Recumbent - Used? E-Bay? I'm Cheap-Real Cheap. & Confused. Help?

I thought I'd just get a used bike; easy 'nuf, I said and went to newyork.craigslist.org (I'm in CT but close enough to NY to get on the train and pick up a bike easily enough) and checked through the pictures. Doing so let me to shopping.com, epinions.com, some happyherbalist site, not to mention the zillion googles...

Well, it was a kinda informational 3 hrs spent with no success: at least I now know what some benefits of having a steel frame over aluminum might be and what is the difference between hardtail and dual-suspension and what size frame I need (I think)... but I REALLY FREAKING NEED SOME HELP CHOOSING A BIKE!

Has anyone ever had luck with Ebay. I'm not a competitive cyclist and don't need the best. I'm looking to spend between $100 and $200 and used is totally cool. Had thought I'd found some pretty good deals with craigslist and had actually heard of the brands. But what about that stuff they have on Ebay? I guess the unknown stuff is homemade? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=27948&item=7109683349&rd=1 <-- Like this. What's it all about man?

And what about weird names such as Jeep Grand Cherokee bikes? They actually look nice to me (not that I know anything about bikes) but it seems kinda creepy to buy a bike with a car name. It's cheap though: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=27948&item=7109634006&rd=1

Well, here's me:

female
5'9.5"
120lbs.

And here's what I think I have it narrowed down to: CHEAP BIKE. And I think steel is better for me? (I'm pretty sensitive to bumps and I like to go off-road somewhat... at least on bumpy roads) And dual-suspension? Comfort is important. Also, a 19" frame?

PLEASE ADVISE!

So many thank yous...

Eri

this thread is in the wrong forum

basically I would say that bike design is all about compromise. Your main priority seems to be comfort and you seem to be heading for dual suspension. Personally I value efficiency more over comfort and would not buy a dual suspension as they are so heavy and their is some power loss from the suspension. But I dont go seriously off road that much so your requirements may be different. If you are going to buy dual suspension I would personally go for an aluminium frame if you can find one for a reasonable price as the weight of a steel frame with all the suspension could be quite high. The slightly harsher ride of aluminum will not be noticeable if you have full suspension.

If it was me and taking into account what you have written I think I would look out for a second hand hardtail maybe a specialized hardrock or rockhopper (I have not ridden one but they look OK and they seem to get good reviews all the time) and maybe fit a suspension post to increase comfort.

I thought I'd just get a used bike; easy 'nuf, I said and went to newyork.craigslist.org (I'm in CT but close enough to NY to get on the train and pick up a bike easily enough) and checked through the pictures. Doing so let me to shopping.com, epinions.com, some happyherbalist site, not to mention the zillion googles...

Well, it was a kinda informational 3 hrs spent with no success: at least I now know what some benefits of having a steel frame over aluminum might be and what is the difference between hardtail and dual-suspension and what size frame I need (I think)... but I REALLY FREAKING NEED SOME HELP CHOOSING A BIKE!

Has anyone ever had luck with Ebay. I'm not a competitive cyclist and don't need the best. I'm looking to spend between $100 and $200 and used is totally cool. Had thought I'd found some pretty good deals with craigslist and had actually heard of the brands. But what about that stuff they have on Ebay? I guess the unknown stuff is homemade? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=27948&item=7109683349&rd=1 <-- Like this. What's it all about man?

And what about weird names such as Jeep Grand Cherokee bikes? They actually look nice to me (not that I know anything about bikes) but it seems kinda creepy to buy a bike with a car name. It's cheap though: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=27948&item=7109634006&rd=1

Well, here's me:

female
5'9.5"
120lbs.

And here's what I think I have it narrowed down to: CHEAP BIKE. And I think steel is better for me? (I'm pretty sensitive to bumps and I like to go off-road somewhat... at least on bumpy roads) And dual-suspension? Comfort is important. Also, a 19" frame?

PLEASE ADVISE!

So many thank yous...

Eri

When buying on ebay, make sure the seller has high ratings.
You can get some bargains but be sure and avoid new sellers with expensive bikes.

When buying recumbents, you should test a few models-it sounds as if you haven't tried any.
BikeE FX or AT and RANS Vivo with their suspension go off road better than most recumbents and would smooth out the bumps. In general, suspension helps offroading with recumbents.
MWB recumbents are easier to learn and adapt to for new recumbent riders.

Eri, recumbents are bikes you lay down and ride..
-inclined frames\ compact geometry are traditional 2 triangle frames with the stoptube lowering towards the seat tube..


?? In case you mis-understood my mtb post.

Looking at her original post I dont think she is thinking of buying recumbent. I just think that the thread was started in the wrong forum. She does not mention recumbents and the links lead to upright mtbs.