Northern California - New Bay Area Rider

Hey all, i'm just moving to San Francisco and wanting/needing to get myself situated with a new ride and get some tips on riding in the city.

I need to pick up a bike... i mostly need a commuter/beater bike but id like something reliable good for riding around the city. Maybe someone can tell me a good place to get a cheap road bike, maybe from the 70's or 80's, or something I can restore. Or maybe you have some much better suggestion that I don't know about, which is probably the case. Any info you could spare would be much appreciated. Smooth riding to you all.

PMed you:)

(oooh secrets!)

Welcome to Bike Forums! Craigslist is a good place to start. Often you will find people cleaning out their garages and just want to get rid of them and will let them go for a great price.

Good luck!

I've been all over craigslist, I almost picked up a Peugeot Grand Sport from somewhere in the early 80's late 70's but I realized I didn't know how much it was worth and I didn't want to go throwing hundreds of dollars around if I should be paying half the price. I'm pretty green even though ive been doing as much research on here as I can

Get the (really great) SF bike route map from http://www.sfbike.org/?resources
They also have other resources for safe and efficient bike riding in the city.

How tall are you? Someone here may be selling a Bianchi soon.
(http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=428368)

I've been all over craigslist, I almost picked up a Peugeot Grand Sport from somewhere in the early 80's late 70's but I realized I didn't know how much it was worth and I didn't want to go throwing hundreds of dollars around if I should be paying half the price. I'm pretty green even though ive been doing as much research on here as I can

Go over to classic & vintage forum (http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f=181). They know their stuff.

Try used bikes in local bike shops, police sales, and local club members. I got an excellent Cannondale touring frame for $60 from a shop mechanic buddy. He then assembled for me a working commute bike from parts salvaged from two other frames. A real resource is a local community service bike shop like the one we have in Santa Rosa. Local people and such donate old bikes, frames, and parts. the volunteers then assemble working bikes for people who can not afford a new bike. Contact your local bike activist group and ask about such.

Thanks for the tips you guys. Are their any forums dedicated to buy and selling of bikes and parts?

Swoop, are you coming from SoCal?

Go over to classic & vintage forum (http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f=181). They know their stuff.

They do - I'm a regular there. What size frame you looking for? I've got a few laying around that can be built up. For example, I have a nice 62cm Gitane frameset if you're a tall fellow.

Go over to classic & vintage forum (http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f=181). They know their stuff.

Did someone say "Vintage Steel?" Yes, we know a little bit about the subject over in that forum.

:D

I'm 6'1" so fairly tall. I'll go check out the vintage forum, sounds good. And i'm coming from the North Bay, Santa Rosa! so if anyone has any good leads on a bike for a 6'1" rider... let me know!