Buying a used bicycle

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by m21sniper

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

You seem to.

No, just people giving questionable advice based on limited understanding/experience.

[m21sniper]

I rode bikes all through my youth like any other kid. I'm an automotive technician for sillyness' sake. You really think bikes are beyond my capability to evaluate?

Geniuses.

"Well sir, i could certainly rebuild that engine for you, but i have no idea at all about this other gadget here with all of a dozen moving parts that you pedal around on. Is that alien technology?"

You guys, seriously...

[K. Roman]

Sorry, I was just kidding around.

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by m21sniper

I rode bikes all through my youth like any other kid. I'm an automotive technician for sillyness' sake. You really think bikes are beyond my capability to evaluate?

Geniuses.

"Well sir, i could certainly rebuild that engine for you, but i have no idea at all about this other gadget here with all of a dozen moving parts that you pedal around on. Is that alien technology?"

You guys, seriously...

Have you commuted on a bike as an adult? How many miles has your dad put on his bike? How many miles have you put on a bike in the past 10 or 20 years? How many hubs or bottom brackets have you rebuilt? How many wheels have you built? Do you know the pros and cons of butted vs. straight gauge spoke?

I'm sure you are technically competent. But a bicycle isn't a car. There are specific needs and requirements and sometimes not so obvious things are important wrt reliability and maintenance. When I was a kid I'd use a crescent wrench and WD40 on my bicycle. Ran fine. Or so I thought at the time. Now I know better. And many of the parts have changed significantly since then.

Geniuses are usually smart enough to know what they *don't* know.

[m21sniper]

When i was a kid, my cheap ass bike never broke once, and i never changed anything on it. Makes you wonder who the smart one really was. The used 10 speed i bought back when i bartended that i mentioned in another thread- never broke on me once.

I never changed anything on that either.

Please do continue about the unique knowledge required to comment in a used bike thread. Jackass.

I have an idea, the next time you feel your elitist urges coming upon you, and you feel like spamming up someone else's perfectly good thread by going off topic to chide me about something (like simply commenting that you can buy a new 10 speed at sears for 200 bucks- a simple fact), pretend you're an adult, and control yourself.

[cantdrv55]

I can't believe we are arguing about bicycles. Can't we agree on anything?

Sears bikes, Toys R Us bikes, Kmart bikes, WalMart bikes are inexpensive because they are cheaply made. But, they can last a lifetime if you aren't going to ride them too much. Sounds like he's going to put on 4000 miles a year on it. He's better off buying a used name brand mtn/commuter/road/hybrid bike. I rode a Murry when I was a kid, I rode it everyday to school and it lasted from sixth grade to ninth grade. It squeaked like crazy towards the end of its life. I only lived two miles from school.

[m21sniper]

Originally Posted by cantdrv55

I can't believe we are arguing about bicycles.

It boggles the mind, doesn't it?

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by m21sniper

When i was a kid, my cheap ass bike never broke once, and i never changed anything on it. Makes you wonder who the smart one really was. The used 10 speed i bought back when i bartended that i mentioned in another thread- never broke on me once.

I never changed anything on that either.

Please do continue about the unique knowledge required to comment in a used bike thread. Jackass.

I have an idea, the next time you feel your elitist urges coming upon you, and you feel like spamming up someone else's perfectly good thread by going off topic to chide me about something, pretend you're an adult, and control yourself.

The people who actually know something about bikes know the score. Carry on Francis...

If you'd stop typing stuff that is just flat-out wrong or bad advice or pointless, then I'll stop trying to make a counter argument. You don't see me offering technical advice in areas where I'm not qualified or have any significant experience. What is funny is that even when you admit you don't know anything (like about genetics/molecular biology in the evolution thread) you continue to espouse your enlightenment.

[m21sniper]

There is nothing flat out wrong or pointless about stating that you can buy a new 10 speed for $200.00.

I offered neither encouragement nor endorsement, nor commentary.

I merely pointed it out.

In so doing, i triggered yet another one of your episodes. I have now reached my daily limit of nostatic. Ciao.

[KFC911]

I've got a Schwinn Le Tour ($300 back in the day) hanging in my garage that I put thousands of miles on back in college that hasn't really been ridden much since then. A couple of years ago, I picked up a new Gary Fisher Tas (mtn bike w/ slicks) which was "entry level" at around $500, and I simply couldn't believe how much bicycle technology had improved in 25 years. That would be my suggestion, a "decent" used mtn bike w/ slicks (that probably hasn't been "abused" on the trails)...

