PWRDbyTRD

My father wants to start riding with me...He needs a bike...mainly just greenways...nothing overly serious. Gears preferred...he's 6'0" 200lb. He doesn't need suspension, clipless pedals, etc etc. basic bike...his last bike was a 10spd schwinn 20 years ago...

PWRDbyTRD

I know this sounds absolutely horrid, but dept. store bike? The last thing he'll be doing is abusing this bike.

Rev.Chuck

Get him a base model bike shop mountian bike. It will have no suspension, be steel and have cheap parts(They will still be nicer than the walmart parts) on it. It will also have a warranty and you should get some kind of free adjustment deal out of it. The only downside to this is that the bike will come with a freewheel hub. These tend to be a weak point with heavy riders, altho if he just tools along and does not ride real rough stuff it will be a non issue . To get a freehub wheel(stronger), you would have to get in to the $300 plus range and then you would also have suspension and possibly some other things you don't need.

roadfix

Thrift shop.

forum*rider

if you're looking for the cheapest bike(s) in the world then go to a thrift shop like Fixer said or go to some garage sales. The bikes may be old but with some touching-up they are generally rideable.

Raiyn

I tend to agree with this. Walmart bikes cut a lot of corners in order to give "features". Heck see if your local shop has any used stuff that will fit him. X-mart is the last place I'd send someone for a bike. It ranks lower than sending someone into a pen of rabid pit bulls that have been abused and haven't eaten for three days to get a beat up rusty Bridgestone with bum wheels.

PWRDbyTRD

I was thinking about the BOTTOM line hardrock.

blue_neon

I prefer Huffy, there dual, cheap and can take a beating.....I would seroulsy consider getting a second hand one to drop, jumps and anything that I wouldn't wanna risk on my good bike.

PWRDbyTRD

do I sense sarcasm?

Raiyn

I certainly hope so.

Machka 

It might surprise some of you to know what a Walmart bicycle can accomplish ... I've had mine for 5.5 years now and have put about 2500 kms on it each year ... for a total now of about 13000 kms (over 8000 miles). I mainly use it for commuting and for riding in bad weather - through rain, sleet, slush, snow, salt, and sand. But I have also ridden about 7 centuries (100 mile rides), and one 200 km brevet with it ... despite the fact that I have knobby tires on it, and despite the fact that it weighs about 40 lbs.

In all that time, and with all those miles, I have had it in the shop TWO times. They have done some minor adjustments and replaced the chain each time. That's it.

I paid about $300 for the bicycle, added a few things to it, took it to the shop those two times for a total of about $400.00 spent.

Since I used it for commuting, if I had taken the bus instead (I don't own a car), I would have spent close to $4000.00 on bus fares.

I'd say that bicycle has paid for itself 10 times over ... and it's still going!!

Blackberry

A friend bought a pretty darn good yard sale bike for $15.

blue_neon

Your senses are correct....I must say sarcasim sure does suck on this thing......maybe i hsould have added a or a maybe even a .

I'm seroius though about getting a second hand cheap one and trying somestuff out not worring about the damage. Apart from that their quite heavy, and their wheels seem to get bent easy, I dont mind em for mucking around..............*sigh*.. .....

PWRDbyTRD

the rolling eyes one is the best IMO. I think I'm gonna have him get this hardrock sport if the price is right.

[bEn]

Yep Huffy! I've never had a dual suspension bike, and later in the future i might get a cheap Huffy from Ebay, and have fun with it on a offroad course by giving it a good thrash. I wouldn't really care what happens to it, unless a tire pops or something. Like what blue_neon said, i'm too scared to try any big jumps on my good bike.

Raiyn

But you'll put your faith in a large pile of crap. Yeah that makes sense.

phantomcow2

Well i cant give you many details but one of the lower end treks might be a good buy, i was at my shop and there was this one for 300. I asked the owner of the shop and he said its a good starter bike, and one of his best sellers.

Rick G

If it is just for an occasional ride a mart bike.I have put a couple of hundred miles on mine.
I have added lights and semi smooth tires to it.I won't be doing any centurys on it but I am not able to ride that far anyway.they are cheap but if he decides he does't like it you can get ride of it easy enouph and you are not out a whole lot.
that or you could try the local goodwill or yard sales.you may come up with a pretty good bike for cheap.good luck.
Rick G

Waldo

Raleigh SC-7...7 speeds, aluminum frame, more upright riding position than a MTB. Semislick tires, adjustable angle stem, cushy seat with suspension seatpost. All this could be his for under $250. I'd suggest that given the style of riding you suggest. Failing that, anything along the lines of a Hardrock/Fisher Tarpon or Mako/Trek 830 would also do him just fine.

Zin

I think I'd be a little more concerned with his comfort since its been so long since he last rode regularly. While an x-mart bike may fit the bill, I think I'd go lower end LBS bike that can be fit correctly to give him max comfort.

Just my 2 cents.

Paige

I got a Kabuki/Bridgestone SMD @ a Habitat ForHumanity resale store for $15. The best thing about this bike is it has a stainless steel frame. Keep an eye out @ the Goodwill stores and such in your area.

SpiderMike

My dad recently picked up cycling. I have talked to him for years about it, but it took a doctor to tell him he had to. I had looked for something, but one day we went to the bike shop. While looking at the comfort/hybrids he joked about a red bike (he is a fireman). Grabbed the Hardrock Comp Disc. He flinched when he heard the price. But I told him that he would have better brakes stuff than my brother, he had to get it. Since then he has bought a helmet, gloves, toe cages, and is talking a high-rise stem and a Camelback. The few rides I have took him on have been fun for him. The last one was at a state park, he hasn't smiled like that in a long time.

So whatever you choose, just realize you just picked up another riding partner. Oh and remember to bring a flat repair kit.

PWRDbyTRD

My new tires came today and I'm going to put them on here in a bit.

PWRDbyTRD

and I feel as though I will probably end up buying it for him.

Amator

PWRDbyTRD,

The Jamis Explorer 1.0 I just bought may fit the bill. It's comfortable, aluminum frame, and cheap($250). Not the best bike in the world but it sounds like it might work for him. Of course, since I just registered on this forum, test drove my first bike in 12 years(and later bought a bike!), what the hell do I know?