I am contemplating trying to get some kind of inexpensive bike purely for short trips in the downtown area.  I was stalking someone else's post the other day where you guys were strongly warning against the cheapo bikes at places like target and wal-mart. I get that they may be put together like crap and impossible to replace parts on, and as expensive to customize to a decent level of comfort as buying a more expensive bike. That being said, bike shop bikes are really out of my price range. I was planning on getting a cheapo bike until that post.

 

Some years back, I went down to the bike co-op to try to find a bike. I did not have a good experience with them and don't wish to go back.

 

I am too afraid of buying one through craigslist. Please don't make fun of me for saying that. I'm just not comfortable going to some strange person's house and having them potentially do attack me.

 

Here's my list. If I am unreasonable and the request impossible, I know you won't be afraid to tell me so:

 

I need a bike that is very lightweight, if possible. We are not allowed to have bikes in the back/side of our carports or on patios at my apartment; if you have a bike, it has to be put on overhead hooks. My husband got a free (crappy) bike for work for his anniversary last year, and we bought hooks and hung it up, and it got stolen. So I'm looking for not only a bike I could get on and off overhead hooks myself (I am 5'2" and somewhat able-bodied, but like most women, not super strong in the upper body), but also ideas as to how to secure a bike on overhead hooks to prevent theft, if you have those ideas, or other ideas for overhead storage besides hooks, if you have those. It also needs to be light weight enough for me to be able to put onto a bike rack on the back of my car (which I will also have to buy).

 

Can't spend more than $150, inclusive of any repairs, especially because I will have to buy everything else - locks, helmet, bike rack, etc.

 

Need something with an adjustable seat height - someone actually gave me a free bike some years back but even with the seat extended all the way, it was too short for me and I'm a short woman. My legs never extended properly and it was uncomfortable to ride.

 

I don't need anything fancy - I just want it to be able to ride in an out of downtown on mostly flat land, I don't plan on using it for trail riding or anything.

 

Suggestions?

Honestly I think a bike from Walmart or Target would be fine for your needs. Also Im not sure if they still have them, but last week Aldi was selling name brand bike locks, helmets, and bike racks all for about 50% less than you'd see them elsewhere. They also had seats and other bike accessories. If you are looking to buy I would head up there as soon as possible since the supply was going decently fast and they aren't products the store normally carries. Could be a great way to save a lot of money which you might even be able to put towards a nicer bike if you really wanted to.

ooooh, that's a good tip. Thank you, I will stop there tonight.

I can show you the bike I was thinking of getting. I just don't want to embarrass myself. I am not much of a biker and until this year, I didn't think my knees could handle even easy biking, but I think I'm ready for it.

 

 

http://www.walmart.com/ip/26-Schwinn-Sidewinder-Women-s-Mountain-Bike-Purple/21577871?findingMethod=Recommendation:wm:RecentlyViewedItems

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

^Not gentle.

seriously...

I don't see a weight. Shipping weight is 38 lbs. That's not too lightweight.

Have you picked one up in a store?

Have not. It's a bit difficult to guess how much I can lift overhead. I guess I should go to the store and try to lift some of those and see how much they weigh.

 

 

How about a folding bike? This way you would be able to store it in your apartment or in the back of your car. They even sell bags you can put your bike in.

 

Here is a link to a cheaper brand of folding bikes. Others will start around $700 and go up.

 

http://www.citizenbike.com/catalog.asp?product_category_id=1&product_id=1

Say, that's VERY intriguing.

I would at least call around to the local bike shops to see if they have any used/refurbished bikes that might fit your needs.  As mentioned in the other thread, one of the main concerns with buying a bike from Walmart, etc. is the assembly.  Plus, chances are there is no free tune up..... which you will need within the first year once you break in the new bike and will cost you about $50.  Call Cain Park bicycle and shops like that.  You might be able to find a really good frame from several decades ago with all new components.

 

Also, given your purposes, you really don't need a mountain bike.  Those are not road tires.  They are made for go off-road and will cause more friction on the concrete.  You want something with a flatter tread on top.  Look for what is called a "hybrid" or you might want to consider a "comfort bike" (i.e. something akin to a beach cruiser)..... something more like http://www.walmart.com/ip/26999382?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222227018928558&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=35747949636&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=53509709196&veh=sem

If you're just going to do short trips around your neighborhood or to get some exercise, a big box bike might work. It won't last you years and years, it won't be particularly light, and if it does break after whatever period Wal-mart lets you return it, it'll be garbage. That said, it doesn't sound like you're going to be doing serious commuting or long distance rides so it might work for you.

