Hello, I'm just breaking into biking in general but decided right off that i'd like my bike to have a little history that i can be excited about. Im a student on a low budget (around $100 to start) and so new flashy bikes are no good for me...and, unfotunately, neither are old showstoppers....so i'm in the market for my first daily rider and i'm fishing for info!
I've poked around a little more and I think I want a touring type, i like the light quick ones but like the idea of more comfort and more durability than the racers(not to mention grocery getter potential and $$$).
***Also questions about whether or not there are brands/years to really try to sniff out...or more importantly, are there any i should really avoid (insert scary movie thunder effect here).
Size is also a question i have, especially since i don't think i'm gonna know what feels right when i first get on the bike....but i want to be sure i'm not going to have it for a week and start hurting or get bunched up because i got one that doesn't fit! (music)
this forum's great! can't wait for more info! thanks guys(gals)!
My response would have been something along the lines of: "Does your bike have computer controlled suspension? Then shut your piehole, this baby is from the future!"
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First off welcome! Best thing to do is go to your LBS (local bike shop) and get sized, then look around for what you want in your size and budget, check here, craigs list, ebay, goodwill, thriftshops, flea markets, and so on, till you find it, might be a quick find, might take some time, but thats half the fun! Oh, love your avatar, it happens to be one of my favorite bumper stickers currently adorning my Toyota!
Look for an early-to-mid 1970s Peugeot UO-8 or Raleigh Super Course, or perhaps a slightly later-vintage Nishiki.
"Early to bed, early to rise. Work like hell, and advertise." -- George Stahlman
Capo [dschaw'-poe]: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger, S/N 42624
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1981 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
I had 2 peugeots both the wrong size but both rode nice. Peugeots seem to be easy to find for everyone but me. If you can take your time there are some very good deals to be found. fuji and schwinn get mixed revues here but I kind of like them. Yard sales can be great places to find good bikes and low prices also auctions that arent bike auctions, bikes show up biders dont. example; I got a schwinn tempo for $2, on ebay $100 to $350
Whare do I get one of those bumper stickers?
There are some things a man needs to believe in wether they're true or not;
Look for a Miyata 612 or 615 from the mid-late 80's. This bike offers a terrific geometry, solid build, good component mix and is not as "collectable" as the One Thousand model. I have ridden 3 bikes in the 6XX series and I must say the ride seemed nicer than my 1000.
This will prove to be a versatile and dependable bike that is well made enough for you to upgrade as time goes by and the components wear out.
In your price range, you probably need to get lucky with a craigslist, thrift store, garage sale or dumpster find. Maybe even eBay. They are out there, you'll just need to make an effort and keep your eyes peeled.
I'd say your top priorities as a bargain hunter are not any specific make or model, just look for something in your size, and solidly functional. Something broken-down might be selling cheap, but would have hidden costs before you got it running. (Speaking from experience of my vintage bike that I got free but then spent $hundreds on)
I really like your avatar, never saw that graphic before. Where can I find that image?
I think I know why you are looking for a tourer. Those are some wicked hills around your town!
You might want to pay a friendly visit to campus security and see what they know about abandoned bikes on campus (a longshot, but perhaps worth a try). There are some good web sites that can help you get some idea of what size range you ought to be looking for. Here is a sampling:
WOW! I am taking notes! thanks for the great info!
I get that my budget is constricting but i can wait a while to find a goodie that hopefully won't cost more AFTER i buy it.
I'm really grateful for the sizing info...didn't know there was so much involved!!!....and the models that i should look out for- ESPECIALLY ones that have upgrade potential in the future(without abandoning the classic character of the bike)
if anyone has anymore tips about makes and models that might not break the bank or my back when the ancient frame crumbles i'd be really grateful! i sure love pics of these older tourers too!
Hi I'm also a newbie and I am interested in a Miyata 512 bike that the owner has been trying to sell on craigslist for the past 1 month. (http://raleigh.craigslist.org/bik/315667891.html). It is $185, reduced from $199. I (like the first poster) am a poor student with a budget of around $150 MAX.
