Greetings,

I will be studying in the US for the next couple of months. I am currently seriously looking into buying an low-end MTB. I am planning to use it to explore the neighbourhood, as well as to cycle up into the mountains near the city. The only problem is that most likely I won't be able to take the bike back to Europe with me. That leaves me with used <100$ bikes or a new $80 bike from Walmart. Today I actually walked to Walmart to see their bikes (the walk took 2.5 hrs in 40C/98F weather), and the problem is that I don't like them. Cranks seemed some kind of integrated (barely serviceable?) model, and brakes were cheesy even on a brand new bike. At the same time, I will only need the bike for next 4 months, and I am not a heavy rider.

What would you suggest? I tried exploring the local craigslist, but there are very few options in El Paso area. Are there any other good sources of used bikes in US? Police auctions or something similar? I also found one LBS located nearby, but they only sell new bikes from ~400$ and up. Not to blame them or anything, but it is a little to much for a disposable bike.

Thanks!

two words... pawn shop.

in a place like El Paso (spent most of my life in west Texas) you can find a lot of bikes that were $300-400 new for $100... maybe less if you talk 'em down. It sounds like you have a basic idea of what a good bike is, based on the fact that you recognize crap when you see it (walmart), so that should be helpful for you.

there's also always a chance of thrift stores having bikes (like goodwill), but where a thrift store might have 1 or 2 bikes, a pawn shop of similar size will have 8-12 bikes.

Hi wearyourtruth, thanks for your input. I'm a little concerned about pawn shops because they (as is probably the case for craigslist as well) seem to attract local thieves. If possible, I would like to buy a bike with good karma (one which has not been forcibly seperated from its previous owner!).

https://elpaso.en.craigslist.org/bik/1326499830.html

there you go! a Cannondale and everything...just freshly posted...

https://elpaso.en.craigslist.org/bik/1304216978.html

again...

https://elpaso.en.craigslist.org/bik/1297052663.html

hardrock

https://elpaso.en.craigslist.org/bik/1289311407.html

Raleigh...

OK I'm done they are there... I like this one...

Deals abound in EP!
This Stumpjumper for $125 is awesome if it's your size. If you can spare that little bit more, you should be able to resell at same or higher price when you're done with it.

https://elpaso.en.craigslist.org/bik/1280097620.html

Some of the prices in El Paso are so low, it sure makes 'em all seem stolen. Of course I live in a slightly inflated market.