A literal one. With wheels and a seat and stuff. So I can go riding with my metaphorical bicycle. But since I know nothing about literal bicycles, and I’m guessing some of you know a whole lot, I thought I’d ask for advice. My biggest issue (besides fear of death) is that I don’t want to spend a ton of dough (let’s say, under $300. Ouch. Even that number makes my insides hurt). Is it reasonable to think I could get something reliable second hand? And by reliable, I mean, it cannot require any tinkering to function properly. I don’t tinker, exactly. I’m much better at getting frustrated and giving up. It’s a talent.
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42 comments to this fish needs a bicycle |
  
 
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Are you looking for a road bike or a mountain bike?
I just bought a Giant “Cypress” bike and I really love it. It’s a cross between a mountain & road bike. It’s got road bike wheels, so it’s faster than a mountain bike, but the tires are wide enough to take it on dirt/gravel paths.
Also, the seat and handlebars are comfy. And it cost $300.
I’m the clumsiest human being on the planet, and I feel totally comfortable on it.
Here’s a link:
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/bikes/women/2296/32092/?collections_id=4&preview=true
Craigslist. You’ll find a suitable, reliable and CHEAP bike in a snap. Have the Dork Lord help you.
Mountain bike or road bike? I have a Trek mountain bike that was only about $350 and it’s great.
I think a mountain bike might be what I’m after… guess I’d better do some research.
Long-time reader, first time commenter!
I wish I could give you spank-tastic advice, but I’m not too bike savvy. I like those old-school type bikes. You know, the ones that look like they’re from the 50s and beg for a basket to get slung on them! Good luck
I’d say you probably want to look for what they call a “hybrid” bike (the aforementioned cross between mountain and road bike).
Mostly you want to stay away from road bikes (uncomfortable drop bars, weird shifters, high price tags etc) in general.
You should be able to find a good hybrid for between 200 and 300 bucks easy. I have a Bianchi Hybrid that I love, after owning several craigslist road bikes that were too big for me and hard to ride- which reminds me- FIT! make sure that your bike is the right size for you (this is where going to a bike shop has an edge over buying something on cragslist), otherwise, it will be hard to ride and will make your body hurt.
Craigslist is still a great resource, but maybe go to a shop and get yourself measured first so you know what size to look for(craigslist bikes are usually listed with a size in cm). Also, as you are a fellow dallasite, here is a great site for local cyclists:
http://bikefriendlyoc.wordpress.com/
Good luck, and happy biking!!
I second the Giant Cypress!
I went through the same thing a couple years ago when I was looking for a bike. I don’t know anything about bikes, and everything I found second-hand on CL was either still too expensive, in bad shape, or not the right size. I ended up going to Target and getting a Schwinn for $150. Happy biking!
i bought one for $170 ,on sale, at Dicks last spring. IIt’s a Quest hybrid. if you’re not going to do serious mountain biking (big rocks, steep inclines, loose gravel, etc) i also recommend a hybrid. the shocks in a mountain bike have a lot of give to deal w/ the terrain but it somehow takes momentum away when going up small hills on the road. hybrid shocks have some give but not too much. good luck.
I also have a hybrid bike. Its a Fuji Absolute and I got it brand spanking new for about $350 (that also came with 2 free tune ups). Its fast on roads and the tires are wide/durable enough to maneuver potholes and cobblestone and gravel (unlike my fiance’s road bike). I had a mountain bike but they tend to be very heavy and probably not what you’re looking for unless you are going to be doing lots of trail riding.
I’m going to echo what everyone else has said: get measured at a bike shop. While there, look around and see what you like/compare prices.
Then check out craigslist. If you do some online searching, you may also be able to find some smaller bike shops that fix up older bikes and sell them at pretty reasonable prices (we have one of those every 6 feet here in Philly).
If you’re going to be riding it a lot(i.e. more than 3 times a week), I’d tell you to go ahead and consider it an investment and maybe spend the money to get a nice bike. If not, you can skimp on the aesthetics. Just make sure all the mechanicals are working properly.
