Which used bike to choose?
 

Hi, i am looking to buy a used bicycle for light daily commute and exercise. I came across these two at local listing but dont know much about bike.
1 is a used cheap best choice products (40miles driven) go for $20 ($120 new at walmart)
the other is a like new fds spear (which i have trouble finding the brand information or where it from) go for $100 (owner said he bought for for $300)

both are the foldup bicycles and from the look on the pictures similar to me, so do most other folding bikes except for the logo. I dont know about bicycle.

I mean is the fds spear quality’s higher enough to justify the difference? Im a short but heavy gal (170lbs) and all 26” bike I tested at walmart be too tall for me. That’s why im looking at foldup for mobility and kinda low profile.
Thank you

I'm 5'4" and 180, and love my old steel mountain bike commuter. I bought it used and had a mechanic rebuild it as a road bike. Big fat cushy tires and a swept back handlebar make it super comfy for my commute. I will admit I spent a fair amount of money, but it's a better bike than what I can buy new for the price. I'm not saying you should spend a lot of money too, but you can likely find a good used bike on CraigsList if you're patient and diligent about checking every day. I found mine at a pawn shop, so keep them in mind too.

You can educate yourself here and on SheldonBrown; you don't need to become an expert, but having an idea of what to look for will help you immensely. Participate in the forums, ask questions, and we'll be more than happy to help.

As for the bikes you listed, neither sounds all that great, but that's only my opinion. It would help if we knew what city you're in and how long your commute is.

Hey OP,

Do you need a folding bike? Also, do you have a local bike store? What's your budget?

I recommend:
1. Go to a local bike store to figure out what size bike works for you.
2. Get a good used. simple bike....a steel hardtail like a Specialized hard rock would be great...as would some hybrid bikes (no shocks, nothing fancy).
3. Or go to a bike coop, and ask to get a throwaway bike...and gradually rebuild it.

The Walmart bikes are generally bad. Ditto for the other one....and I'm a folding bike nut.

Btw, where are you located?

Some of us will troll craigslist for fun to find bikes for new people.
Aside from a solid hybrid/mountain bike, you might also consider an English 3-speed (dutch bike).

+1

IDK where you live but there are TONS of steel, hardtail bikes on craigslist in good shape for cheap.

These are awesome because you can't break them, the frame geometry is such that you should find one that's an easy fit, and you can run really wide tires at relatively low pressures with still clearance for fenders!

The hardrock is a good expamle of one but there are also offerings from GT, Giant, Bianchi (I have one if you're near by), Trek … pretty much all the manufacturers made them and they are dirt cheap and good bikes. Just not stylish! I just picked up this one for my daughter for $40, with rack and fenders! I added only the milk cratehttps://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...84d29ad634.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...4f3827a102.jpg

+eleventybillion for classic steel

Not stylish?! Speak for yourself! (Love your daughter's Crazy Horse, BTW)

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3c3247516d.jpg

I am really sorry, didn't mean that in a hurtful way, I think I meant "trendy" not "stylish" - as in, opposite of the guys who give you grief for putting your goggles on UNDER your chinstraps instead of OVER…. thanks BTW - After getting it for $40 I noticed it had really wide rims made in Belgium, the frame and shifters were made in France. The FD was broke so I just took it off and she's riding it on the middle ring for now. Friction shifters are super basic and awesome too! Way underrated.

I am a BIG fan of Specialized products and LOVE what you did with your R/H. I especially love the tire choice and the pedals.

I have a similar-spec Bianchi Incline which is full CrMo in my backyard I need to build up! But what to do with it?

Ride it!

No worries, I didn't take offense; should've put a ;) in there. Also, I wear my glasses under my straps too. The word you were looking for is "classic". Crazy Horse and the Princess are classic bikes, rather than trendy. Although, I think classic is coming back into style. :)

"Princess" I LOVE IT LOL

And I hope you're right ;-)