Introductions - New Member, Very Confused

Hi everyone. I came to this forum looking for advice and help.

I've been trying to get into biking for a while now. I have never owned anything besides a walmart mountain bike, and have only rode a nice hybrid, never a road bike.

I want to commute by bike to save money on gas. I currently work and live in state college, pa. I go to school in upstate new york during the year.

In high school I was a football player and wrestled year round, I played rugby in college for a bit. But I'm also looking for a way to get in cardiovascular shape. Let's just say I would look pretty gross in the spandex I see most bikers in.

However I can't find a bike I can afford. Every bike I find costs a fortune. I've been to multiple bike shops in town, and they all ask me my price range and then point me to their mountain bikes and tell me to swap out for hybrid tires. I only have 2-4 hundred dollars at my disposal. I'm doing an internship this summer that doesn't pay great (I'm doing it for the experience), and I need to pay for parking, food, etc. I figure the bike would pay itself off in gas and future medical bills (because I'm a bit of a fatty :) ) but I just don't have a lot to spend. I've been stalking craigslist for weeks now to no avail. I refuse to own a k-mart walmart target junk bike.

I'm 220 pounds and 5' 6" with about a 28" inseam (another problem with finding a bike).

I trust there are enough experts here willing to help. Thanks a million.

Evan

Welcome Evan to Bike Forums.

Post in here for some help:
http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?248-Clydesdales-Athenas-(200-lb-91-kg)

I only buy used. I cruse the thrift stores and some pawn shops. I don't always know what I am looking at so I'm sure to write down the s/n make and model. I have gotten great bikes for very little cash. you can drop $100 on a tune up cheap tiers and such or if your handy with a wrench do it your self. I got my last ride (a 86 Raleigh Technium 460) for $60 flat at a pawn shop. After two month time I saved the bus fair. Who knows what I would be spending in gas and car repairs.

Hi Evan, I went to PSU so I'm a little familiar with the town. I know that at the end of the school year (around this time) PSU's Physical Plant (maintenance) office has a bike auction of all the bikes they pick up around campus and town. Its out by the stadium and they auction off pallets of bikes for real cheap. Also try FreezeThaw Bikes, they used to be in Calder Alley but they may have moved.

I'm looking for my first city bike now here in DC... things are even more expensive here. But good luck in your search.

d.

Hi Evan, I went to PSU so I'm a little familiar with the town. I know that at the end of the school year (around this time) PSU's Physical Plant (maintenance) office has a bike auction of all the bikes they pick up around campus and town. Its out by the stadium and they auction off pallets of bikes for real cheap. Also try FreezeThaw Bikes, they used to be in Calder Alley but they may have moved.

I'm looking for my first city bike now here in DC... things are even more expensive here. But good luck in your search.

d.

Thanks dkh.

I guess i missed the bike auction, their website says its done in spring...

I went to freeze thaw and they were very nice, but still might be out of my price range. They have two single speeds that might work for me, but he has little in the way of recycled and they actually start around 500 as well. I'm thinking I'm buying online.

Craigslist

Looks like you're looking for a 18" or 50cm.. you might get by with something a bit taller, but not much. With some of the slanted top tube frames out in the past few years, it's possible you may fit a larger frame, but again not by much. That's why they keep pointing you to the mountain bikes which to begin with may not be a bad idea at least until you find a road frame you can live with. Most beginners only have thier first bike for a couple years anyway.

Found a 1970's schwinn collegiate on ebay. Wants 125 shipped. Is this a good starter bike? It's 50cm as recommended.

Check with your local Target store for the availability of a Schwinn Tourist. No kidding! It's a nice bike, especially for the 200-250 you will have to pay. It will also make a nice bike for school, and you won't have to worry about how much you have invested..

It really is a good bike, even looks nice - hope you can find one.

Also found an Bridgestone RB-4 in 49cm. Thanks.