I’d say Craigslist. But make sure you go (and take the meta-bicycle with you) and test it out first. Or go in and get friendly with your local bike shop..actually I’d recommend doing that regardless because they may do repairs cheaply for you!
I realize this has nothing to do with your post, but I too have a huge fear of death. It’s nice to know I’m not alone.
My metophorical bicycle is far more active than I, doing a lot of literal bike-riding (2K miles each summer). So when the idea came about that we could ride together, I decided to save myself buyers remose from parting with a good chunk of change until/unless I prove that I’m committed & worthy of the investment.
I took him to Wal-mart & Target with me, he sized up the options, knowing full well who I am, and I dropped a whopping $85 on a bike. That was late last summer. I’ve been on it 2 or 3 times so far (which is due to many factors, not just my aversion to bike riding, but still).
Totally glad I took the cheap route.
Happy biking!!
My metophorical bicycle is far more active than I, doing a lot of literal bike-riding (2K miles each summer). So when the idea came about that we could ride together, I decided to save myself buyers remose from parting with a good chunk of change until/unless I prove that I’m committed & worthy of the investment.
I took him to Wal-mart & Target with me, he sized up the options, knowing full well who I am, and I dropped a whopping $85 on a bike. That was late last summer. I’ve been on it 2 or 3 times so far (which is due to many factors, not just my aversion to bike riding, but still).
Totally glad I took the cheap route.
Happy biking!!
Definitely go for the hybrid. I have the Giant Sedona, and the cypress is awesome too. Very good price for such a great bike.
I have a Suede Cruiser and I love it. It was under $300 but it is not an off-road bike.
I’m with DiaryOfWhy… head over to Target. I’m sure you’ll find what you’re looking for, Fish.
Oh! Don’t forget local garage sales on the weekends, too. You’d be surprised how willing some people will be to “get rid” of their ride.
Good luck and happy riding!
You probably want a hybrid. You can go to a bike shop and see what they have leftover from last year. That’s how I got my bike cheap.
Ok, so first ask yourself a few questions, like what kind of riding you plan to do. I still use the same bike I got when I was about 12 or so for maybe $70 at Target or something. And I put on about 10-15 miles a week, riding to class, work, errands, or lazy rides with my other half. If all you plan to do is ride around for fun on the weekends and speed is not an issue, a cheap Target bike is fine. If not, look into a Hybrid. I would love to get one, but need to save up (I have a longer work commute and I’ve been riding more, so the 10 year old bike isn’t holding up.) If you plan to ride down mountains, get a mountain bike. The more riding you do, the more you can rationally spend (it’s an investment).
Most importantly, go to a bike shop and get a good helmet. Some bike shops even sell old last year’s models cheaper too, or might post ads. A good site for advice on that is http://www.rei.com (it’s a northwest thing, but they’re a great resource). Good luck!
If you go to a fancy shop to get measured first, they’ll get your size down to the tiniest detail. They even have an “ass-meter” to help you find the size and shape of seat that won’t make your butt go numb. Then you’ll be able to look at the used bikes and know what you really want.
I have had a hybrid for about ten years and I have been able to do flat-road biking, and also hang with my mountain biking friends. So, although a hybrid is not particularly kick-butt at either one (road biking, mountain biking), it is very comfortable and adaptable. Also, I think if you get a mountain bike, and you do any road biking, you will be disappointed because it won’t be an easy ride to get around on. It might be “more bike” than what you need. I live in the city/suburbs and my hybrid is perfect.
I totally think you can get a decent bike for cheap! Hit Craigslist and see what you can find. I had a mountain bike for years but ended up getting a hybrid which is good for packed dirt trails or paved roads. The mountain bike wasn’t a lot of fun to ride on pavement all the time. Not sure if you have a performance bike shop near you – but it is a nationwide chain so it is pretty likely. http://www.performancebike.com
I got my bike there and it wasn’t expensive and they were VERY helpful. They have great sales all the time and if you buy a bike from there it comes with free lifetime adjustments.
One other thing: no matter what bike you buy, get a kryptonite U-lock. Spend the money. Seriously. I had 3 bikes stolen before I got wise and spent the extra 10 bucks on a decent lock.
