Need a new bike, any suggestions?

liljlandon · 09-19-09, 05:49 PM

Hey all,

Im on a HUGE campus this year for college and have already been through 2 crank bearings and a couple chains on my walmart bike. Ive learned my lesson with that one. My mother has been riding for the last few years but she buys Schwinn (sp?) and uses them until they arent repairable. My friend offered to sell me his Motobecane HT500 for cheap. Its been used regularly, but he keeps his stuff really nice. Whats a decent price for one of these? Ive seen them on the web for around 400.00

Im riding hills, lots of hills, so being able to shift gears is my biggest concern. My walmart bike sucked ass like that. I average a good 5miles a day, more if i enjoyed the bike. Eventually I would like to make the entire 34 mile round trip on bike only, which is why im looking into buying a decent used bike so i can save up for the better road bike later on.

Thanks for any input!

EDIT: Heres a pic off the net for those to lazy to search

MANUCHAO · 09-21-09, 11:13 PM

I know this brand (seen it before) but never had any actual experience with it.. so I can't help much with that...

I can say do check MTBR and look at the reviews for the brands and models they have there..
If this bike is going to be used mainly for commuting def save some more cash and buy something with decent componets; Shimano XT or the like.... Chances are the frame will not give out on you but the components will.

I dont know where exactly you are located or how hilly this hills are but yah might want to look into getting a single speed rig... yeah it would be a tad harder to tackle them hills but you will have no shifter to worry about....

I wouldnt' get something too nice... I would be too worried about it getting lifted on a campus..but that's just me...

Im sure other will give more input.... and yeah stay away from WM or any of them other chain stores.. check out your LBS they sometimes sell nice rides for some of their costumers.. Craigslist is another choice... I picked up my second bike and love it.....

Goodluck !!

liljlandon · 09-22-09, 06:38 AM

The University was built on a mountain (for us, probably just hill for others) and the gears are a must... Im paying 250 for it, warranty papers and all. From the reviews ive read, its a good bike. The manufacturer will replace the majority of the components on the bike for free. They just take their time. youve gotta pay for free some how though.

wxm · 09-22-09, 08:10 AM

$250 sounds reasonable. You don't really want to get an expensive bike on campus.

mcewan13 · 09-28-09, 02:21 PM

You're heads in the right place. A good cheap used bike is perfect for campus.

Will you be doing any trails at all? if not, a mountain bike is overkill - heavy & slow. If so, the motobecane might work. Before you by your firends bike, ride it and make sure it really fits you.

Motobecane is a rebranded frame sold by Bikes & Bicycles - Mountain, Road, CycloCross, Hybrid and Comfort bikes from bikesdirect.com. The purists bag on them, but they are generally good buys. I will eventually own a road bike or two from them. THe 2009 500HT is currently $350 w/ free shipping, so unless you're buddy has an '07-'08 in really good shape, I'd work on him a bit.

liljlandon · 09-28-09, 08:23 PM

Its an 08 model, im waiting on delivery now... Sucks walking everywhere, i miss riding :(

NWAFJ80 · 10-05-09, 01:24 PM

I assume you are attending the UofA. I spent 5 years on the hill. I definetly would not recommend buying an expensive bike if you are leaving it chained up overnight, but if just in between classes, I would not worry about it. Get good components though. They make all the difference in shifting and climbing. If you get the mountain bike and want to get off road, there are about 15 miles of new trail in Bentonville called Slaughter Pen with about another 15 being worked on right now. There is also 10 - 15 miles that the building started Saturday in Bella Vista. Most of this made possible by a member of the Walton family. There is also a lot of trails all around F'ville for mountain and road biking. If you go with a roadie, the trail connecting Fayetteville and the MO line will be open with many segments already completed. I currently stay in the woods.

liljlandon · 10-05-09, 07:53 PM

Yep, i live with family in Cave Springs right now. I had to write ALOT of letters to get to stay off campus though, the commute isnt bad... Im starting to wonder if 112 would be safe for a bike (pretty sure its a NO)

NWAFJ80 · 10-07-09, 01:44 PM

Only in Cave Springs with their 35 mph speed limit and Nazi cops.

mcewan13 · 10-09-09, 02:30 PM

& the trails around Lake Leatherwood in Eureka Spgs are good as well. ...at least they used to be when I lived in KC and rode down there.

liljlandon · 10-09-09, 09:12 PM

Finally got it. Im really pumped, its so smoothe compared to the cheapys and schwinns ive ridden! Cant complain, and it doesnt look to expensive so i doubt itll claim much attention around campus.

It was delivered at home and while I was at school, so itd been played with before I got to it. Seems it wont shift up to third on the pedal side. I think it just needs adjusted, but we shall see!