help with starter bikes

[doneby35]

Me and my spouse are planning to get a couple of good starter bikes for overall fitness, health and saving money of course. Any suggestions on what would be good and affordable (possibly no more than $200 per used bike) for a 6ft guy and a 5'4 girl?
I was looking at Craigslist and there are just too many options, sizes and price ranges that it's a little overwhelming.

[MsPeacock]

Google online about bike sizes and figure out what size frame you need.  That will help greatly to narrow the choices of craigslist. Otherwise for $200 you are going to end up with a bike from Walmart or target, which will be very poor quality. Better to take sometime to educate yourself about what would be a good choice and find something on Craigslist.

When searching Craigslist, in the bike section, enter your frame size - that will bring up a list of appropriately sized bikes. For instance, I need a 54cm bike so I put "54" into the search box. If you are 5'4" you probably need a 52cm bike frame. Look over the bikes carefully, do a test ride. Don't buy a rusty bike.

There is a blue book for used bike values (google) that can be helpful too.

[doneby35]

Sweet! that blue book for bikes website is very nice to have, thank you!

[snogirl]

I sell a lot of sub $200 bikes on CL. Most of my inventory is early 80s - 90s Japanese frames by Giant, Univega, Miayata. These bikes don't ride as harsh as aluminum or carbon fiber. You can look for Trek 1000s in your price range 2007s will be decent & lightweight too. Garage sales are the best or my friends. Someone always has a bike tucked in their garage gathering dust.

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[doneby35]

I was looking at a Diamondback Insight 1 (someone selling for $200 on CL and retail is $349), anyone know if that is a good option?

[gooki]

The insight 1 looks like a good starter. Give it a ride first, make sure everything is smooth.

[gooki]

If you want to buy new. Nashbar.com have bikes of similar spec to the diamond back for around $200 delivered.

[snogirl]

If you want to buy new. Nashbar.com have bikes of similar spec to the diamond back for around $200 delivered.

Nashbar is awesome great suggestion. I would suggest going to a LBS & test riding some bikes. Fit is so important. An 8,000 dollar bike will suck if it doesn't fit you right as much as 200 dollar bike. Well except for the money thing :)  Some minor tweaks might need to happen to make your ride enjoyable like a new seat or handlebar stem. I've ridden dome fantastic feeling early 90s Schwinns (the ones made by Giant) that just plain work. World Sports for instance. Diamondbikes are a decent brand now sold by Dicks Sporting Goods. If you test ride it offer s $100.
 

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[GuitarStv]

The only problem with test riding a bike first is that if you haven't ridden in years and years you might feel more comfortable on a very poorly fitting bike.  As kids most people get used to having a frame that's way too big or too small and the seat post far lower than it should be.

A bike shop will recommend about the right size for you, but it might take weeks or even months before you get used to riding a bike that fits you properly.