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by m21sniper

There is nothing flat out wrong or pointless about stating that you can buy a new 10 speed for $200.00.

I offered neither encouragement nor endorsement, nor commentary.

I merely pointed it out.

In so doing, i triggered yet another one of your episodes. I have now reached my daily limit of nostatic. Ciao.

ill-informed comments and opinions do tend to trigger my episodes. Admittedly I need to get that fixed. I'm tired...

[CJFusco]

CHILDREN!

I step away from the computer for an hour and this is what happens?!?

I will turn this car around. I swear to God I will...

Ok back on topic. Thinking carefully about things, the ability to jump a curb or ride through a lawn from time to time might come up in my commute. Would a decent road bike have this ability? I have had extensive experience with mountain bikes in the past, but know next-to-nothing about a road bike's capabilities.

[Joe Bob]

THIS should kill the conversation.....

http://www.bikeforums.net/archive/index.php/t-30970.html

[deathpunk dan]

CJ
I am on my 2nd Specialized road bike. As long as you avoid the very entry level allez model that came with Sora components, you will be very happy with one of these bikes.

Trek bikes seem to be readily available used for short money, too. Again, avoid Sora components.

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by CJFusco

CHILDREN!

I step away from the computer for an hour and this is what happens?!?

I will turn this car around. I swear to God I will...

Ok back on topic. Thinking carefully about things, the ability to jump a curb or ride through a lawn from time to time might come up in my commute. Would a decent road bike have this ability? I have had extensive experience with mountain bikes in the past, but know next-to-nothing about a road bike's capabilities.

Depends on the road bike. Touring bikes generally will have wheels built to take that kind of abuse. A typical "road bike" will not. But it also depends on the rider, the tires, etc. In general a wider tire will give you not only a more comfy ride but also provide more protection for commuting hazards. A typical road bike however will have constraints on the tire width due to the rim and the brakes, and possibly the frame.

For a short commute like you're talking, I'd worry less about the bike and more about logistics and how you're going to carry stuff. I personally hate having a backpack or messenger back when I'm riding - I'd rather have a rear rack and use panniers and/or rear bag. But others are fine with it. The other issue it at work - is there a shower, how to get clothes there to change into, or can you get by riding in your work clothes. Depends on the particular situation.

Sounds like you should just get a decent used mtb and put some slicks on it. You can probably mount a Blackburn rear rack and you'll be all set.

[CJFusco]

That is probably the best bet. Thanks nostatic, and thank you everybody else for the input.

[CJFusco]

Oh, one more quick question - what size frame would be appropriate for me? I am about 5'8" and 145lbs. IIRC, my Stump Jumper was an 18" frame (or maybe 20"?), and I (obviously) haven't grown much in the last couple years.

[Rot 911]

Originally Posted by CJFusco

Oh, one more quick question - what size frame would be appropriate for me? I am about 5'8" and 145lbs. IIRC, my Stump Jumper was an 18" frame (or maybe 20"?), and I (obviously) haven't grown much in the last couple years.

Depends on your inseam. Here is a calculator: http://www.totalbike.com/service/frame_size.php

[Dave L]

I commuted with a touring/road bike for a while but mainly always rode mountain bikes. The road bike was freakishly fast compared to the mountain bike but with cheap slick tires on the mountain bike it was the better commuter. I found that with the mountain bike I could bunny hop over a sewer grate, drop off a curb or crash through bad pavement if I needed or was forced to. The road bike was just a little skittish in these areas so I got rid of it about 2 years after buying it. If your commute involves bad roads or drivers I would recommend a mountain bike.

I would look for another rock hopper or something similar, dont go cheaper you will only get crappy components and excess weight.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

My "commuter" bike is an old Peugeot "mountain" frame hybridized with slicks and a rack. I added a RockShox on the front just to make riding it on the streets slightly less bone-jarring. Thing is an absolute tank. I rode the p!ss out of it in grad school and that includes numerous sub-zero Chicago winter days. Look for an old beast, IMHO. New bikes today are far too delicate. Besides, old bikes are less of a target for thieves. Replace any/all "quick release" parts with standard nuts/bolts. Make it look like a beater if possible.

+1 on the yard sales & Craigslist. My best deals have always been local deals - never from a shop.