Hi there everybody. I'm looking into buying a buying a bike that I can commute to school with. It's about a 5 mile ride back and forth, but I'd also like to use it to get out and ride for long distances. I live in the SF bay area and have been looking at some bikes on craigslist (I'm looking somewhere around the $200-$300 range). I currently have a Redline 925, but want to look into a different bike. I've always had a liking to road style bikes, but haven't gotten one because I don't want to fall into the image of being a hipster XD. All suggestions are welcome.
Thank You

You have lots of choices, and I only make two recommendations.

1. Unless you intend to do heavy boulder hopping, forget shocks, they are not necessary. If you are going to do the boulder hopping thing, don't go half way-get full suspension. Having only a front shock, when the rear wheel takes more abuse, doesn't make sense.

2. If you have to deal with hills, get gears. Lately, the true hipster fashion is single speed bike, cute little retro-euro style cycling cap and messenger bag. Gears, helmet, and two strap back bags (easier on the back) for me.

Welcome To Bike Forums, IHavenI!

With a $300 budget, buying a new road bike is most likely not an option. However, since you do live in the SF bay area, you do have several other options. They are as follows:

1) Join the Bike Kitchen, a bicycle co-op, located at 650 H Florida near 18th street. Monitor the SF Craigslist for an old used 80's styled ten speed road bike. Once you've located a bike, take someone with you who "knows bikes". That will be your "expert". Have your expert accompany you and inspect the bike, both before and after you test ride it for at least twenty minutes. They should be able to tell you something definitive about the bicycle's overall condition and its fit. If you don't feel 100% comfortable riding the bike, then don't buy it! If you suspect that it's too large, it most probably is, and again, don't buy it!

Once you've purchased your bike, the Bike Kitchen should be able to assist you in making any upgrades, adjustments, installations, or repairs.

2) Once you've joined the Bike Kitchen co-op, they can assist you in your quest for the proper frame that can accommodate your size. Sometimes you have to be patient and wait for the proper frame to surface.
Otherwise, you can locate a frame independently, thru Craigslist, a yardsale, or perhaps a purchase online.
The Bike Kitchen will have used components. Some of these components will most likely fit your bike. You can therefore, build your bike right there at the co-op, under the watchful eyes of seasoned veteran bicycle mechanics.

3) You can purchase a road bike online and complete your build at the Bike Kitchen. The following slightly over budget online bike, just might be of some interest to you:

The Motobecane Mirage ~ $330
www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/mirage_xi_steel.htm

4) You can slightly increase you budget and buy either of the following hybrids at a local bicycle shop:

a) The Giant Cypress.st ~ $350
www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/cypress.st/9019/48871/

b) The Giant Sedona.st ~ $350
www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/sedona.st/9025/48885/

* Option #3 will require a few immediate high priority inspections. Make certain that the bottom bracket has been properly lubricated. Also have one of the co-op mechanics inspect the brakes, derailleurs, and shifters. Plan on upgrading your entire drivetrain to Tiagra or Sora, by next summer.

If you can find a used Giant FCR, that's a great bike too.

The FCR 3 just might be my next bike. My primary LBS has rentals and the hybrids are mostly 2010 FCR 3's. Since they do roll over their rental fleet every couple of years, I have a crazy idea to propose to them that I offer to put a deposit down on one, but they can continue to rent it out until I have it paid off. I realize that will just add to the wear and tear, but I also know the shop will make sure it's safe to ride.

Nice write up Slim.

Would read again. A+++


For the op - I think you should definitely go used. Having the expert along to confirm the bikes soundness is solid advice. You will probably like a drop bar city bike. A number of CX bikes will fit this bill.

Look for the braze-on mounts for racks and/or fenders. This opens up the bike to the Fredly potential lurking both in it and in you ......

Hope you find your machine soon.

Seconding SlimRiders recommendation to join your local bike coop.

Looking at sf craigslist, a couple possiblities (fit is critical and you haven't given a size.:

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/bik/3067119987.html
A 1999 Trek 800 for $140. This is a mountain bike, but with slicks and cruiser bars would be a very nice commuter, and fine for longer rides up to 50 miles or so. This one will be a bit heavy.

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/bik/3041805706.html
Univega road bike--I'd figure on spending $100 and putting indexed bar-end or thumbie shifters on it.

Also, I recommend the series over on C&V on buying a basic bike:

Brands to seek, brands to avoid.
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...brands-to-seek

Type of Bike:
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ype-of-bicycle

Condition:
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ting-condition

Signs of quality/components:
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...y-poor-quality