Hey folks, I'm new here; looking for some advice.

I haven't ridden a bicycle in a few years and have never been very serious about it (that one was a secondhand from my dad about as old as I am). But I want to start biking again and am shopping for something to call my own. And I realized; whoa, new bikes are really expensive. I do want to get something quality that will last a while, but I'm just out of college and not exactly rolling in the $.

I started thinking that it might be better to get a used bike, which it stands to reason should be less money for generally the same quality. However, even with the research I've been doing, I'm still totally new to this and worried that I couldn't tell the difference between a total crap bike and a good find. At least with a new bike, I know what I am getting. It's just my bank account hurts by even thinking about it.

I'd appreciate any suggestions. Thanks!

Scope out what you are looking for and the folks here generally have some pretty sound advice. I ride a Jamis Coda sport when my commute is under 10 miles one way. I got it new from performance for around 300.00 on sale. That's not a bad bike. On the other hand I was riding around the neighborhood a few months back and saw a garage sale that I stopped at......guy sold me a Giant Cadex 980 Carbon fiber frame with all Shimano 105 for 50 bucks....it had hardly been ridden. I put new tires and a new saddle on it and ride it on the long commute 20 miles one way once a week. Go figure.....

Best thing is go find a REAL Local Bike Store (LBS) that deals in both used and new. This will be a shop frequented by bike enthusiasts, probably will be home base for a Club. The staff will greet you with grease on their hands. See what they offer, test ride them. Stay far away from Kmart, Target, WalMart, big sports discount warehouses, etc.

In bikes, you really do get what you pay for, so you usually can't get a great bike for a low price... and you can certainly get cheated and pay lots of money for a bad bike.

I'll give ya $100 and pay for shipping

Too bad there isn't a smiley for envy

I'm still getting used to it......but it really is a nice ride for an older Giant....not as much flex as they normally say about the older Carbon frames...I think it is a 97 or 98

From what I understand, you're in a healthy biking community, i.e. there should be a lot of used bikes around. Try craigslist.org. As to a new bike being better, making sure it fits and does what you want is most important, and new bikes that don't do that are just expensive crap (for you, at least). So, if you are totally unsure, getting a used bike to find out might be best.

Think about where you will ride it, what you want to do with it, how far you want to go on it. If you want to ride streets sort of fast, think about a road or cyclocross bike; if you want to do some trails and short stuff in town, think about a mountain bike. If you get something used, take it to an LBS that will help make sure it fits, not just when you are standing over it, but also seat height, handlebar to seat distance, handlebar height. Then, try it out and find out what you want to do. You have a whole lifetime of biking to find out what kind of biking you want to do, and you'll need to learn that from experience.

Shop around, check manufacturer, brochures and web sites, bike review web sites, and of course this forum. Before long, you will know plenty. Especially, learn about the various grades of components--a good bike should have good components. Also, make sure the bike is the right size for you. I have had good success at finding used bikes, but it does take some research and legwork. In my area, pawnshops are good. I have seen nice bikes in pawn shops (cherry condition) for $100-$300. Also, ask friends. A lot of people have almost unridden bikes in their garages and will practically give them away when they see how much you want it!

Great advice so far. Thanks, everyone! I've been hitting up my local neighborhood shops this week and test-riding some new bikes. Checking out Craig's List right now.

Once you know what to look for (for you), along with Craigslist (and yardsales), don't rule out e-bay. There are still a lot of great buys to be had.

Watch feedback&whatnot-I've bought a lot off there-and only had 1 problem over 20$ parts. Don't go above your bid limit-someone else will be selling something similar.

Check out One on One in downtown Minneapolis--117 N. Washington, a few store fronts east of Sex World. They've usually got some good used bikes, and a few new ones too.

Also check out The Hub Bike Co-op--3024 Minnehaha Ave S, just east of Hiawatha & Lake St. They've got a bunch of great commuter bikes, and they've always got a selection of used rigs too.

Express Bikes---Snelling & Marshall, in St. Paul--has a bunch of used bikes too. They've got some bikes that would make great commuters. Their hours a bit funky, open 3:00 to 7:00 or something like that.

If you tell any of these places what you want as far as function, quality, and price, they will do their best to get you a used bike that matches your needs.

One on One sounds like a cool place. I was planning to check them out tonight.

Nominee for best LBS directions involving a sex shop. Haha!!

well, I would recommend going on ebay and looking for bikes that are being sold by "chicabike". I bought one of her low end models for 240 and I think its a great bike... it also has eylets for fenders and rack...

This thread has some pretty good info on the relative costs and benefits of new vs. used bikes for commuting.

I bought my bike used, and it's great. The main problem people run in with used is that they don't know what to look for, and end up getting something with a lot of problems. It's a good idea to educate yourself on what to look for, or at least get your cycling inclined friend to go look at a used bike with you.

When i went to go test ride the bike i have now I first picked it up, felt the weight, made sure the breaks were in good adjustment (if they're out of adjustment that's a good sign it wasn't taken care of), then got on it, ran through all the gears. I got off, looked for frame cracks/deep scratches, and then told the guy i'd take it.

1If you're new, you are going to change your priorities 7 months later anyway.
For a commuter, I say go used !! Craigslist !!
I am reminded of this today as I took my brand new-old, 1978 Ross Gran Tour
that I bought yesterday from a charity, to work today. Fabulous old mule that
is comfortable, bullet proof and fast as is the case with any 70's, early 80's
steel luggie ! Bike, lights, rack....125.00.

I'm leery of used for a first time person, just because of the important issue of proper fit.