Hey /n/ I want to start riding a bike to work so that I can lose some weight and save money on gas. I do not own a bike and I haven't owned one since I was 12. I would like some suggestions on some good brands and what the best material ,tyres, etc. for commuting to work. My route that I have planned is 4 miles with kind of crappy roads and a few railroad crossing if that helps. I just want something that will be reliable and not cost over $500.
90s mtb, also >>>/bbg/
Get a Trek 1.1 and put a back rack on it :3
OP, people will make fun of me for this but I believe that you can buy a collectible bike that will serve all your short term goals and then eventually help you to retire.
What is that platform at the fron of the white bar under the handlebars? I've never seen anything like that before
>>894696
oh gawd, this meme just wont die
>>894697
A front rack
It's just some Kickstarter memebike, that's why it's so weird.
>>894696
This sounds like something my dumbass brother would do. He bought a collectible car that is over 30 years old for his first car. After all of the repairs just to get it running he could have bought and nice brand new car with no mechanical problems. His car still barely runs and is constantly needing work done on it.
>>894694
The Trek 1.1 looks like it is a little over my budget. I am trying not to spend more than $500.
>>894705
You should never buy a collectible car unless you do your own work.
That being said, I have owned my westfalia for ten years and it only goes up in value.
Had I bought new cars , I would have gone through two by now and lost a fortune in depreciation.
>>894692
I went to /bbg/ first and I still haven't gotten a reply from that thread.
>>894701
Thankyoui thought it was something generuc but was deep down hoping it was something super high tech
What the hell is /bbg/?
Rigid steel 90s mountain bike from Craigslist. >>>/n/bbg
If you want to go fast and only ride on pavement, steel OTS (Old Ten Speed) road bike. Not as good for the rough roads and railroad crossings but will do fine. But rigid 90s mtb is still probably your best bet
DO NOT BUY A NEW BIKE for $500, you have to spend at least $700 or so to get a new bike that isn't pure shit. Instead, spend a few hundred on a used bike, then spend the leftover money on a helmet, lock, lights, pump, tools, etc.
>>894696
No shit, anon! I have one of those that I would give you a mighty fine price on, OP. For only $9,000, this fine collectible specimen can be yours! ALL YOURS! Hurry, this bike is sure to go fast!
>>894714
Thanks for the tip, before comming to /n/ I was checking around some consumer reports on "best commuter bikes" and this one caught my interest. https://www.purefixcycles.com/collections/premium-fixed-gear-bikes/products/harding?variant=944907933
Is this actually shit in disguise? I mostly just need to ride to and from work and maybe to grab some grocerys. I figured a road bike would be best for traveling in the street but I had not considered picking up a mountain bike.
>>894719
That bike pedals backwards you can't coast on one of them it will blow your knees to smithereens....you'd need a free spinning back hub
>>894719
>Is this actually shit in disguise?
No, it's shit in plain sight.
>>894722
what aspect makes it bad? I genuinely want to know. I am a beginner to the cycling lifestyle but that doesn't mean I have to be uneducated. What technical aspects should I look for in a bike and why, what function do they serve.
>>894720
nice meme
>>894723
google "fixie pros and cons"
>>894723
Cheap components
Heavy tubing
Fixed gear (you can't coast, far from ideal for a beginner)
Ridiculously overpriced
No fender/rack eyelets
No clearance for wide tires
If your commute is short and through crappy roads, what you want is a rigid MTB. You can put slick tires on it for a more comfortable and faster ride on pavement.
Post your local craigslist, height/inseam and budget and someone can find you a nice bike. We actually had these guidelines in every buy bike general, but whoever created the last one forgot to post them, that's probably why nobody replied to your post. Plus /n/ is a slow board, so be patient.
