Hi guys, I'm back, and I'm looking for some more advice... =)

I borrowed a cheap mountain bike to commute ~10 blocks around the West Philadelphia area, between 30th and 40th streets. Now, I have seen the light! Walking definitely sucks...

I'm looking to invest a bit more in a road bike or a hybrid (less chance of getting flats?) ~$500, but this limit is semi-flexible depending on how good the bike is. Any suggestions? What do people think about the bikes that Firehouse Bicycles is selling on 50th and Baltimore? I know that they're good mechanics and sell parts are good prices, but I don't know if their bikes are a good price or not. I'm not sure what to look for...

I'm not limiting myself to Firehouse Bicycles; I'm just looking for advice on what to get. Thanks in advance...

ANY bike will work for that short commute. Whatz wrong with a cheap mtn bike?

Proclivity for flats are a function of the tire size and quality as well as proper inflation; bike type or price is irrelevant. I commuted for years to and from West Phila (40th and Spruce and 46th and Sansom to City Hall, West Oak Lane to 46th and Market) on a Raleigh 3 speed. A perfect bike for that terrain. I had plenty of flats until I wised up and bought better tires from someplace other than Pep Boys.

What about the Raleigh Single Speed Rush Hour...

Should be in your price range...

If not I think Bike Direct has a ton of bikes within your price range. Haven't dealt with them but I am thinking about their SS Cross bike...

hi neighbor. used bikes at firehouse are expensive, i really hate to say it cause they're a co-op and i really like their business model, but yeah, i've seen some garbage being sold at ridiculously high prices there. that said, they price their new bikes competitively, from what i've seen. there's a ghetto bike store around 52nd and cedar where you can find some stupid deals (especially if you don't mind doing some work yourself), but you have to pick through a lot of junk to find the winners. stay away from via on 9th, unless you want to drop > $300 on a heavy old schwinn. bike therapy at 22nd and south is legit, maybe your best bet for a complete commuter build.

Is Wolf Cycle at 43rd and Lancaster still there? That was an old school traditional shop back in 1972 when I bought from them a new Raleigh Sports for $82. There would be nothing that they don't know about bicycles if it is still the original owners.

Still think any bike would work for your stated purpose - one mile commutes on a flat terrain in a high theft area.

Hmm, I never knew that about Firehouse Bicycles - that they were a co-op. I know that Philly is a high theft area; someone had stolen my quick-release seat while it was locked to my porch over the summer. Needless to say, I replaced it with a bolted-down one, but I'm still looking for something more for the long term for the future. I have nothing against a cheap mountain bike. I'm just afraid of it failing all of a sudden. For instance, the bolt securing the left crank all of a sudden came off. That was a bad surprise... I fixed it by putting the bolt back on using a socket wrench.

I guess I'll look around some more in the mean time. What I'm really tired of is not knowing about bikes in general. I really want to learn more about bikes in terms of (1) maintenance -- fixing everything, (2) parts -- how to recognize what parts are good and what parts are bad, (3) deals -- what constitutes a good deal in terms of price and what doesn't, and (4) brands and types -- what brands are good and what types of bikes to go for and for what purposes. Are there websites that I can goto in order to learn or any particular books I should get? Thanks again for all the replies...

What do people think about the website, bikes direct? Are they any good? What about their prices vs quality? What are your experiences about dealing with them and with their products?

they used to offer a course on basic bike stuff at the bike church. trophy bikes might also have offered a course at one point in time.

Bike Church does still offer that course, they're located in the basement of St. Mary's Church around 37th & Locust Walk. If you want to learn the basics of mechanics/repair, I really recommend skipping the course and just showing up with a broken bike and having a facilitator guide you through the repairs is a great way to build you confidence as far as bike mechanics goes, I'll actually be there this Tuesday doing some repairs on a vintage Centurion I'm restoring. They also sell all manner of used bikes, most need significant work but the prices are comparable to craiglist, i.e. pretty cheap.
Bike Church hours are Tuesday Thursday and Sunday 6:30 - 9:00, and Wednesday is the same hours, but Women and Trans only. Show up at least a half hour early as slots on the workstands are first come first serve and go very fast...

Yeah, I heard about Bike Church. Too bad I have classes at night, leaving only Sunday night open, which I use for studying. I'll stop by one of these days.

What do people think about bikesdirect.com though? Are they any good? What about their prices vs quality? Any experiences about dealing with them and with their products?