 

That said, if you start riding a lot and really get into it, when it does break you can replace it with something nicer.

 

The bike you're looking at in particular is labeled as a "mountain bike". It's got front suspension and heavy tubes to make it look like it's sturdy enough to go off road, but all that really does is add weight. If you're getting something like it, go to a store and see what you're able to pick up. My wife's bike is lighter than that and she complained that it was too hard to put up on the hooks in our garage.

Thank you, Hts. Like I said, I'm pretty clueless about these things. I was just looking at "pretty" and "price."

Thanks, Keith, good feedback.

Thanks, Keith, good feedback.

Sure, and one more thought. If the stuff at the bike shops is out of your price range, try sporting goods stores. The quality probably won't be any higher than the box stores, but the assembly will be done better and the sales people will probably be a bit more knowledgable. Dick's seems to have a lot of bikes on sale right now.

I went to Dick's last year when I first started contemplating this, and they didn't have anything under like $250. I looked at Costco too, same deal.

I have a cheap bike I bought at Wal-Mart about 10 years ago for under $100, I think the brand is “Next.” I ride it several times a week, but everywhere I go is within 10 or 15 minutes. I think it qualifies as a “comfort bike” as the tires are a bit wider than a typical road bike, but it’s not quite a mountain bike.  I actually prefer the wider tires as they seem more forgiving when riding around CUF and OTR in Cincinnati like I do as there tends to be broken glass, debris, and potholes everywhere. My route to work also parallels the streetcar tracks, and I know the argument that biking across streetcar tracks is dangerous was dismissed as laughable, but I do like having the bigger tires when I do it, because I can cross at a much slighter angle. 

 

It is very heavy, though, but I just see it as giving me a better workout. I have to carry it up a flight of stairs from my shed to the street, and my office is about 400’ of elevation lower than my house is, which makes the ride home pretty rough.

 

I do think I’ve seen a few “serious bikers” laugh at my bike, though, but I laugh at their shorts.

 

You see this one at Dicks?

 

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=29747976&lmdn=Frame+Material&cp=4406646.4413986.4417717.4418012.12458051

You realize you don't need a 'women's' bike unless you plan to bike in a dress/skirt?

freethink: that looks good! But someone upthread said a mountain bike might be too heavy? I guess I will go there and check it out.

 

quimbob: I wear a skirt/dress at least twice a week. I plan to wear bike shorts underneath on days I wear shorter skirts so I'm not giving everyone a free show, but I definitely wear skirts/dresses.

cool

I have known women who had no idea why the frames were different.

We're used to everything being "different." More expensive, pink razors vs. cheaper blue ones (guess which ones I buy). "women's" shaving cream vs. barbasol, etc. A lot of women don't question stuff like that.

 

I also have a lingering knee issue, as hinted at upthread, and I think a "boy-style" bike would be much more difficult for me to get on and off of because of it.

freethink: that looks good! But someone upthread said a mountain bike might be too heavy? I guess I will go there and check it out.

 

quimbob: I wear a skirt/dress at least twice a week. I plan to wear bike shorts underneath on days I wear shorter skirts so I'm not giving everyone a free show, but I definitely wear skirts/dresses.

 

For what you want to pay and how much you will use it, It won't matter as much if it's a mountain bike. You can always change out the rubber if you need . Also being steel and a mountain bike It will be heavier to lift but to put it up on hooks you just get one of these:

http://www.harborfreight.com/bicycle-lift-95803.html

That is very interesting. I wonder if there's a way to lock it to that thing.

I don't think that lift will work, looking at the pictures. We have to hang the bikes perpendicular to how you pull in your car, i.e. flat against where the front of the car would be where you pull in, and the clamps on this thing go sideways, whereas the beams in the carport go parallel. I'm probably not describing it well. I need to go home and look at the carport and take some pictures.

When it comes to bikes cheap=heavy.  The thing you are primarily buying in a more expensive bike is lightness- swapping out stonger steels (and thus requiring less of it) or alloys or carbon fiber for the cheap high-tensile steel used in the cheapest bikes.  So you may want to figure out some way of checking out a few used bikes, even if it means going back to the co-op, or taking someone with you on a Craigslist run.  You could get something considerably lighter and with better build quality that way.  Also I don't know that a mountain bike will be any heavier or lighter than a comfort or cruiser style of bike in the lower price range.  They're all a lot of steel, and if the tires are fat, that'll add a lot of weight, too.