>>894728
Thanks for giving me an honest and well articulated answer. I am 5'7 and my budget is $500 preferably under that. This is my local craigslist.
https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/
>>894720
>blow your knees to smithereens
kek. maybe if you're a weak casual. Assuming OP is youthful and reasonably fit a fixed gear would be the best option imo. Especially given the short distance of the commute. I ride 6 miles per day to university, running a fixed speed with a 2.6 ratio, 42T crank and 17T rear sprocket. I hadn't owned a bike for about 5 years, picked it up for $400 second hand 6 months ago and I love it. Riding fixed takes about a week to get used to, but it's a far more rewarding ride. Just my opinion.
>>894731
What are the advantages to fixed gear?
>>894719
If you want a basic bitch bike, with decent urban tires this is perfectly fine. You don't need the best of the best right away. Start simple, start cheap and then let your interest drive you.
>>894732
Simplicity
Low weight
Silence
Speed control
Overall maintenance and durability of the chain
Feeling for the road in bad weather conditions
Technique and better training for you
Easier to maintain your ideal speed
I rode MTB and Road bikes through my teenage years but the fixed gear I ride now is simply more enjoyable. Not everyone will agree, but it just feels more organic.
>>894732
It's not so much advantages as it is lack of palpable disadvantages.
I used to bike my 200 mile a week commute on a fixie with no problem.
There were some decent climbs, but nothing so steep you couldn't physically do it.
I've only ever run across one hill I could never climb on a fixed gear bike, which is why I eventually stopped.
It gets your legs swole as fuck. I have the thighs of a T-rex.
I found this bike that happens to be my size.
https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/bik/5254411264.html
Is this a good bike? fair price?
>>894750
https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/bik/5259839810.html
this one is also in my size, looks good to me but I would like a more educated opinion before I waste my money.
>>894750
>>894754
>https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/bik/5254411264.html
Solid deal if he'll put the original bars and stem back on. Nothing fancy but definitely serviceable as a beginning road bike or the basis for a very nice commuter bike.
>https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/bik/5259839810.html
>giraffe-inspired cockpit
All kidding aside, that's a low-tier hybrid with some shit parts and an owner who doesn't appear to know what they're doing. Avoid.
>>894795
this but whats with the generic shimano groupo? wouldn't allez normally have something higher end?
https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/bik/5294767654.html
I'm about the biggest cannondale fanboy there is but haha what the fuck is this
https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/bik/5294430772.html
Hey look at this fuji! Not much in the way of details but could be promising for that price
is it still collectibe without the rear shox
https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/bik/5267673493.html
bianchi n e 1?
https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/bik/5297591073.html
>>894823
Looks like it might be Tiagra or something.
Surprisingly enough, specialized, like many other brands make bikes with a wide variety of specs.
>>894826
no but that is a nice bike
>>894795
Thanks for the info. I found another one in Huntington Beach that is a FUJI Lombardi it already has a lot of nice accessories like a fender, lights, and folding baskets on the rear. I would post a link but I am on mobile right now.
>>894869
I mistyped. Meant to type FELT Lombardi not Fuji. I found the link again. https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/bik/5270104936.html
Is this bike worth it even without the added stuff.
https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/bik/5259033205.html
Buy this bike. It's in amazing condition, has a great groupset, and is well below what you were looking to spend. It is a racing bike but that means you have room to grow into it as a cyclist. What I'd recommend is you take the remaining money and buy a good helmet, cycling shorts, and lights if you're gonna do any riding at night. Without getting too technical though, that looks like an incredible bike. I live in LA and just recently bought a steel commuter and it hurts to know that bike exists. Don't worry if it looks really racy, you can lower the saddle and raise the bars a tad to make it more comfortable.
>>895323
Its also really pretty
>>894719
> I was checking around some consumer reports on "best commuter bikes"
Link if you would, please. I am curious to see what they suggest.
>>894824
Lol I have that exact bike sitting on my porch waiting for me to find the time to fix it up. Its on the low side for a canon but I'd rock it. Would make a great commuter.
