vonfilm 

I was very surprised to hear my son say that he needs a bike for college. He has never had the slightest interest in bicycles and seemed to hold a certain disdain for them.

Like most of the later millenials, he was carried by car wherever he needed to go. He had a little Giant MTB when he was about 6 and later I got him the 76 Super Course that now belongs to his mother. He rarely rode either. He got a truck to drive when he was 17 and will be taking this to to Texas Tech this fall.

It was after a recent college visit that he let me know of his newfound need for a bike. Tech has one of the biggest campuses in the country and it would be a long walk from his dorm to some classes. So, that has got me thinking...

I would like to find something for him that would do the job and perhaps help him to enjoy and appreciate a bicycle. I was thinking a nice lightweight frame and wheelset, but perhaps not so nicely finished so that it would be a magnet for theft. Now Lubbock is pretty much billiard table flat so that even a single speed or internal gear hub might work. A rack on the rear to bungee a backpack and a good lock would complete it. The dorm rooms are small and he may need to park this outside.

He is about 5'10" and about 225, an offensive lineman in high school and is very strong. He is open on what we get, saying that he just wants to see a picture before I buy it. I have until mid August to get something together.

I would love to hear your ideas and see some examples of how the college students are getting to class these days on C&V bikes.

FBinNY 

Don't get exited.

His request doesn't come from any change of heart. Just the realization that biking is the most practical way to get around campus.

Cycling for transport involves a completely different set of motivations than cycling for sport or pleasure.

Of course, there's always the chance that he might get to like it enough to stay with it, or move to a large city after he graduates and become an urban cyclist.

SkyDog75

Not exactly C&V in a pure sense, but rigid mountain bikes make good college bikes. There were a TON of them sold in the '90s, and since rigid bikes are generally considered outdated by 'real' mountain bike riders, pretty decent ones can often be found at bargain prices. Quite a few of 'em have rack and fender eyelets, too. Slap a rear rack on one, throw your books and such in a pannier, and off you go.

Another plus to MTB's is that lower-pressure tires don't need to be inflated as often in my experience. And if your son's not the bicycle type, he may not want to be topping off his tires before every ride.

Whatever you do, I'd suggest you go don't get too fancy since campus bikes are prone not just to theft, but to neglect and damage. Bike racks, being left in the rain, etc. can be hard on a bike.

There are plenty of other routes you could take, too.

3speedslow

He went for a visit and saw all the good looking young women riding around on bikes.

" It's a good thing "

Clang

I second the rigid mtb idea

Trek 950 - $100 (South Austin)
https://austin.craigslist.org/bik/6090962026.html


GT Talera - $100 (Austin, TX)
https://austin.craigslist.org/bik/6083273230.html

dunrobin

Agreed with old rigid mtbs. Add fenders and theft proof. Sounds like he wants transportation, and at 225 needs strong wheels With good flat protection.

notenoughdaylig 

The above examples are perfect. Old MTBs are everywhere. They go for cheap in May and June. Teach him how to lock it with a Ulock and make sure there's no qr for the seat.

tbo

Also find out if he is a backpack person or a bag on the bike person.

If backpack, you are all set.

If bike bag, get a bag and rack system that will allow instant removal, as easy as taking off a helmet. I like the Topeak MTX system of click-rack and bag, but there are others.

There is no such thing as a permanently attached bag. Though the MTX can be locked fairly easily (lock or cable through the back of the rack, preventing bag from being able to slide out as normal), the only sure-fire method is removal *every time*. Plus, that won't protect the contents.

The rack and bag could easily cost as much as a bike. But don't try to skimp out here with non-matching or non-click rack and bag. If you do, you could easily lose it and everything inside.

FrenchFit 

Both my older kids road Miyatas at college, 710 and Alumicross, but both had components stolen. Both ended up riding pos fixies covered with stickers because anything nicer got messed with, (and these were very nice schools).

Sorry, but it is a dilemma. Nice bikes. and particularly nice wheelsets, and college don't mix.

Loose Chain

An old MTB, preferably an old steel bicycle with a solid fork. Put some street tires on it, maybe some fenders, maybe a rack. Maybe a drop bar. Campus pedals he can use with ordinary shoes. A good lock, which he will not use of course.

Me, I would prefer a backpack for my books and computer like all the other kids rather than dealing with a pannier and/or a basket.

