I am currently looking for a bike to commute to work and back. It's about 16.5 miles each way, with just about no hills at all, just a straightaway on a MUP. I'd like to get a bike that I can throw some packs on or something to be able to carry lunch, etc... I don't know which bikes will allow fenders or racks or anything like that. We have a pretty horrible CL here in Utah, everyone uses the classified section of ksl.com. My budget only goes up to about $550.00, so I don't think that I'll be able to get even a starter bike at a LBS, I'm going to have to start calling each one around the Ogden/Salt Lake area to see which ones will sell used bikes. I did find the following used bike on ksl.com, and was wondering if anyone had any advice on getting a bike in general, or maybe on this bike here:

https://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218...lpid=2&search=

His picture:



Thanks all!

Three companies that I know of, and several others I would assume, have great commuter bikes that would fall in your budget. Trek's FX series has two or three models under $550, Giant has a model called the Escape (I ride one of these) that would be good, and Cannondale. Don't assume that an LBS wouldn't be able to help you with your budget - with a commute of 16-1/2 miles one-way believe me you need some quality, not a BSO. I'm using an Escape 2 from Giant. I traded an older bike straight across for it, but it retails for $420 and is great for the price.

Here's a pic of my beast:


My commute happens to be exactly the same as yours. www.bikeisland.com has fenders for 34.00 that will fit the bike you posted. No shipping. It doesn't appear to have rack bosses, but you can get rubberized p-clamps from a hardware store to attach to the chainstays. They will hold the rack you'll need in place up top. I recommend a Delta Universal Mega Rack. 30.00. Various places online. Get a Topeak Road Morph w/Gauge frame pump. 35.00 from Bike Island. You'll lose one of the wb cages as the TPRM's mounting bracket uses up one of the wb spaces. You wont need the 2nd wb slot for 16.5 miles, anyway. And when you can afford it get some puncture resistant tires. They'll save you alot of headaches. There are many brands from which to choose. My recommendation would be Schwalbe Marathon Plus for their durability. That's what I use. 2 slow leaks and 1 flat in 4+ years.

Of course you'll want to get a multi-tool w/a chaintool attachment, extra links, tube(s), patch-kit, tire levers and panniers or an expandable trunkbag depending on how much you intend to transport. The bags on my bike are some Jandd front panniers I got at a swap meet for 10.00. The trunkbag is a Sunlite medium I got @ www.bikepartsusa.com a few years ago. I think it was 20.00. My emergency stuff I keep in one of the side pockets.
Lights: Niterider MiNewt 150 Cordless 50.00 @ www.nashbar.com Cygolite Hotshot 27.00 @ www.amazon.com. Both are re-chargeable. The extra front light is a Sette Glo from www.pricepoint.com for 10.00. Sette Glo 316 blinkies are used in addtion to the CLHS on the rear. Also, 10.00 @ Price Point.

Others will weigh on on equipment suggestions as well. Take from each one and weigh them against what works for you. Even though our distance may be the same the terrain/surface of our commutes may not be the same at all, thereby requiring different equipment.

Have fun putting your rig together. It's satisfying to ride into work and back under your own power on a rig specifically designed by you for you.

Btw, offer the guy 350.00 cash for the bike. He'll take it.

I think the price is too high for a 1990 Aluminum bike.
But I'm cheap, personally I wouldn't go over $200 maybe $250.

Well, I think I may end up picking up a Trek Atwood, and then just buying the fenders, etc... for it. It has the straight looking handlebars, not the drop kind, I hope that that won't make too big of a difference for the ride that I'm making. The handgrips also look like they're made of cork or something. Anyone have an opinion on the comfortableness (if that's a word?) of riding this bike?