I hope to bargain it down to that amount, but can someone tell me if this is a good deal? I'm 5'5 girl, doing mostly city riding for about 5 miles twice a week. The frame size is 23"x28". I don't know what this means either.
Most of us cheapies would suggest paying a much lower price . But it is a decent bike, should ride very well if it fits you. You would definitely want to take a test ride on it.
East Hill
Last edited by East Hill; 04-21-07 at 12:48 PM.
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TRY EMPATHY & HAVE LOVE IN YOUR HEART, PERHAPS I'LL SEE YOU ON THE ROAD...
Make a list of every bike shop within five miles or so of where you live. Visit each of them, and tell them you are looking for a good used bike. Most bikes shops do NOT sell used bikes, but the staff will be happy to tell you about places that do, or customers who have bikes to sell.
Second, the folks at the bike shop can help you figure out what sort of bike you need, and what size will fit you the best. Many people buy "road bikes" who really would be happier with a hybrid bike or a mountain bike...and the opposite happens as well. Looking at a variety of bikes is helpful.
In my neighborhood, three shops do sell older bikes. The ones worth buying start in the $200 to $250 price range. These are often bikes that sold for $500 to $1,000 back in the 1985 to 1995 era, when they were new.
The shops tune them up, put on new tires, and back them up with the shop's reputation. If something breaks or needs adjusting within the first month or so of riding, they will fix it for free, or for a nominal charge for any parts that are needed.
A used $250 bike from a good bike shop is a tremendous bargain, as it provides almost as much riding satisfaction as a "brand new" bike selling for three or four times the price.
Guys who have had some experience with fixing and restoring bikes often find real deals at yard sales, at Goodwill, and Salvation Army stores. They can find a bike for $10 or $20 that can be restored to "like new" riding condition for the cost of new tires, brake pads, and cables. If any of your friends are experienced "fixer uppers", take them for a look around the local resale shops.
Hit the flea market, not the dollar store type with junk car stereos and seat covers, I mean a real honest to goodness dirt floor outdoor flea market. I have one close to me that has turned up several decent bikes.
Thrift stores near old neighborhoods that were once nice but have gone downhill turn up lots of bikes as well. You know the kind that have been in the garage for 20-30 years with flat tires. They finally decide to toss them out not realizing what a decent bike it is(was). I have even found a few that were hardly ever ridden, IE no brake shoe wear, and freewheels that come off with little or no effort. You may not find exactly what you're looking for right off the bat. Garage sales in these same neighborhoods usually have good older bikes too. Very seldom do I find a bike that is too far gone to repair and ride. I live for it pretty much, and sell the ones that don't fit me,,,,BD
Craigslist has decent older stuff too sometimes. The old road/touring bikes that were cheap on CL a year or two ago seem to be in the $150-$200 range now. Unfortunate..... Sometimes even the not so great bikes get priced high by clueless sellers. Everyone seems to think anything with drop bars is a collectors item lately.,,,,BD
Many times I have found a decent bike for less than $20, sometimes even $10. Not talking Free Spirits and Huffy, but nice bikes. They don't have to be $200 and up to be a good bike. You just have to find sellers that either don't know or care what it used to be....
Thank you for all your advice! I didn't know bike shops sell used bikes. I happen to live in an old neighborhood. Some parts are just old, but some have become large mansions. I'll stick to the old neighborhoods, maybe they do have a bike that's been sitting in a garage and the owners/kids don't ride them anymore. Now I wish I can fix bikes but I can't!
If you are new to bicycling, I would suggest a Nishiki International if you can find one. They were made from the early seventies on. Mine had a SunTour VGT derailleur and shifted WAY better than any Peugeot with Simplex would. Other Japanese models above entry level are also quite nice.
1971 Paramount P-13 Chrome
1972 Paramount P-15 Chrome
1973 Paramount P-15 Opaque Blue
1973 Gitane Tour De France
1974 Raleigh Professional
1991 Waterford Paramount
Everyone seems to think anything with horizontal dropouts is a fixed gear conversion candidate lately.
FTFY
That too,,,,BD
Here's my latest flea market find, that can be a commuter with just a few changes. Grand total? $40.... ,,,,BD
I'm addicted to old school mountain bikes lately as some of you can probably tell. Most of them have cantilever brakes, and you can almost bend the rims with pure stopping power. Well, exaggerating a bit, but canti's stop like yesterday IMHO.
