Hello from the Boston, MA area!
 

Hello, everyone. My name is Meghan and I've decided I'd like to start biking to work. Its a 20 min walk, so this seems like a good option when its not snowing/over 50 degrees. I'm looking into hybrid/commuter/cruiser bikes. Anyone have any suggestions? I'm a graduate student so if possible I don't want to spend too too much. I'm considering http://www.breezerbikes.com/bike_det...=u&bike=uptown or http://internationalbike.com/itemdet...ogId=1&id=4098 but they are still pricey.

At any rate, i'm looking forward to some adventures and maybe even some new friends.

Hello Meghan, there's quite a few devotees of the Breezer bikes, and I think everyone seems to really like his or hers. If you confine your riding to not snowing/over 50 degrees you should have no problems. If you decide later that you can handle riding to work when it's colder you should still be ok (take a look at the Winter Cycling forum :) ). I'm not certain how a Breezer would work in the snow, not having had any experience with that, but I am sure that there's at least one person in here who can tell you more.

As for price, you could check the local Craigslist and see if you can find one used. I haven't seen any here on the local Seattle CL but that doesn't mean that they can't be found.

Good luck, and welcome to BF!

East Hill

Welcome, Meghan. I am one of those Breezer afficionados. They're really great for commuting and all-around utility transportation in urban areas. If I were in Boston and interested in bikes like Breezers, I would head over to Harris Cyclery, which is a Breezer dealer, as well as being a rather famous LBS for us utility types. You can try out a Breezer, as well as many other practical-style bikes there. Better still, they're quite passionate about that kind of bike and they won't steer you wrong. :)

Hi Meghan, I to am from the Boston area, Medford to be specific. I to just joined the forums and it is great so far. I'm looking for a bike also more along the lines of a fixie though.

Welcome to BF Meghan!

A couple years ago my daughter bought a used Schwinn mtb at Cambridge Bicycle on Mass Ave in Cambridge when she was a freshman in Boston.

Don't necessarily limit yourself to 50+ degrees. If you dress right you should be ok a bit lower. I commute when its between 0 and 10 (southern Maine).

Good luck!