Bicycle Mechanics - A few questions about a 'new' bike I bought.

I recently bought a used Huffy Stalker Pro for $20. I know some people are already scoffing but I only plan on using this bike for short rides and maybe to pick up groceries. I figured I couldn't do too bad with $20. Anyways I was wondering if anyone knew how old this bike is and would this be considered a road bike? I can't find much information about it on google. Also, what type of maintence can I do to improve the bike. I know the handlebar grips are dryrotted and will need to be replaced. I will also oil up the chain and gears, but what else?

Here is the link to the original craigslist ad: http://macon.craigslist.org/bik/3480226953.html

and in case that he takes it down before you can see it, here is a screenshot: http://imgur.com/WOJav

A hybrid or city bike. Fine for your intended use.

Hard to go wrong for $20 if it is rideable.

Just don't put much (>$30) money into it. Find a bike coop, look for used parts if it needs something.

Certainly wipe the chain clean and oil it and clean and oil the derailleur pivots. If you have the tools and knowledge overhauling, lubricating, reassembling and adjusting all of the bearings (hubs, headset and bottom bracket) and perhaps replacing the brake and shift cables and brake pads would be worthwhile but not if you have to pay to have this done.

Basically wipe it off, lube the chain and ride it until something major stops working.

Ladies mountain bike.

Thank you everyone for your replies I plan on making sure the chain is nice and clean and I will lubricate all the gears.


Ladies mountain bike.
Really??? It's a small frame with road tires.

Thank you everyone for your replies I plan on making sure the chain is nice and clean and I will lubricate all the gears.


Really??? It's a small frame with road tires.

Yes, that is exactly what it is, a womens mountain bike. You can put just about any style tire on a mtb you want. I usually run slicks on mine. Some of the older MTBs are also considered ATBs.

On maintenance, think all bearings and grease (replace both). You will find bearings on both wheels, the bottom bracket, and the headset. You can find replacement bearings on line for about 2 cents each, or buy them at your local bike shop for 5 to 8 cents each. Note, they come in several different sizes. You can clean and reuse headset bearings, I do not recommend it on the wheels, bottom bracket is marginal, your choice. Also flush and relube the freewheel. I would also replace the brake pads, along with cables. You can buy a cable set at Walmart, with housings, for about $6. Not world class, but they work.

Ladies mountain bike.

Step-through frame; only a ladies bike if it belongs to a woman.

Step-through frame; only a ladies bike if it belongs to a woman.

Google said it was a Ladies Bike..

Google said it was a Ladies Bike..

Oh well, forget google. It seems like it will make a good enough bike for me. At least it isn't pink :P

On maintenance, think all bearings and grease (replace both). You will find bearings on both wheels, the bottom bracket, and the headset. You can find replacement bearings on line for about 2 cents each, or buy them at your local bike shop for 5 to 8 cents each. Note, they come in several different sizes. You can clean and reuse headset bearings, I do not recommend it on the wheels, bottom bracket is marginal, your choice. Also flush and relube the freewheel. I would also replace the brake pads, along with cables. You can buy a cable set at Walmart, with housings, for about $6. Not world class, but they work.
Based on the way the OP was phrased, I believe maintenance at this level, while highly desirable, is beyond his mechanical ability. So while it should be done, he would have to pay way more than the bike is worth to have someone else do it unless there is a co-op or knowledgeable friend available to him

Step-through frame; only a ladies bike if it belongs to a woman.

No, if it belonged to a woman it would be a lady's bike (unless she wasn't one). This is a bike intended to appeal to women who might ride in a skirt, or anybody who needs low stepover height.

Based on the way the OP was phrased, I believe maintenance at this level, while highly desirable, is beyond his mechanical ability. So while it should be done, he would have to pay way more than the bike is worth to have someone else do it unless there is a co-op or knowledgeable friend available to him

Ha ha yeah pretty much. I was reading some of the advice given to me, and I was thinking to myself "Huh???"

Some info here might help. http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help

Oh well, forget google. It seems like it will make a good enough bike for me. At least it isn't pink :P

Yeah - if you plan on using it for grocery shopping, a step thru design is a plus - especially if you end up with side or top baskets on the rear. But, hey - pink might have made it even less likely to get stolen! :innocent:

Based on the way the OP was phrased, I believe maintenance at this level, while highly desirable, is beyond his mechanical ability. So while it should be done, he would have to pay way more than the bike is worth to have someone else do it unless there is a co-op or knowledgeable friend available to him

Not to mention that the cost of a few special tools would probably exceed the cost of the bike in the first place. Of course, they're well worth owning if one were to do this more than once or twice, but still may be more than the OP would like to put into this bike.