General Cycling Discussion - noob question

I am looking into getting my first bike since I was a kid. I don't want to spend a lot of $$$. I don't know if I will really get into it or not. I've been looking on craigs list for something near me (i live in a very rural area so not much around.) There is a 21 speed mtn bike for sale, but the guy said the only thing printed on the frame says "California Design". I googled this and could find nothing. any suggestions? (He is asking $75)

Where do you live?
What is your $$$ Limit?

Pulaski TN...
Not much, cause I don't know how much I will ride. Maybe < $200 or so. If I really enjoy it, I will invest in a better bike. I also have arthritis in one of my knees, so I have to see how it holds up.

Thanks.
You would want something with low gearing to protect your knees.

ok thanx.

try to test ride a couple of bikes before deciding.

How tall are you?

http://nashville.craigslist.org/bik/1684766418.html

http://nashville.craigslist.org/bik/1684507363.html

5'7" with a freakishly short 28" inseam.
here is the bike closest to where I live:

http://nashville.craigslist.org/bik/1665352801.html

thanx

Pulaski, TN -- birthplace of the KKK. :beer:
I was up that way last spring. Great roads to ride on.
Do you know what size bike you'll need. Buying from craigslist or ebay can be scary if you don't know the correct size frame. Buying an ill-fitting bike can be a big mistake. Because it won't fit you properly you'll hate the bike and never ride it.

Just curious. Which craigslist are you looking at? Huntsville? Florence? Nashville?

looking at nashville. I should probably look at huntsville too.

Garage Sales, thrift stores are also good places to look.

i did some of that today with no luck. stopped in a couple of pawn shops too.
I really appreciate all the suggestions.

5'7" with a freakishly short 28" inseam.
here is the bike closest to where I live:

http://nashville.craigslist.org/bik/1665352801.html

thanx

Looks like a Wally World special- pass on that one. Are you going to be riding mountain bike trails or roads? Stay away from anything with rear suspension. Only get something with front suspension if it will be primarily a trail bike. Learn to look for name brands- Specialized, Trek, GT, Redline, KHS... They are out there, you need to watch Craigslist closely and act fast when the good ones get posted up. Trek 800's, 820's and Specialized Hardrocks are about the most common old mountain bikes around.

How tall are you?

http://nashville.craigslist.org/bik/1684507363.html

This bike is a pretty good bike. Back in the day when GT was in it's heyday.

The California design bike you found is not really worth what they are asking for and because it's an unknown might be a sacrifice in it's frame and design construction, thus might be unsafe.

probably roads but I'm not sure. thanx for the advice. i wrote that info down.

mountain bikes are tiresome and I would only recommend them for trail riding as hey were intended. if you've got actual paved roads look for road bike your size - which may be hard to find. do you have a Target store near you. this is a straight bar road bike with nice road wheels and tires. the web site says out of stock but he Target in Natick, MA has one

http://www.target.com/Mens-Tourist-Hybrid-Bike/dp/B00160JO4Q

Not sure of the sizes. You'll have to contact the sellers.
http://huntsville.craigslist.org/bik/1668954359.html
http://huntsville.craigslist.org/bik/1650623380.html


I agree that a road bike will work better for you but with your limited budget it'll be very hard to find a good road bike. A mtn bike will work until you increase your budget. Just swap the knobby tires for road tires and you're good to go.

thanx to all. I picked up a Roadmaster Marble point 21 speed mtn bike with a chromoly frame and shimano equipped for $20. It looks barely ridden and obviously not in a while. the chain slips a little and it doesn't shift well, but I figured I will take it to a bike shop to get tuned up. i've already had fun riding it around despite the problems. I really appreciate all the advice. If this was a bad purchase, you can feel free to admonish me for it. I will chalk it up to a learning experience.

chain skip is from worn chain and rear freewheel or cog. but at $20 so what if you have to spend another $70! :)

mountain bikes are tiresome and I would only recommend them for trail riding as hey were intended. if you've got actual paved roads look for road bike your size - which may be hard to find. do you have a Target store near you. this is a straight bar road bike with nice road wheels and tires. the web site says out of stock but he Target in Natick, MA has one

http://www.target.com/Mens-Tourist-Hybrid-Bike/dp/B00160JO4Q

A rigid MTB with smoother tires isn't bad at all for road riding. You won't go very fast but it should be comfy enough for 30+ mile rides.

yeah I went through a faze of using my MTB for commuting 34 miles round trip and I thought I was doing fine until a girl on a road bike blew my doors off. stupidly I bought a hybrid and wasted more years trying to make that faster. I finally got my act together and ride a road bike when I really have somewhere to go. I would have saved years and hundreds of dollars if someone just told me that when I first came here.

yeah I went through a faze of using my MTB for commuting 34 miles round trip and I thought I was doing fine until a girl on a road bike blew my doors off. stupidly I bought a hybrid and wasted more years trying to make that faster. I finally got my act together and ride a road bike when I really have somewhere to go. I would have saved years and hundreds of dollars if someone just told me that when I first came here.

Aha! That's what did it! A girl on a bike dropped ya :D Ha ha! Seriously though, I like MTBs for commuting better, they're more comfortable, tougher, etc. And I don't care that much about speed when commuting. Although 34 miles round trip is quite a long commute so riding light will make a difference. My commute is only half of that.

its always a girl that ruins me and I'll never learn ... from the frying pan to the pot I think the expression goes ...?

funny thing is when I switched to a road bike I didn't cut so much time even though I was more comfortable and went faster.

yeah I went through a phase of using my MTB for commuting 34 miles round trip and I thought I was doing fine until a girl on a road bike blew my doors off.

She passed me going up a hill towards UCLA, many years ago. She's fast. There can't be more than one girl that fast can there? ;)