Commuting - Bike Stolen, What Should I Buy Next?

Got my bike stolen out of my back yard today. It was a middle-of-the-road mountain bike I had for 10 years and rode hard, so while I'm disappointed, it was due to replaced eventually.

So, what should I get next? My budget is no more than $400, including all the fixin's (2 hour night light, fenders, tail lights, slick tires). My commute is 9 miles each way, half on bike paths, half in urban traffic. I prefer mountain bikes as I do a tiny bit of off-road (e.g. on vacation once a year) and I ride year-round up here in Boston.

Check out Ebay for a good, used mtb (brand and model are your preference). I just bought an old road bike for $142.00 and it's in outstanding shape. Or, check out local pawn and bike shops. I think that buying used gives you the best bang for the buck.

Next stop? A better lock. :)

I was looking for a winter commuter in the same price range earlier this year. I looked at the Kona Smoke and Redline MonoCog.

I didn't end up with either. I decided to outfit the rain bike (VanDessel Straight Up X 7) with cross tires and try to ride it through the winter.

Dan

If you're looking to buy new checkout any closeouts for 2004 (even 2003 models). I'm guessing Specialized Hardrock or Rockhoppers will fit your needs (the bike's were at the $300-400 range). As for light, Supergo had the Vista light 5 w rechargeable for $30 bucks a good tail light $10. High pressure slicks can be had for $20 per (probably get some sort of credit for trading in the stock ones).

The above does not count scouting for discounts (as Nashbar or Performance will have great discounts on accesories if you search well).

I would buy a bike. Especially since your other one got stolen. That would actually work out fairly well.

Seriously, I should have bought a used bike. My budget was similar to yours, and you cant get that great of a new bike for that price. You say that you are in Boston? Check this out: http://boston.craigslist.org/bik/ Everything will be local, so you can check it out, and you don't have to pay for shipping. Just go pick it up.
I bought a $130 Park bike stand on there for $50. You can find some good deals if you pay attention.

(2 hour night light, fenders, tail lights, slick tires).

REI Has all their Cateye lights on sale for 25% off

Next stop? A better lock. :)

Next stop is to not put your bike in the backyard.

I would buy a bike. Especially since your other one got stolen. That would actually work out fairly well.


Oro?


I thought that's what the thread was about...buying bicyicles. Unless I hallucinated the whole thing.

Next stop is to not put your bike in the backyard.

Yep. It goes in the basement from now on. I was toying with perhaps buying a shed from Home Depot, but anything in my price range could probably crowbarred open real fast.

If I buy new, it's going to be nice and shiny. Maybe I should spray it primer gray ;)

check out the Cannondale Bad Boy Rigid (no headshock). i bought mine for the expressed purpose of commuting. they actually designed the bicycle around the commute concept. it is a superb bike for this application. i think it would also be a killer bike for full panniers and a trip across the country. it is liteweight with durable components. the only backdraw is the oversized handle bar (31.8) which makes it hard to find a handlebar bag and the lack of fender attachment points in the seat stays. you will have to create a fender set for the bike if you will be riding in the rain like me. good luck.

Got my bike stolen out of my back yard today. It was a middle-of-the-road mountain bike I had for 10 years and rode hard, so while I'm disappointed, it was due to replaced eventually.

So, what should I get next? My budget is no more than $400, including all the fixin's (2 hour night light, fenders, tail lights, slick tires). My commute is 9 miles each way, half on bike paths, half in urban traffic. I prefer mountain bikes as I do a tiny bit of off-road (e.g. on vacation once a year) and I ride year-round up here in Boston.

If want to get everything for $400.00, you're only choice is to get a used bike. These are my estimates:

Lock --- $70.00
Fenders ---$45.00
Lights ----$65.00

That leaves you with around $220.00 for a bicycle. There is no way you buy a new bicycle for that amount which means you have to buy used. A used bike will need a tune-up before you put it on the road or it may require purchasing new tires. If you subtract $50.00 dollars for the tune-up you're down to $170.00 for the bicycle. That's not much for a bicycle but you can't buy a cheap lock and you really need good lights from CatEye. I wish you good luck.

Today I parked my bicycle at a new mall locking it behind a dumpster. I hid the bike because I never use the rack because the kids try to steal the cycle. Later in the evening, I came back to retrieve the bike and found it missing! I thought someone had stolen by bicycle and it was the worse feeling in the world. That bike was my only transportation to the mall and I just could not believe it was stolen. I was overwhelmed with grief and almost started crying right in the parking lot. Memories filled my mind of all the places I took that bike.

I walked all over the mall and found my bike behind another dumpster! What a relief! It made my day.

I agree; ebay is the best way to get a good deal quickly. In your price range, you can probably get a good new or nearly new mountain bike.

I've heard of some people finding a great deal at a garage sale, but that takes time and diligence.

If want to get everything for $400.00, you're only choice is to get a used bike. These are my estimates:

Lock --- $70.00
Funders ---$45.00
Lights ----$65.00

That leaves you with around $220.00 for a bicycle. There is no way you buy a new bicycle for that amount which means you have to buy used. A used bike will need a tune-up before you put it on the road or it may require purchasing new tires. If you subtract $50.00 dollars for the tune-up you're down to $170.00 for the bicycle. That's not much for a bicycle but you can't buy a cheap lock and you really need good lights from CatEye. I wish you good luck.

My god...my bike....
Lock---$30.00
Fenders---picked up secondhand off a an abandoned bike, campuses have lots of them with good parts and when the chain's too rusty to bedn nobody's gonna care if you strip it. Five hours sanding, half hour fitting to the bike, then two hours painting, and they keep dirt off me as well as anything new would.
Lights---NA, don't have them. I can see myself blowing fifty bucks on that though.

I bought my Roadmaster new for less than $80.

Never needed a tuneup.

Tested out it's performance to a $600 Cannondale, and was told I compared favorably.
Personally, I like the fact that I can tinker with mine without worrying about any warranties.


I've always wondered...how much of a bike's cost is name brand and bragging rights, and how much is actual need?

If you're going new, for 200-300, I really enjoyed my Giant Boulder SE before it was stolen.

http://www.giant-bicycle.com/us/030.000.000/030.000.006.asp?dealerid=&dealercountry=&lYear=2004&bikesection=8841&range=145&model=10879

I went ahead and got a 2004 Specialized Hardrock Sport, for $279. Added a rack, rear and front lights. So, with tax, came in at $404.

I still need to replace the grips, add bar ends and toe clips and I should be essentially back where I started. I've ridden almost 10 years with the same Pedros grips that any else just feels weird.

I went ahead and got a 2004 Specialized Hardrock Sport, for $279. Added a rack, rear and front lights. So, with tax, came in at $404.

I still need to replace the grips, add bar ends and toe clips and I should be essentially back where I started. I've ridden almost 10 years with the same Pedros grips that any else just feels weird.

I think you'll really enjoy it. I too have an 04' hardrock sport and have put thousands of miles on it including a few centuries and crashed it countless times. It still works very well.