Well, I do have a garage where the hypothetical bike will live, so I guess I’m not too worried about theft.
Here’s an idea: Find a tandem. Sure, you’ll probably spend more than $300 bucks on it, but it’s exponentially more fun than riding your single literal bike while trying to keep up with the metaphorical bike cruising along a quarter mile ahead of you. (warning: I write this while sporting a hand-sized bruise on my hip from our first, and hopefully last, big crash.) And you can hum songs from the seventies while cruising along and making neighbors smile at you.
Funny, because the Dork Lord has already said he will not, never, ever, ride a tandem bike. Ever. Dunno what makes them so hateful for him, but he’s dead set against it.
My boyfriend got my into bike riding a couple of years ago. I started out with a super cheap Craig’s List bike (old 70′s Schwinn) for $50. After figuring out how much I enjoyed biking around in the summer, I invested the money in a Trek road bike. I prefer road bikes because cycling in Chicago doesn’t require running over anything but pavement and they’re fast, but any style you go with, try to find a light-weight bike that is sized right for you. Trek or Bianchi are both excellent bikes. My boyfriend’s Trek has held up over two Chicago winters.
Personally, I’d stay away from any of the Target bikes. They’re not well built. I think you’d be better off buying used from Craig’s List and then upgrading if you decide it’s worth it.
Have fun!
How do you feel about beach bikes? Check out:
http://www.beachbikes.net
I hate tandem bikes. A few days ago someone made a “Things I love and hate” list and I decided to do something similar. I could not think of one thing I hated because hate’s pretty strong. Now, I have something. I really do hate tandem bikes.
That said, for getting started I suggest craigslist too. Schwinn makes good bikes and you can find used for under a $100 even. If you are afraid you might crash the bike you can get something from Target and drive it until it is twisted into knots. Then go and get a nice one. Take the Dork Lord with you when you are ready for that step.
Happy biking!
That’s a tough parameter. $300 won’t buy you much in a new bike now. You can look for a good used bike on Craigs list, but that depends a bit on whether you live in a biking city or not. There is more turnover in good bikes on Craigs in cities where there are a lot of bikers.
That said, I recommend the Dahon line of folding bikes, the pedal forward design of the Electra brand of bikes, or Trek’s Pur bike.
You could always buy a classic Schwinn ladies bike and have your local bike shop upgrade it for you.
And don’t forget the Amsterdam style bike. Extremely practical.
Good luck!
Huffy
I originally looked at Target models, but then I saw a Novara mtn bike on clearance at REI – it was over five hundred marked down to $300. I went with that one and am SO glad I did. I can really tell the difference in quality.
Definitely go for a hybrid though if you’ll be on mostly pavement. Craigslist is a dark dark place. You’ll feel better about your experience with a new, warranteed ride. REI has a great bike repair shop and no-hassle returns, too (in case you change your mind) – can’t lose with them.
Have fun and don’t forget gel gloves!!
Cheap bikes are usually much heavier and break easier. Like cheap shoes, the comfort factor is much less. You will be less likely to ride a bike that you find uncomfortable and difficult to shift, etc, AND a nicer bike will have a higher resale value should you find out you are not a bike person. REI has a number of bikes on sale right now, less than $400 but really you are not going to find a good bike under $300. I love my Marin Stinson; also like the Novara Metro. I haven’t found either on craigslist — probably because people keep them. Novara is REI’s store brand: good bikes for a bit less than the others.
Well….I’ll be looking for a new bike too, since mine was a beach cruiser and we’re moving to the city. If any of your readers know of PR/Marketing/Fundraising jobs in the Houston area, I would LOVE to know! Thanks for any and all help….in this, our fourth move in three years. Hopefully, this is THE MOVE…permanent. Just have to find a job!
Too bad you live no where near me. I’d let you have mine for free. Barely used “Specialized” off-road/street hybrid. Just needs dusting and fresh oil on the chain/gears.
