Buying a bicycle

[Taza Tikha]

Note: Skip to last paragraph to get to my actual point.

I've decided that I want to buy a bicycle. Until last month, when I went on vacation and rented a bicycle to ride around a small town, I hadn't ridden a bike since I was 12. It's true what they say, you never forget...even if you do wobble a lot and careen into traffic.

I felt very chic pedalling away in my cute sundress, the ocean part of the scenery, and even though real life scenery isn't as picturesque, there are still plent of parks and paths I can use near home.

So today I went to a bike shop, told the extremely helpful attendant what I wanted, and after asking me very smart questions (what kind of riding do I do? Oh, none really....um okay), he steered me towards a shiny silver bike. Bottom-of-the-line, he said, perfect for casual city riding. He ordered me to put on a helmet and take it for a test drive. All about safety, he was, so I decided not to tell him that I'd be riding in dresses and sandals, hair blowing in the wind. He directed me towards the bike trail and said ride as far as I want, but if I weren't back by closing he'd let the air out of my car tires, LOL. So I rode for about three miles before I returned. Loved the bike. Found out it was $400. Yikes!

I know I'm showing my ignorance here, but the last bike I owned (Huffy? pink with streamers on the handlebars?) was nowhere near that price. I couldn't believe $400 was bottom of the line. I came home and hopped on Craigslist, and even the used bikes were selling for hundreds. Yeesh.

I don't know if I can justify spending that much on a bicycle I wouldn't take good care of. I don't have good storage space in my place, so it would probably be sitting out, exposed to the elements. Although I'm gung-ho about riding now, especially since the sun comes out occasionally these days, I'd probably quit when the novelty wears off or when daylight hours don't exist outside of work hours come the fall.

Soooo....what do you suggest? Are there any bicycle enthusiasts who could point me towards something more my speed? The bike I tested was a Marin Larkspur. I don't really need anything sporty or of particular quality, and a basket on front would be really cute.

[capella]

I bought a bike from the scumpits of Wal-Mart and it was just under 100 bucks. It wasn't the cheapest one they had, due to the fact that the cheapest one was out of stock. I'd shop around at some chain stores instead of a bike shop. I got a 24" wheel bike too because I'm short and can get away with it.

[bridgetjones]

Avoid those chic bike shops! Ok you might get info and find what you want that way, but you can get stuff cheaper elsewhere!

Here is where you might get it much cheaper:
- look at classified buy and sell ads in the paper. perhaps someone wants to sell their bike.
- go to an auction. i think in most cities, the police auctions off stuff like bikes for cheap. i guess you might google this.
- i bought my bike used at a little shop. got my bike, gel pad seat cushion (good to keep butt from being sore), a bell for about $70-80 CDN. granted it is a crappy, ugly thing but it was mechanically ok. saw similar bikes to what you want for like $100-200 CDN used. You might bring a mechanically inclined pal or BF along to make sure the merchandise is ok.

Happy biking!

[StateNAurora]

Check out local garage sales. Find a bike in pretty good with personality. Personality, meaning its been around the block. literally. Then take it to the shop to be tuned up and you'll be all set. $100 tops to get you started.

[spokes]

here is what you get for your $100 dollar bike at walmart:
- a bike that is most likely improperly assembled
- chances are the brake pads will not be alinged properly which is not that important unless you want to stop quickly
- uninformed sales staff who would not know how to "fit" your bike properly

i strongly urge you to go to a bike shop and deal with peole who know bikes, you will get a dependable rig (you don't want to puch your bike home do you) that fits you (this is very important as you want to minimize stress on your back and you'll want to ensure that the seat is the correct hieght so that you are using all the strength in your leg. $400 dollars for a bike is not that much (if your bike is exposed to the elements consider buying a platic sheet and some bungee cords at walmart and covering up the bike) - some bike shops also sell used bikes.

lastly i would also recommend ditiching the image of the wind in your hair and buy a helmet and wear propoer shoes and clothes. cruisng down a bike path is way more dangerous that riding trails in the back country. many bike path are lined with trees, blind corners and full of people who ride all over the path. usually the human head does not react well to coming in contact with trees or pavement.

the above is my $0.02.........

