any Bikers out there?

If you've got a few hours, just find a frame you like and put it together from parts yourself.
Worked for me, and I ended up with a VERY nice bike for $460 ish.
 
Eph said:
Just buy a used bike.

Ignore suspension - you can't afford it.

Get skinny tires.

Take used bike to bike shop, have them service it, including truing your wheels. You'll be happy, and you'll probably only pay $150 for your "new" bike (plus $50 for the service).
Click to expand...

You've given good advice, ATemplar and myself said similar things earlier in the thread. The only thing is to remove the skinny tires perspective - earlier in the thread the OP has said he'll be crossing wet fields, that sort of thing.

If he gets a used MTB (which he should) then he should go for semi-slicks, but sure, below 2" (maybe even 1.5 inch)....that sort of thing.
 
Eph said:
Just buy a used bike.

Ignore suspension - you can't afford it.

Get skinny tires.

Take used bike to bike shop, have them service it, including truing your wheels. You'll be happy, and you'll probably only pay $150 for your "new" bike (plus $50 for the service).
Click to expand...

he wouldn't want suspsension anyway. not for commuting...suspension on bikes is overrated imo as it was a trend that spread onto normal mountainbikes as suspension was required for downhill mountainbikers. for daily use around a city etc..pedaling a bike with dual suspension for example would result in a lot of wasted energy pushing the shocks downward and it exhausts you quickly.

i would stay away from the schwinn though...my sister bought the same cruiser and its all rusty (even though it is kept inside a shed) and its super heavy and hard to pedal. go for a light mountainbike with good shimano gears and you'll be set

Eph said:
You will never do that for $200 or under.
Click to expand...

also..the best bike i ever bought (5 yrs ago) was a trek 4500 at a pawn shop! got it for $200
 
SO, anyone know of any thrift stores and such that sell used bike? (Like Goodwill?) I am currently shopping around swap meets and such, hoping to pick up something. And when I do go shopping for a bike, how to I identify a good bike, like one that's "good for the money"?
 
that specialized rockhopper is an amazing deal, i'd buy it for 150 all day and it looks to be the right size for your height as well. its a 400$ bike and looks to be in great shape, you would love it--plus front suspension won't kill your legs as much as rear suspension when pedaling up hills etc...its a much better bike than the schwinn. specialized frames are tig welded unlike the mass produced walmart bikes etc..and have better components overall
 
^^ What leelord said, ...and it has a rear mini-rack, perfect for the intended use, and doubles as a mud-guard. Definitely the best of the options seen so far.

That said, I'd still prefer something 1 or 2 years old and relatively unused for the OP, but not the schwinn.
 
Leelord337 said:
he wouldn't want suspsension anyway. not for commuting...suspension on bikes is overrated imo as it was a trend that spread onto normal mountainbikes as suspension was required for downhill mountainbikers. for daily use around a city etc..pedaling a bike with dual suspension for example would result in a lot of wasted energy pushing the shocks downward and it exhausts you quickly.
Click to expand...

He would, if he bought into the marketing hype. Suspension on sub-1500 bikes is crap. Especially full suspension bikes; oh what a chore I don't even want to imagine.

And I disagree, I ride my Turner Spot or Santa Cruz Blur XC with knobby tires and Fox front and rear suspension 3 miles 5 times a week to get to the woods and the only thing that slows me down is the damn 2.3" tires. But, of course, both bikes were over 4.5k and the suspension was tuned by PUSH.

also..the best bike i ever bought (5 yrs ago) was a trek 4500 at a pawn shop! got it for $200
Click to expand...

Cool. I had a Trek 6000 at one point in my life.
 
The Specialized is nice, except it has a fork (front suspension). Avoid. Costly in maintenance, but the real problem is the crappy internals. You'll lose SO much energy, it's not even funny.

And those tires... get a pair of slicks (it can handle biking around campus). I hate getting blown away by kids on $50 bikes when on the road, biking to the mountains, only because they are using slick tires and I'm on 2.3" knobby MTB tires.
 
