bike for school
 

I'm looking for a bike for my son to take to college. Don't want to spend a lot of money because I'm afraid there are a lot of thefts on campus. Does this one look like a good one?

http://racine.craigslist.org/bik/2430231180.html

That is a nice bike. But I'm afraid that is going to be a target.

Because of the color? Do you think 200 dollars is a good price? They told me it is about 5 years old but has no rust or anything and has been garage kept.

On orientation night for the parents they did say theft was a problem because of people not belonging on campus hanging out stealing computers etc..(it was like that when I was in college and am sure most college campuses are like that).I'm hoping he'll be good about locking it etc although I don't think he's as aware of his environment as I'd like.

It'll be a target because it's a Gary Fisher bike.

Thanks

A lot of people get dinged up looking old 3 speeds in good mechanical shape to deter theft, and you can usually find them cheap.

Brand name bikes and bright shiny bikes are the usual targets. Get a black beat up looking bike (that's in good mechanical condition) and a good U lock and you/he should be ok.

I had an old cannondale that I went nuts sticking every sticker I could find on it. Accidentally left it out unlocked for about a week, nobody even touched it due to how horrible it looked. UPC codes, those little stickers on apples and oranges, and just about anything else that was sticky was applied to it...

There is a lot to be said for 3 speeds , upright bars, and such ,
but what makes them unfashionable, is their benefit.. get a good lock up chain.