A quick use of the search function will lead you to numerous threads in regards to BD...

Thanks for the suggestion, obie33. Let's not go there then... Haha...

Onto the next part I guess... can people suggest good starter bikes for the future that will last for a while (either road or hybrid; hybrid is preferred) around the price range of ~$500?

Are you looking for Road, MTB, Cross? Do you want to use it for more than a simple commute?

I have four bikes that cover what I need, Full Suspension MTB, Hardtail MTB, Road bike and SS Track bike. I use the SS for my short commute to and from work, where the road bike I use for 20-80 mile daily rides.

If you are unsure the best thing to do it go and test ride a few bikes within your price range. Try a SS/FG, a cross and maybe a hybrid/fitness bike. Personally I would try to find a Cross 1X9 which should give you enough gearing for within the city.

I'm looking for either a Road or Cross (assuming you mean hybrid). I don't really understand some of the jargon -- what is a Cross 1x9? Thanks...

theres SO many bike shops in this city. especially around this area of 30th-40th. your best bet is to just hit up a few shops, get on a couple different bikes, see what you like/what you dont like, and make a decision from there.

ps, where do you go to school? drexel? upenn? usp?
i go to drexel and work at upenn.

Cross bike is a cyclocross bike. I would head over to that forum and see what they are all about. A 1X9 is a single chain ring at the pedal and a 9 cog rear.

As others recommended, I would visit local dealers and ride as many different bikes as you can. You may find yourself drawn to something you didn't even think of.

Craiglist has some pretty good deals on used bikes in Philly. Its a pretty liquid market. That is where I got my bike and I am very happy. Try looking up bikes from redbloodedbikes.

Check these out.
First two might be overpriced.
https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/bik/869126208.html

https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/bik/869389608.html

https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/bik/869592659.html

https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/bik/869096077.html

If you have a way of getting there the swap meet at Trexlertown this weekend might be a good place to find a new 08 bike that shops are liquidating or a decent used bike. Keep your eyes peeled on craigslist, its usually hit or miss with bikes being completely overpriced or a ridiculously good deal. Stopping in at a bike shop and just talking to them about what you are looking for is a good way to start, they will know what size you need ect.

+1 on craigslist searches. You should be able to find something worthwhile. If you street park, I would recommend using a lower budget than $500, unless you have a real secure area to park.

Vintage bikes - especially 80's japanese road bikes are a pretty good value and usually are good to street park. I picked up an 80's nashbar tour bike for $130, and it make a pretty good rain bike/ solid commuter. Older bike with names like fuji, panasonic (except sport series), nishiki, bridgestone, soma, or centurion are probably a good choice. Suntour components are a good sign.

Bike shops like firehouse or via will normally be much high than a find via craigslist. Other option is e-bay, but sort for local zips to save on shipping costs.

Good luck.

What do you guys think of this posting? I think that I might just check this out...

https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/bik/871918944.html

That definitely looks like something to check out and you can get some whoopie pies from the farmers market while you're there. Its a win-win.

I've seen some postings that the bikes for sale are usually crap (dumpster finds/waste of time), where the seller is trying to turn a buck. However, you may luck out and it's in a local west philly.

I don't know your size, but here's 2 ebay offerings that are local (you can filter ebay based on zip code). If interested, you can ask seller if pick up is ok, and save some bucks on shipping. I don't know much about the 2nd bike, but Swarthmore is an easy train ride from 30th street. You get some bidding advantage with local pick-up.

https://cgi.ebay.com/FUJI-ACE-MENS-BI...d=p4011.c0.m14

https://cgi.ebay.com/FILA-MILANO-MENS...ayphotohosting

Hey, thanks for the links, phillyrider! I'm not entirely sure what my size is. I was interested in the Fuji bike that you pointed me to. It says that it's 53 cm from the center of the crank to the top. I was looking at this: https://bicycling.about.com/od/howtor...ike_sizing.htm , and i was wondering if that sizing guide is accurate. I'm 5'6"-ish, and my inseam is about 28".

I'll still probably check out that posting on craigslist on Saturday, though. Thanks in advance...

Edit: I just saw that the seller wrote in the description: "No pick up is available - sorry." Hmmm...

Still, is that sizing guide accurate?

Try Frankensteins' on Spruce St betw. 15th & 16th. Bikes aren't cheap, but not expensive either, and they're pretty good with sizing & accessories (racks, fenders, etc). that's where I bought mine at.