Bicycle experts help

[7window]

Is this a good one for a 16yo for commuting 8miles back and forth?

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/bik/2413342958.html

 

[Jaepheth]

Not really an expert, but...

I think you'll want something with larger diameter wheels and maybe a lighter frame (especially if you have pavement for the whole commute). Maybe a road, touring or racing bicycle.

 

[JulesMaximus]

That was a pretty cheap bike originally but if everything works fine you could do worse.

For commuting I'd throw some slicks on it to lower the rolling resistance.

 

[Numenorean]

That was a pretty cheap bike originally but if everything works fine you could do worse.

For commuting I'd throw some slicks on it to lower the rolling resistance.

This.

It's only 8 miles, so you don't really need some super awesome road bike.

 

[7window]

Not really an expert, but...

I think you'll want something with larger diameter wheels and maybe a lighter frame (especially if you have pavement for the whole commute). Maybe a road, touring or racing bicycle.

Thanks for the response. I have heard of touring, road and racing bicycle but we are going to stick with mountain bike for now. I don't think we want to spend so much for a bike and worry about where to park it. We also talk to a bike rider and told us that mountain bike would be good enough for him.

We have a motiv that is from costco that it still going but my daughter rides it. A mongoose bike we have is now dead. The handle shifter failed.

 

[PottedMeat]

Trek 820s were good bikes - i think they went for ~$250-300 new about 10 years ago. And yeah if the kid thinks it's a little wearing to pedal, switch to slicks - i got a pair for ~$15.

 

[7window]

That was a pretty cheap bike originally but if everything works fine you could do worse.

For commuting I'd throw some slicks on it to lower the rolling resistance.

I am old school, do I need to find out if it has shimano parts on it? I noticed in the ad none mentioned.

 

[Fayd]

i have a trek 870. similar bike, but with soft forks.

the hard forks on the 820 would be better for commuting. seems just fine for an 8 mile trip. i used to ride that on the 870 every day for exercise.

 

[Numenorean]

Thanks for the response. I have heard of touring, road and racing bicycle but we are going to stick with mountain bike for now. I don't think we want to spend so much for a bike and worry about where to park it. We also talk to a bike rider and told us that mountain bike would be good enough for him.

We have a motiv that is from costco that it still going but my daughter rides it. A mongoose bike we have is now dead. The handle shifter failed.

Handle shifter should be cheaper than $100.

I use Continental Town & Country (Search Amazon for 1306969992), which I really like. Kind of a combo between slicks and the knobby tires. Less rolling resistance, but they will work on some mild rocky/grassy type areas where true slicks may struggle and screw you up. Put slime tubes in and you're good to go.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I am old school, do I need to find out if it has shimano parts on it? I noticed in the ad none mentioned.

It is most likely Shimano with some other brand crankset and brakes like Tektro. It is decent stuff, nothing you'd likely have to worry about anyway. Just ride it, carry a spare tube and pump or CO2 cartridges and tire levers if you need them to get the tire off the rim.

 

[tim0thy]

For an 8 mile commute, this bike should be fine. There's a lesser chance of a flat with mountain bikes and as long as this one is in good condition, there should be plenty of life left on it. Price is decent.