itaos

I am looking to get a bicycle to ride a few miles to the gym and back. I know next to nothing about bikes other than I like to ride in a more upright position. I would prefer something that is undesirable to thieves as I do not live in a particularly nice area. Am I better off getting a walmart special and just replacing it as needed or buy used? Thanks in advance.

Kidd69

Buy used, at least you can get a decent bike till you figure out what you want and get addicted to cycling, and you will get addicted.

oddjob2

Read up on bicycle fit so you get the right size figured out first. Then lookout for a quality used hybrid.

itaos

Which models should I look for?

phoebeisis

The various Trek 700,720 730 750 800 820 850 920 930 950 970
are steel framed-some later ones aluminum frame-sturdy "sorta mountain bikes"
they are not mountain bikes at all
they are do anything city suburban light trail bikes
Sturdy steel sturdy enough components
upright bars-wide tires-
and in the $80-$200 range-the 700 series are 700c wheels the others are 26"(mountain bike sized)
Specialized Diamondback Jamis etc all made similar bikes-steel frames rigid-no suspension frames
Some of the 900's had suspension forks-no problem but nothing I would seek out
Just look for Chrome Moly steel frame-CRMO or cromo-
aluminum is a fine frame material also-but these come to mind-aluminum will be maybe 1 lb lighter but more dent prone
Luck
Charlie

PS You ALWAYS have to lock your bike-WELL!! HEAVY LOCK- carefully select a place to LOCK IT-
Yeah THIEVES will steal ANY functional bike-they won't usually not steal a walmart bike-
yeah they steal EVERYTHING- it sucks!!
Bring it indoors at night of course-during the day careful select a place to lock it
Bike stealing HUGE but not insurmountable problem-heavy lock careful selection of where to lock it is the key!!

Very heavy 20mm- 6 foot long cable is OK during the daytime in high foot traffic area-but verboten at night-anywhere-
heavy U-lock-big enough to get through frame and front wheel(if quick release) motorcycle type BIG lock- 9" by maybe 16"-about 3-4 lbs-put it in your knapsack-which you need for tubes some repair tools-and whatever you are carrying-books milk coke bread

itaos

Thank you for the detailed response I really appreciate it!

oddjob2

Cannondale, Specialized and Gary Fisher have made decent hybrids as well.

mechanicmatt

Mongoose crossway or dynametric hybrids from the early 90's (before being sold in Walmart) were pretty awesome hybrids. Raleigh C500's and C700's from the early to mid 2000's are really great too.

mechanicmatt

Jamis Coda and Kona Dr. Dew or Dew series as well.

WestPablo

First, determine your budget. Next, decide upon the type of terrain you'll be cycling on and the distance you'll be traveling on it.

Bad neighborhoods and college campuses are black holes for decent bikes. Chances are, if you leave the bike unattended for just a few minutes, you'll never see it again. Therefore, I would either shop online or used. The problem with buying used, is the fact that you have to know something about bikes, or else you could get taken. Buying online can be great, provided that you order the right sized bike.

Another thing to consider would be the flatness of your terrain. If your commute is mostly flat, with no really challenging hills, then a single speed can be less expensive and require less maintenance.

The Nashbar Bull single speed seems like a really good deal!

www.nashbar.com