Why buy one? Join Freecycle.org and ask for one. I see bikes on my local Freecycle all the time. Plus there is probably stuff that you and the Dork Lord are packing that you don’t really want anymore. Freecycle is the place – check it out.
My BF bought me a Schwinn from Target for around $120. I love it – works great, handles well on the road and on the trails. If I graduate to becoming a big-time biker then I’ll consider upgrading, but until then, the inexpensive choice was the best option for me.
Target. Definitely go to Target. I got a bicycle as a graduation present from my parents from there and so far I’ve had it about a year, ride it about 10 hours a week, sometimes on the highway with 4 bags of groceries dangling off the handles (I can’t afford a car), and it still is good as new. Mine is pink and is a cruiser and was about $100 or so but they have many other styles of bikes for around the same price.
Here is a link to the bike page:
http://www.target.com/gp/search/182-3552936-5779531?field-keywords=bicycle&url=index%3Dtarget%26search-alias%3Dtgt-index&ref=sr_bx_1_1&x=0&y=0
I bought a really great beach cruiser for my mom at Costco and it only cost $100. Didn’t have all the bells and whistles, but we ride around and are enjoying the heck out of it.
: )
Hey Fish. Years ago I lived in Canada, ran a book store and commented occasionally on your blog. Now I live in Australia and own a bike store and thought I’d take a peek and see what you’re up to. Lo and behold, I can be of use, colour me surprised.
Look, if you’re only going to ride your bike once every 3 months and then only for a half an hour a Target cheapie will do. This is not advice you’d get from any other bike store, keep in mind. I’m a bit of an anomaly in that I think that department store bikes are good for anything other than boat anchors. In the business they’re called BSO’s, or Bike Shaped Objects. Now, this recommendation comes with provisions.
First, there’s no guarantee that a bike from Target et. all will be put together correctly or even safely. I’ve seen some of these bike come through the workshop in a state that was wholly unsafe, just the way the customer bought them. This isn’t always the case but it’s common enough to be a concern.
Second, if something goes wrong with it you’ll have trouble getting it fixed. Not only do these major stores not provide service but many bike specific stores refuse to touch department store bikes. Part of that is sour grapes and part is because the level of quality of BSO’s makes it hard to get them working properly even when all the parts are new. The bike store doesn’t want to be blamed when the return a bike they’ve done their best on and it still doesn’t work well.
Third, well, they really don’t work all that well so the experience of riding them can be very frustrating. Many people try and give up cycling as a pastime because of this. They don’t realize that many of the problems they’re having is because of the cheap bike and how it was poorly put together.
Fourth. If you do enjoy cycling the bike won’t last. The rule of thumb is that a dept store bike will last about 1000km (you do the conversion) before you’ve spent around the same amount you payed for it in repairs. Assuming you can find someone to repair it, see two above. Really cheap bikes are another case of false economy.
Ok, a couple of other points: For the love of all that’s holy (beer, chocolate, hot baths, baby hugs) don’t go to a local bike store and get measured knowing that you’re never going to buy a bike from them. We can tell when you’re doing that. Trust me, it’s obvious, and we hate it. It’s rude and in a small shop like mine it takes up time in which I could be doing something that would earn money to buy things like say, food for my child. I mean that literally, a lot of bike stores are the smallest of small business and no one in them is getting rich.
Seriously consider buying a woman’s specific bike, especially if you don’t end up getting measured. Doesn’t matter if it’s an old ladies style or something fancier. Shockingly, women are proportioned different to men. Often bike stores will try and sell a small man’s bike to women and tell them it’ll be ok. Women are only 20% of the bike market and nonsense like this is one of the reasons. Unless you’re not normally proportioned a man’s bike with the proper size for your leg length will be too long from the saddle to handlebars. You’ll end up with too much weight on your wrists and arms for comfortable riding.
That’s about it. Sorry for the ranting. If you have any questions feel free to email me.
test, this is only a test. I think my last comment got eaten. If this were a real comment it’d be witty or something.
As my bike resides in my parents’ basement collecting dust, I’m not too much help in the search. But I would like to say that I read your blog often and it is hysterical. This poor college student thanks you for a refreshing break from my homework!