Price

You could get a great brand new fuji for 200.00 back in 1980 just find a time machine. 5'8 200 sounds like you might need a motorcycle instead?
 
a friend of mine moved to texas, had a very old mountain bike so gave it to me. i am one of those people who would ride rather than drive. never had a problem.

since you talk about school purposes, just let me point his out.

+ easier to park than a car (where i went to school, sometimes people have to drive around 10 minuntes before they find a spot)
+ no traffic jam, so always on time when leave on time
- yes, get a lock

---personal opinion---
if you get a second hand and/or old one, no worries about coming back home on foot because the bad guys would steal a better bike before they get to yours.
if my bike were stolen, i would just say" shoo, i have to walk home today, or call for a ride". i would not cry, i would not curse.

- but comfort is important? yes it is, however, you are not going for the tour de france, you are going to school.
-all the pics you showed look good to me, i would go with either one.
just make sure you bring a flashlight along when you know you will have to ride in the dark.

-and get those tubes that don't get flat unless your itinerary is always road.
- afraid of bike problems? come on, there really isn't much to fix in a bike, plus like you said, dad is a handyman so you are good whether your bike is new or old.

now about bike and quality, i have no clue so please rely on the other great posters.

fact.
i heard you can get a ticket if you ride bicycle with earphones on.
 
yellow ball player said:
a friend of mine moved to texas, had a very old mountain bike so gave it to me. i am one of those people who would ride rather than drive. never had a problem.

since you talk about school purposes, just let me point his out.

+ easier to park than a car (where i went to school, sometimes people have to drive around 10 minuntes before they find a spot)
+ no traffic jam, so always on time when leave on time
- yes, get a lock

---personal opinion---
if you get a second hand and/or old one, no worries about coming back home on foot because the bad guys would steal a better bike before they get to yours.
if my bike were stolen, i would just say" shoo, i have to walk home today, or call for a ride". i would not cry, i would not curse.

- but comfort is important? yes it is, however, you are not going for the tour de france, you are going to school.
-all the pics you showed look good to me, i would go with either one.
just make sure you bring a flashlight along when you know you will have to ride in the dark.

-and get those tubes that don't get flat unless your itinerary is always road.
- afraid of bike problems? come on, there really isn't much to fix in a bike, plus like you said, dad is a handyman so you are good whether your bike is new or old.

now about bike and quality, i have no clue so please rely on the other great posters.

fact.
i heard you can get a ticket if you ride bicycle with earphones on.
Click to expand...

Very true, as well, a BUI is the same as a DUI on your record.
 
I was looking for a friend for a new MTB, and the starting budget for anything decent seemed like around 4-500 bucks. This was for a new one that could handle harder riding. I am sure you could do about 300ish for a more base model.

Like everyone said, suspension is not needed. I have front suspension on my bike, and I am going to get a new one, since the stock one is pretty crappy. Usually stock suspension sucks on a bike that is under 1,500 or so. Once you get to that price point, it is probably better to build the bike custom anyway.

The other thing that you will not need is disc brakes. Yes, they are nice to have, but not needed. I have seen rigid bikes without disc brakes brand new for around 300 made by specialized, trek..etc.

I like Craigslist for BMX bikes. The reason is because some kid got the bike from his folks, they spent a ton, and then he realized how hard it is 4 months in and gave up. Or you can get lucky and buy a custom bike from a pro who is broke and needs coin fast. That happened to me, and I got a really sick custom build for less then half price.

It sounds like you may be looking more for an MTB type of bike just to get you to and from. If so, just look for new ones by good makers who are selling rigid frames without disc brakes, and you may find a good deal.

The problem with MTB is it is very expensive. I would say overpriced to be honest, so unless you get lucky on CL, you will have to spend a little more then you wanted.
 
Eh, about getting bikes stolen: now I feel I need to tell my story. And with this story, I guess you could identify who I am if you wanted.

