Originally Posted by
Oscight
I'm planning on buying a bicycle to go around a somewhat hilly college campus/commute to work (well, I don't know if it's worth calling it a commute - it's roughly 2 miles away), but I'm having a really difficult time deciding on a bike. My budget runs anywhere from $300-400, but I'm really iffy about spending $400. Like, really iffy.
Saw a 1984 Lotus Unique for $300 on Craigslist. Seller won't budge on the price (well, I offered $200 initially - maybe I'll keep trying haha), but he says it's in brand new condition. It would require me taking a 40 minute bus ride to get where he is, where I'll most likely end up biking back.
But I'm not sure. The bike retailed for about $350-450 back in 1984, but then again, inflation and whatnot so it might be worth it.
Otherwise, my options are:
1. Take buses to LBSs and pray that they'll have some good stuff on clearance
2. Buy from Bikesdirect and try to learn assembly/etc. myself (I have no experience, but am decent in general mechanically).
3. Keep being patient on Craigslist (but again, I have no car, it's a pain trying to think of how I'll get to some neighborhoods/how long it'll take, etc.)
Bikes I was looking at on Bikesdirect were the
Mercier Galaxy Tour,
Motobecane Super Mirage,
Motobecane Mirage, and a few others.
Suggestions?
I don't recommend craigslist for your first bike. I've perused local listings and the amount of junk being offered is unreal. The prices the sellers are asking for are ridiculous.
BD is a good option in your case. It sounds like you're not really thrilled with the prospect of visiting multiple local shops. Assembly should be reasonably straightforward. You'll have to learn to adjust brakes and derailleurs, tasks which are not very challenging. A minor wheel truing might be in order as well.
BD has no sales tax and free shipping. Performance charges sales tax and shipping, unless you ship to a store.
You might want to start with a flat bar bike rather than a drop bar for your first bike.