Author Topic: Hola!  (Read 13243 times)

Christopher

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Hola!
« on: June 26, 2013, 09:58:43 AM »
Hey, new here. Just started reading MMM about 2 months ago when the Washington Post article came out.
I live in Virginia, moving to DC soon(getting married in October). Currently making $15/hr at my Virginia job, so hopefully more once I move to DC. The lady makes a bit more, about 30k a year after taxes, but she's bringing a bit more debt into the situation(about $6k in credit cards, and about $24k in student loans. i paid off the last of my debt earlier this year).

Since reading MMM, I've probably saved about $200/month so far, with getting a bikeshare key(going to get my own bike once i move in), switching to pageplus cellular, and putting a bunch of her debt onto a new 0% 18-month card.

I currently drive a 2001 Chevy Venture that gets about 18mpg, and spend about $70/week on gas. I'm hopefully selling it tonight(craigslist!) and getting a Corolla in the next couple days, which should take it down to about half, until I move into DC where I should be able to bike to work. I still have band practice about an hour away a couple days a week but even then, max gas would be about $45/month if that.

Anyways, looking forward to documenting all this and getting/sharing tips from/with you guys.

One initial question I guess, is bikes. Can anyone recommend a decent bike that can be gotten for ~$300? Mostly just using it for city commuting but being able to handle some snow would be nice(dunno if those skinny-tire city bikes are good for that). Also I bookmarked those bike lights that MMM recommended in one article, but I don't really know anything about locks, or getting a basket/rack/something for work stuff/clothes when I'm riding.

Thanks!



naners

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Re: Hola!
« Reply #1 on: June 26, 2013, 03:22:04 PM »
Welcome! For $300 I think you will not get a good bike new (stay away from WalMart and sports outlets; the bikes are low quality and poorly built). You might think about upping your budget to around $500 and getting something new. At that price range you might get a bike that already has fenders and a rack installed; those do add up, and a used bike may need repairs. Yes, you can learn to do some minor repairs yourself, but that might be a lot to take on right away. We want bike riding to be easy and fun for you when you're starting out!

If $500 is too steep, try for Craigslist. My recommendation would be to look for an urban/hybrid type bike, they're best for commuting, although you will probably hear from people who commute perfectly happily on mountain bikes or road bikes. Probably a good strategy is to try to find a bike model that would cost around $500-700 new. No need for disc brakes or internal gears. When you go check out the bike, make sure it's the right size for you (and that you can adjust the seat post); do some research in advance so you will know what a right sized bike is. Just the basics of fit, no need for the extreme nitpicking of fitting a racing bike. Try everything out: are the brakes responsive? Are the wheels true? Is the chain severely rusty? Do the gears switch easily? Repairs can add up quickly and eat away any savings you might get from buying used, since you're only saving a couple hundred bucks.

You can always put more nobbly tires on your rims if you find yourself wanting them, but you probably won't have slick tires anyway unless you buy a road bike (not recommended for commuting, not comfortable enough). I'm not sure what the bike theft situation is in your area; a local bike shop would know. If it's moderate to high theft, you should buy a lock that costs $50-100. A u lock, not a chain! I've never had problems with my Kryptonite, but YMMV. Then get fenders and a rear rack. Panniers are nice to carry stuff and keep it dry. REI probably has some affordable ones. Some people swear by home made kitty litter panniers, so that's worth checking out! And lastly, think seriously about getting a helmet. Some people say they don't help prevent injuries, but I think you should read the research yourself rather than relying on anecdotes before you make up your mind.

Good luck!

myDogIsFI

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Re: Hola!
« Reply #2 on: June 26, 2013, 09:14:52 PM »
Some bike shops will measure you and get you fitted for a bike - for free.  I recommend going to a bike shop first and getting fitted, then scouring craigslist.  You can tell the bike shop that you aren't going to buy a new bike from them and they'll still measure you, either with the hope of you going there for repairs or just because they like to encourage biking!

I know a lot of people commuting on hybrid Trek bikes from craigslist.  That's what I do.  If you go check out a bike listed on craigslist, ask about it's history.  Ride it and check it out.  Get a rear rack for it, get lights.  Learn how to change/repair a tube from the comfort of home before you have to do it on the road.  Get a frame pump or a CO2 container and learn to use it before you need it.  Get a U lock and get it mounted to your bike so it's always with you.  Spend 30 minutes or more reading about hand signals and other ways to ride safe on the road with cars. 

unpolloloco

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Re: Hola!
« Reply #3 on: June 27, 2013, 01:56:37 PM »
Welcome! For $300 I think you will not get a good bike new (stay away from WalMart and sports outlets; the bikes are low quality and poorly built). You might think about upping your budget to around $500 and getting something new. At that price range you might get a bike that already has fenders and a rack installed; those do add up, and a used bike may need repairs. Yes, you can learn to do some minor repairs yourself, but that might be a lot to take on right away. We want bike riding to be easy and fun for you when you're starting out!

If $500 is too steep, try for Craigslist. My recommendation would be to look for an urban/hybrid type bike, they're best for commuting, although you will probably hear from people who commute perfectly happily on mountain bikes or road bikes. Probably a good strategy is to try to find a bike model that would cost around $500-700 new. No need for disc brakes or internal gears. When you go check out the bike, make sure it's the right size for you (and that you can adjust the seat post); do some research in advance so you will know what a right sized bike is. Just the basics of fit, no need for the extreme nitpicking of fitting a racing bike. Try everything out: are the brakes responsive? Are the wheels true? Is the chain severely rusty? Do the gears switch easily? Repairs can add up quickly and eat away any savings you might get from buying used, since you're only saving a couple hundred bucks.

You can always put more nobbly tires on your rims if you find yourself wanting them, but you probably won't have slick tires anyway unless you buy a road bike (not recommended for commuting, not comfortable enough). I'm not sure what the bike theft situation is in your area; a local bike shop would know. If it's moderate to high theft, you should buy a lock that costs $50-100. A u lock, not a chain! I've never had problems with my Kryptonite, but YMMV. Then get fenders and a rear rack. Panniers are nice to carry stuff and keep it dry. REI probably has some affordable ones. Some people swear by home made kitty litter panniers, so that's worth checking out! And lastly, think seriously about getting a helmet. Some people say they don't help prevent injuries, but I think you should read the research yourself rather than relying on anecdotes before you make up your mind.

Good luck!

Used, you should be able to get an entry-level Trek (or similar name-brand bike) for $100-200, then buy a rack, fenders, and U-lock for another $50-100 or so (unless you find them used!).  You don't say how far you're commuting, but if it's not more than a few miles, you could probably get away with a throwaway mountain bike (<$100) and do better than the DC bikeshare bikes!

cerberusss

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Re: Hola!
« Reply #4 on: June 27, 2013, 02:07:20 PM »
Some bike shops will measure you and get you fitted for a bike - for free.  I recommend going to a bike shop first and getting fitted, then scouring craigslist.  You can tell the bike shop that you aren't going to buy a new bike from them and they'll still measure you, either with the hope of you going there for repairs or just because they like to encourage biking!

Some bike shops have second hand bikes. Although more expensive than via Craigslist, you do get a bit of service for that.

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!