RigHty

hey, i just moved back to brooklyn from Tennessee and find it annoying to drive my car. my friend, back in tennessee was interested in bikes, suggested i get one. i thought about biking to college, which is about 8 miles. i looked up a few bike shops and thought i get a decent used bike. what should i be looking for? brand, weight, price, etc. i have about 200 to spend. please help me out.

10 Wheels

How much time have you spent on a bike?
It may not be the thing for you.
Go very cheap to start, just to see if it is a doable thing for you.
Riding in any kind of traffic requires that you know how to ride well.

Alfster 

Didn't take you long to find this place OK, I'll throw my 2 cents in ... and that's probably all my advice is worth

Couple of things to consider:
- will you have a secure place to lock up your bike at home and at college? If not, consider buying an older 10 speed or mountain bike. No sense buying too expensive of a bike for a commuter. You can probably pick one up for under $100.

- You also need to consider your physical needs. For instance, if you're over 250 lbs you might need to consider a stronger frame. I'm 210 lbs and had to upgrade my front suspension.

- Whichever bike you end up with, make sure you fully understand how to choose the right size frame for your dimensions. If you don't, you'll quickly lose interest in biking. There are plenty of threads on BF's to help with frame sizing.

- Make sure you keep some of your budget aside for accessories (lights, rack, panniers, etc).

- The last piece of advice I will give is that $200 will go a lot further towards a good quality used bike compared to a lower quality new bike for the same money.

Good hunting!

RigHty

i been riding my dads huffy around brooklyn for a few days because my car was down. it was surprisingly fun. i didnt expect to enjoy it since it was cold out, but i did. i wouldnt mind making this my primary transportation.

trekker pete

I'm guessing the pavement can be pretty crappy in brooklyn. I would look into a mtb or hybrid. What sort of riding distances are we talking about? Used is definitely the way to go in your price range. Actually, IMHO, it's the way to in much higher price ranges as well.

RigHty

im in many car forums so i thought i just google bike forum and walaa. im pretty underweight so that wouldnt be a prob lol. if i can get a decent bike for less than 100, i guess ill use what i have left on misc bike parts. i do have a garage where i will be storing it. im aware of the bike thieves around here. how will i know if the bike is good quality?

10 Wheels

Sorry about your car.
That is great your riding dad's wheels.
Dress warmer with layers
Maybe look for a used bike with a rear rack to carry stuff on.

RigHty

6-8 miles to school. 12-16 miles round trip. hybrid as in road/mountain bike? how does that work?

Alfster 

Hybrid has 1 inch of suspension travel on the seat post, along with some other physical differences. I somehow don't think that's what you need ... until your maybe my age

If you're travelling on rougher roads or any gravel / dirt bike paths then I'd eliminate a road bike from your selection. If that's the case, a decent hard-tail mountain bike (MB) might be your best option. A hard-tail MB just means there's front suspension only, no rear suspension. If you want front and rear suspension MB it's called a full-suspension MB.

If you're riding on relatively smooth roads, then a road bike makes for a great commuter ... although personally I would still stick with a MB. Just my own preference. I do own a road bike, however I use it after work and weekends for longer rides.

stevel610 

$279
50 pounds
Will last forever.
https://worksmancycles.com/shopsite_s.../cruisers.html

PlatyPius

https://cgi.ebay.com/SCHWINN-MENS-WOR...3A1|240%3A1318

Alfster 

That's what I'm talk'n 'bout. Perfect commuter.

RigHty

im about 5'9". the frame size says S. how small is small? im gonna go to my local bike shop friday and check out some bikes. the guy i talked to over the phone said he would help me look for a good road bike for me. if i do buy one, im gonna ride it home. its right next to campus. im just hoping i can last 6-8 miles.

10 Wheels

He can help you with your size.
Go Slow on the way home.
Let us know what you get?

RigHty

alright, ill post a pic of it too. i only owned 1 bike and thats when i was 12. this is gonna be fun.

slloth

My last 3 commuters including my current have all been free. If you only have $200 to spend I would get an old road bike either free or very cheap and use the $200 for lights, pump, pedals, tune up, tires, helmet etc.

10 Wheels

You Stole Them? All Three.

Randochap

Check out my commuting pages. Might find some useful tips there

RigHty

https://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/bik/974264864.html
https://newyork.craigslist.org/jsy/bik/972978420.html
https://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/bik/971621686.html
i found these. the fuji one looks nice.

sonatageek

The first bike (Panasonic) is way too big for you. I did a search on the Fuji and it is online brand new for $300. If his price was a little lower that might be a decent choice.

The last two bikes --- The Schwinn looks to be in decent shape but the Free Spirit looks like the fork is bent back from a crash (hitting a curb maybe). The $140 for the Schwinn would be high where I am (Ohio) but might be decent price in NYC. A 23" frame might be a little too large for you.

slloth

x2 on the Schwinn. $140 though? What kind of saddle is on that bike?

RigHty

is this worth 125? found a local guy selling used bikes. looks like there is rust all over it...

bugly64

I love that pie plate. Who makes that bike? Tell him you will give him $80.

AndrewP

I would go for the Fuji, but you shouldnt pay more than $150. Avoid bikes with steel rims on the wheels (check with a magnet or look for rust). The brakes wont work if they get wet.

Randochap

$80? He'll be laughing all the way to the bank.

Ask him for the gas money to haul it away.