dovid1365

Hey all. I live in Pittsburgh PA 15217 and am looking for a bike on a budget. From what I see on this thread the best idea is to check Craigslist. I have used Craigslist before for furniture and got great deals but don't think that I know enough about bikes to be sure that I get good value. If anyone can help me out I am looking for something in the $200-250 range (bargaining included for a daily commute of 6 miles each way to work (light is a priority as I don't want to be too sweaty when I get there. I am 6'1" Thanks in advance!!!

dovid1365

Side note. I have done some research on what to look out for when inspecting the bike just with all these different models and years and potential pitfalls that I probably am not aware of I am a bit weary.

CliffordK

At about 6 miles each way, you're right on the cusp of where I'd say find a good Hybrid beater, and get a nice road bike.

I personally lean towards the road bikes.

Some will also depend on whether your commute is flat or hilly, and what the roads are like.

For road bikes, you'll be looking at somewhere around 60cm.

Here are a few bikes that caught my attention.

Personally, I'd put this Cannondale at the top of my list. It could use a bit of TLC, but should be close to ready to go.
https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/bi...469111408.html

This Mongoose is pretty unique. Probably worth the asking price in parts/build kit. It is hard to say. The early bonded CF frames could be good, or could be a nightmare.
https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/bi...467483778.html

This Raleigh Super Course Bonded Aluminum bike looks clean. Again, early bonded aluminum frames were considered flexy, and potentially good or bad. Nonetheless, it would have been a pretty specatcular bike 25 years ago.
If those are sewups/tubulars, I'd probably avoid it for a commuter.
https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/bi...487863732.html

This Raleigh is definitely beyond its hay-day, and could use a LOT of TLC. I think it may be a bit overpriced at $150. But, the bar-end shifters are a nice benefit.
https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/bi...470435022.html

Pretty cheap Panasonic. But, it could potentially wobble down the road for 6 miles, or at least serve as a backup bike.
https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/bi...420247317.html

Then there are the Hybrids. I'm not seeing a lot of large ones. But, keep your eyes open. Not quite as quick as the road bikes, perhaps, but they make decent commuters.

https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/bi...478487984.html

CliffordK

Another place to look is a company like Bikes Direct.

Get a brand new bike.

Personally I wouldn't scrape the bottom of the barrel. But, there are a few competitive bikes out there.

Save Up to 60% Off Shimano Disc Brake Flat Bar Wide Tire Hybrid Bikes | Fixie | Windsor Bikes - The Hour | Save up to 60% off Hybrid and Shimano bicycles

Save up to 60% off new Disc Brake Road Bikes - Gravity Avenue D | Save up to 60% off new road bikes

Everything is always on sale... don't pay any attention to that. But these are a bit higher than you were asking, but new, and should be reasonably solid bikes to start with.

oddjob2

Great sport hybrid, excellent commuter

https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/bi...445007879.html

cycleheimer

Grab the Trek!

joesch

For sure check out craigslist for some local bargains. You can even search ebay and use advanced search to look in your area, like <50 mile and < $250

Good luck hunting

wrk101

I'd avoid the TLC bikes. Unless you have the time/tools/aptitude/desire/pile of parts, those will be money pits. Like OJ's Trek above, probably long gone, but you never know!


Smart approach on this thread. Give what you are looking for and size information, and let others make suggestions. Beats the heck out of the "what about this one?" threads!

rumrunn6

yup, but it's not a mountain bike. doesn't matter, if the wheels are true & shifts & brakes fine, that's a normal price for a used FX

for the OP: what was the last bike you rode?

CliffordK

Yeah, perhaps depending on how much work the bike needs.

The OP did list the height as 6'1" which gives a ballpark size for the bike, as well as target commuting distance of 6 miles.

Still, there are a lot of options.

Also another thread, with a bike that is a little on the small size.
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...ne-rb-2-a.html

Unfortunately the 5 daily posts were likely used up, so we have to wait a day to hear anything back

dovid1365

Thank you everyone. Now that I know I can only say 5 things a day I will try to use them wisely. The trek is gone. I am looking at that Cannondale. The last bike that I rode was a too small Schwinn mountain bike that got stolen. Used it for about a year for a 2.5 mile commute each way. I am thinking since longer commute now I will want a lighter bike to avoid getting to work drenched in sweat. Pittsburgh is pretty hilly.

dovid1365

I am looking into the Cannondale now. The others seemed to need too much to for my inexperienced eye and level of competence with repairs at the moment.

