dredges

I'm a 5'10" and about 290 lbs, Male, looking for a serious quality bike to start riding for exercise and hopefully loose some weight, get active and enjoy the outdoors.
I'll be using it mostly on the paved trails but might want to go down the train track trails too. I'm not going to be jumping curbs or anything rough but,
I would prefer something newish, and sturdy.

Looking for something not too comfy and laid back, but not too extreme also.

Preferably like a hybrid or mountain bike with slightly raised bars so my knees aren't in my gut,
but not so comfy that I can't put in a serious work out and go some distance.

I don't have much money, but would prefer to spend it on a used bike and hopefully get something a little bit nicer then the entry level ones I can afford new at the bike dealership.

Looking to spend anywhere between $100 and $500 depending on what it retails for new, and condition it is in now.


I have been to the Bike shop and have looked at Trek 7100?, Specialized Expedition and Giant Cypress, but I don't feel like those bikes are worth the money, seems like I would be better off getting a used bike.

On Craigslist there was a 2011 Trek 7.5 FX for $500 but I hesitated and it sold in a flash, I have also found some really affordable bikes like this:

High Sierra" 15-speed bike with road/mountain tires for $100


there also this Trek 700zx for $120:


Older Cannondale mountain bike with eliptical crank, medium frame size. The bike was tuned up last year has not been ridden since and is currently set up as a cross trainer, but new handle bars and tire change over it can be a full time mountain bike again.
this was like $150


2008 green 17" frame REI Novara Corsa is in excellent condition $225

is this a girl's bike?





and a year old Trek 7100 barely used for $300

any advice much appreciated.
Thanks

jethro56 

I'd say you know what you're doing. I'd jump on a good FX7.5 for $500.

dredges

I tried, the guy never wrote me back and the ad was down an hour after he posted it.

Any other "really good" bikes I should keep an eye out for that I might be able to score used in the $400-$500 range?

jethro56 

At 6'2" CraigsList in Central Ill is sparse to say the least. I had to buy new to get something big enough. At 5'10" 290# your choices are pretty good. An ideal bike IMO for you would be an FX 7.3 so anything similar would work. Wish I had Deore componets on my 7300 but the Alivio has been OK so far. I would suggest something with 32+ spokes and 35MM+ tires.

exile

Ride them all, but I think the 17.5" size might be a little on the small size. I'm 5'9 and ride a 19" hardtail and its about the right size. I bought a 17" frame and it felt to small.

I'm a commuter, so my likings might be different. A guy at my LBS offered to buy the 19" bike and he is about 6' and actually rode trails and stuff.

Without knowing your area, are there any coops or LBS that sell used. I bought my hardtail (Jamis exile) for about $350 from a LBS that sell used. I bought it around 2006 and it was a 1999 model that retailed for about $650. With the exception of a few scuff marks everything was stock and in excellent condition. They basically said the guy bought it around the beginning of summer and returned it at the end and only rode it a few times.

skilsaw

Looks like lots of good choices of used bikes for you. Remember the objective is to start riding a bike, not make the search for a good bike your lifetime quest.

Buy a bike and ride it. If you don't like it, sell it. If you buy used, you should not lose too much on the sale.

Most of all, enjoy the process. Don't get stressed, yada, yada, yada...

dredges

so I take it none of the above deals are that great of bikes? just so-so ? That first Schwinn isn't far from me, I could take a look and offer the guy less? But it looks like a straight Mnt bike to me.
think I'm going to be going on a road trip in a week, maybe I can find a used Trek FX between here and there to look at


this just popped up, might go look at this if it seems like a good deal/ good bike?
what you guys think?

"This is a complete Gary Fisher Wahoo mountain bike with a 17.5" frame. (or 44.5 cm)

It is about three years old and has only seen the trail four times. Perfect Condition.

The bike has great shocks and has all disk brakes. (work like new)

I do not have a way to inflate the tires, you must pick up a convertor (1-2 bucks) at your local bike shop.

