secondimpact

Well, I've kind of got myself hooked on this whole biking thing. What do you guys think about biking around with a cheap bike..now im serious..really cheap. I bought a 21 speed Vertical mountain bike at target. I know its not much but its what I can afford. Im going to be using it to get to class and back..

The thing is is that its very hilly..Any opinions?

secondimpact

If it helps any..when you see Vertical think Huffy.

ellenDSD

It doesn't matter what you ride as long as you're riding something If you got what you could afford, you enjoy riding it, and it does what it's supposed to do (pedals make the wheels turn?), then you are all set (assuming you've got a helmet). Have fun and be safe!

vtjim

My old MTB winter commuter cost $12 at a yard sale.

If you like it, and it's safe, then commute with it!

truman

Lots of good things about cheap bikes, number one being that they point up their own shortcomings beautifully, so that you can pinpoint exactly the features you want to be sure to have on your next ride.

Also, they're less likely to be stolen, you're less likely to feel as disconsolate if they ARE stolen... basically, as long as it's mechanically sound, you worry way less about a cheap bike commuting.

I'm currently building up a 22-year old Miyata frame to an SS for commuting, so I can leave my spendier mountain bike to its mountain biking duties So far, I've only had to buy bar tape and a bottom bracket, the rest has been assembled by trading on the parts karma I've tried to develop over the years.(If anyone's got a decent freewheel type 700c rear I can get dirty cheap for this project, feel free to let me know) . Cheap is a good thing.

gew0419

The key, I think, is not how much you paid for it, but who put it together. Was it put together by a bike tech, or by Steve who works back on the loading dock?

CBBaron

I got a great '83 Trek 400 for $130 on Ebay. With the exception of tires, handlebar tape and a couple paint chips it was like new. Based on my experience I'd take a good used bike over a Kmart special any day. It doesn't require alot of money to get a good bike but it may require some more work. 70s and 80s road bikes are pretty easy to find and are often cheap as are 80s-early 90s MTBs.
But its always better to ride than to not ride no matter what the bike.
Craig

rykoala

Hey, at least you're riding! Its a step in the right direction no matter what. I started out on a wal-mart bike, full suspension special. I didn't know better when I bought it, and it served me well for a short while (I'm big and tough on bikes, esp wheels). When I figured out more about bikes, I bought a used bike and went from there. Now that used bike is my fixed gear commuter with skinny slick tires and a rack an panniers- but I didn't start out that way! So, have fun on your new bike. Isn't that what its all about anyway, having fun?

AndrewP

If its got full suspension you may find it extremely heavy going up the hills. Get a basic set of tools and make sure the wheel bearings and spokes are adjusted properly. It will be strong enough to take the potholes in the streets but dont try any high speed rides down stairs. When the tires start showing signs of wear, upgrade to 1.5" slick tires.

DiegoFrogs

So you spent probably 2-3x as much on your Chrome messenger bag (metropolis?) as you did on your bike? You'll be upgrading soon...

CPW

The full suspension MTB only got used once for the commute. Now it's either the Jamis RdBike or the free Cannondale MTB w/ slicks depending on my mood. I love the "don't bother stealing me" vibe of the old, all rigid MTB for commuting. When at work I can bring my bike in so I go back and forth between the two.
CPW

jbhowat

I'm all about cheap bikes and having people on the road. I wouldn't expect that bike to last very long with a lot of daily use. The problem is, even repairing or replacing a basic component on those bikes is going to cost more than its worth. Also, I'm pretty sure its been reported that one of those bikes costs literally about $14 to make and ship to the United States. Raise the price a little when you factor in shipping with the US, as well as paying the guy who stocked it, built it here, etc.

When this bike wears out, if you still want a cheap bike - go to a bike co-op, used bike store, pawn shop, or yard sales. You will be able to get a bike that was top of the line (or at least a name-brand) for the same price as the Target bike. It will have older components, but they'll last you for years more. The frame will most likely be made out of bomb-broof, lugged Chrome-Moly steel, etc. If you really want it to last forever, go with a 3 speed hub or a ss/fg.

max-a-mill

yeah i am also missing out on why you'd spend 100 on the bag and 29.95 on the bike...

but if it's what you got ride it. make sure there is airin the tires and oil on the chain and you'll be doing better than 95% of the other huffy riders out there.

my dad bought a target special (his was a hardtail) and other than wieghing a ton it seems to be pretty durable for just running erands and whatnot.

secondimpact

Yeah well I HAD money to buy a good bike, probably a Specialized but...I figured out that Cardiology books costs alot more than what I had thought.

GP

I hear a lot of bad things about cheap bikes and I have a friend that's had a lot of problems with his. Then I look at the homeless guys and migrant workers. They load those beat up Magnas and Huffys with giant bags of cans and ride everywhere on them.

tokolosh

i'm doing the same thing you did. ymmv, but i think it was the right thing for me. i'm not only not familiar with bikes; i'm not really familiar with myself as a cyclist yet either. it would have been kind of poseur for me to pretend i knew what i was looking for and what any given bike was worth to me. so eh; occasionally a spandex person might look at me funny, but i figure it's nothing near as funny as they'd look at me if i was geared out like them and still riding the way that i do.

in some ways my $129 sportsmart celsius is more comfortable and works better for me than the old norco i got from the bike coop (for a little more) did. since i'm still learning to commute/getting stronger, i probably won't wear it out in a significantly short time, the way more experienced people might do. and by the time it does wear out i'll probably have a better idea of my own wish-list.

i think it sounds great! when is your first commute on it going to be?

secondimpact

Aww right on man! Yeah hey guys thanks for all the tips, when it breaks ill replace it with an 86 Trek or something. Ill be commuting around UCLA that area...very hilly..so i need to build endurance now.

levensnevel

SecondImpact,

nevermind what other peolple say or think.
Your bike will do the job, just make sure you give her sufficient TLC.

mike

As long as it is comfortable and efficient, any bike will do. My son won a Vertical mountain bike. The one HE had was HEAVY! He probably only rode it a couple of times and went back to his other bikes. Of course, Vertical makes all kinds of designs and yours may be better/lighter.

Anyway, if you ride it and you like it, that is good enough.

Riptide

Define "cheap". My current commuting fleet consists of 4 3-speeds, a 1969 Robin Hood ($60), a 1983 Peugeot ($40), a Huffy Bay Pointe ($65) and a Schwinn Suburban ($30) and I am currently restoring 2
foundlings. Huffys are often dismissed as "cheap" bikes, I have 5700 miles on mine (in 4 years). I have found used/2nd hand bikes to be one of the Great Bargains. The most I have paid for a 10 speed was $325.00 for my Windsor Super Carrera in 1980. (Still have it.) The important things for a cyclo-commuter
are that you feel comfortable with your bike, and that it is really set for commuting/utility, i.e. comfortable
saddle, rack, saddle bag and lights.

jbhowat

^ Yes, I think we are talking about cheap NEW bikes. In fact a lot of people recommend getting a 2nd hand 3sp for commuting. Best way to go!

dynaryder

Important point to remember is the dif between 'cheap' and 'inexpensive'.

Cheap bikes are poorly essembled from crap parts. Inexpensive bikes just don't cost much.