The Chainlink

Best Place to Buy a Good Used Bike?

 

I'm in the market to find a good used bicycle for riding on streets and bike paths. This is not a bike that would be used everyday but rather on the weekends. Can anyone recommend a good shop in Chicago for used bikes? Would it be better to go the route of Craigslist? Thanks for any suggestions you can provide.

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Permalink Reply by Mark on January 13, 2011 at 10:46am
I think the Bike Station at Millennium Park still has a few used Treks left for sale for around $150.  I've bought 2 from there.  They are well maintained.
Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on January 13, 2011 at 10:51am

LUGS 1152 N Milwaukee Ave. 60642

 

http://www.lugschicago.com/

Permalink Reply by Shay on January 13, 2011 at 11:07am
Ciclo Urbano - the retail portion of West Town Bikes.

I bought a Peugeot there a couple of years ago and was very happy with the bike and the service.
Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on January 13, 2011 at 11:18am
And Working Bikes, of course... But, that can be more of a crap shoot
Permalink Reply by ad on January 13, 2011 at 11:20am

If you're comfortable detrmining what properly fits you and what is in "decent" shape bike-wise, I think craigslist wins hands down for the best deals on used bikes.  It takes some time and patience, but the deals can be amazing.   

Other than that, I second Ciclo Urbano.  They always seem to have a decent selection and I'm sure would stand behind anything that rolls out the door quality-wise.  I've never been, but friends have also had luck at the Recyclery Collective.  Their address is 7628 N. Paulina St.      

Permalink Reply by Ace Mann on January 13, 2011 at 11:23am
I would go by Working Bikes Co-op at 2434 S. Western they are only open on Sat. 10-5 and on Wed. 12-7 they have tons of used bikes in all price range and all different styles. Website: www.Workingbikes.org
Permalink Reply by Allison M. down Ogden 7.9 mi on January 13, 2011 at 11:51am

Working Bikes!!!! All bikes are fairly priced and ready to ride, thoroughly revamped by a mechanic including overhauls, brakes, wheel truing, all of that. Plus, they have a 30 day money-back guarantee, no questions asked.

& it's for a good cuase...profits go toward shipping bikes to third world countries.

Permalink Reply by ad on January 13, 2011 at 12:21pm

I 100% support their cause and thing they are a great option to have in town. 

 

That said, I had two friends that purchased bikes from Working Bikes a few years ago, and both bikes ended up needing some work pretty quickly that was beyond the scope of what an amature mechanic could do.  I have also heard others complain that some of the bikes that come from there--while functional--needed some work pretty quickly in order to keep going.  I know that some of the bikes are pretty old/inexpensive and will have some flaws/issues as a result, so I'm unsure how much is due to bikes not being in okay shape and how much is from people having unrealistic expectations of what less than $100 will get you.  

 

So I guess my question is are people just overstating the problems?   

Allison Mackey said:

Working Bikes!!!! All bikes are fairly priced and ready to ride, thoroughly revamped by a mechanic including overhauls, brakes, wheel truing, all of that. Plus, they have a 30 day money-back guarantee, no questions asked.

& it's for a good cuase...profits go toward shipping bikes to third world countries.

Permalink Reply by Allison M. down Ogden 7.9 mi on January 13, 2011 at 1:00pm

I think people may be overstating the problems a bit.

Buyers should get to know the bike before they purchase, look it over and test ride, and if you don't know shit about bikes then bring someone who does.

Even if someone did end up buying a bike that was secretly defective, just bring it back for a refund without any hassle. If you wanted to play it safe, take it to your LBS before the 30 days is up and see if they find any issues.

I would still recommend this place because the poster said they wanted a used bike for weekend use. This is the place to get that sort of bike.

 

Can I just say also that Craigslist can often be more of a crapshoot, with no option for a refund. But it can have amazing deals.



ad said:

I 100% support their cause and thing they are a great option to have in town. 

 

That said, I had two friends that purchased bikes from Working Bikes a few years ago, and both bikes ended up needing some work pretty quickly that was beyond the scope of what an amature mechanic could do.  I have also heard others complain that some of the bikes that come from there--while functional--needed some work pretty quickly in order to keep going.  I know that some of the bikes are pretty old/inexpensive and will have some flaws/issues as a result, so I'm unsure how much is due to bikes not being in okay shape and how much is from people having unrealistic expectations of what less than $100 will get you.  

