hello! one thing about me: i know nothing about bikes! i posted about how im looking for a bike in 200 price range just to commute to work and someone said they have this bike i could have for free
for record, my current bike is a second hand walmart type bike from my roommate dad so i could use anything better
by sykr0nos
11 Comments
this is also a walmart bike
What an odd shape for a boat anchor.
Mountain bike not designed for off-road use. Seems legit.
For the $200 range your best bets are coops, FB Marketplace, and Craigslist.
I would avoid anything with a rear suspension. Look for hardtails from a reputable brand (Trek, Specialized, Cannondale, Kona, Giant, Surly) at that price you may end up with a fixer-upper.
If you’re mechanically inclined, a cheap-ish way to get a decent bike is to buy a frame on ebay and slowly buy midrange parts when they come on sale at Jenson/Nashbar/wherever. It’ll cost more than 200 and you’ll need tools, but you can spread the cost out across the individual parts.
Sorry about the double tap – but free bike is better than no bike. Just wear a helmet and be aware that this is not a good bike
Giant and Specialized make decent entry level mountain bikes that are usually available for sale on marketplace for $100 or less. Hard tails all the way. I prefer no suspension and steel or aluminum frames and forks for simplicity. The tires are your suspension. That and your knees.
Frankensteins bike.
Bicycle shaped object, hence the warning label.
Do you have a local bike co-op? That would be a good place to go for help. They can help with sizing and will sell you a decent bike that is worth the money and can be fixed. You can find some deals on craigslist or marketplace, but you need to know what you’re looking for. If you don’t, you could spend $200 on something that’s no better than this.
Assuming that your commute is on-road, I’d avoid all suspension at that price-point. Simpler is better and save a bit of cash for fenders, lights etc.
Icy cold stunters!