Yes you can you just dont know it yet. Bikes are way easyer to work on than cars or any thing with a motor. I started messing with classices march of 06 , the last time I touched a bike befor that most of the classics we talk about were new. I had to take my 1st bike to the shop ,I could'nt get the chain back around the derailer right . Now I can stip a frame inluding headset and crank and build one ground up.When you get your 1st bike take it apart and put it back together after you do that you will know how to replace any parts. A set of basic tools , adjustable wrench alen wrenches screw drivers wil get you started. To do the fork or 1 piece crank you just need an adjustable wrench that opens wide , stanley makes a nice one. Fow 3 piece crank you need a special tool , it cost about $10, it is still as easy as turning a bolt. Lay the parts out in order as you take them apart and put them back the same way.
there was arepair manual mentioned is a post a while back I forget the name but some one here will remember. It was for sale on amazon. There are all kinds of resources on the web and people here are always happy to help.
Going by bike shop prices I put in about $150 or more worth of work on the bikes I get. Don't be afraid of the bike you get.You cant do anything wrong that cant be undone.
There are some things a man needs to believe in wether they're true or not;
Hello niania and welcome to the forums (if no one welcomed you before). You've come
to the right place.
as Tolfan stated yes you can fix bikes.
First thing I would do is head for the nearest Half Price Books (or other used bookstore) and
find a repair manual. I would suggest looking for either the Bicycling Complete Guide to Maintenance
and Repair, or the Zinn and the Art of Road bike maintence. Both of these will give you from basic
cleaing to rebuilding instructions. Another excellent resource is WWW.Parktool.com they have a
good interactive how to repair your bike section. I haven't seen the park book, but if it's anything
like the web site it will be excellent.
Another recommendation I have is take a basic repair class from you LBS, most shops run
classes and they are not overly expensive.
and there is always Bike Forums as a resource for any assistance you might need.
Marty
Sono pių lento di quel che sembra.
Odio la gente, tutti.
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Don't be afraid of the bike you get.You cant do anything wrong that cant be undone.
Wanna bet?
When I was a teen, I used to think that tighter was better, until I stripped enough parts to realize that maybe there is a point somewhere before stripping that would work better.
Also, be especially careful with carbon fiber or any extremely light weight components.
But, I am just having fun, in general I agree with Tolfan... Unless you really use a lot of force, you will be fine.
Just learn the few places on a bike where the threads are not righty-tighty and you will be fine.
People do not seem to realize that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Be careful of bikes near the top of your budget that look as if they need no work. Unless the seller can confirm that all bearing assemblies have been repacked recently, brake pads are new or relatively new, cables and housing are new or relatively new, and tires are new or relatively new, chain is well oiled and within "strech" limitations, and the teeth on the chainrings and freewheel/cassette are not heavily worn, you are going to find your budget increasing. Of course, you can probably get away with riding a bike without the above repairs done, but you risk premature breakdowns (if some of these hidden assemblies aren't already toast).
Best to find a used bargain at a garage sale or flea market, as mentioned above, and then recondition it yourself, or with the help of someone knowledgeable. At least then you know you have a solid ride.
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Best thing to do is go to your LBS (local bike shop) and get sized, then look around for what you want in your size and budget, check here, craigs list, ebay, goodwill, thriftshops, flea markets, and so on, till you find it, might be a quick find, might take some time, but thats half the fun! 
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Originally Posted by sekaijin
. But it is a decent bike, should ride very well if it fits you. You would definitely want to take a test ride on it.
,,,,BD
,,,,BD
. Now I can stip a frame inluding headset and crank and build one ground up.When you get your 1st bike take it apart and put it back together after you do that you will know how to replace any parts. A set of basic tools , adjustable wrench alen wrenches screw drivers wil get you started. To do the fork or 1 piece crank you just need an adjustable wrench that opens wide , stanley makes a nice one. Fow 3 piece crank you need a special tool , it cost about $10, it is still as easy as turning a bolt. Lay the parts out in order as you take them apart and put them back the same way.
