suggestions on used bike - novice bike rider

Hi,

 

I live in chicago and am looking to purchase a used bike for riding by the lake and around the city. I am looking to spend around $150. I am a novice bike rider and would love suggestions on what kind of bike to get and where to look for bikes?

 

Thanks,

Randi

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Permalink Reply by steve rulz on June 6, 2011 at 8:13am

Check out working bikes. Show up before they open because there will be a decently long line.

http://workingbikes.org/sales

 

I have friends who have had good experiences with nearly new. The guy who runs the place is really into rebuilding old schwinns.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/a-nearly-new-shop-chicago

 

If you are ordering online and looking for something new I have heard good things about bikes direct.

http://www.bikesdirect.com/

 

Permalink Reply by Digital Dario on June 6, 2011 at 8:29am

The above information is spot on. 

 

Also check out the The Recylery. Same as working bikes, show up early as there can be a line. 

 

http://www.therecyclery.org/ 

 

As far as what you are looking for that all depends on your needs. I ride a road bike for distance cycling and commuting and it serves my purposes well. I tend not to carry much on long rides and when I commute a back pack works well enough for most things. 

Permalink Reply by Gort 12-mile Pinklegneep on June 6, 2011 at 10:34am
I've got a few bikes from Working Bikes and one tandem from Craigslist, and the craigslist bike needed far more work done on it. A used bike is going to require some component swap before too long just in the normal course of trying to beat the inexorable force of entropy that brings ruin to all things, but my workingbikes bikes have fared the best.
Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on June 7, 2011 at 1:02am

Consider a step-through if you are really interested in saving money.  Older step-through framed bikes  (outside of the really small or really large frames) are always much cheaper and often in much better shape than a comparable diamond-framed bike.  In real-world riding around town the tiny bit of weight disadvantage and strength disadvantage are so miniamal that it basically doesn't exist.

 

They are easier to mount and dismount and the stand-over is never a problem.  In yucky weather they are really nice.

 

And guys, your testicles will NOT shrivel up if you ride a step-through... 

Permalink Reply by Gort 12-mile Pinklegneep on June 7, 2011 at 3:21am
Destroy all gender, mixte genderfuck bicycle.
Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on June 7, 2011 at 3:33am
All your gender are belong to us?

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