What to look for when buying a bicycle?

[Syringer]

I'm about to go to the local bike shop here, looking for something that'll take me comfortably around campus (which is pretty hilly)..nothing too fancy, something good enough to allow me to confidently go as fast as I can on those days when I hit the snooze button a few times too many..

Is there anything specific I should look for, or should I just ride and see? My price range is about $150-$200..

 

[Looney]

If it's for campus, buy use and cheap. It'll eventually get stolen anyways.

 

[biostud]

Normally a welded frame is a good sign.

 

[Bootprint]

$50 bicycle and $150 lock or get something no one will want to steal.

 

[homestarmy]

two wheels?

 

[z0mb13]

if it has a spider inside?

 

[notfred]

Do you want a decent bike or a cheap bike?

 

[layoutd05]

20 dollar bike + expensive bomb that explodes when stolen may fix the theft problem.....

 

[Brutuskend]

Originally posted by: Syringer
I'm about to go to the local bike shop here, looking for something that'll take me comfortably around campus (which is pretty hilly)..nothing too fancy, something good enough to allow me to confidently go as fast as I can on those days when I hit the snooze button a few times too many..

Is there anything specific I should look for, or should I just ride and see? My price range is about $150-$200..

In that price range I would look for a USED bike or a fat tire cruiser. You won't get much bike for that kinda cash unless it's one of those I listed.


(I just had to come in here to see how many times spider was mentioned... )

 

[DrPizza]

Yeah, I second the idea of going with a used bike if possible... for that price, you might be able to find something used that's a much better bike than say, a department store's bikes.

 

[gabemcg]

ask t3h chick 3 floors below u

 

[aplefka]

You know, it used to be Mongoose who made sweet bikes, but nowadays it might be Spider.

 

[EpsiIon]

This is for campus? Go to X-Mart and go cheap. I bought a bike on sale at K-Mart for $50 last week. The only downside is that it's really heavy, but I'm only going around campus, so I can live with that.