When I was in college, undergrad and grad, I often rode a Raleigh Sports (E3S) on days I had classes on both side of campus.

vonfilm 

I think he would ride about the same size bike I ride, 58cm. These seem to small. Am I missing something here?

kunsunoke 

Alternative #2 is the late 80s to early 90s hybrid. Mountain bikers used to laugh at these things as being incapable of survival off road, but most were never used that way. The major advantage is that the hybrids are usually equipped with 700c wheels and tires (current standard ridden by big kidz) and can be fitted with v-brakes and/or drop bars if desired. The supply of good ones (with butted chrome-moly frames and forks) is dwindling, though, since most cyclists have gotten wise to the value of these things. Disadvantages include bad shifters (SRAM GripShift) and plastic-wrapped steel parts, all of which require replacement before the bikes can be transformed into effective, light-weight commuting appliances.

Bianchi, Cannondale, Trek and Specialized made very good ones, as did Bridgestone. Novara, Bruce Gordon and Gary Fisher hybrids were really good, and came about the closest of any to qualifying as off-road capable. Schwinn, Diamond Back and Mongoose brands are probably going to be the most available and the most theft-resistant, as their brand recognition has slipped to department store level. The latter two will likely require more part upgrades, due to low-end parts specification.

tbo

Yeah, I've heard this. One type of bike that gets left alone - for good reason or not - is old vintage 3-speeds, like Raleigh Sports.

They are absolute tanks and would have no problem with the 225 lbs. Heck, they almost weigh that much themselves.

My wife uses one as a daily commuter, about 9 miles round trip per day. reliable as all-get-out, which is good, because I would be the one picking her and the bike up if there were any problems.

Not a good choice if lots of hills. If flat, they work just great and they can run forever.

They have their own cachet, so to speak, and would be difficult to explain. Some Millenials love the things. Your son would either get it or not. If not, it was just an idea.

Wildwood 

Step-thru single speeds get stolen the least, in a college campus survey from a few years back. Sorry i cannot quote reference. But for a big strong guy that is probably out of the question.


My guess is an old-ish looking single speed, with lots of patina and a strong lock is best. No derailleur complications needed on a flat college campus.

Barabaika

54cm Univega Road Bike 12 speed - $140


https://austin.craigslist.org/bik/6090556335.html

A comfortable swept-back handlebar, "outdated" components that nobody wants to steal, a rack...
54cm should be good for 5'10"

Narhay

I think your best option is a full record molteni orange colnago super with an all weather leather saddle and tubulars. This will allow him to leave several seconds later than usual and still get to class on time.

Velocivixen

How about a Trek Multitrack 720 or 730? They have 700c wheels and are nice, basic transport. Typically come with twist shifters. Not too expensive in my area.

oddjob2

Doesn't he deserve the Peloton?

vonfilm 

No, the Peloton will remain mine, as will my 91 Trek 750 Multitrack which is like new.

I would definitely go for a Trek Multitrack or Singletrack if I could find one that is the right size and right price.Some True Temper Double Butted Chrome Moly goodness, or the equivalent from another make. I don't want to take the time to rebuild a bike unless I can find it interesting in some way.

Why is it most of the bikes on Craigslist have such small frames?

For someone who rides a 58cm roadbike, what size hybrid or mountain bike is appropriate?

Ex Pres 

I built my daughter a single speed on a Miyata 110 frame. Nothing fancy about it, but sturdy and reasonably lightweight. 27" wheels, so less theft value in those, too; and IIRC Schrader valved tubes. It survived.

Chombi1 

Big kid like your son might find an MTB to be a better ride around a college campus full of obstacles like curbs, steps and potholes. A midrange MTB that would certainly be up for the job will attract much less of the campus bike the if than even the entry level C&V bikes that most want out there more these days.

repechage

Yes, older mtb's have long top tubes, at 5'10, a 20" frame might work, maybe a 21".
Way back before full suspension, having generous room between the vitals and the top tube was the plan.
I ride 22" center to top road bike most often and a 17" old rigid mtb.

repechage

In addition to the bike, take Italian language as an elective and impress the sorority girls

Pompiere

One other thing about mountain bikes: the quick release on the seat post needs to be replaced with a bolt. My son reports that a popular sport on campus is removing seats and tossing them up into the trees.

I put together an '80s mountain bike last summer for him to take to school. I put on some kevlar belted tires, fenders and a rack, got rid of the quick releases on the wheels and seatpost, and made sure it had enough reflectors to be visible. One thing he learned is to keep the key hole on his lock pointed down in freezing weather. He prefers a backpack over panniers, but carries a couple bungee straps, just in case.

gaucho777 

Very millennial of him indeed. Another idea: How about he sends you photos first, then you offer your advice before he buys it?

I'd consider a front porteur-style rack. That way he can put his backpack, books, groceries, 12-pack, etc. in the front and go easily without worrying about panniers (which always seem to look bigger from the outside and aren't as easy to carry into class as a backpack).