mary916

Last thursday, my bike was stolen in front of me behind my friend's apartment. Now I am left without a bike which is not an acceptable situation. The bike that was stolen was a hybrid, but now I am starting to get into distance riding a want a roadbike. The problem is that I will use whatever bike I buy to commute to the University of Utah too. I can't afford two bikes. Should I buy a cheap bike and enjoy my weekend rides less to avoid theft, or should I get the bike I want for $700?

rollin

$700 buys a lot of bike. Go for it, enjoy your commuting a little more!

babydee

Get an old steel framed bike, like a mid 80's Trek 560 or mid 80s Schwinn Super Sport. They are both light enough at 23 and 22 lbs respectively not to be a pain in the butt, but they don't scream "steal me" either.

The Super Sport is actually my favorite of the two, is the lighter at 22 lbs., and is the least attractive to thieves IMO. That's what I'm riding now, thought I had some wheels hand built for it (8 speed cassette), and threw some compatible bar end shifters on there as well. Original bike cost me about $200 if memory serves, which is just a laugh considering how nicely it rides. I payed about $400 for hand built wheels, made with Shimano 105 hubs, Velocity Fusion rims, 32x14 gauge spokes, and a bit more for the shifters. Actually, about $700 total!

If you know what you're doing, you don't have to choose between a great ride and theft protection. Steel rides really well if it's good tubes (the Columbus Tenax on the Super Sport is plenty good enough, as is the Reynold 531 on the Trek 560), a good hand-built wheel set will surpass anything you get stock on a <$1000 bike, and thieves will choose a newer bike with a sexier name brand.

Fredly00

Buy a Good Cheap bike.

jkizzle

buy used.

urbanknight

If you have room in your home, buy a $50 yard sale bike to get to college and that $700 bike for distance riding.

ThinLine

Buy the best bike you can afford.

michaelmc

Yes.

ridethecliche

Yeah, but make sure it fits

late

Whatever you get buy a good lock to go with it.

toucci

A road bike won't be good for commuting in SLC during the winter, though.

shumacher

The price of used bikes can be amazing. I'd go for two used bikes if space allows. Get a two year old bike with lots of bell and/or whistles, then get a fifteen to twenty-five year old Schwinn. Put a fresh pair of 27" tires on there, and you'll have alloy wheels, indexed shifting, and possibly cushy brake hoods on a decent lugged steel frame. You'll also have a bike that a thief would probably want less than a low-end Next MTB.

RedVVing19

I just bought a 2005 Raleigh Super Course with shimano clipless and new Fizik Aliante Gamma saddle for $450.

You can find nice used bikes that are "cheap" and still be able to afford a commuter at a yard sale

mary916

Thanks for everyone's advice. I think a nice used bike plus a cheaper used commuter bike is the way to go. How do I go about finding a nice used bike? The only place I know to look is Craigslist. It's a bad idea to buy a bike from ebay right?

scotch

See if you can find a used Surly Long Haul Trucker on Craigslist or something, throw some 23s on it and you'll have a solid road bike and a great commuter. I bet you can find a good one within your budget. Also, get a good lock.

Oroluk Lagoon

I've never bought a bike on eBay (I sell other stuff). But if you see a bike you like and seller has more than 10 sales with a positive feedback rating in the high 90's you should be safe. eBay is much easier to search for bikes than CraigsList due to the sorting by make, type and size. I would at least check it out. Interested to hear what other BF'rs have to say about bikes on eBay.

TRaffic Jammer

hellllo craigslist for two used bikes....my vote

Oroluk Lagoon

Also check this thread about eBay: https://www.bikeforums.net/mountain-biking/343466-ebay.html

ThinLine

I have bought and sold bikes on e-bay. Sold 3 recently, an 06 Trek Fuel EX-8, a Giant Kronos road and a Cannondale DeltaV2000 and everybody was extremely happy. Of course I am one of those neurotic people who takes care of things with q-tips. I have a 100% satisfactory rate.
There are good deals to be had on e, you just have to be careful who are are dealing with and what you want.
Good Luck

mollusk

+1

This is what I would do. If there is no space for two bikes you might consider buying a used cyclocross bike and maybe a second set of wheels (one for commuting/one for road riding). A used Gunnar Crosshairs in excellent condition may be a bit out of your price range, but you might find a used Lemond Propad or Surly Crosscheck in the right price range. I have always said that if I had to have only one bike to do everything that I would want a bike to do, I would get a "cross" bike.

stea1thviper

my commuter bike cost me about 30 dollars. after spending 700, what's another 30 bucks? =)

doctortalk121

yardsale bikes are a great way to learn mechanics when your a poor college student.
get one and learn a skill.

Godwin

I don't know salt lake city but I prefer a road bike for winter riding in Halifax. The roads are usually cleared and when they're not, the tires cut through the snow instead of sitting on top like fat mountain tires. I don't know if I'd want to ride a 700$ bike in the wet and salt though.

rhennigan

+1 for $30 commuter bikes. $670 can still get you a nice road bike (that you keep locked up when not on it).