[Morgan81]

Couldn't agree more with you Spokes....
Bike shops are indeed more expensive but you get what you pay for in service and advice.
If you are just wanting to cruise around and not really go all out on a new bike, I would go to a Dick's or Sports Authority since they sell better brands than a Wal-Mart but still have the same no-trained dopes selling you them. Otherwise eBay might be your best bet. No matter where you buy it, take it to the bike shop for service, tune-up, proper fitting. Most places do this free if you buy it from them, but charge you $20 or so if you didn't.
Huffy's and the like are crap, and if you intend on putting serious miles on it, you will regret going the cheep route. They will hurt you and they will not be fun, which is the whole point.
$400 isn't that bad for a good bike....for comparison's sake the bike I want/need is $1200 (but thats serious downhill duel suspension, about 5 pounds, disk brakes etc..)

[uscuba2]

. Loved the bike. Found out it was $400. Yikes!



Soooo....what do you suggest? Are there any bicycle enthusiasts who could point me towards something more my speed? The bike I tested was a Marin Larkspur. I don't really need anything sporty or of particular quality, and a basket on front would be really cute.

$400 is not bad. But then again I have couple 1500+ bikes for off road and tri's that I am in.

[NoWomanNoCry]

Hiya~

Well, I used to mountain bike when I actually lived in a place that had trails, so I know a bit about bikes. I must admit that I got the best deal of all on my bike: it was by ex-boyfriend's, used only twice, worth about $800 and just my size! He gave it to me long before we broke up, but that's the best deal I've found :cool:

Anywho, you have to really decide here weather or not you care that much about the quality of the bike, and decide how much you'll be riding it. Fit is very important, especially if you're riding a lot. I think your best bet would be to check out Play It Again Sports. I'm not sure if they have bikes, but they sell new and used sports equipment at great prices. For your needs, you could definitely find a decent bike under $400. Keep your eyes open for sales at the shops and bikes in the want ads. Giant and Diamondback usuually have decent low-end bikes, probably perfect for your needs.

[NoWomanNoCry]

PS

If you are going to be riding a lot, I totally recommend getting a seat designed for a woman - worth every penny ;)

[spokes]

i should also mention that cheaper bikes are much heavier and have cheaper componets that won't work as well in the long run.

As for the specific question about what kind of bike to buy - that is a hard question to answer because there are so many bike makers and models of bikes out there - try visiting a couple of different shops and see what the recommend and then perhaps take some of that info down to your local sporting goods chain and see what they have.

enjoy the ride......

[wordsmith]

Is it really that important if you're a "non-serious," i.e. only occasional, purely recreational, rider? How much should a basic grade, no-frills bike run you, in reality? I have a nice bike, a good quality mountain bike a roommate who was upgrading sold me for a song, pretty much. But I'd never have paid what that bike cost retail; for my needs, it just wouldn't have been worth the investment. I do have to say that the woman-designed seat is a valid investment, regardless if you ride only once in a great while or not. The difference is immediately noticeable.

[Taza Tikha]

Thanks for all of your replies. I'm not convinced I need to make an investment in a good-quality bike for how much I'd use it, but I'll still visit bike shops for sizing and styling. I'll let you know what I decide, although if I do buy something, it probably won't be until my birthday later this month. A bike or an iPod, hmmm....

[pink bunny]

Let the dice fly high-Caesar

[SunDevil]

Here are a few bikes in the $250-$350 price range:
http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47841753&parent_category_rn=40003120
http://www.rei.com/outlet/product/47926359.htm

Look Ma, No chain!
http://www.webbicycle.com/bikes/newport.php

Also, invest in a good quality bike lock
http://www.kryptonitelock.com/inetisscripts/abtinetis.exe/PublicArticleDetails@public?artid=2789&atf=products_item&pgrp=20

Bicycles can last a long time, but make sure you get it sized properly.

I saved $30 in gas last month by riding my bike to work, and riding outside beats riding a exercise bike when the weather is nice.

For anyone spending a lot of hours on a bike, you should look into this:
http://www.saddleco.com/flowmain.html

[Taza Tikha]

Update:

I took my car in for a checkup today, and the car doctor held it hostage for a hefty ransom. Stupid timing belt and myriad other problems. It's not a holy-crap-where-is-my-next-meal-coming-from situation (yay for emergency funds), but I can't justify expensive, non-essential purchases until I rebuild my savings a bit. (I would fudge it except my auto insurance and junk-I-own insurance bills are due next month, as well as an impending trip to the dentist as soon as I get off my butt and, you know, find one.) So bike-hunting has been scaled back to the looking-for-future-reference stage. Thanks for all of your advice, though. Hopefully I can work something out before the end of good weather, but if not there's always next year. If the spirit moves me before then, I could borrow or rent a bike for a few days.

FYI, Friday May 20 is Ride Your Bike to Work Day, at least in DC. I will rest easy knowing that it's not something I could do even if I did have a bike--I am WAY too out of shape to ride 30 miles round trip.