passion_n_ride

[Please excluse the topic and Continue the thread on this LINK. I am now looking to purchase a bike in price range 800-1000, thank you!]


Greetings! this is my first post here, and I am happy to be a part of this forum now.

since my knee injury I have been resting from running for about a year on and off. So the best way to stay fit was to do alot of spinning and stationary cycling at gym.

However, now I see that it is time for me to own one, and can't wait to get on the roads and just go with it. I had a bike at my teenage years, but I have been away from the activity for 8-9 years.

so back to the point, I am looking to buy a used bike for the summer, both for transportation and exercise purpose. I want a bike that first of all is safe on roads, and also is suitable for some proper exercise, and as a bonus, if I can take it to trails it would be top notch. So What do you guys suggest me to go for? I don't want to spend more than $250 (canadian), as I am a student now and have lot of expenses, but feel free to advice me for bikes that go for more than the amount, as I will consider them for the future.

Thank you for reading!

Sina (currently from Ottawa Canada)

Yan 

Go down to Carlton or any other school and acquire one of their numerous abandoned bikes. Ride it until you decide the "future" has arrived. If you continue to surf Bikeforums during this period, you'll know which bike you want. I suggest a cyclocross bike, but since you probably can't find one at a bike auction, a non suspended mountain bike will do.

Rustyoldbikes

Goodwill stores and Salvation Army stores have good bikes very cheap. Craig's list also has some good bikes. Take a friend who knows a lot about bikes with you when you are ready to buy a bike. If you will have only ONE bike, consider a mountain bike. A "mid-price" mountain bike (often sold used for $50 or $100) is tougher and more dependable than ANY road bike at any price. With slick tires, a mountain bike is great for five mile rides around town. If you begin riding 20 or 30 miles a day, you might prefer a road bike.

passion_n_ride

Yan and Rustyoldbikes, thank you for your replies.

first of all, Sorry for the late response as I am currently busy adjusting with school.

Yan: I am not kind of too sure of abondoned bikes, however I'll take a look. Btw I am a carleton student, posting from the campus.

Rustyoldbikes: I have been searching craiglist, kijiji and some local sites for used bikes, however I will consider goodwill and salvation army stores. Unfortuntly I don't know anyone who knows about bikes in ottawa.

I am going to update this site with my findings, and I will look into more kindly advices.

RonH

Go here --> https://www.bikeforums.net/eastern-canada/ and you may find a few folks willing to help you find one or give you info about local places to pick up a bike.

Retro Grouch 

I'm going to suggest that you go to a bike store. Here's why:

Bikes, at least anything that you'd want to buy, come in sizes. You wouldn't buy shoes that didn't fit would you? Why should a bike be any different? A bike store will help you to determine what size you need.

If you buy a bike at a bike store, you can determine what style and price range bike you want to buy and rely on the store to provide you with the correct size.

When you go shopping for a used bike there's usually only one. You need to steel yourself not to be seduced by fancy components, light weight or a low price and reject everything that's not the right size.

Size affects your comfort, efficiency and performance every single minute that you're riding the bike. Nothing else even comes close in importance.

passion_n_ride

First of all thank you for the replies.

RonH, I am considering the link.

Oh I already have, and I've been told that size 18" frame fits me prefectly. I am 5' 11", slim type, normal proportions. However I am planning on going to diffrent places tomorrow to finalize my search.

Question:

How reliable are Canadian tire bikes? They have brands like supercycle,kranked for mountain bikes, schwinn and CCM for Hybrid, price range 200-370. Considering only the above 300ones come with a warranty, Are these bikes reliable? For example, their CCM avenue hybrid 700c 18" steel frame, with front suspension goes for $190 with no warranty [Link]

I have also priced and test rided a hybrid bike that is "Norco Yorkville 18" with no suspension" for 400, which comes with 2 years full warranty; though this seems over priced.

P.S way overtime for me, I'll be back checkin here tommorow.

geo8rge

The problem you will have with cheap bikes is the hubs. See parktools.com for info on repacking hubs and bottom bracket.

Try craigslist.com or even ebay. If you can figure out the garbage collection schedule riding around on the right day might net you a find. try downtube.com. If you find an abandoned frame that seems light, take it and build up a bike around it. Go to a LBS and ask the sales person.

passion_n_ride

I am sorry for the shift in the topic, However gladly I have got a budget boost, so I will be looking for bikes up from 800-1000, and will start another thread for this purpose. [Link]

I thank you for the suggestions.