kk42

i have absolutely no idea if this is the right place to post this but whatever.. Im currently 15 and looking for a bike that i can use too get around with, im hoping to do some rides that are about 10-40miles but will also constantly be doing rides that would be less than a mile. Im not looking to spend very much money but was hoping i could get a basic idea on what to look for.

spectastic

craigslist. I was able to find some nice vintage bikes when I used to ride them. They range from $60 to abou $220, depending on the year/model, extent of maintenance, and sometimes luck. If it's a big city, with lots of cyclists, there's sure to be a gem somewhere... just have to be diligent and jump on it as soon as you see one.

kk42

well gee thanks...lol now if only someone would be kind enough to tell me what to look for on craigslist

kk42

i mainly just have no idea what im looking for at all so i wouldn't even be able to look for a good deal if i were to try...ive been looking all over craigslist at all different types of bikes but like i said i wouldn't be able to tell apart the good and the bad

no1mad 

Go with an entry level hybrid from the LBS. Examples- Trek FX, Giant Escape, Specialized Sirrus, Jamis Coda, Kona Dew, Cannondale Quick... all these have a range of models within the product line and there are other brands that will offer similar- it just boils down to your budget and what the LBS can get.

Phil_gretz

Your question is too open ended for the answers to be helpful to you.

It sounds like you could use a 1990s steel hybrid with 26" wheels, a flat bar, and twist type shifters. Something like the Trek 800 or 700 series. Giant had similar hybrids. There were Univega and Schwinn ones, too. All were similar...

How tall are you? What is your "for real" budget for the bike?

Start there. Do some research on basic steel hybrids. Get out a yellow legal pad and begin making notes. Look at Google images. Read about sizing and how to find out what size a bike is. Learn to identify the basic features you'd like from photos.

Find some in your locale (using Craigslist) that look like what you might like. Spend the time to test ride some. You don't have to buy anything, but you must become familiar enough to be able to tell what fits, and what works and what doesn't.

Do you have school friends whose fathers or older brothers ride? They might be a good source of help. Is there a local bike coop in your town? Stop in there and talk with the staff. Let them recommend something from what they have.

You can figure this out...

kk42

if i were to tell u that i have an estimated amount of 500$ is there a possibility anyone would be willing to show me what would be good?

Phil_gretz

Yes. Anyone at a bike shop. Is there a Performance Bike near you? They will have options at your price.

Otherwise, Trek 7.2FX and Giant Escape are both in that zone, maybe just a hair higher. Both are fine general purpose bikes. If you determine the right size (i.e., how tall are you?), you might be able to fine one on Craigslist with very low mileage. Many folks buy bikes and don't ride them, selling the bikes a year or two later.

kk42

I'm about 5,8 and 140 lb there's a local bike shop but they are more of a bmx place than anything else...

Notgrownup

At that price you can get a nice bike... Either a hybrid or cyclecross... Are you going to be rough on the bike? or will you be on pavement only...If you will be rough on it then don't buy a road bike... Giant has a nice3 Hybrid, so does Trek and Cannondale... Try to get a leftover model and strike a deal there too....

Phil_gretz

Widen your circle to include the next two or three nearest shops. Worth a visit to each of them. Take your time and have fun. You're the same height as my oldest daughter. So...17" in a hybrid frame, and ~53cm in a road frame. Roughly.

fietsbob

no benefit in touting a Brand not even sold in your country, or town..

But since Manufacturing bikes has become concentrated in SE Asia .

YGWYPF is pretty solid .. Companies compete with each other and a $500 of one brand

will have a total parts list cost coming in just in line their competitors..

kk42

so what do u guys think of single speed bikes?and why or why not are they a good or bad idea

Notgrownup

Single speed is fine if landscape is flat... Very little to break or adjust...

kingsqueak

For Craigslist or other used finds, a rigid frame late 80's or 90's mountain bike can be a nice choice. At your budget you should be able to find a really nice one as well. Specialized stump jumpers or Rockhoppers from that era with no suspension, or Giant or many others of that time period can make great knock around bikes. If you take them and put slick tires on them, they ride nicely on the road for the distances you are talking and can take a beating, hucking them up and down curbs etc around town without worrying about flats as much.

Single speed is simple, not as much to break, maintain or adjust and pretty fun...until you hit a hill. At 15 you will likely do better than some of us at that, but gears can be really nice to have at times.

I like mountain frames, they are not subtle, or graceful or "fast" but they are tanks and hard to break. They generally have mounts for racks so it's easy to throw on a rack and tie things to it etc, versatile.

The main thing, no matter what you pick is that you get a bike that fits you well. It's hard to say exactly what that would be, someone local to help would be good.