Buying a used bicycle

[CJFusco]

I am currently in a Masters/Teaching Certification program and will be doing student teaching within 7 or 8 miles of my house. I am what you would call a "health nut," and with my current schedule it's hard to find time to exercise every day. Combine this with the RIDICULOUS gas prices, the fact that I own two old cars that need pretty close attention to maintenance, and it probably shouldn't surprise you that I am in the market for a used bike.

I used to do a good amount of mountain biking, and owned several varieties of Specialized bikes (first a Hard Rock, then a Rock Hopper, then a Stump Jumper). My Stump Jumper got stolen (while locked up with a kryptonite chain!) when I was living in Boston. Unfortunately I had sold my Rock Hopper; I am currently bike-less.

Although I have always owned mountain bikes, I think that a road bike would be more appropriate for my current needs. West Hartford is a densely-populated suburban town; everything is close together, there is a lot of traffic, etc.

How good are Specialized's road bikes? Is there any brand I should seriously consider? My price range is $100-200 for a used bike.

I have checked Craigslist and eBay. It seems like eBay has better prices and more variety. Any tips? Places I should look?

[nostatic]

go Craigslist. You need to be able to see the bike in person.

If you can, find an older touring bike. You'll want a rack and some panniers - makes life much easier, though you can get by with a backpack or messenger bag. In a perfect world you'd find something that can take wider tires.

[JavaBrewer]

+1 on Craig list. Check daily or post a "wanted" ad there. The bikes will be local so you can see and feel it before laying down the $. I'd consider a MTB with street tires on it. No worries about curbs, road debris, or metal roadway gratings. I think a $20 set of bolt cutters will defeat most bike locks so keep it low key.

[VincentVega]

Good advice.

For a commuter stay away from a pure road bike. A mountain bike with slicks or a more touring oriented road bike usually have wider tires & rums, a more comfy riding position and are generally more robust. $1-200 isnt much, but you should be able to find something.

[cantdrv55]

Just chiming in to say +1 on the advice above. I use an old Trek "Jetta" Mountain bike for tooling around. I put hybrid/almost slicks on it and it's great for hauling groceries in my backpack. If you're going to haul more stuff, +1 on the panniers.

Or, you can go totally cool and get a fixie or single speed. That way you can really get a workout. Go to www.bikesdirect.com for a new fixie but it'll cost about $300. Maybe you can find used for less on Craigslist but they're pretty popular with the younger set.

[cantdrv55]

Oh yeah, I bought a used Specialized Allez Sport that I was going to convert to fixie until I realized I can't handle the hills here at home without at least a compact double crank and 11-25 cassette. I bought the Allez for only $150 in very good shape. It is a steel frame which gives a smooth ride.

[Rot 911]

Also try garage sales. Even fairly expensive bikes go for pennies on the dollar.

[nostatic]

used mtn bikes should be plentiful and cheap. Buy some slicks and be happy. Unless you're seriously fast you won't run out of gears. I just prefer touring bikes because they are usually a bit narrower in the bars (for squeezing through traffic) and handle a bit better. But for urban assault a mtb bike with 1.25" slicks is hard to beat.

[m21sniper]

I wouldn't be too surprised if you could go to Sears and get a new 10 speed for under 200 bucks.

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by m21sniper

I wouldn't be too surprised if you could go to Sears and get a new 10 speed for under 200 bucks.

and it'll be crap compared to what that $200 can buy used. Poorly built, poorly adjusted crap. When I worked at a bike shop in grad school people would bring in their cheap Sears bikes for repairs. And often they were brand new. I would marvel at the incredible low quality of materials, fit, and finish. And especially sassy was the "setup" that the store (or the owner) would do. Downright dangerous.

[m21sniper]

I bet for anyone using a bike normally to cruise up and down paved roads, the $200 sears bike would last a lifetime.

My dad has a sears(or maybe K-mart?) bike he bought 15 years ago. Still works just fine. Eh, whatever.

[nostatic]

I don't lecture you on sniper rifles, you should stay away from talking bicycles. I've likely got a few more years and thousands of miles on 2 wheels than you do

And the bikes I was talking about were "typical" use. Crap is crap. It doesn't adjust well or perform or last.

If someone is commuting 15-20 miles a day regularly, you want something that isn't going to break or need constant attention. A decent used bike will handle that. A cheapo Sears special will not.

[Rot 911]

Originally Posted by m21sniper

I bet for anyone using a bike normally to cruise up and down paved roads, the $200 sears bike would last a lifetime.

My dad has a sears(or maybe K-mart?) bike he bought 15 years ago. Still works just fine. Eh, whatever.

But on the flip side why not take that $200 and buy an exceptional bike? Or for that matter I got TWO identical Raleigh road bikes for $10 each! They were at least $400 new and were only a year old.

[Joe Bob]

Yer buttwill know the difference between a "new" 200 buck POS from Sears and a better quality used bike....

[K. Roman]

No, no, let Sniper get it out. He has a good point...

[m21sniper]

I was a teenaged kid once. Rode all the hell over on my old Murry X20-R....which the kids with Redlines and Mongooses swore was crap, but mine lasted me years and never once gave me grief. And we all did the same stupid abusive crap on our bikes. I gave it to my younger cousin when i joined the Army- didnt get my first car until after i was already in.

I believe my Murray was $109.00 brand new in about 1984ish? At the time Redlines were going for $500.00 and up. Then they'd spend another couple hundred getting "upgrades".

But i do agree going used you'll get a much higher dollar bike for your $200.00 than buying new.

[Dantilla]

Originally Posted by m21sniper

I bet for anyone using a bike normally to cruise up and down paved roads, the $200 sears bike would last a lifetime.

My dad has a sears(or maybe K-mart?) bike he bought 15 years ago. Still works just fine. Eh, whatever.

A Porsche is more fun to drive than a Kia. I have a nice bike, and ride the snot out of it. My wife has a cheap bike, and it just sits in the garage.

My bike puts a grin on my face.
My wife's puts a frown on hers.

After a short while commuting on a $200 bike from Sears, the car starts looking good, even with today's gas prices.

[CJFusco]

Yeah, I'm not looking for a Cannondale Racing bike or anything, but I want quality. Think about my taste in used cars...

Based on the advice above, I am thinking I should expand my search to mountain bikes... I remember terrorizing my neighborhood on my Hard Rock when I was 11 or 12; I can't imagine jumping a curb or riding through a lawn on a Specialized Allez (although it is a very nice bike and there is a very nice one on eBay now for about $135...)

[m21sniper]

You guys have something against posters pointing out all the available options when someone asks a question?

You seem to.

[nostatic]

so you're comparing your experience with early 80's bikes and prices to today. I'm sure nothing has changed