 

Also, the first bike you posted had grip shifters, which sound nice in theory, but I highly recommend staying away from them.  It's too easy to accidentally shift them while riding, which can lead to a loss of control and thus an accident.

 

If you are riding on roads only, you may consider storing the bike in your apartment, so you won't have to lift it.  The tires shouldn't get any dirtier than the bottom of your shoes.  Mine sits in the entry hall in my apartment.  Can't get any safer than that, or easier.

Thanks, X, good tips. Literally zero room in my apt to store it, but I will consider what you've said. It's astounding to me how much a decent bike costs.

There's a fair amount of technology that goes in to making a good bike, most of which is making it light.  Racers are paying $100's of dollars to shave a gram off the scale.

 

edit- to be fair it isn't just weight of course, especially at the lower end.  Build quality and durability come into price too, especially at the lower end.

Cheap nuts and bolts love to strip and rust.

ooooh, that's a good tip. Thank you, I will stop there tonight.

 

any luck?

You should buy a cheapo bike if you are doing downtown short trips.  Unfortunately the people that will tell you otherwise probably don't use bicycles for utility purposes. 

 

A utility purpose is:

- Commuting

- Errands

- Carrying freight

 

In an urban setting these bicycles will endure:

- More potholes than suburban or rural settings

- Hard stops and starts

- Abrasion when locked against signs

- Potential theft.

 

An expensive bike will sustain the same amount of damage as a bicycle from Walmart

 

I purchased a $1400 Kona bike a few years ago.  I did what I could to take care of it.  It was even stored inside at my office and home.  But the city destroyed this bike despite the very high quality components.  The hard stop and starts, locking it to sign posts, and the bumpy roads wore stuff down.  The costs of repairs would often exceeded the cost of cheap Trek bicycle.  To pay for repairs, I had to file claims with the city and enroll in federal transportation benefits refunds.  Otherwise, I would have had to pay hundreds out of pocket. 

 

Fancy components are expensive to maintain.  I have hydraulic disc brakes and when the cables need to be bleed out and the pads are worn out 99% of bike shops are going to want to replace the entire assembly with it to guarantee optimum performance.  This could set you back a good $200.  It sounds great at the bike shop to go big on a  bike purchase, but consider costs of maintenance. 

You should do everything in your power not to store a bike in an insecure communal garage. However, if you're going to do it a couple ideas come to mind on how to secure it.

 

You want a "double loop cable." It looks like this https://www.kryptonitelock.com/Pages/ProductInformation.aspx?PNumber=210610

You want as heavy a gauge as practicable. You want one of the longer ones like the one linked to at 7ft.

 

You're going to need an anchor for the cable. What you'll want is an "eye loop screw" which looks like this. http://www.biconet.com/birds/GIFs/stealth/acc/screwEyeLight1.jpg

As heavy a gauge as you can reasonably put into the stud in the ceiling, and that can fit your double loop cable ends. You could use two of these relatively close together to make it even more of a PITA to a thief that attempts to unscrew it.

 

A padlock that can fit the two loops from the steel cable. I have a preference for keyed locks, because first of all in an insecure garage a potential thief has all the time in the world to run through the combinations, and second because a few summers ago I managed to inadvertently engage the combo reset while locking up my bike while getting lunch. It took me about 45mins to run through over 800 combinations till I found out where it settled.

 

Something to secure the cable ends to the wall while the bike is being used, so as to not damage any vehicles.

 

A stepstool preferably not made of metal, because people that steal bikes are frequently doing it for the metal. My mother is the same height as you, and if I visualize her securing the bike like this she'd be dragging out her stepstool each time.

 

If somebody wants your bike they can take it, particularly in a secluded and most of the time insecure place like an apartment garage. Bolt cutters are ridiculously cheap and while it will be awkward to try and use them on a bike suspended from the ceiling it won't stop anyone with the mind to do it. The great part about your $150 budget is that they probably won't bother with all the effort.

Here's my pick.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Schwinn-Sanctuary-Cruiser-Bicycle-26-Inch/dp/B00AWNHVVG/ref=sr_1_38?ie=UTF8&qid=1399525156&sr=8-38&keywords=bicycle+women+cruiser

 

My mother has one like this and she enjoys it. It is a one-speed with a coaster brake, which is fine for level areas. What it lacks in gearing components it makes up in overall quality for the price.

