Buying first name brand bike, help a newbie!
 

I am upgrading from my Magna that was around $130 new about 7 years ago. I live 1.3 miles from my college and like to bike half the week. My old bike was a heavy steel frame, but I'll admit I've never even ridden on a lightweight/aluminum bike for comparison.

So, I've decided to get a new mountain/hybrid/road bike that doesn't have skinny slicks that is not department store quality after my Magna decided to break a few parts and bend a wheel. I just want something decent for commutes less than 5 miles.


-Price is $200-300 TOPS, prefer to go as low a possible though.
-Willing to buy used, I am a craigslist fiend
-Doesn't have to be ultra-lightweight, but don't wanna buy another really heavy bike
-Want 21 or similar speed bike, I like to shift around
-will be ridden 95% on road/sidewalks, most intense thing would be jumping curbs. Would like the ability to take very light trails if I ever want
-NO SKINNY SLICK road bikes. They look absolutely gay to me. Sorry road bike lovers, just not my style.
-I'm 6'' 150lb

I'm a car guy, not a bike guy. Help educate me make a good purchase and have a decent bike that will last me for years!

The Trek 800/820 seems to be popular, although steel frame, they seem bulletproof from reviews. Found a local used one for $200, seems high, but what do you think of these bikes?

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/bik/3442642592.html

Get a beater that you won't mind getting stolen. That Trek is nice but if you are using that for college commutes, it will get stolen.

Find a used MTB with rigid fork, slap some fat tires on it, maybe ask a LBS to tune it, that's about it.

As a buying tip, use common sense, stay away from obvious signs of abuse, rust etc. It's a good idea to get them to undo the stem out of the head-tube and the seat-post out of the seat-tube and check the tubes and the pipes for rust, that's where people usually overlook it.

As for stolen... get a decent u-lock and park it next to bikes with crappy cable locks. :) No bike thief will go for the cheap bike with a strong u-lock if they can have their pick of better bikes with worse locks. You said $300 max, if you get a $200 bike do yourself a favor and invest $50-75 of the other hundred in a Kryptonite u-lock.

I wouldn't say roadbikes make the rider look like a *****exual. The lycra tights might, but $200-300 won't get much bike, let alone a bike with decent 700c tires, but good luck with the bike hunting. Although my college roommate tried my bike and told me, the seat just "goes into his ass", it's a terrible saddle but I will get that replaced in the near future, well I'm digressing a bit.
Anyhow, if your dorm or apartment is large enough, you can store the bike in your room at night, and have a coil lock for going about. I have my doubts that thieves would go after a bike in the daytime because it's much easier to attempt it under the cover of night.

If you want new you can get a Giant Revel 4 for $385, that's only an extra $85. Get a u lock or a Kryptonite New York chain to lock it up with. I live in a college town and haven't had a bike stolen yet (knock on glass to save my ass) because I use a u lock, cable my wheels, and secure to a bike rack set in concrete. Thieves go for the easy pickings, those wimpy cable locks.
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/...4/11523/55894/
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=288117

If someone is going to steal it, they're going to steal it...cheapo or not.

There are some affordable Treks and Fujis that should be under your mark if you find them on Craigslist.

Trek sells a LOT of 3 Series MTBs, and I see them all the time on CL, usually under 300, most 2010 or newer. Keep an eye out for the 3500, 3700, and 3900's.

Trek and Fuji both make affordable Hybrids that, again on CL, should be under 300.

Also, make sure you get the right SIZE. A lot of Big Box Bikes don't really give you an option other than Adult/Child. That's not the case with better bikes.

I cannot judge the condition of a Used Bike over the internet.


Talk to the folks at the Local Bike Shop.. then you can test ride their new bikes.

Donate the Magna to a charity shop for the Tax Deduction.

Which college? If you're at Emory check with the folks at Bike Emory. They have some great deals.

I go to Kennesaw State, they have a bike shop but they only rent and service bikes, they don't sell them.
Thanks for the replies so far!
Checked craigslist and no local 3500/3700/3900s, am really looking to get one over break now that I have time to look around.
That Giant looks nice but it's over budget, I'm a broke college kid restoring a classic car I cannot stretch my budget.

Any other bikes off the top of anyone head that are tried-and-true or that I should keep my eye out for? What about any specs in particular that are must haves? I know Shimano parts are good, and that I should avoid bikes with a spring in the rear for my budget but that's about it.

I don't want to hear about your personal life.

;)

Your campus LBS rents bikes, right? Make them an offer- every rental company I've ever come across likes to 'flip the fleet' to keep the customers happy.

Barring that, see if there are any bike kitchens or co-ops near by. Volunteer your time, learn to do your own work, win win.

Or sell the project car- things are notorious money pits.

If all else fails, there's always BD...

A high-end MTB from the late 80s with a rigid fork and what was then top-of-the-line components will fit in your budget with room to spare; use what's left over for a good set of new slick tires and you will have a truly loveable bike that will be the envy of all who see it.

+1.

And don't get hung up on the bike name. You're much better of with a good bike that nobody heard of instead of a name brand bike that's (in) crappy (shape).

Any of the major brand names are OK and many of the smaller brands are good too, basically if it is a Taiwanese frame with Shimano components, it will do the biz. MTB or hybrid makes no difference over short distances. As long as it fits you and is comfortable.
A non-suspension fork is a good idea but hard to find on new bikes. They come in hi-tensile steel, chromoly steel and aluminium. I have used all types and they all work but the chromoly ones are nicest.
Make sure the bike has threaded eyelets for rack and bolt-on fenders.
Cheap bikes often come with cheap tyres. If you want hassle-free cycling, fit some super-protected tyres such as Schwalbe Marathon Plus.

Those 1980's old-school rigid MTBs are nice but just try finding one in rideable condition, in your size, close by. You have to buy what you can.

$80 is killer to spend on tires for a bike worth around $200-$300, and if he's using it for commuting, a set of semi slicks isn't a bad idea.

Really, man? I mean, come on, you don't want a road bike because road bikes are a... mark of *****exuality?

But, anyways, what you want is a hybrid. Get a used Trek 7.1 or something -- you may have to hunt around, but keep digging and you'll find something relatively light and relatively fast. For a couple hundred bucks you're not going to find something immediately, but if you keep at it you'll eventually hit something. Maybe even try a few pawn shops or yard sales -- sometimes your best options are the people who aren't on Craigslist.


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