Teach me about Bicycles

Need a bike. Haven't had a bike since College, when my last 2 were stolen. I'm currently driving 2 miles to the train everyday, which is just silly. The bike would be faster and a whole hell of a lot cheaper than paying for gas and parking. But I really have no clue what I need

• I will be on paved streets the whole time. At worst, I'll have to negotiate some gravel and bad road cracks.
• I weigh 200 pounds.
• I'm not out to set any speed records; I'll need to stay relatively sweat-free
• I'd like a rack for my backpack
• I'd potentially like fenders, as dorky as they look, so I don't get spray on me if it is damp/wet
• Would like to buy used, and keep the total buy-in under $200

Seems like that should be doable, since at Target last night I saw some new Schwinn(?) (I assume all the Target/Walmart bikes are made by the same company?) bikes for under $300, some as low as $200.

What should I be looking out for on Craigslist? Will these be better than the Target Specials? Brands to avoid? Are there any brands that you can confidently say the bike, no matter the model or country of origin, will be a good bike? Other advice?

EDIT: I want this to last at least 15 years.

For your requirements - any cheap adult sized bike from a yard sale would do. I'm thinking this is a $50 to $100 problem. My wife rides an old Giant like the kind you rent at the beach. I got it for some nominal cash at a neighbor's cleaning the garage sale along with some other crap, spent $60 on bearings, some new grips and a seat. It could be ridden 2mi every day for 15 years.

check your local thrift stores too.

if you want it to last 15 years, you are NOT looking for a department store bike. 15 years on any entry level bike is going to be difficult even if brand new. It will most likely need brake and derailler cables as well as tires and tubes. Those items alone will set you back about 60 bucks.

Look at craigslist for any major brand names in a size that fits you.

Mongoose, Schwinn, GT are NOT what they once were.

Find a $100 trek/specialized/etc. on your local Craigslist. With your usage, they should last approximately forever. Maybe check with your local bike shop if they carry used bikes.

Road cracks aren't a concern for a road bike, but gravel is. So its really going to depend on what you come across. Then again, at the speed you'll be commuting, a mountain bike wouldn't slow you down any and will give you more of a buffer for rough stuff.

ProDarwin wrote: Find a $100 trek/specialized/etc. on your local Craigslist. With your usage, they should last approximately forever. Maybe check with your local bike shop if they carry used bikes. Road cracks aren't a concern for a road bike, but gravel is. So its really going to depend on what you come across. Then again, at the speed you'll be commuting, a mountain bike wouldn't slow you down any and will give you more of a buffer for rough stuff.

Can you expand on the "etc."?

Sounds like Trek and Specialized are good, as well as old Schwinn... What other brands?

Skip the Target/Walmart bikes, and look for a used bike with better components for the same price. CL or the new Facebook marketplace will have some deals. Look at the brands typically sold in bike shops: Giant, Trek, etc.

I have owned everything from a $200 sporting goods store bike (Mongoose) to a $2500 entry level race bike (Bianchi) and I can unequivocally say you get what you pay for. There have been a lot of Giants purchased by myself and my family that have been pretty bulletproof, even their cheaper models. I recently sold a like new Giant Escape that I wound up not using for $225 on Facebook. I paid $500 for it when it was new and it would have been a solid bike for commuting. My wife had a matching Giant Escape in a smaller size that she put something around 1500 miles on in a year. It was still like new except for tire and brake wear when she sold that one on in favor of a racier Giant TCX.

Trek
Specialized
Giant
Scott
Cannondale
Kona
Fuji

I might consider a higher end Diamondback for this use case as well.

You are in Chicago. Major Urban Market. Shop CL for someone else's not longer needed Commuter bike. Spend $100-$150 on the bike and another $50 for updates and a little personalization.

By searching word "commuter"...

$150

$100 Giant Brand

I would try to stay in the "disposable" price range if you are going to be leaving the bike locked up at the train station all day. Be sure that your bike is not the best looking on at the bike rack. Even go so far as to give the frame a crappy spray paint job to hide the names an the logos and generally give the bike a less desirable appearance.

Also search keyword "hybrid" or "fender(s)"

What you want is a basic commuter bike, which is not something you are likely to find in a dept store. They are generally cheap to buy (around $500 is typical at a bike shop), but they also don't sell in huge numbers and seem to hold their value surprisingly well.

No... Schwinn are not what they once were... but they are cheap. Of course, buying a bike like this mail-order does assume you can assemble it yourself and adjust the various components. Add $100 (at least) to the overall cost if you want a bike shop to do this.

That said - assembling a bicycle is not rocket science. I would imagine you can find decent instructions on YouTube.

+1 to ProDarwins list above. If I wasn't clear in my above comments, stay away from the kinds of bikes you see at the department stores. Mongoose, Schwinn and whatever else they sell are pretty much disposable junk.