I locked up my old Santa Cruz Blur (not the Blur XC) in Harvard Yard, right in front of my House (Dudley House) and went on a date. Came back, and my bike was stolen. It was one of the saddest days of my life. Not because it was a monetary loss, but because someone had the nerve to take something that was not theirs. When the Harvard Police came, they asked if I had any type of insurance, after learning the value of the bike. I said "renter's insurance". They told me to contact them, so I did. It was a nice surprise to learn that even though the theft did not happen in my house, it was covered because the property is from my house. Two weeks later, I got a nice check for $3800 to build a new Santa Cruz Blur XC.

Moral of the story, I guess, is make sure you get renter's insurance when you go to college. Deductibles can be $100, it's very cheap, it covers dorm rooms, and it's worth it. It may not replace your bike since you're looking to spend $200 (but keep your receipt anyway), however, sh*t happens. Add up the value of your clothes and I bet you'll be astonished. Add up the value of all your electronics, etc.. Ask your parents to bundle it on with all their other insurances, but don't neglect doing your own searches on the Internet.


A few comments from the above posters: no such thing as tubes that don't go flat. You can get downhill tubes put in most tires, but they still go flat. And don't even get me started with UST tubeless systems.

If you have a budget of 1,500, it's going to be tough to build a good, custom bike for that much, even going through mail order shops. Honestly, I look around MTBR a lot, and find some screaming deals on mountain bikes. Typical markdown for a used top-of-the-line bike is over 40%. (That includes my Turner Spot, if anyone wants it for $3000, it's yours... :P) Now if your budget is 4k+, THEN you could build a great custom bike.

I would argue disc brakes *are* needed. However, the OP simply can't afford them. Disc brakes pay in dividends once it starts raining. It rains in California, right? :) So he'll have to make due with V-brakes, and will have to be extra careful when it rains (brake sooner. And while we're on the subject here's some knowledge for you: 70% of your braking power comes from your front wheel. The rest is your rear. That does not mean you only brake with your front. You should break evenly (and the bike shop *will* know, when they replace your brake pads if you were, so you better for goodness sake ;-)). And you brake slowly, building up pressure to stop. Do NOT lock your brakes unless in emergency. When going around corners with loose gravel/dirt, use your rear brake only to slow down, it will help guide you through the troublesome area).

Don't consider a BMX bike. You won't go as fast and lose too much energy.

I have a friend in Switzerland who got a 400 CHF (roughly $400 USD) fine for riding his bike on a one way street in the wrong direction while talking on his cell phone.
 
Last edited:
nice story,
no such thing as tubes that don't go flat,... couldn't think of the right terms but was hoping readers would understand. by this, i meant those tire tubes that have like a liquid that prevent you from going flat when you run over thorns or glass shards....and it was just a suggestion because where i rode, that happened to me a couple of times so i invested less than 15$ for both tires. no more flat tires.
time to go to BOW...
 
Oh, you're talking about a Stan's NoTube system or the like? Or ghetto tubeless? :)

Those systems are nice for pinch flats, and do work quite well, but I'm not sure it'll be a worthwhile investment given the terrain he'll be on.
 
Agreed, but you said "great custom bike". I just said custom bike. Big difference. MTB components can get out of control if you want to go to the level of great.

I priced out a build for a Santa Cruz Chameleon that would have clocked in at around 2k. Not a great build, but still an awesome setup for a very versatile frame.

Since the OP is at the very bottom of the price range, he is going to have to either hope he finds a steal on CL, or go with the most basic model of MTB he can find. And we all know that the disc brakes and forks you get on the $500 MTB pretty much suck anyway and will need to be upgraded sooner then later. Better to go without, then if you get really into riding, sell that bike and put the money into a better one.
 
Jeez, this takes me back to 1981 when I was a freshman at Sacramento State. I bought a Ross Road Bike, but a couple of years later transferred to UCSB and traded in the road bike for a Specialized RockHopper. You don't need slicks, a good sturdy mountain bike is all you need. Keep checking Craigslist and get a good used bike, or go to a bikeshop in Sacramento and look on the "for sale" board, you'll find something.
 