Great Bike! $200

exile

Why do you want a Trek FX so badly? I know it is recommended on this forum, but you need to ride a lot of bikes to find out it is the right bike for you.

I think skilsaw made a very good point "not make the search for a good bike your lifetime quest". Find something that fits, is within your budget, and you would enjoy riding. There will always be times of regret, but you can't control what's available in your area.

Its hard to judge if the bikes you posted are good bikes because it is subjective. I like the older cannondale, but I would need to ride it and look it over to see if it would suit my purposes. Someone else may think the Novara would suit your purposes better because they have it and love it. You need to ride as many as you can to see what you like and fits.

dredges

Just looking for something of quality that's a good deal is all, I'm always looking for a deal and I do research every major purchase, it's fun to me.

mycoatl

Also, you should check out a Kona Dew. It's about $400 brand spanking new, and great a value and good component mix for a clyde.

exile

I have no problems with looking for quality . However, you might not be able to get all the information you need before something pops up and then is gone.

I do think you need to go and ride as many of these bikes that catch your eye. They are usually spec'd differently, sized differently, and just feel differently.

Its like buying a car. You have an idea of what brands have good reputations as far as quality, luxury, roominess, speed, or whatever else. But you would still insist on a test drive so you know how it drives.

With a bike its more about fit and feel. Two things you really can't get by researching them. You have an idea about what size would work, or what components you would like, but you still need to ride it.

nfmisso

17.5" sounds really small for a non-MTB. I am 5'11"; 32" inseam, 300+. I like the fit of a 22" frame, and have the saddle about 6" up on that - for pavement.

Anything with a properly tensioned 36 spoke rear wheel will work fine for you. After you get some experience, you will learn what you like and don't like; and be better at purchasing your next ride.

dredges

seems like every decent bike that pops up on craigslist is gone in seconds, they never even write me back, the ad just gets pulled down minutes after it goes up. What the heck********** Do people just write "I'll take it!!!!" with out even asking questions first?

Also I don't think anyone sells Kona bikes around Detroit area.

exile

Some people put up ads to see how many responses they get at a certain asking price to only take the ad down again and repost at a higher price point. Sometimes they list the bike in various online ads and it sells quickly. Other times, if it really is a good deal, then they will be bought quickly.

Since you are in the Detroit area, these are posted now.
https://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/bik/2389904213.html
https://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/bik/2390023238.html
https://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/bik/2389422756.html
https://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/bik/2389060083.html

You would probably need to contact them regarding sizes but seem like they might fit someone around your size. Go out and test ride as many as you can.

dredges

I'm going to try to look at the Giant and the Miyata this weekend, and I know a guy with a Trek 700 for sale too.


this just popped up with like 4 bikes I could try out, but it's kind of far, the hardrock looks about right.

https://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/bik/2391734788.html

dredges

Went to a couple bike shops today and rode a bunch of bikes. Speciallized/ TREKS/ Giants etc.
I was really impressed with a 19 " gary Fisher bodega
It really seemed to fit the best. The sales Guy said fishers have a different geometry then others.
I'm just not sure about spending $550 on a bike.

I'm going to look at a year old globe San Francisco 2 tomorrow
that can be had for $300. It has internal 3 speeds and drum breaks.

There is also a like new Fisher wahoo a couple hours a way for $450 maybe I can talk him down to 400? That should fit like the bodega? How do they compare?

dredges

I ended up buying the Specialized Globe San Fransisco 2, it has disk breaks, upgraded seat, upgraded bar ends, upgraded pedals that I can clip into, 3 speeds internal etc...
Originally bought in August, so it's practically brand new.
I gave him $325, not sure if that's very good or not but I'm happy.
Now I need to work on getting some endurance.
So far I love it. It's really light and quick but feels sturdy.

https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...jsp?spid=39274