Buying used bikes for commuting
 

Bought an extremely cheap fold bike (something like this bike) and used it for 3 years until it got stolen recently. I generally used it to bike to a park where I play basketball that's about 2 miles away 2 times a week.

Now that I'm getting a new bike I need some suggestions since I'm on a tight budget. For my new bike, in addition to biking 8 miles a week for basketball games, I also want to go cycling for ~16 miles twice a month. So I guess I would travel ~64 miles monthly with the new bike. I live in New York City so the roads will be smooth pavement most of the time.

I'm thinking about getting a used bike hoping that would be cheaper and I just want any bike that runs decently and fits my need. I did some researching of my own and many people said department store bikes are all crap even though they are cheap. Will those bikes let me go 64 miles a month? What about craiglist, anyone have experience on there with getting decent bikes for cheap? Any suggestions? My budget is ~200 USD.

If you can increase your budget to $300-$400, you can get a more decent bike.

Bikes Direct.com is the place to shop on a budget. Not cheap but good value for your cycling bucks and they are made to last with a high quality frame and matching components.

If you have a knowledgeable friend who knows the difference between gems and dogs,there are real bargains out there on Craigs List.

Also, 64 miles/mo, mostly on short rides isn't a very demanding purpose. For this kind of light duty, you can do what the underclass does; buy a big box bike for $189.00, do basic maintenance as needed and chuck it if/when it needs anything major. Up here in Westchester, waiter, busboys and the like ride these 100+ miles a week and they typically last 2 years, which makes them solid value in cheap transportation, despite being sneered at as BSOs by bike snobs.

Thanks for the suggestion guys. I actually went on bikes direct and saw some promo deals selling bike on discount.

Save Up to 60% Off Comfort Bikes | Bike Path Bikes | Windsor Dover 1 from bikesdirect.com
Save Up to 60% Off Comfort Bikes | Bike Path Bikes | Windsor Dover 1 from bikesdirect.com
Save Up to 60% Off GT Traffic Bikes, Hybrid bikes, Multi-speed Comfort and Hybrid bikes

I honestly just went on there and looked at the cheapest price available that also looks decent. Based on how I said I would use the bike, do you guys think any one of these bikes would be a good deal for their price; their discounted price, not their whopping sales price before the discount (I'm in the advertising business so I care little about the big number before the discount).

Another thing that bothers me is that they don't really have my size; I'm 5'5" with about 29" inseam. What's the difference between men's bike and ladies bike other than the slanted top tube? Would it be bad if I order the ladies version if it fits my size?

Thanks

Have a look at fixie stores. In Australia, Just Ride It offer a $300 bike. Flip flop hub, weighs 8.5kg.

Let see - in the mens bike - I presume you're a man unless you say otherwise. Nothing wrong with a man's bike:

The Windsor Dover 1 - you fit a 16"

The GT Traffic - M.

They do have your size but with the GT Traffic there is only one left so jump on it right way on it! If the bike fits, keep in mind bikes don't have genders. What matters is whether you feel the bike fits you, your lifestyle, your personality and your needs.

Down here in Manhattan, the delivery bicycle is changing fast. The riders own their bikes, and yet they see fit to buy well made bikes and keeping them in good running condition. Some are tricked out beyond utilitarian concerns. I'm not sure if the delivery guys -- and they are pretty much all men -- feel this new way is more economical. Maybe it is; I hope so. Maybe it's better because the bike is more reliable than a BSO and results in less unexpected down time. Too much of that, and you lose your job.

Despite this small disagreement, [MENTION=158672]FBinNY[/MENTION]'s advice is good with regard to getting a bike off Craigslist. Find someone who can sift the chaff from the grain. It doesn't take long to find a solid value in a used bike there.

Yep I'm a man. For the Windsor Dover, I don't see any option for 16" men, only saw 16" ladies white.

I'm actually really tempted to buy the GT Traffic 5.0 Single Speed Bikes but I Just realized that this is single speed and I have no idea what 5.0 single speed means. My worry is that the speed would be too low for my liking. On my old folding bike, since the gear shifting is so crappy, I just permanently set my gear at 5 with 6 being the highest/hardest to pedal. I consider myself to have stronger legs than an average guy so how does "5.0 single speed" compare to the gear shifting on my old folding bike? The gears I'm comparing the GT traffic to is something like this bike.

The 2013 GT Traffic 2.0 is on closeout at REI at $599.00 and has 27 speeds. I see its available in M.

GT Traffic 2.0 Bike - 2013 Closeout at REI-OUTLET.com

The 2014 GT Traffic 1.0 Commuter Bike at Performance is listed for the same price and in M.

https://www.performancebike.com/bike...400309__400309

GT Traffic 2.0 also at Performance - on sale at $499.00 and available in M.

http://www.performancebike.com/bikes...400316__400316

From America's Bike Company, the GT Traffic 3.0 is $414.00 and is also stocked in M.

2013 Traffic 3.0 Urban Bike

So you have three different models available as well as the single speed available on BD. You have to decide whether the other models features justify the higher price.

I don't mind the single speed gear. I was wondering if there is any way of knowing how the fixed gear on that GT Traffic compares to the multi-geared bikes. In fact, I would buy it right now if the fixed gear on that GT Traffic is similar to gear 5 or 6 on the multi-geared folding bike. If I'm getting a single geared bike, I want something that's kind of hard to start up but allows me to go faster once I get the bike rolling. I don't want a bike that is easy to start the pedal but have a lower top speed.