Ok, I'll be looking for bikes now. I asked this before, but never really got an answer, how do I spot a find, when I go out shopping for used bikes? Like whats the easiest thing to spot, that lets me know I have a good bike that's worth the money?
 
LanEvo said:
Ok, I'll be looking for bikes now. I asked this before, but never really got an answer, how do I spot a find, when I go out shopping for used bikes? Like whats the easiest thing to spot, that lets me know I have a good bike that's worth the money?
Click to expand...

I've said a few times now, I think the best thing for you to spot is a bike from a major manufacturer (I published a list of about 10 brands, so did someone else) that is less than 2 years old, that someone bought 'for fun / fitness' and decided it was too hard and they ran out of time. Something at the entry-level would have been 300-400 new, and should be 100-200 second hand, barely ridden.

Personally, I think that's the easiest thing for you to spot. Many people will write this in their ad: 'barely ridden, almost new'.

There are many, many other things that will combine to make something the right bike, but that, to me, is the only dead-easy thing to spot.
 
If it's for commuting to/from/around school, I think you should just find something that rides decently well and is in good condition (no rust, working components).
Locks only keep people from stealing your frame/wheels, everything else can be easily stolen with a simple multi-tool; it wasn't uncommon for me to see vandalized bicycles with bent rims or missing components that were locked outside on campus. I only took my bicycle to school on weekends when I would be able to bring my bike inside the classrooms with me since I never trusted locking it up outside...
 
OP i know your budget is $200 but I suggest you changing that to $2,000 and getting a fantastic bike. You say just running to school and in between lessons, but from that it is easy to get together with friends, hire a van, 6 of you drive into the mountains and spend the whole day or weekend riding on real trails, and having a great time. So prepare for that. You should get this bike you will really like it

http://www.evanscycles.com/products...e-ec020727?currency=USD&country=UNITED STATES

its barely over the $2000 we just agreed on. You wont notice the difference in price, but you will notice that its a great bike.

Please be aware if you continue to be small minded and insist on sticking to your $200 budget, then I suggest you purchase the handlebar stem of the above bike first and then buy each component as and when you can.
 
ProgressoR said:
OP i know your budget is $200 but I suggest you changing that to $2,000 and getting a fantastic bike. You say just running to school and in between lessons, but from that it is easy to get together with friends, hire a van, 6 of you drive into the mountains and spend the whole day or weekend riding on real trails, and having a great time. So prepare for that. You should get this bike you will really like it

http://www.evanscycles.com/products...e-ec020727?currency=USD&country=UNITED STATES

its barely over the $2000 we just agreed on. You wont notice the difference in price, but you will notice that its a great bike.

Please be aware if you continue to be small minded and insist on sticking to your $200 budget, then I suggest you purchase the handlebar stem of the above bike first and then buy each component as and when you can.
Click to expand...

Hire a van? Buy a van. I'm with you, if it's not done properly it's not done at all. Should be room for quite a few bikes on the roof of this van. Could save by going for some vinyl instead of leather, and change the no-doubt 24 inch rims back to 23's.

luxury-van.jpg
 
^^^ so true. My mistake I was not thinking big enough, assuming that biking was the end game here. But you are right, if you are gonna do it, do it right, dont cut corners.

So OP, you now just have to consider what brand of luxury van you need for your cycling needs? I would suggest starting a new thread on that.

And then we can talk about the Bang & Olufsen system every self respecting person should surround themselves with.

If you do not come to this way of thinking, you are selling yourself short and telling the world you do not respect yourself, and so how can you expect others to respect you?
 
ProgressoR said:
^^^ so true. My mistake I was not thinking big enough, assuming that biking was the end game here. But you are right, if you are gonna do it, do it right, dont cut corners.

So OP, you now just have to consider what brand of luxury van you need for your cycling needs? I would suggest starting a new thread on that.

