Poll

Should I?

Get a new fix speed bike for $180 with 1yrs service
Get a geared road bike for $250 with 1yrs service
Second hand geared road bike for $150
Fix my busted, 14 year old (heavy) mountain bike for around $70 in parts
Stick with public transport
Run into work

Author Topic: Bikes: to fix or not to fix?  (Read 2640 times)

vagon

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Bikes: to fix or not to fix?
« on: May 18, 2015, 07:19:27 PM »
I'm weighing up the best way to commute to work and was hoping you could help me crowdsource the answer.
Here are some other details that might help:
  • I'm about 14kms/9ms out and have two hills worth mentioning.
  • I'm fit enough to do any of the exercise options, running included.
  • Using a bike will save me a maximum $27 a week in public transport costs.
  • My current commute is about 15mins walking and 20mins bus

Thanks for your help!

thriftyc

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Re: Bikes: to fix or not to fix?
« Reply #1 on: May 18, 2015, 07:23:14 PM »
Changed this to the used bike....

Eventually, you could fix the mountain bike and use it as a back up or a winter beater.
« Last Edit: May 19, 2015, 05:42:25 PM by thriftycanadian »

SurlyTroll

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Re: Bikes: to fix or not to fix?
« Reply #2 on: May 18, 2015, 07:38:41 PM »
How about a $250 (or less) used road bike. There's a reason the new one is only coming with one year of service.

thriftyc

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Re: Bikes: to fix or not to fix?
« Reply #3 on: May 18, 2015, 07:54:47 PM »
How about a $250 (or less) used road bike. There's a reason the new one is only coming with one year of service.

Good point! Agreed, might be able to find a better quality used bike for less than a new $250 bike.

vagon

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Re: Bikes: to fix or not to fix?
« Reply #4 on: May 18, 2015, 07:55:02 PM »
How about a $250 (or less) used road bike. There's a reason the new one is only coming with one year of service.

Good point, I've updated the poll.


That said there's actually not much around on the local classifieds. I've found only one used bike less that the new bike and it could be a gamble.
I've also been referred to the new bike by people that spend waaaay too much on carbon fiber etc. One of the guys has had this as his commuter for 2 years without issue.

Knapptyme

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Re: Bikes: to fix or not to fix?
« Reply #5 on: May 18, 2015, 10:28:29 PM »
As a fellow Mustachian who has old, heavy mountain bikes and second-hand geared road bikes in his garage, I find value in them both. The mountain bike can strap on all the accessories used in hauling stuff pretty easily whereas my road bike is limited in that regard. If it's just for commuting, however, the ride would likely be best on the road bike.

So +1 to getting a used road bike (or the new one if that becomes the best option) and fix the mountain bike over time to be your work horse.