folkloricjungle

Hey all! I've been wanting to bike to school now instead of driving, so I have a few questions I hope that I can get answered.

First, I'll give some information that might help:
1. My school is 25 minutes away approx. by bike
2. I'm in North Texas, so we don't get much snow or rain, but it does get a bit chilly in the winter, and hot in the summer
3. Most, if not all, biking I do will be on a paved road, or a sidewalk (concrete)
4. I'll probably be biking alone, maybe with one other person
5. I'm around 5'8

Like I said, I'm really basically a complete beginner when it comes to bikes, but I usually catch on pretty quickly. From my research, I've gotten that I should probably get a hybrid bike (I have all paved roads here, as well as sidewalks).

However, I don't really have any idea what are good bikes, and what aren't. I would really appreciate any suggestions on a good bike for riding to and from school, as well as something I can ride around for fun on the weekends. My budget isn't much, I'd like to keep it under $200, maybe $250. I don't mind buying used, but again, new to bikes, so I wouldn't know what to look out for when buying a used one. Also, as bad as it sounds, I am a teenager, and looks to matter to me. Durability and utility will obviously take priority over a good-looking bike, but I do hope for a bike that looks nice and...modern (not really sure how to word this, but hopefully it makes sense)? I prefer a more upright position or slightly leaned over position (the completely leaned over position hurts my back).

Finally, do you guys have any suggestions on what accessories I need for biking? I know I need a helmet, and a lock, any others? For locks, I'm not keen on getting my bike stolen, so I am planning to pick up a nice lock. I was looking at videos, and I saw that there were quite a few on Youtube pointing out the fact that you can open the Masterkey U-Lock with a pen...so what would be a nice, secure lock for my bike? Theft really isn't a big issue at my school (I'm pretty lucky, I go to a really good school), but it definitely still happens.

Thanks in advance for any help, I'm really looking forward to getting my bike!

Artkansas 

Looks matter, but for a bike on campus, bad looks are better, it helps you keep your bike. Don't worry, you can get that super good looking bike after you graduate. Take a perverse pride in knowing that beneath your bikes dubious looks beats a rugged heart of durability.

A couple of questions to help us with recommendations. What kind of hills are there on your route? What do you need to carry back and forth to school?

folkloricjungle

Yeah I understand that looks will cause people to steal the bike however, the way our school works is that the bikes are locked on the outside of the school, and nobody's allowed outside of the building until after school, so it'd be really hard to steal the bike. The campus itself is really isolated as well, so we don't get any non-school people here often.

There are really no hills on the route, pretty flat. I carry basically just my backpack to and from school. Thanks!

cehowardGS

I would be checking the local craigslist for something in the $30 to $60 range. IMO, the right amount for somebody just gettting into it and will be leaving it outside.

folkloricjungle

Any specific models that would be good?

cehowardGS

The first one $50 on craigslist. 1986 Schwinn Prelude It had a bent rear wheel. I had some old wheels and tires laying around. I slapped them on, got some silver bartape, and had a silver seat I took off another bike, and whallo!!




Next one, even sweeter, $90 I have since upgraded it a little, but here it is in the as is, $90 state, dam near perfect, 1988 Centurion Ironman Expert.



Not going to show the above bike after I upgraded it.. It is bike porn. But, the above is what I got for $90..

Hanging around this forum and reading I learned what to look for so forth and so on. I still watch everyday. I landed a sweet deal off Ebay for $51 about 2 weeks ago.

Read on what kind of bike you think you would like, then read up on that, then start searching for some used ones of that type. Craigslist is a good start. You gotta be sharp on Ebay. Wouldn't recommend that to a newbie..

Luck to you,

jettore

Not sure where you are but for examples I checked amarillo craigslist. Here are some good deals. Look for the brands you know and avoid anything with a front shock.
https://amarillo.craigslist.org/bik/3320115543.html - The trek 1000 is a nice bike
https://amarillo.craigslist.org/bik/3318371113.html - The trek 720 is a great price

Where are you, I'll check your local craigslist.

cehowardGS

That trek 1000, I would jump in on it SUPER FAST!!! $100? RUN, fly, do anything but go get it now..

Deals like that trek 1000, hope it is your size, go in a new york second.

The trek 1000 is the kind of bike that fits my style. Racer type road bike that is super cool looking..

The hybrid is okay, not for me though. Would make a nice school bike too.

BTW, if you are going for road bikes, they will not have front shocks.


I am in the Baltimore/DC area..

folkloricjungle

https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/bik/3323245716.html
https://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/bik/3285683527.html
https://dallas.craigslist.org/mdf/bik/3302667736.html
https://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/bik/3308834842.html
https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/bik/3248050192.html
https://dallas.craigslist.org/mdf/bik/3259307972.html

Do any of those look like good deals ;_; sorry, I'm really just taking guesses, no idea what to look for

10 Wheels

None of them.

folkloricjungle

Dallas area

Rhodabike

At 5'-8", you need to be looking for something in the 54 cm size range. 25 miles is a fairly long commute, so you want it to fit properly.

folkloricjungle

25 minutes, not miles xD

nfmisso

no picture - don't even respond.
Trek 930 should be aroun $125-
Trek 820 too small
Trek 200 too tall; price not bad, I recommend that you go try it out.
Peugeot - if you knew a lot about bikes, maybe. Going to need some serious work which will run hundreds at a bike shop.
Giant - $100 maybe if everything is good.

