General Cycling Discussion - I'm broke, is this a good deal?

I recently lost my truck in an accident. I've never been interested in buying a bicycle before, for exercise I prefer to run. My current budget is limited and need a mode of transportation to get to work which is about 4 miles away. I figured it would be a good idea to buy something that I can use to commute and to take on some beginner trails. It would be nice to buy something that I could use on trails as South Florida has some nice parks to go riding in. My budget is $200, but I found this bike for $50 on Craiglist, about an hour's drive north of me. Is this bike a good deal if it is in good condition? What should I look for when searching Craigslist?

Fuji Sunfire
http://imgur.com/gFxDU.jpg

I found 2 more potential good buys. Both bikes are 18" which from what I gather is more suitable for my height.

Specialized Hardrock 2006, not sure what model for $140.
http://miami.craigslist.org/brw/bik/1220556043.html

Raleigh Mojave 2.0 for $100.
http://miami.craigslist.org/brw/bik/1256596389.html

I'm guessing this is the craigslist link --> http://miami.craigslist.org/pbc/bik/1221735355.html

Says it is a 21" frame. How tall are you? I'm 6'-0" and a 19" frame is about right for me. Unless you're tall (6"-2" or taller) it will most likely be too big for you.

Yep that's it, I'm only 5'9". I guess I'll keep looking, need to find something soon before I start losing friends from bumming way too many rides. :cry: Thanks, btw.

Edit: Just found this on Craigslist, I would go and check it out today if anyone gives me the thumbs up.
Raleigh Mojave 2.0
http://miami.craigslist.org/brw/bik/1256596389.html

At 5'9" that Fuji may be on the big side for you but I would think it could certainly work. The saddle can be lowered. Generally it's true that you want a mountain bike to be a bit smaller than a road bike for the same size rider, but it sounds like you're not really going to be doing any off-road riding. It would be fine.

I think $50 is ok in the sense you could probably get that or near it if you did not like it.

I'm guessing this is the craigslist link --> http://miami.craigslist.org/pbc/bik/1221735355.html

Says it is a 21" frame.

There's no way that Fuji could be a 21" frame. The seller likely measured the wrong dimension. Notice that the top tube and down tube almost touch at the head tube? I'd say it is an "old school MTB" 18" frame - probably just about right for someone 5'9".

There's no way that Fuji could be a 21" frame. The seller likely measured the wrong dimension. Notice that the top tube and down tube almost touch at the head tube? I'd say it is an "old school MTB" 18" frame - probably just about right for someone 5'9".

yeah, that's not a 21in. frame. might be worth a look for you!

at the grocery store where i work people are in need of transport at low cost. most of them just go to a big box store and get an already assembled bike for 90 bucks at target and such. it gets them from pt.a to pt b just fine have not heard any horror stories about those kind of bikes.

If you do buy a box store bike, buy a 1-speed. I work at a local bike charity, and the multispeed bikes are just really badly made to try to squeeze them down to the cost point.

My 2c, YMMV.

you could also give pinkbike.com a shot. the people on that site seem to be avid/regular cyclists, so they take good care of their rides.

don't know how good it is for people in the states, though... most sales are from canadians.

i don't think it's a good idea to buy a used bike. you never know if something is ready to crap out on you.
something like the cluster or bearings of some sort. better to just by an inexpensive bike imo