Sorry let me know if this makes any sense; new to cycling and does not know the name of any parts.

Is there a reason you don't just get the bike in the eBay link you provided?
You said it is similar to your last bike that performed well for you, and is well within your budget (i.e. may leave money for better locks), so it seems like an obvious choice.

You can find cheaper used bikes, but to go below this price usually takes time, and some ability to fix the problems with inexpensive used bikes. (Good bikes without problems usually cost more.)

An additional 16 miles twice per month shouldn't strain any bike; your last bike would have been fine (if it hadn't been stolen). Many commuters do more than 64 miles per week, so I think any decent bike should work fine for you.

Single speed
Telling us gear 5 or 6 is hard to use, since this will depend on the number of teeth on the front (chainwheel) and rear (sprockets) gears, and on the wheel size. Changing the gear on a single speed isn't particularly difficult or expensive (put a larger or smaller gear on the rear hub), but it sounds like you might need a few tools and some instructions

I suggest you call some shops and ask if they have any returns or scratch/dent inventory. This can give you an actual good bike at an astonishingly low price, and in most cases manufacturer guarantee is good from your date of purchase.

- Andy

I certainly don't mean to besmirch the honesty of Manhattan delivery people. But.... For every bicycle stolen from someone... someone else profits from a liberated (free) bicycle. If the bicycle investment "budget" is a pair of bolt cutters why ride a cheap bike.

If you're implying that a significant fraction of delivery people are riding stolen bikes, I wish you could say it more directly. I do not believe this to be the case. Many of these guys are from Mexico and Central America, and if I may use a cultural stereotype, their demeanors are generally humble and respectful.

One delivery guy told me that he rents his bike out on shifts he's not working, and the bike works two shifts a day. This is serious business.

I initially bought a folding bike thinking it can save space in my apartment but it was such a hassle to fold it up every time that I just decided to leave it in the corner. So I don't want to get another folding bike if I'm not taking advantage of the folding part. The old bike is also extremely heavy; must have weight over 30 lbs. Since I'm getting a new bike, I figured I can get a more efficient bike with the same budget since it doesn't have to be a folding bike.

This is what they said under cassette/chain: Dicta Heavy Duty single speed 16t / KMC Z510 RustBuster.

I also emailed them asking how the fixed gear on that bike compare to multi-geared bikes.

Sounds like a good reason not to get folding bike - the hinge on the eBay bicycle doesn't look like the most rigid, but I doubt you'll notice the hinge (or the weight) for a 2 mile ride (or even a 16 mile ride).

For gear comparisons, I'd look up an article on gearing on wikipedia or sheldon brown. This will let you compute the gear ratios; the single speed manufacturers will typically tell you how many teeth are on the chainwheel (front gear) and sprocket (back gear) and the wheel size.

Gear inches - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I wouldn't hesitate to buy a ladies bike if the size fits you better. A few people may (or may not) give you a hard time but a bike that's too big is not good.

For gearing, the rear sprocket on the single speed may be a little small (higher gear), but it sounds like you may prefer this, especially if you don't have many hills or long rides.

US measure is gear inches = 46teeth front / 16 teeth back x wheel size 27" (close to 700C) = 77.6 inches
What gears are you using on the folding bicycle? What is the wheel size?

The singe speed/3 speeds I normally ride typically have a gear that's a little lower, 26 inch wheels with 17-18 tooth sprockets, for gears of 66-70 inches, but I often ride longer distances and may have hills.

When I was in NY this spring I was looking at a lot of the delivery bikes. There were lots of higher-end bikes. The frames were heavily masked and painted, but something like a mid-tier Specialized or Trek was common. Many had hydraulic discs and Deore or higher shifters/derailuers.

The bikes were heavily camo'ed, but plenty of these bikes would've easily been $1k+ MSRP. I was very suprised, because I was expecting to see basic components, and instead seeing lots of expensive parts.

I suspect the hydraulic discs is from needing to use the bike in poor weather. And once you're buying a bike with hydraulics, you tend to find Deore more than Acera.

Those delivery guys are hard working folks. I sympathize with them when their bikes get stolen!

Thanks for doing the math. I do prefer higher gear. The folding bike had a 20" wheel and I always left the gear at 5.

Or spitefully damaged?

- Andy

I saw the specs for the folding bike (20" wheel, 48T sprocket, rear 14T-28T).

This would put 6th gear at 68.5 gear inches (48T/14T x 20"), and 5th gear a little lower (60.0" for 16T cog in 5th). I would have expected top gear to be a little higher than this, but the manufacturer probably expects the bicycle to see light use by bicyclists not concerned about setting speed records.

The GT Traffic specs put the gearing at 77.6, so this would be gear 7 (higher than 6) or even a little higher on your current bike. The GT looks like a decent bike for the price that will meet your needs (and available in a medium size to fit 5'5" riders).

I'm not sure where your are located - larger cities often have bicycle coops with space to work on bikes with tools and volunteers to give advice. If there is one you can go to:
(a) They usually sell used bikes very cheaply, and will help you make any repairs needed. They probably have a suitable bike. Or

(b) You can buy the GT and they can help you change the rear freewheel for 20T or 21T to give it more normal gearing. The bike coop will probably have the parts (freewheel, extra chain links to fit larger gear) and tools needed.

This change (replace freewheel, adjust chain and brakes for new wheel position) are not difficult, but it sounds like bicycle repair is still new to you so you might see what help is available locally.

Well thanks everyone for your suggestions. I decided to buy the gt traffic 5.0. Guess I'll let you know how it is after some time.