Things to look for:
* lift each wheel off the ground, and push it sideways; there should be no play; if there is the wheel bearings need a re-build, easy to do, but you need to the tools, or figure on paying $10 to 20 per wheel.
* apply to the front brake, rock the bike back and forth - should be no play in the fork - again easy fix, but you need to the tools, or figure on paying $10 to 20.
* grab a pedal in each hand - should be no play. again easy fix, but you need to the tools, or figure on paying $30 to 40. ($20- part).
* grab a pedal and the crank arm - should be no play. again easy replacement $10- to $20- plus labor.
* gears should shift smoothly, focus on the 3 largest cogs in back with the smallest chainring in front, the three smallest cogs in back with the largest chainring in front, and all but the largest and smallest in back with the middle ring in front. when in a gear it should be quiet, minimal noise, definitely no loud clicking.
* both brakes should be firm, smooth and powerful. No binding. Brake levers should spring back to normal position.
* cable housings should look good, and be free of cuts and bangs. No rust !!

Good luck.

folkloricjungle

Are there any specific models you guys recommend?

jettore

That giant you linked could work. Maybe get a little lower on the price.
https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/bik/3323245716.html

I'd go look at these and see if the 18" fits. Could always change the bars to something else.
https://dallas.craigslist.org/mdf/bik/3322693859.html

folkloricjungle

Someone offered a Trek 820 for $100, is that a good deal? And I'll check out the two you linked

jettore

Without pictures, size, year, components and condition there's no way to tell if it's a good deal. Most important when buying a bike you plan to use, make sure it fits you. A bike to small or large is not a good deal no matter what the price is.

folkloricjungle

https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/bik/3322945077.html

What about this one? It looks in pretty good condition. What would a good price be for me to argue it down to?

old's'cool

There are so many models out there that the list of recommended models would be huge, and so would the list of models to avoid. You either need a fairy bike-godmother to help you find and procure your first bargain-priced decent commuting bike, or spend a little time getting up to speed (which you are certainly doing now in this thread you started ) so you can be self-reliant purchasing a suitable used bike.
As you may have learned already, the process of posting CL ads in this forum and receiving yea or nay recommendations consumes valuable time, so the good buys will be snapped up from under you while you are waiting for feedback from forum. That is why it is extremely benificial to be able to judge for yourself. I'm not criticizing you for not having that judgment now, I'm just explaining why you need to take a moment to develop it. Best of luck with your bike quest!

folkloricjungle

Has anyone heard of the Diamondback 2013 overdrive V 29'ers? Are they alright? O:

folkloricjungle

Yup I know! I do like to check in on these though to make sure. :O

folkloricjungle

https://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/bik/3245974871.html

There was some news I saw on a recall on this model, hence why I'm asking: is this a good deal/is this bike model reliable?

Also, what of this one: https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/bik/3319731775.html

bragi

You'll probably decide what works best for you based on experience, but here's what I've learned, based on my own experience as an old guy who's used his bike for pretty much all local travel for the last 10 years:

1. If you're going to ride to a university, theft is a real possibility. Ride a bike to school that, if it is stolen, will not break your heart or your bank account.
2. Modern U locks can not be opened with a ball point pen like the old ones, so don't worry about that. Cable locks don't work very well as a primary lock; they're easy to cut. The big, heavy chain locks work pretty well, but they're also pretty heavy. I think your best bet is a small U lock like the Kryptonite Evolution. Don't be afraid to spend a little money on this item.
3. If you're riding on paved surfaces, don't even think about getting a bike with suspension or knobby tires.
4. Seriously consider putting fenders on the bike. This may not be a major factor in Texas, but if you ride in the rain without them, you're going to get showered with road slime coming off your tires.
5. If you ride at night, a headlight in front and a blinky in the rear are absolute necessities.
6. Carry a spare tube, small repair kit and hand pump with you if you can. You'll almost never get a flat, but when you do, it will be late at night when you're kind of in a hurry, and it will invariably be the back tire.
7. Don't put off basic maintenance. Chains and brakes are easy to clean and replace, and you don't want them to fail while you're riding.
8. Don't be afraid to be dorky and carry extra clothes with you when you ride, especially in the spring and summer. Where I live, right now it's warm in the day time, but at night it gets cold in a hurry.

folkloricjungle

Should I think about getting a road bike? I was looking at the Specialized Crossroads Sport or the GT Zum (both are on sale here) o:
Also, what about the Kryptonite Faghetaboutit Mini U-Lock? I picked up a Kryptonite cable lock for my secondary lock, still looking for a solid U-Lock