sandwich777

I've been trying to find a decent bike btw the price range of 200-500. I've been looking at a lot of used bikes but I'm not exactly sure what to look for. I will be mainly using my bike to commute during the week [about 16 miles a day, 4 days a week] and to take it to some dirt trails by a river near my house on the weekends. I found a used bike shop with bikes in my price range and another shop with new bikes on sale in the same price range. I also found a bike on craigslist for $60.

bikes in my size at the used bike shop:

https://s263.photobucket.com/albums/i...to%2052%20cms/

another used bike shop:

https://www.the-climb.net/2009/02/weekly-deal-2.html

new bikes on sale:

https://aroadbike4u.com/product-list/...n=3&startRow=1

used bike i found on craigslist:

https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/bik/1976671705.html


I'd like some input as to which place I should go with, along with suggestions on which models would be the best bang for my buck. Thanks!!

auchencrow

The first used bike store is just a bit high, but maybe "reasonable" when you consider they are ostensibly serviced and ready to ride machines.

The Trek 600, with the Reynolds frame, is the best deal of the bunch but you'll have to lose those triathalon bars. (You can get a good replacement very economically)

... I am assuming, BTW, that you are very small, because all these frames are very tiny. (DON'T take direction from your local bike shop on what size you need - ride them yourself and make sure you are not too cramped and that your leg is fully extended when the pedal is in the downstroke.)

The second used shop's prices seem relatively high, and the only thing I can tell you about the new bikes is that they never compare favorably to a used bike for value/dollar.

I would pass on the CL Takara - it needs a lot of work.

wrk101

Good deals on a public forum like Craigs List go fast, really fast, particularly in a reasonable price range. No time for a "Is this a good deal?" posting. Best bet is to spend some time surfing this forum, learning what to look for, and dialing in your size. Then when a good deal shows up, grab it fast.

The Takara is bottom end, but if you are on a really limited budget, its hard to find a mixte for under $100. Just realize you are getting a low end bike. +1 It needs a lot of work, if you are ready to do the work yourself, that can make it a good deal. If you have to pay someone to do the work, forget it.

+1 The Trek 600 is the only one I see to a good bike at a realistic price.

+1 The only problem with new is the cost vs value just isn't there. For the cost of a new entry level road bike, you can find an upper end/high grade used bike.

sandwich777

Yeah, I am small, 5 feet exactly. =/ What type of bars would I need to get to replace the triathlon bars? Do you know of any other used bike shops that would maybe have better pricing on their used bikes? I was trying to look up tutorials on how to fix up an old bike but I don't think I'd be able to since I don't know much about bikes. Sorry I'm asking so many questions!

sandwich777

I figured deals on craigslist would go fast, but it's hard for me to spot a deal. I also noticed craigslist had a lot of people advertising fixies for about $220. Are these types of bikes ideal for commuting daily and for light trails?

auchencrow

You need to hang around the C&V forum a lot more and you will be an authority in no time.
I think it was Thrifty Bill who said "he who has the most knowledge, wins" - or words to that effect. It is certainly true when it comes to Craigslist deals.

There is a lot of information on bike and bike repair on the web - One is a site "My Ten Speeds" by our own Randy Jawa - another is the Park Tool Website, and finally the ultimate authoritative source, Sheldon Browns' web site.

PS - I think it is best that any beginner steer clear of fixie's. This is my reasoning:

The chain wheel is "fixed" to the rear cog, so when going down hill, the pedals can spin in excess of 170 rpm, and there better not be a pant cuff or anything caught there, or you can imagine what would happen. Also, since coasting is not possible as you approach an obstacle or a curve, the crank pedal can come back around to kick your leg, REALLY hard and you lose control of the bicycle.
Add to that, the fact most of them lack one or both brakes, and serious injuries can happen.
Also many fixies that you see on CL have been "converted" by morons, so when the cog lets loose, you have yet another opportunity to be injured. Pedal strike with the pavement as you bank corners is another big risk.
Finally, they cannot climb steep hills.

That being said, I think there is a legitimate place for them in the hands of experienced riders - (eg; track bikes are "fixed") and they do have some advantages (they are lighter, and require more skill and human interaction with the bike, which can lead to more developed rider endurance, and some say greater control on ice) - but for a novice on the street, I don't see ANY advantage.

Thumpic

I would dodge the Cannondale.....the ride is brutal (aluminum).....16 miles a day would kill me on that bike....I'm not a commuter; but I can't imagine that is a good choice....

wrk101

Good to get quoted. Thanks.

Yes, in any deal, whoever has the most knowledge, WINS. If you want a nice vintage bike, then you need to take some time to educate yourself. With a little time spent on the front end, you will be able to spot a good deal in about five seconds.

In most areas, there aren't any used bike shops, there just isn't enough money in it to have a store. Expect to pay a premium at any store. They have overhead and expenses to cover.

In general, the best deals on used bikes are bikes that NEED WORK. Even some basic work to rehab a bike at a shop can cost $200 or more.

Do you have any hills? Around here, a SS or FG would be the worst choice for a commuter. Also lousy for light trails. The best, cheap option is a 1990s rigid frame MTB. They are pretty indestructible, well built, and cheap.

tmh657 

Sandwich, you live in my neck of the woods so I know there are a ton of bikes on CL and a lot of junk. That does make it hard to sift through it to find something.
I have bought from the climb.net and unless he has opened up a brick and mortar in the last few months he is a flipper with a website. Nothing wrong with that. I got a good bike at less than market price from him because it needed work and he wasn't going to do it.

I have not dealt with the HB bike shop but it does seem to be a pseudo business and offers a warranty. You still need to know what you want and have some idea of what you are looking at as all the previous posts have mentioned.

If you are able to buy something at market price that is completely ready to ride then perhaps you can get a feel for what you like about the bike and what you don't while perusing this forum. You stated you can spend $200-500. You can get something very nice for $300. It seems that a $300 bike is about 10 times nicer than a $200 bike if that makes sense.

I like the 50cm ironman at HB bikes. It's about 15% overpriced but go give it a ride and see what a nice bike rides like. Good luck and report back with your findings.

Trakhak

I wish everybody still believed this myth about aluminum bikes, but Cannondales sell very fast on Craigslist, so apparently not.

Thumpic

Having owned and flipped several, I can tell you that the awful ride of that bike is no myth. IMO it would make a terrible commuter. Riding that bike day in and day out would be a curse. I am not denying the quality of Cannondale or the fact that folks love them; but there are plenty of better choices for a commuter.