Originally Posted by
mr geeker
the problem with Craigslist is my only form of transportation other than a bike is my feet... that and every time i inqure about one on there i never get a response. all the local bike shops seem to be out of my admitedly small price range. i've looked other places, but being as i have a rather short stature for an adult (5' 4 3/4") most bikes are also too big.
Des Moines has a city bus system. It doesn't look great from their website, but the buses do have bike racks, and fares are $1.50. Expensive, but it does extend your range a good bit.
And that's not short for an adult. The average adult woman is 5'3". If you're focused on getting a typical road bike with drop bars, you will have issues... but those issues have a lot more to do with our culture being sexist than with it being impossible to make a road bike for a short person. If you can deal with a Raleigh 3 speed (you'll need a step through, the men's styles did not come small enough) or with a "women's" mountain bike, you can get a bike.
The idea of putting up a wanted to buy post is an excellent one. If there's a university nearby, check for abandoned bikes on campus on move-out day... and at any rental housing. A friend who is 4'11" trashpicked herself a Raleigh 3 speed that fits that way. Free definitely is in your budget. (the bike has since cost her about $15 for an inner tube, a new nut for the rear wheel, and a basket for the back rack)