 

Here are some things you should consider:

1. A women's bicycle, with the drop frame, allows her to wear a skirt an stand over the bicycle, but the lack of a top bar might make it harder to mount the bicycle on a car rack.

2. A car rack might cost as much or more than the bicycle. The best racks attached to the roof (high lifting required) or to a tow hitch. The cheaper racks that sit on the trunk or bumper and attach with straps often require the top bar on the bicycle.

3. The amount of hassle that it takes to get the bike out of storage will influence the amount that you ride it. The less hassle, the better. The best thing is to park in a safe place such as a garage, if you have one. Dragging it in and out of the house, or even worse, hanging it up, is a pain.

4. Make sure a bike lock and a helmet are in your budget.

5. The goodwill store, garage sales, flea markets, etc., often have lots of used bicycles and these places are much safer than Craigslist. 

6. Bicycles are a lot of fun! I encourage you to get one.

Thanks all for the good feedback. I agree a LOT with Eighth and State - the hassle factor is a big one. If it's a huge PITA for me to get it back and forth to downtown, I'm not going to do it. I think the foldable bike is the best option so far; I can put it in my trunk, so no bike rack needed and I can store it inside my apartment without it taking up too much room, which eliminates the need for overhead lifting, insecurity of it being in a communal carport (no, I don't have a garage).

 

I did not stop at Aldi last night but that's because I am working on some big personal news that is tied to a tight timeline, which I hope to share on this thread later, that will explain why I want a bike.

I would also like to ask a favor of someone on UO. I need help with a bike helmet. I have a somewhat smaller than average head (for example, most hats are way too big on me) and several years ago, when I had that free bike a friend gave me, I had a terrible time finding a helmet that I thought felt like it fit. I had never worn a bike helmet before and it was really, really uncomfortable,  and I have a feeling I just really didn't know what I was doing. I also bought it at Target, where there is not a lot of selection.

 

Would anyone be willing to meet me somewhere so I can get a helmet, wherever that is, that can advise me properly on how it should fit and help me get the right size?

Ok, I'm finally able to share why I want a bike. I GOT A NEW JOB! The new job is located on the eastern edge of downtown around 19th and superior, and it's too far to walk to most of the places I regularly go to for lunch and stuff. I mean, it's walkable, but would take my whole lunch hour to walk to a place and back. I'd like to keep frequenting the places I go downtown, so that's why I want the bike. I will have in and out privs where I will be parking, but don't want to deal with trying to find parking in downtown proper.

 

So you can see what I mean by short distance.

Ok, I'm finally able to share why I want a bike. I GOT A NEW JOB! The new job is located on the eastern edge of downtown around 19th and superior, and it's too far to walk to most of the places I regularly go to for lunch and stuff. I mean, it's walkable, but would take my whole lunch hour to walk to a place and back. I'd like to keep frequenting the places I go downtown, so that's why I want the bike. I will have in and out privs where I will be parking, but don't want to deal with trying to find parking in downtown proper.

 

So you can see what I mean by short distance.

:clap: Congrats!

Some of those cheap helmets are just decorations.

I just saw an ad for a collapsible/foldable helmet.

uh, I dunno....

I don't have any bike advice (one of these years...) but congrats, R&R!  Bravo for being creative about getting around downtown.  I'm kind of a wimp about biking in traffic, but even I think Downtown would be a pretty good place to bike.

 

Question for Cleveland bikers: in my infrequent visits, I think I've noticed lots of bikers in the HealthLine BRT lanes. This makes a lot of sense to me, except when you're slowing down a bus, of course. Am I making this up?  Is it more or less tolerated by the local authorities?

 

R&R, you'll also have direct access to the #3 bus which will take you straight down Superior to Public Square on days with lousy weather. Looks fairly frequent, and with real-time arrival info, should be pretty easy to time: http://www.riderta.com/routes/3

I probably won't want to pay for a bus. I wonder if there is a loop that goes nearby.

 

I am a total wimp about riding in traffic. I've noticed the sidewalks in this area tend to be deserted of pedestrians and will probably ride on the sidewalk until I get to more populated areas, and then either get off and walk or chance the streets.

