I checked, had some '04 Iron Horse models for around $250. Other than that, do some garage sale shopping and look around at E-bay. Although, beware about E-bay, a lot of sellers are unwilling to sell their used equipment for less than what they originally paid for it.

Go to Police auctions or garage sales. Best bargains there!

Buy from a shop near campus at the end of August. You will be able to get a new 2005 mountain bike, with a full warranty for around $200. Nothing fancy, but very sturdy and reliable. Come January, you will appreciate those fat tires, if you are brave enough to ride with the wind chill hits twenty below zero, and the snow drifts are taller than Yao Ming.

When you buy from a shop near campus, you can rely on them for adjustments from time to time, which every bike requires. And, buy two locks. An OnGuard Bulldog U-lock for the back wheel and frame. A Bulldog "mini" U-lock for the front wheel and frame.

I agree with cruising the LBS's for end of year closeouts - but also keep an eye on Ebay. Sort the listing by distance to find ones being sold close by. Picked up my Schwinn for $10 on ebay - if only I wouldn't have started upgrading it I would still be riding a cheap roadie.

All said - the deals are out there - just keep a sharp eye out.

I hope you have vistited, because those things they call hills in Ithaca, they call them walls nearly everywhere else. I like what Alan said, it's good to have someone local to rely on. A local shop can discuss gearing with you as well. You can get quite a bike for 250 on ebay though, IF you know what you are looking for and bidding on.

PM me if you want, my cousin is a sophmore at CU, he should be able to point you to a shop. I went to I.K. (as the Cornell students call it) for two years, but never rode down South Hill into town.

I hope you don't want to cycle from campus to downtown, and then BACK all in the same day. The hills are ridiculous.
I second the motion of checking garage sales. You'll be surprised what you'll find.

As others have said, check your LBS for closeouts. The Giant Cypress ST and Trek 7000 hybrid bikes seem to be in your price range, but you might be able to step-up in either line if you shop around and are able to negotiate.

I'd buy a used bike from the LBS. You can get good buys & the bike will be overhauled, set up & ready to go (but make sure of that, don't assume).

I actually had one. Got it from a firend of mine who used it for almost 3 years. It served me good for almost an year but just got stolen a few weeks ago. Thats why i need the new one.
That friend has moved out and I dont know anybody with interest in cycling. Can you suggest me some good places to find used bikes. Also I am apprehensive about buying a used one this time cause I have very little knowledge of bikes. (it was okay the last time cause i bought it from a friend of mine but again dont have any friends this time).
I graduated from Cornell in '03! I got a bike from the shop near the commons, although I later came to prefer the shop in College Town, which was always very friendly and helpful. I got a basic Raleigh steel MTB for $250, it lasted through 4 years of abuse all through college, including getting stolen and recovered once :)

Find a LBS that rents bikes and wait for them to sell off the old ones.

The police auction suggestion was a good one - don't forget your campus police or other on-campus resources for stolen property...

Garage sales.......I picked up a Giant Cadex 980 and a Giant ACT 760 both for under 100.00 or look on Craiglist.com

For $280, you can get a new Schwinn on Ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7174682106

http://i12.ebayimg.com/01/i/04/21/48/8a_1_b.JPG

Get the Walmart Schwinn Sidewinder. I took one from South Carolina to Texas on a bike tour and didn't have a single problem with it. For getting around campus, it is a perfect bike.

Bought a Fuji Odessa new from Lewis & Clark Outfitters for $239 for my wife, and I picked up a Fuji Utah for $249.

Get the Walmart Schwinn Sidewinder. I took one from South Carolina to Texas on a bike tour and didn't have a single problem with it. For getting around campus, it is a perfect bike.


Uh-oh...now you've done it. You said the "W" word. The "purists" will have your hide!

Check for a KHS dealer near your town. They have a "town and country" line that is perfect for commuting, and right in your price range. You could get a brand new, good quality name-brand bike for a good price.

Garage sale purchase:

http://members.cox.net/younggg/R1.jpg

Full Campy but for the cranks & front derailleur. No, it wasn't under $250, but I've bought similar for that price. Can't beat used for value. :D

"Go to Police auctions or garage sales. Best bargains there!"

There's the secret! Every university has an auction where the campus police sell off impounded bikes. It's usually the week before school or during the 1st week. I picked up a very nice Cannondale road-bike with half Dura-ace, half Ultrega parts for about $33. Sure, it looked like crap since it had probably been sitting in the bike-rack behind the dorms for months, but nothing a good wash and tune-up couldn't fix. :)