Craigslist has given me the following:

https://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/bik/6081402542.html
https://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/bik/6089387594.html
https://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/bik/6080032196.html
https://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/bik/6088945651.html
https://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/bik/6090729116.html
https://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/bik/6088855338.html
https://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/bik/6065388273.html
https://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/bik/6085772535.html

Which would be the top 3 out of those options?

I think I have 7 bikes in my garage.

I only ever use one. Let me check if one might work for you.

John Welsh wrote: You are in Chicago. Major Urban Market. Shop CL for someone else's not longer needed Commuter bike. Spend $100-$150 on the bike and another $50 for updates and a little personalization. By searching word "commuter"... $150 $100 Giant Brand I would try to stay in the "disposable" price range if you are going to be leaving the bike locked up at the train station all day. Be sure that your bike is not the best looking on at the bike rack. Even go so far as to give the frame a crappy spray paint job to hide the names an the logos and generally give the bike a less desirable appearance.

Hot damn that Giant might be the ticket. Gotta head up that way anyways at some point soon.

In reply to mtn:

I would skip the single speed Fuji unless you are a hipster. I would also avoid the bikes with suspension given your intended use. That is a lot of weight, complexity and squishyness you don't need. The first two Trek's you listed are worth a look, and that Giant with the fenders and rack already mounted might be perfect for you.

I agree with the list above as well. If you want a rack make sure that the bike you buy has the little threaded bosses near the rear axle and on the frame between seat and rear wheel so that you can mount one. Keep the bike plain looking and buy a serious lock if you want to keep it in that area. Consider the possibility that people will steal things like wheels and seats if they attach with quick releases too. If you were closer I have a bike I'd loan you that's all set up.

Don't spend too much on the bike, but plan on spending more on a couple good pieces of outerwear. A good, bike-commuter-specific rain jacket and/or pants plus set of fenders makes it a LOT better to ride in iffy weather. The good ones aren't cheap (more than the bike you're looking at) but that one piece of gear will enable more riding than any other. Well, besides the actual bike.

I bike commute about 7 miles each way to work a couple days a week, it's a lot of fun.

Robbie wrote: I think I have 7 bikes in my garage. I only ever use one. Let me check if one might work for you.

Please do!

This one looks cool: https://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/bik/6088945651.html

Stay away from this one: Despite the names in the title, it's crap.

Of the ones linked, the Gary Fisher seems best suited to your needs.

The last one is cool, but I'm not sure how long it would hold up to regular commuting use.

Also, remember better bike frames come in sizes, like shoes. The wrong size will be uncomfortable and keep you from riding. Finding the right size is often the biggest hurdle of buying used.

ultraclyde wrote: I agree with the list above as well. If you want a rack make sure that the bike you buy has the little threaded bosses near the rear axle and on the frame between seat and rear wheel so that you can mount one. Keep the bike plain looking and buy a serious lock if you want to keep it in that area.

I'm in a safe suburb, and the bike will be at the train station. It is the type of suburb where the police blotter is usually filled with DUI, misdemeanor marijuana charges, and stolen bikes that weren't locked. While I do anticipate spending some good money on the lock, I don't need to go crazy as if I lived in the city.

Safe or not, I think PlastiDip could be a great answer for a bike.
When 'Dipped the bike will look "plain Jane" but if you want to sell it then peeling it should then return the bike back to an attractive appearance.

Im not sure how tall you are, but at 200lbs, Im guessing youre at least 5'10". From the Chi-town list of craigs:

Raleigh Hybrid - $50
Trek Hybrid needs a little TLC- $100
Gary Fisher Hybrid with rack and bag - $140
Gary Fisher Hybrid - $170
GT Hybrid with rear rack- $200

Fenders and or racks will probably run you between $50-$70 depending on what you want and your aptitude for installation. If you get a rear rack tho it will supress rear-wheel spray, so a front fender is all youll need (unless youe riding in a monsoon). I would suggest a hybrid because:

• Youll be riding in your work clothes, which will be uncomfortable on a road bike
• its only 2 miles, you dont need ultimate efficiency
• Hybrids have tires about twice as wide and compliant as road bikes, so you trade off efficiency for a little grip and less harshness

I'm 5'10", but have short legs. 29.5" inseam.

Probably looking for a medium frame, or 17" if the bike company sizes that way.

I think the bike is the lower concern variable at this point in the game. Focus on the nut holding the handlebars.

Go buy a cheap bike at a garage sale for $50 and do the ride a few times. Or borrow one. See what chafes where.

If you are liking the "Ride to the train" reality after a month then adju$t as nece$$ary to make it a better experience.

I would not buy anything too expensive as it will get stolen.