I don't have any bike advice (one of these years...) but congrats, R&R!  Bravo for being creative about getting around downtown.  I'm kind of a wimp about biking in traffic, but even I think Downtown would be a pretty good place to bike.

 

Question for Cleveland bikers: in my infrequent visits, I think I've noticed lots of bikers in the HealthLine BRT lanes. This makes a lot of sense to me, except when you're slowing down a bus, of course. Am I making this up?  Is it more or less tolerated by the local authorities?

 

R&R, you'll also have direct access to the #3 bus which will take you straight down Superior to Public Square on days with lousy weather. Looks fairly frequent, and with real-time arrival info, should be pretty easy to time: http://www.riderta.com/routes/3

 

It seems to be a grey area, I haven't been bothered by police for riding in those lanes, but when I followed the bus lane traffic signals a cop actually pulled me over on my bike for  running the red light on the car lane besides it.  I tried to explain that I was following the signal for the lane I was in, but generally speaking, it's useless to try to explain anything to CPD once they've decided they want to bully you around a little.

Be careful about riding on the sidewalks anywhere near downtown.  If it is considered a 'business district', you have to walk the bikes on the sidewalks.

 

As for a helmet, have you tried the kids' sizes?  Not the toddler versions (or at least I hope not ;))....... but there are helmet sizes between that and an adult size.

I think that's what I bought last time, but the chin strap was so tight and uncomfortable I basically never wore the helmet as I felt like I was choking all the time. It's possible I just didn't know what I was doing.

btw, I don't know anything about buying bikes, but I appreciate this thread as I've been considering getting a 'starter' bike to ride with my kids. Obviously, I wouldn't be buying a woman's framed bike (although they certainly seem less likely to jam you in your hoo hah if you hit a bump too hard), but a lot of what RNR is asking for applies to me as well.

 

My biggest problem is my height. Being tall, I'm guessing I don't fit on standard sized bikes. But does that really matter if it's a little small? May be a little uncomfortable if I was using it hard core, but for tooling around the neighborhood, what difference does it make. Anyone?

^It depends on how you are built.  Height, by itself, is easy to deal with.  You can always raise the seat and/or handlebars, even getting extendable stems if necessary.  The more difficult 'geometry' for a bike is the length, which you can only tinker so much with.  Your proportions from waist to knee vs. knee to ankle, and how long your torso is, is what might really dictate the size of the bike you want to get.  Consult a pro when getting fitted.  Since your arms and legs are generally the same proportionally (i.e. if you have long legs, you tend to have long arms.... for your height, of course), one weird little trick that I figured out is to take you elbow and rest it on the front edge of the seat..... if the knuckle on your middle finger is not touching the point where the handlebar connects to the stem, then the bike is probably too long for you.  If your wrist is passed the handlebar/stem joint, then the bike is not long enough.  (NOTE: this is my own stupid little test formed by tinkering with my own bikes and finding my comfort zone...... I have no idea how much validity it has).  If a bike is too long for you, your lean while riding it is going to be uncomfortable as you will be putting too much weight on your hands (and you will feel your fingers going numb after a long ride).  If the bike is too short, you won't be able to get a good lean at all and your weight will be too much on your back side.  Go with a bike that is not long enough over one that is too long..... especially at our age with our backs ;)

if you are under 7' you should be fine.

one weird little trick that I figured out is to take you elbow and rest it on the front edge of the seat..... if the knuckle on your middle finger is not touching the point where the handlebar connects to the stem, then the bike is probably too long for you.  If your wrist is passed the handlebar/stem joint, then the bike is not long enough.  (NOTE: this is my own stupid little test formed by tinkering with my own bikes and finding my comfort zone...... I have no idea how much validity it has).  If a bike is too long for you, your lean while riding it is going to be uncomfortable as you will be putting too much weight on your hands (and you will feel your fingers going numb after a long ride).  If the bike is too short, you won't be able to get a good lean at all and your weight will be too much on your back side.

oh yeah, forgot about the arm length test

Your fingers will go numb regardless of length - best to use the padded gloves.

Yeah.... but you REALLY cut down on the numbness when you get the geometry right.  I was having a big problem with numbing fingers on my newest bike until I put an adjustable neck on it and cut down on the seat to handlebar length by an inch or two.  It really is a "game of inches" getting fitted for a bike.

@RR-Just wondering if you could keep your bike at work somehow. There could be a place you could keep it 24/7. That would solve most of your problem. idk just a thought...