The Money Mustache Community
Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Ask a Mustachian => Topic started by: Nightwatchman9270 on August 06, 2019, 06:51:59 PM
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I need the input from cheapskates like me who want bang for the buck. I plan to use it for errands. Max distance would be 10 miles each way. Most are 5 miles each way. Some hills. No dirt or rocks but crappy roads and have to hop curbs sometimes. I'm in decent shape. Would like something a little faster than the 40 dollar Schwinn I had. Im 5'10 and wer 30" length jeans.
Option1: https://chattanooga.craigslist.org/bik/d/cleveland-masi-partenza/6949951486.html
option 2: https://chattanooga.craigslist.org/bik/d/signal-mountain-vintage-1989-panasonic/6924328949.html
option3: https://chattanooga.craigslist.org/bik/d/chickamauga-crisscross-bike/6940084092.html Would take $80
option4: https://chattanooga.craigslist.org/bik/d/harrison-trek-bicycle/6937652962.html
option5: https://chattanooga.craigslist.org/bik/d/chattanooga-single-speed-fixie/6936507665.html
option6: https://chattanooga.craigslist.org/bik/d/winfield-1982-schwinn-varsity/6934557374.html
option7: https://chattanooga.craigslist.org/bik/d/rossville-cannondale-sm500/6926447416.html
option8: https://chattanooga.craigslist.org/bik/d/chattanooga-specialized-bicycle/6925367128.html
option9: https://chattanooga.craigslist.org/bik/d/hixson-trek-road-bike/6920461946.html
option10: https://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/bik/d/cumming-trek-800-sport-mountain-bike/6943220024.html
option11: https://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/bik/d/atlanta-trek-820-mountain-track-mens/6943394784.html
option12: https://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/bik/d/ball-ground-trek-singletrack-930-mtn/6918956429.html Leaning toward this as he would take $125
option13: https://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/bik/d/marietta-bicycle-trek-1200/6918346660.html
option14 : https://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/bik/d/kennesaw-1981-trek-750/6935515768.html
option15: https://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/bik/d/buford-vintage-mens-27-road-bike/6932222228.html
option16: https://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/bik/d/duluth-trek-800-hybrid-comfort-bicycle/6937465393.html
option17: https://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/bik/d/norcross-rei-novara-trionfo-road-bike/6950135767.html
option18: https://atlanta.craigslist.org/eat/bik/d/duluth-giant-one-of-kind-city-commuter/6913247450.html
Like the last the best but he wont go lower that $550
ANyway sorry so many but I really need help deciding!
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Wrong forum?
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You're really all over the place here.
If you're riding on crappy roads, I'd eliminate the Masi and similar road bikes, just because you will get more flats with that type of wheel/tire combination. Otherwise, the Masi is a nice bike for the price.
Realize that the gearing on many mountain bikes is aimed at traveling slowly on bad terrain, so for road use it can feel like you're spinning a lot without much speed. That Trek you're looking at looks pretty good, but you definitely want to take a test ride and make sure you're not spinning out at your normal riding speed.
https://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/bik/d/ball-ground-trek-singletrack-930-mtn/6918956429.html
Anything with three chain rings in the front is going to require more maintenance/adjustment than a double or single chain ring.
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18 bikes isn't exactly narrowing it down, esp on CL where there's a lot of variability, meaning the same bike can be in different conditions and come with different stuff. Read the other choose a bike threads. Then go to bike shop to try some and narrow it down further. THEN shop for bike you like--and go back to same shop for a tune up and some gear and relationship building.
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That really isn't a narrow list.
Get a hybrid or cyclocross/gravel bike with slightly wider tires and some grip. You can put a rack and panniers on the back to haul stuff. Will handle trails or roads well.
Would recommend against a fixie and also against 80s or 90s era road bikes since the components are likely very old or the bike is overpriced by the seller who thinks it is "collectible."
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Ok. Thanks. I'll try to narrow down to 4 or 5 and report back.
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I can get this one for 80. Think I'll go with
https://chattanooga.craigslist.org/bik/d/chickamauga-crisscross-bike/6940084092.html
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That really isn't a narrow list.
Get a hybrid or cyclocross/gravel bike with slightly wider tires and some grip. You can put a rack and panniers on the back to haul stuff. Will handle trails or roads well.
Would recommend against a fixie and also against 80s or 90s era road bikes since the components are likely very old or the bike is overpriced by the seller who thinks it is "collectible."
I strongly concur with the above sentiment. You could get an older steel frame road bike for less than what these CL posters want. My guess is that the price on some of them is inflated as they are viewed as "collectors items."
You need to figure out whether you want a road or gravel/cyclocross or touring style bike. Each has very different handling/utility. I use a road (racing) bike to commute but i only do so occasionaally, dont have rough roads, and dont need to carry more than i can fit in my backpack, plus i can store it safely inside or, less commonly, outside due to particular circumstances. For other folks in other conditions a sleek road bike might not be the best commuter.
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I can get this one for 80. Think I'll go with
https://chattanooga.craigslist.org/bik/d/chickamauga-crisscross-bike/6940084092.html
That looks like an excellent choice for $80. Clean that filthy drive train and get a small bottle of dry lube at a bike store to re-lube the chain. The bike will thank you. :)