I strongly agree that you should not buy a new bike on your budget. Avoid brands Next, Schwinn (:(), and Mongoose like the plague. Some of these have an expensive look to them and I’ve seen people trying to sell them on Craigslist for more than what they cost new. And they’re shit. Craigslist is the best place to find a bike if you’re really patient and know a little bit about them (because it might take weeks for the right bike to show up, and then you have to know the right bike when you see it), but if you want a bike now and need some expert advice/opinions (and it sounds like you do), I suggest going to a shop that sells used bikes. You’ll pay a little more but you can haggle, and you’ll get a sound bike that’s been freshly tuned up. They’ll usually cut you deals like first tune-up for free or free tire repairs, etc, with purchase. Try to avoid those shifters where you spin the handle grip like a motorcycle throttle; they’re really popular right now, and they’re akward and very inaccurate in my experience.
It’s awesome for the trail riding I do. I tested out some full suspension rigs, but they just didn’t feel right - geometrywise. So far, I’ve very pleased with it. And, it came with all the upgraded components, so I could buy a rear suspension frame, and swap everything over if I feel the need.
How tall are you? That’s a small - medium bike at 16.5" I’m not sure how trek sizes fit, but I’m guessing that if you’re taller than about 5’8" you’d be cramped on that bike.
Maybe someone with more Trek experience could chime in.
Then I’m in luck. I’m 5’ 8" even … if I’m wearing shoes.
Jack - Make sure that when you’re sitting on the seat, you can just barely touch your tiptoes to the ground. Most adults who get on a bike after years and years have a tendency to drop the seat way too low. That can wreak havoc on your knees.
I’ll never understand you freaks :).
Do you know your inseam? There’s a formula for a rough estimate, but the length of the top tube will also make a big difference.
As a fairly avid cyclist, my 2¢ is: don’t expect to lose weight through bike-riding.
Bicycling is a very calorie-efficient means of transportation, meaning you won’t use up very many calories in the course of propelling yourself a mile or ten down the road. If you stick with it, you’ll redistribute the pounds you’ve got to some extent, but you won’t lose them.
You’ll do more for your weight by running a mile 2-3 times a week than by bicycling 30-40 miles a week. And running that mile has this key advantage: ten minutes after you drag your body out the door, you’re back home, all done with your workout. I’m really not keen on running, but I’ll do it sporadically for weight maintenance, because it’s reasonably effective. I go cycling because it’s fun.
While the bike experts are around, can i ask a question?
I was in a very similar position to the OP—looking to buy a bike, not knowing very much about them, on a budget, and contemplating Craigslist.
Then a free bike basically fell into my lap. We were visiting my mother-in-law in San Francisco, and when she heard i was going to buy a used bike, she mentioned that she had one in the basement that belonged to her now-deceased partner. He died about 7 years ago, and bought the bike a couple of years before he died.
The bike is, as a result, simultaneously old and almost brand new. While it’s probably a good 9 or 10 years old, it’s only been ridden two or three times. The tires still have all that rubber “hair” on them that new tires have. My MIL estimates that he only rode it two or three times before he became too sick to ride (he died of cancer). Also, he was the about the same height as me (although considerably heavier), and the standover height is good for me.
Anyway, it’s clearly in pretty good condition, but it looks like you would expect for a bike that’s been sitting unused in a basement for the better part of a decade. It has dirt and cobwebs over it, and the chain and the various gears and stuff are clearly in need of some love and care. The tires need inflating, and probably some sort of aligning as well. All the spokes seem fine, and there are no obvious dings or other physical issues.
What i want to know is whether it’s worth spending some money at a local bike shop to get this stuff done. This shop is a five-minute walk from my house, and i was thinking of getting the Deluxe or El Jefe tune-up. If i do that, do you think i’ll have a bike worth hanging on to?
Here’s all the details i could glean from the bike itself:
[ul]
[li]Specialized Crossroads, 21 speed[/li][li]the frame says “Direct Drive, Off Road, CRMO Tubing, Tange.”[/li][li]all the mechanics (brakes, gears, derailleurs, etc.) say Shimano Altus C10[/li][li]the wheels are Araya Japan 700CPX-35[/li][li]tires are Specialized Nimbus 700X-38C[/li][/ul]
The bike will mainly be used for riding around my (fairly flat) neighborhoods, going to the gym or the grocery store, and maybe the occasional trip a bit further afield.
The El Jefe Tuneup is about twice as expensive as similar service around here, but otherwise the bike is worth it. Just shop around that price.
Thanks Cisco. That bike shop just happens to be down the street, but there are quite a few others around here. I’ll shop around.