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Cheap city bike?

Old 08-24-11, 03:21 PM
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Cheap city bike?

I've been in the market for a cheap city bike for awhile (under $500 or so) since my road bike feels too "serious" for a trip to the grocery store. I had been looking at Electras, but those seem to be a pretty prime target for theft. I live at the top of a sizeable hill so it has to have a decent gear range. I also absolutely LOVE the look of the Dutch step-through frames. Does anyone have any suggestions? I was focusing on these two if anyone knows anything about them:
https://publicbikes.com/p/PUBLIC-C7
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/.../elle_city.htm
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Old 08-24-11, 03:59 PM
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If you buy from Bike Direct, you either need to factor in the cost of having a shop complete assembly and tune up for you, or be able to do it yourself.

I would look for a bike shop that can order and set up a Torker T300 for you. Any bike shop that is set up to order from Seattle Bike Supply (SBS) can order one for you, regardless if they stock them or not.

FWIW the Public bike is a 7 speed the BD bike is a 3 speed if that makes any difference.

I own a bike very similar to the Torker that was built by Redline and can vouch for the quality.

Aaron
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Old 08-24-11, 04:08 PM
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Any entry-level hybrid carried by the local LBS could also fit the bill.

If you are concerned about theft, spend $100 less on the bike and get a $100 lock. If you properly lock up a $400 bike with a mean looking reinforced Kryptonite chain, thieves will move to the next bike.
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Old 08-24-11, 04:45 PM
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A Giant Cypress would be under $500.00 and has the gears you need. Hills are not a dutch bikes friend. A heavy bike with just 1 to 3 speeds will be pushed up more hills that anything else. Specailized and Trek make a alternative to the Cypress as well.
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Old 08-24-11, 04:51 PM
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You might be able to find these in your price range:

https://www.linusbike.com/models/
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Old 08-24-11, 06:20 PM
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Dumpster scavenge , and tuned up, re- tensioned the freewheel hub
from 5 speed to One.
New brake pads.. and away you go.

more gears? , Add a 3 speed,IG hub, a chain tensioner [old rear derailleur]
and 2 chainrings .
downshift is derailing it with your heel
up shift with a rag so your fingers don't get as greasy.

Last edited by fietsbob; 08-24-11 at 06:25 PM.
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Old 08-24-11, 08:03 PM
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mooshrimp, How about: https://www.globebikes.com/us/en/glob...=11HaulUSstep1 ? A bit over your budget, but since it's close to the end of the model year...

Brad
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Old 08-18-16, 06:35 AM
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Price would be under $500 and you really get what you want. This is too much. You just need a little more searching for another variant. I'm sure. I was looking for it for so long. I found my perfect variant on that website. 8 Top City Bikes for Men and Women | Best Adviser Really good. I chose Public Women's C1 Dutch Style City Bike
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Old 08-18-16, 07:10 AM
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There's a lot out there in this class. If you're hunting for bargains, check Craigslist and closeouts at local bike shops. My LBS had the Bianchi Milano (Al frame, fenders, 8spd) for $400; another LBS had the Breezer Downtown EX ST (fenders, rack, 8sp) at the same price. Both offer a warranty and 6 month tuneup.
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Old 08-18-16, 08:27 AM
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between the two listed, I'd vote for the Public - they're also well-represented in bike shops
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Old 08-18-16, 09:03 AM
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Do you not live in a city where you can go to a LBS and pick up a used beater for cheap? Either of those shiny new bikes would be eyed up by potential thieves here in Philly.
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Old 08-18-16, 09:38 AM
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A Bikesdirect minivelo. Small, light, fun.
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Old 08-18-16, 09:40 AM
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Trek Alant 7
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Old 08-18-16, 09:44 AM
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Originally Posted by mooshrimp
I've been in the market for a cheap city bike for awhile (under $500 or so) since my road bike feels too "serious" for a trip to the grocery store. I had been looking at Electras, but those seem to be a pretty prime target for theft. I live at the top of a sizeable hill so it has to have a decent gear range. I also absolutely LOVE the look of the Dutch step-through frames. Does anyone have any suggestions? I was focusing on these two if anyone knows anything about them:
Classic Dutch City Bike - the new PUBLIC C7
Save up to 60% Off Town Bikes | Classic, Stylish Three Speed City Bikes | Urban Bikes | Commuter Road Bikes | Mercier Elle City from bikesdirect.com
I had the internal hub version of the Public. It is a nice bike, lots of great looking details.

What I found for my hills was it was a little hard to get a good position. Test it out. My fit wasn't perfect so when I rode on steep hills it was a bit harder (read I got sweaty). Didn't get a lot of leverage and had to me overlap.

I have a mix of hills. It didn't do well on the steepest one. I could have used a lower gear. (My steep one is very steep. No one rides it. Except rare wannabe racers.

It worked a lot better when I swapped to stock handlebars. They now have better handlebars then when I got it. The new bars are comfy!

I ended up retiring the bike when I wanted Dynamo lights and planned to do longer rides. Worked great for rides up to 5 miles and moderate hills. I had both front and rear racks and a front basket. So practical!

The mixte has much better positioning than the C7 so consider the M7 or M7i instead. Better for the hills. Otherwise the specs are the same.
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Old 08-18-16, 10:03 AM
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Originally Posted by indyfabz
Do you not live in a city where you can go to a LBS and pick up a used beater for cheap? Either of those shiny new bikes would be eyed up by potential thieves here in Philly.
Philly thieves must have become more discerning in the past few decades.

Back in my Philadelphia bike commuting days of the 70's, "10 speed racers" or anything that looked like one or was attached to one was THE prize bait for the lowlifes who were stealing bikes for their own riding pleasure. These locals were not interested in stealing or riding "city bikes" or as colloquially described back then as "M-F'ing buses."
Never had a problem back in 1970's when I was commuting on a "city bike" (at first a 1970 Sears 3 speed, then a 1972 Raleigh Sports 3 speed) to and from City Hall and West Oak Lane and later West Philadelphia and parking outside all workday, as well as parking for many hours at presumably insecure areas (for bikes) while at Vet's Stadium, Spectrum, Chinatown, U of P and the like. Never had anything stolen or tampered with in about 6 years of daily, all day outside parking. I'm sure if I had ridden the worst beater, if it somehow resembled a 10 speed racer (dropped handlebars, ass-hatchet seat, and/or derailleur) it would not have fared so well.

When I ride around Philadelphia now, (including down at the Reading and Italian Markets) on my annual visits to see relatives I use a $15 garage sale find that is kept at my sister's house that also seems to be unattractive to Philly thieves. So far at least.

Note: I replaced the original OEM saddle with the pictured one which was a 5DM ($2.50) purchase at a flea market in Frankfurt, Germany.
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