Cyclist0291

All right guys....

A while back I posted about purchasing a Motobecane Grand Jubilee and boy I did. The ride was smooth and the bike was fast.

This was all until one day some guy decided to crash into me (it was sort of my fault, I had the option of stopping but didn't think he'd try and attempt a turn). The front fork was totally bent backwards and it would've cost more than the bike to fix it. I decided to hold onto it until I could gather some extra cash for it, but before that someone decided to steal it and probably part it out.

In my distress in Davis, CA without a bike, I didn't think straight and went to Walmart. Boy what a mistake!

I'm now debating on buying another bike off of craigslist. Last time I bought a bike I just glanced at it not really thinking about parts and the condition of the bike.


I need your expert opinions on what to look for when buying a bike from craigslist. I figure that I could spend around $175 on a new bike once I sell my Walmart one for around $80.

surgeonstone

You bought a bike at walmart? Dude, you do not belong in this forum!

Cyclist0291

Thanks, but no thanks, for the comment. If you saw, I wasn't really thinking straight in the panic. I needed a quick bike and completely forgot about craigslist existing; otherwise I would have never posted here and just would've bought one at that time.

dayday82

Only bikes sold at Walmart are disposable ones.


Seriously though, you bought a bike at Walmart? You Trollin?


Just kidding man.

cyc4fun

I don't see how you can sell a bike from walmart for $80....when its not even worth that much new. And $175 is not really enough for a halfway nice bike. Just my 2 cents worth. Save up some money until you get around $ 700 before you buy a bike. Good luck.

Cyclist0291

Ok. The bike will be a daily commuter from my apartment to campus. I don't feel like shelling out $700 dollars that I don't have ; on top of the loans I took out to go to school.

I'm a student on a student's budget.

My main question was what should I look out for when buying a used bike?

B. Carfree

How far can you possibly live from campus? The furthest point from campus is less than three miles out. Just walk until you get the $$$ for a bike. Since you want a bike for town use, why not use the Mal-Wart thing? At least no one will steal it.

Cyclist0291

Never mind, I asked a simple question and all I'm getting is alternatives. I get the fact that y'all hate Walmart bikes; the fact of the matter is I was low on money and I needed a bike. Can a Mod close this thread, I don't think it'll be of any help from what people are posting.

climber7

Siroes - people always joke around on here about wal-mart bikes. it's nothing personal. the issue is that you really can't get a good road bike for $175, even used. but if you just want a commuter, you'll probably be able to find an old steel-framed bike on craigslist. at that price, it probably won't be in immaculate shape, and it will probably have a few cosmetic blemishes or something. just make sure there's no major damage to the frame, the components are all functional, etc., and make sure it fits you. if you can satisfy all of those things, that's about as well as you're gonna do for $175.