 

So I guess my question is are people just overstating the problems?   

Allison Mackey said:

Working Bikes!!!! All bikes are fairly priced and ready to ride, thoroughly revamped by a mechanic including overhauls, brakes, wheel truing, all of that. Plus, they have a 30 day money-back guarantee, no questions asked.

& it's for a good cuase...profits go toward shipping bikes to third world countries.

Permalink Reply by Allen Wrench on January 13, 2011 at 1:22pm

I completely agree that the problems are overstated. You have a month to find any problems and get your money back. If you ride the thing, you are going to know. And the mechanics at Working Bikes can fix smaller problems. I've bought a bunch of bikes there and recommended it to lots of friends and never had a problem. Plus, just try to find some of the terrific things they have anywhere else. Craigslist might be cheaper but then it might be stolen too.

Working Bikes is certainly worth a visit. Be there early, especially in Spring! Figure about $120 for a pretty good bike, $80 for a cheaper old one.

I'd say try out all of these places people listed and when you find something you like buy it fast and sort out the details later.

Allison Mackey said:

I think people may be overstating the problems a bit.

Even if someone did end up buying a bike that was secretly defective, just bring it back for a refund without any hassle. If you wanted to play it safe, take it to your LBS before the 30 days is up and see if they find any issues.

I would still recommend this place because the poster said they wanted a used bike for weekend use. This is the place to get that sort of bike.

 

Can I just say also that Craigslist can often be more of a crapshoot, with no option for a refund. But it can have amazing deals.



ad said:

I had two friends that purchased bikes from Working Bikes a few years ago, and both bikes ended up needing some work pretty quickly that was beyond the scope of what an amature mechanic could do.  I have also heard others complain that some of the bikes that come from there--while functional--needed some work pretty quickly in order to keep going.  I know that some of the bikes are pretty old/inexpensive and will have some flaws/issues as a result, so I'm unsure how much is due to bikes not being in okay shape and how much is from people having unrealistic expectations of what less than $100 will get you.  

 

Permalink Reply by Nancy L. Fagin on January 13, 2011 at 7:00pm

Craigslist has worked and not worked - I find I get rushed into seeing a bike and then what to make everyone happy and buy the bike.  The Giant was advertized as 48cm, but after riding it abit, and then actually measuring it, was 50cm.  Made a big difference if you have short, stubby legs.  The Trek 400 via Craigs has been a perfect fit. 

Some of the church/organizational rummage sales in Winnetka and Wilmette have bikes for sale - but you have to stand in line at the bike line (don't go wandering looking at the clothes or toys) because the competition can be fierce.  They will start with 100 bikes and in half and hour, only the rusty kids bikes (with streamers) are left.

Another place, and this is tricky, is Kingsbury Street north of North Avenue where the metal recycling firms are.  Scrapers - hopefully honest guys - bring in bikes, usually for scrap metal value, which isn't much.  Shake hands, be nice. Hope the bikes aren't stolen.  Bring tools.

 

Nancy 

Permalink Reply by Sean W. on January 13, 2011 at 9:45pm

Regarding Working Bikes, I can say quite definitively that they have been increasing their quality standards over the past couple of years, especially so over the past year. Prices have inched up to reflect this, but pretty much every bike that makes it to the floor these days has had something resembling a full overhaul, with wheels trued, new grease in all the right places, new cables and housing when needed, new tires, components replaced, you name it. I'd say each bike gets on average 1-3 hours of undivided professional mechanic's attention. They are aware of the reputation from the earlier days and are working hard to change that. The work done to the bike is shown on the tag, and the pricing is intended to be comparable to legit eBay/craigslist bikes. The mechanics inspect, test ride, and and sign off each others work. If you haven't seen the "product" being put on the floor for awhile, I think you might be pleasantly surprised.

Granted I'm biased, as I wrenched there over the summer. But it's because of that experience that I can say they take this quite seriously. Go take a look, then go volunteer :) It's a great place.

 

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