How much would you say the Cannondale is worth?

bikemig 

First, at 6 ft 1, this bike should work size wise. Second, I'd be careful about this bike. The seller is being honest about the condition of the bike but it has some red flags (S says wheels need truing and that could mean anything). An old bike can be a money pit if you aren't careful; heck they can be a money pit even if you do,

I think the bike is overpriced given its condition but that may be the "market" value in Pittsburgh. Every city tends to be different in terms of what bikes are worth. There doesn't seem to be a lot of inventory at this point on CL but that will change as winter turns to spring. Sometimes it pays to be patient.

This is an '87 Cannondale SR 400 which was the "bottom" of the line that year in its race series. That said a bottom of the line Cannondale is actually a very good bike. Assuming it fits, it would be an excellent bike to ride and to learn how to work on bikes at the right price.


https://vintagecannondale.com/year/1987/1987.pdf

Aubergine 

A light bike won’t make a difference (or not enough of one to keep you from sweating). What you should focus on is one with suitable gearing for the hills. In your Bridgestone thread, that bike has a triple crank. The Cannondale mentioned in this thread has a double. The low gear on the Cannondale will make you work hard to get up hills, but a bike with a lower gear will be easier (if slower) to ride uphill.

My around-town bikes in Seattle, which is also hilly, all have triple cranks with 26-30 tooth granny gears. On the back the large cog runs from 30-34. With those combinations, I can fiddle up the worst hills without getting too sweaty, even though the bikes weigh well over 30 pounds with racks, lights, panniers and so on.

rumrunn6

don't think you need a road bike for a 6 mile commute & a MTB would make those hills easier

seatpost frozen but it's probably set ok for you
https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/bi...468631487.html

maybe an inch or two smaller than perfect for you but doubt you'd even notice
https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/bi...503971833.html

here's a nice big one, get some slicks for it
https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/bi...481836028.html

https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/bi...500351906.html

https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/bi...498045061.html

here's a nice GT, I'd be all over this one
https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/bi...502620337.html

https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/bi...468630878.html

good name brand, large size, already has a rack installed, not heavy
https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/bi...480845123.html

like new!
https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/bi...501245894.html

3alarmer 

.
...yeah, that GT looks pretty swell for the price, should be the right size ((I'm 6' 2"), and if you put some different tyres on it (a little narrower, like 1.5's and with a smooth, road tread) would make a great commuter bike. It's maybe a little too nice looking if you need to lock it up outside where you work.

But it's not difficult to uglify a commuter a little with easily reversible cosmetic alterations like some peeling latex paint and duct tape placed strategically.

I did a six mile commute back in the 80's for a couple of years on a lady's Schwinn Suburban three speed. You don't need all that much bike for that distance.

CliffordK

Obviously a lot of different commuter opinions. I'm not convinced that a MTB makes the hills easier.

I do have a Jamis Coda, and like the frame, so far. It is a Reynolds 520 butted chromoly steel, or at least mine is. Of course, I put drop bars on it

That bike is a little small, but it does still have a long steer tube.

dovid1365

I'm going to be checked ng out the gt Saturday and the specialized Sunday. What do you all think the chances are of getting that seat post unstuck? I think I am probably slightly shorter than the poster of that one

bikemig 

The hardrock is a bit of a crazy price. One a stuck seatpost is a PITA to remove; it can be done but it is likely to be a lot of work. Plus the seller wants $300 for what started out life as a low end MTB (a hardrock). Plus it has a replacement fork. Yeah it's been tarted up with xtr stuff and wheels but definitely pass on this.

The GT is OK but the parts group is low end. That's more than I'd like to pay for this bike but it looks like the Pittsburgh market is a bit pricey.

Also this schwinn high sierra could be a good choice as well.

https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/bi...500648573.html

rumrunn6

don't know
if the guy isn't a bike mechanic you might have a chance taking it to a bike shop, but if it doesn't fit you might be better off passing on it, who needs the hassle w a new bike
stuck seat posts are a whoooole thing man, check out these other threds
https://www.google.com/search?q=seat...hrome&ie=UTF-8

there was a time I scavenged for parts & was willing to fix up a bike to ride. now I shop for bikes that ppl bought for exercise but never carried thru & their bike sat unused for a cpl years. I leave the beat up old bikes to ppl w passion for wrenching

rumrunn6

how about that white Trek?

bikemig 

I don't see a price on it but that would likely my choice if the price is reasonable. The bike looks clean, just make sure the seatpost moves (it's slammed pretty far down). Actually it's always a good thing to take some hex keys and check both the seatpost and stem to make sure they're not frozen. Heck the bike even has decent looking rubber in addition to that rack.

oddjob2

Take a short trip to Cleveland

https://cleveland.craigslist.org/bik...457714919.html


Local

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...60087061002256

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...62420811229580

rumrunn6

oh yeah

$275 Fuji Absolute 3.0LE Hybrid Street bike with gear for sale in Pittsburgh on Facebook Marketplace