Hey DUers, I need some help in buying a bicycle.

[Cleita]

Yes, I can't afford to drive my car anymore, so I'm looking to buy a bicycle but don't know where to start. My last bike was a single gear Schwinn with foot brakes back in the fifties. I need something that can climb hills, but I don't need anything fancy or expensive. I am an old lady, but I am strong cuz I work out with weights regularly. Basically, I spend a lot of time at the gym doing cardio on various equipment including stationary bikes so I thought why not do my cardio in the fresh air while getting my chores done. I can jog places but I wouldn't be able to transport groceries, hence the need for some wheels.

Also, I can't spend more than $300 and it would go on a credit card cuz I'm pretty broke, however, with gas between $4 and $5 a gallon, what I spend on gas I could use to pay off the bike.

Any suggestions?

[Archae]

1. Find a small bike shop...

Look for a used Trek.

My "Mountain Track" is over 10 years old, and still takes me where I need to go.
It looks just like this one:

[Cleita]

2. The only problem is that I couldn't put saddle bags on that unless

some models come with the rack in back. But thanks for the suggestion. It's very helpful.

[LaurenG]

3. I have a trek as well. It's a 7 speed.

I love my bike and most of them can be fitted with what you need. I hope you go to a bike shop and let them fit you and then outfit the bike.

[Archae]

6. You can put a rack on the back, mine has one.

Here's my bicycle.

[Ahpook]

9. I agree

Local shops are definitely the way to go. You may pay a bit more initially, but the perks make up the difference. Even with a used purchase they will offer 1 year of free tuneups. With constant brake or derailleur adjustments, it really helps

The price range you mentioned should score a good bike for years of safe and healthy riding.

NO WALMART

On edit: Add in a helmet when considering total price. Gloves are nice to have as well

[Denninmi]

4. You might be able to put a "wanted" listing on freecycle or craigs list.

If you explain the situation, someone may give you an unwanted bike or sell it to you very cheaply.

Just a thought for you.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

5. Check your local police auctions in addition to Craigslist.

[HopeHoops]

7. You can get a 15-21 speed Schwinn 26" (tire) bike at K-Mart for about $100 right now.

They're starting to clear out the bikes at sale prices so it might be less than that. It takes a little assembly, but not a lot (I've put a lot of them together). They're good bikes, usually with Shimano indexed shifters. Despite being made in China now, they're still good bikes and at a very good price. Give them a look. You'll need the gears for climbing hills. They've also got inline shift wheels (slide your hand toward the stem and give it a twist like a variable speed wiper).

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

8. Here's an ultra-light carbon fiber recumbent bike you can build yourself

I believe it involves wrapping strips of carbon fiber around cut pieces of foam for the frame. Because it's a long frame recumbent and very light, it's going to be easy to pedal and very comfortable for long trips. The total cost is estimated at about $300. If you or someone you know is handy at building things this might be up your alley. You could probably even design a shell or fairing for all weather biking (otherwise, if you give up your car, how will you handle rain or snow?). There's also a solar-powered pedal-assisted variant that supposedly won some races in Australia.

http://www.rqriley.com/xr2.htm

[Cleita]

10. That's very handsome, but I have a feeling it would

be very attractive to thieves.

[handmade34]

11. I have an OK Diamondback

in Phoenix that you can have if you can get it... edit to say that you can put a rack/saddlebags on most any bike!

[Cleita]

16. Thanks for the offer. Phoenix would be a little far for me to go.

I'll bet you could find a homeless person though who would be thrilled to have it.

[hibbing]

12. Second the Local Bike Shop

Hi,
I also suggest visiting a local bike shop. Share with the clerk what kind of riding you will be doing, what kind of surface you will most likely be riding on, how far you anticipate riding and other such things. The clerk should be able to get you directed to a style that will fit your needs. They make so many different kinds now, commuters, cruisers and others. After you have chosen the type of bike that will fit your needs, then you can narrow it down to make and model. They will have models that are modestly priced and ones that are a ton of money. If finances are an issue, you can always still get help from a local bike shop in deciding what kind of bike to get then look for used.

Also, from personal experience I strongly urge helmet usage.

Good luck, and peace.

[Cleita]

18. Thank you I did and I believe they fixed me up

for the right price.

[politicat]

13. Local bike shop - look for one that carries khs bicycles

Ive had three khs (a commuter, a mountain bike and now a townie) and have loved all three -great frames,excellent components, fabulous service. They run $200 used, last year's model To $350, but you won't need to replace major components like the fork, which must be expected with a $100 Blue light Special on Bike Shaped Objects. (avoid Big Box Bikes unless you really like replacing components on a frequent basis. You may get lucky and get a delight, but you're just as likely to get one with bad brakes or frame problems.)

When you go in, have a plan - do you want to sit upright on the seat or lean over the handlebars? If youve got a repetitive stress injury in your wrists, then a mountain bike bar may be uncomfortable. Curled bars are good for wrists but can be hard on the lower back and or neck. Consider your hip flexibility - a step thru is better if your best Rockettes audition is a while back. If the shop won't let you try out the bike in the parking lot, don't spend your money there.

My current Is this in the step thru version (aka girls bike, but lots of guys ride them once the hip flexors start retiring) http://khsbicycles.com/bikes/2012-khs-models/tc-100/ and I can't say enough good things about it. It's a daily rider, light enough to carry when needed, stable enough for 2 bags of groceries plus laptop bag, highly reliable. I've got a set of knobby tires for when I want to go slightly offroad, and it has the shocks for it, but mostly, i use it and its street tires around town and into the next couple of towns. It ran me $279 (I have the prior year model and took a floor model instead of waiting for a custom) which included 3 maintenance visits.

For rear baskets/panniers -- go to instructibles.com and search bike basket for ideas. There are lots of ways to make and repurpose bike storage.

Don't forget your helmet!

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

14. Check Salvation Army or Goodwill stores

They get bikes donated, and sell them cheap. Then the baskets will cost more than the bike.

[Cleita]

19. Thanks but I decided to go the bike shop route. n/t

[LynneSin]

15. If you are going to use this bike for shopping might I suggest an adult tricycle

My stepfather, who restores classic bicycles, has an adult tricycle and they are coming back in style. The big thing with the Adult Tryke is that there is plenty of space with the basket in the back for your grocery shopping

http://www.target.com/p/schwinn-adult-meridian-26-cruiser-bike-red/-/A-11869841?ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=Google_PLA_df&LNM=%7C11869841&CPNG=sports&ci_sku=11869841&ci_gpa=pla&ci_kw=

That one is $269.

[Cleita]

17. I thought of the tricycle but although our country roads do have bike paths

on them, they are very narrow in places and traffic moves at a pretty good clip on those roads, so I feel it would be too wide.

[Cleita]

20. UPDATE: I got a bike.

So I went to the local bike shop in our village and the young man who owns it was very helpful. Since the bike that was best for me isn't in stock, he is ordering it for me. The prices is right too. It will be here in two weeks.

He has a repair and maintenance contract with it for a year and said if anything isn't satisfactory, he will work with me to change or fix it.

Thank you, everyone of you who replied to this thread with your suggestions. They were all very helpful.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

21. What kind of luggage?

Are you getting baskets next to the rear wheel, or a basket in the front, or all three? My old three-speed "errand" bike has a big basket at the handlebars. I'm thinking of adding a couple of wire baskets in the rear.

[Cleita]

22. So far baskets in the rear, but I'm thinking of one in front in case it's

not enough. However, the man in the shop said the baskets hold 25 lbs each and you have to think of peddling that up hill. So I will play it by ear.