Need feedback on used commute bike
 

Hi All,

I recently decided to take the plunge and buy a winter bike so I can commute on bike all year long.
I found one that mostly matches what I was looking for (8 speed IGH, front drum brakes).

Here's the description:
- Sturmey-Archer front hub with 70mm drum brake (no brake issues when wet or icy).
- Shimano internal 8 gears hub with coaster brake (low maintenance and no derailleur).
- 53cm steel frame with 6 layer of varnish (3 layers of transparent coating and 3 layers of reflective and transparent coating) and internal linseed oil treatment (rust protection).
- 700c (28") wheels with 38mm tires.
- Axiom fenders with front mudflap (I can remove it).
- 42T chainring and 22T cog (18T also available).

435$ CAD (331$ USD)
Frame is probably around 5-10 years old, probably relatively generic (I will go see it tomorrow). Other parts are not very old, I don't have more details.

What do you think? Is that a good deal?
Thanks in advance!

It sounds like a good deal on a bike well-suited for winter riding. Inspect it closely, take it for an evaluation ride, and if it seems all right, buy it.

Great, thanks for the feedback! I read it right before buying. It's running well; quite different from my road bike. :)
Now I need to shop for good studded tires.

2 go-to studded tikes got me through an alaska winter (identical bikes)

More snow on the road: 45nrth Grabill

More ice than snow: Schwalbe Marathon Winters

The cool thing about our crappy winters here in Quebec is that God knows what awaits us. Tons of snow? Freezing rain? Ice? Super low temperature? Super high? You get the idea. :)

I was looking into the Schwalbe Marathon Winters in fact! I will most likely wear out the studs faster than expected because of the unstable weather but for those days when black ice will be all over, I'd need them to stay alive.

The tires will amount for almost half the price I paid for the bike with a Shimano Nexus 8 IGH and S-A hub with drum brakes. That's Canada for you. ;p

Thanks.

I have always wanted studded tires, but didn't want to pay $100 for them. REI just had a sale, where the Nokian Hakkapeliitta W240 was only $45 each, and the W160 was only $30 each. That W160 would be perfect for Quebec. I'm gonna give these a try. A patch of black ice can do enough body damage to keep me off the bike for weeks. I bike just isn't like a car.

You can't wear out studs in a good studded tire. Only the cheaper tires with steel studs will wear out (Schwalbe quit using steel several years ago, and now use carbide). Great info on studded tires: Studded Bicycle Tires

If you want to read about what it takes to DIY studded tires:
How To Stud Your Own Tyres | Raving Bike Fiend
Whether you want to actually go this route depends a lot on your budget and personality.

That could've been interesting but I guess the sale is over? I can't find any Hakkapeliitta on REI.com. :(

Wow, they must have sold out quickly. I see they do have the 294 on sale, but its still close to $100 a pop.

I can hardly believe you paid only $435 CDN for that bike. I hope you'll post pictures.

You can check Chain Reaction Cycles. They had the no-frills studded Marathons for about $30CAD a few months ago. The premium version is still about $60. I have the former. They run fine, but you might not be able to find it in a size large than 35mm.