And then we can talk about the Bang & Olufsen system every self respecting person should surround themselves with.

If you do not come to this way of thinking, you are selling yourself short and telling the world you do not respect yourself, and so how can you expect others to respect you?
Click to expand...

There is indeed no point in purchasing said van without some B&O (after all, there will indeed be some BO in there from 6 guys after some MTB).

I'm thinking these will do, rumour is about $30k will cover the speakers, which come with around 2500w to play with. Now, at 61kg per speaker they will harm the 0-100 time a little, but perhaps the van could use some nos to counter them?

I am aware that 30k is a little over the original budget, but indeed, having self-respect is more important than skimping on the essentials.

1949_01.jpg


I wonder what the next priority should be: Air Purification or making the van a hybrid?
 
good idea Orange, the weight is not an issue, you just get a larger more luxurious van with a larger engine to handle the extra weight. Remember spending a bit of extra money is not an acceptable objection, unless you really want everyone to realise you have no self esteem.

Naturally to fully enjoy the facilities of said vehicle, you need a driver to take you to the mountains, so you and mates can play PS3 whilst hooking the sound up the B&O.

6 of you, so you need 2 or 3 consoles and TV's, unless you want your mates to be sitting there doing nothing, that would show you really have little respect for their needs.
 
I just noticed this topic and at first I thought it was about motorcycles not bicycles. I was picturing fat hairy guys with tattoos in tennis whites.
 
The Marin may be a bit small for a almost 6 foot guy. But could be worth it possibly.

Theres not much in My area in the used bike market in his price range. But Batimore isnt exactly MTB Mecca either. I got my Klein and that all I need.

But I commend OP for sticking to his ghuns on the budget. If your patient you get a deal
 
ProgressoR said:
good idea Orange, the weight is not an issue, you just get a larger more luxurious van with a larger engine to handle the extra weight. Remember spending a bit of extra money is not an acceptable objection, unless you really want everyone to realise you have no self esteem.

Naturally to fully enjoy the facilities of said vehicle, you need a driver to take you to the mountains, so you and mates can play PS3 whilst hooking the sound up the B&O.

6 of you, so you need 2 or 3 consoles and TV's, unless you want your mates to be sitting there doing nothing, that would show you really have little respect for their needs.
Click to expand...

There is only 1 acceptable person for the task.

Some say he sucks moisture out of ducks and he models his crash helmet on Britney Spears' head. All we know is....

stig.jpg
 
GRANITECHIEF said:
Or a slightly out of budget, lowball offer type deal on an older high performance mtn bike:

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/bik/1867064600.html
http://users.telenet.be/ON7NQ/Aboutme/GT I-Drive 6.JPG

or a Marin in Davis

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/bik/1865630821.html
Click to expand...

The Marin looks a little trashed (and even the ad admits to some touch ups being required), but I'd rather have it for day to day commuting than the i-drive. Also, should be much lower on the theft-factor, keeping in mind theft of a bike is usually just a matter of someone having a saw or some bolt-cutters.
 
LanEvo said:
Hey guys, hows this bike?

http://www.sportsauthority.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3807052&CAWELAID=411513564

I went with my dad today, he said he'd chip in a bit if I found a nice bike, I went with him to see this one today. It looked nice, had disc brakes front and back.
Click to expand...

Do you not have a Bike store near by that sells good brands? Did you not read what we said about not needing all the bells and whistles at the pricpoint you are looking at?

The shocks and brakes on a bike under $1,000 usually suck or are average at best, so buy a lesser expensive bike for it's frame and accept that the components will need to be upgraded, or that you will want to spend more on a bike if you get really into it. That means, get a Trek, Specialized, Cannondale, Giant, Gary Fischer..something like that because the frame will be halfway decent.

I would rather ride a fully rigid Specialized Rockhopper with no disc brakes then the bike you posted from Sports Authority. I hope this helps and clears up what people are trying to say.

This bike you posted does not have a good frame or good components. They suck you in because it has suspension and disc brakes.
 
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