So...what kind of bike do I need? (college student)

[cream*caffeine]

Yes, I'm a poor college student. :P But, I'm happy to getting a cheap ed, so it goes with the territory, no? Anyway, someone stole my bike, and so I'm now in the market for another. Thing is, I don't have a job at the moment, and once I get it, my paycheck is already divided into paying off various debts, so I really don't have much $$$ to spend.

My dad says that I should get a chainless bike, but I really canNOT afford $600 atm. ;) I'd like to know what to look for, as I troll various sources. I'll be mainly biking on roads, and I'm a newb. Not a complete newb, but I'm definitely not pro.

- Since I have no idea what the future holds, should I get an all-terrain bike?
- Also, I noticed that there's different heights on bikes - how do I know (without trying it out) what is the right measurement for me? Is there a formula for that or something?
- I'll need lights and a lock, right? (Told you I was a newb!)
- Anything I should know before I plunge into the world of biking?

I think those are all my questions atm. Help is SO appreciated! :)

[Cataboo]

Measure your inseam - and post your height and we can probably give you a size range of what might fit - but basically you're going to have to try riding them.

You're not really clear on what you want to use the bike for - do you just want to ride around for fun or are you planning on commuting on it or ?

Check your local craigslist to see what is available. You might be able to find a cheap bike that'll fit. There are lots of people that buy bikes with the best of intentions and then it doesn't fit, it's the wrong bike for what they want to do, or they don't have time, and they never use them and eventually sell them.

I don't think you need to go chainless.

If you're mainly going to do road riding, there's no reason to get an all terrain bike. Suspension systems are heavy and you lose power to them unless there's a lockout.

Go to a local bike shop and test ride a mountain bike, a hybrid, and a road bike.

On a hybrid & a mountain bike you sit much more upright than you do on a road bike. If you're more comfortable upright - then get a hybrid or a mountain bike. If you're mainly riding on road, put slicks or tires without many bumps on them.

Road bikes, you tend to lean over more. Road bikes have skinny narrow tires so they can be a harsher ride and you for the most part don't want to take them off road - but they can go fast and they're fun.

A hybrid will probably be a comfortable bike that you can do a bit of both on.

[Zen]

Determine how much you can spend and report back;)
We can work from there.

Here's a short article (http://www.ehow.com/how_14104_determine-correct-frame.html) on how to determine frame size.

[newfsmith]

Depending on where you are going to school, there may be a bike co-op near you that will have re-conditioned used bikes. Here is the Boston area, 2 leap to mind:
http://www.bikesnotbombs.org/bikeshop
and
http://broadwaybicycleschool.com/
Also, check your campus newspapers and bulletin boards. The end of a semester when students are leaving, and just before vacation periods tend to bring a lot of bikes onto the market as people are looking for money. Police auctions are another source, but they are usually only in the spring. Unless you can ride an exact match, don't try to buy on-line until you know more about your needs and size.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

If you'll be locking your bike outside on campus....then get a cheapish used bike that works well and fits you ok, the uglier the better, and get HEAVY DUTY locks (a heavy U-lock AND a heavy cable if possible). Campuses are major hotspots for bike thieves. Any new bike worth $300 or more is going to be an automatic target for thieves.
Once you are not on campus anymore you can start getting more beautiful/desirable bikes. ;)
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/07/ugly-your-bike-tips.php
http://www.cyclelicio.us/2005/09/lock-your-bike.html

Good luck and enjoy whatever bike you wind up getting! :)

[TrekTheKaty]

Like others mentioned, bikes are always looking for homes. Ask relatives (sis inherited my old hybrid that I swore I was keeping--until the LBS determined her bike was unfixable and then it was hers for the asking!) Garage sales, newspaper ads (I know old-fashioned, but I think people still do that instead of Craigs List!) There is also a reconditioned bike shop in my town--they donate to charity or sell to raise money for more bikes.

Of course, you want a bike that fits properly--but anything is a start and will help you to determine where to go from there.

[aicabsolut]

If you'll be locking your bike outside on campus....then get a cheapish used bike that works well and fits you ok, the uglier the better, and get HEAVY DUTY locks (a heavy U-lock AND a heavy cable if possible). Campuses are major hotspots for bike thieves. Any new bike worth $300 or more is going to be an automatic target for thieves.
Once you are not on campus anymore you can start getting more beautiful/desirable bikes. ;)
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/07/ugly-your-bike-tips.php
http://www.cyclelicio.us/2005/09/lock-your-bike.html

Good luck and enjoy whatever bike you wind up getting! :)

+1
A friend of mine repainted his bike such that it looked like an Impressionist disaster. Also, remove all quick releases (on seatpost, wheels, wherever). You may want to get locking skewers for your wheels. Depending on your terrain, fixed gear or single speed bikes are pretty popular for student style riding. Some people wind up building their own fixies with parts from a mix of sources including craigslist and ebay. They require a bit less maintenance (fewer drivetrain components), so are not too bad for leaving outside. If it's too hilly for that where you are, commute on whatever kind of bike you find the most comfortable that fits your needs. If you're going to be carrying a lot of weight, you might prefer to be more upright or to have a rear rack. That will limit your frame choices a bit. If you're going to be doing mainly road riding, don't get a mountain bike. You may want some wider tires than road tires if you might be hitting dirt or gravel frequently or riding in bad weather.

If you go out looking for used bikes, first go to a bike shop and get an idea of the proper sizing for you in different bike types and ride some to decide which type of bike you prefer. Check out their end of year sales, but then take all that info and go to a co-op or poke around online.

[Geonz]

See if there's a bike coop in your area liek we've recently developed ( www.thebikeproject.org ) - you can get a used bike but you can also join for 25 bucks, then choose from the inventory of abandoned bicycles (the U. and local police let us have them), and fix it up - which sometimes takes very little - and get it for even cheaper.
Alas, we've had lots of students come down because their bicycles were stolen. At our esteemed U, bicycle parking ranges from lousy to nonexistent and bikes aren't even allowed in dorms.
You might also consider a folding bike (which here you can sneak into dorms ;) ) .

[cream*caffeine]

Alrighty, I guess I wasn't as thorough as I thought. ;)

I am 5'7", and I've got a 31" inseam, if I measured correctly. I'd be using the bike mainly for commuting, in western WA. My range....anything below $110. Obviously, I'm kinda....poor. :P

Thanks you guys for the suggestions - I'm off to look at my options!

[tulip]

How far is your commute? Will you be using your bike for other riding, too, like club rides or long rides out in the country or off-road?

You can find decent bikes for that price range on Craigs List. It might need a bit of TLC, like chain lube, and be aware that you might need a new seat if the one that comes with it is unbearable.

More info, please!

[Cataboo]

If you're 5'7 for a road bike you're probably in the 50-54 cm range. In a mountain bike, you're probably in the 16" range.

If you're commuting on it mostly on road - you really don't need a suspension on it, at the most you want a front suspension.

If you want to ride on trails for fun, I'd say stay away from skinny road bike tires, you could swap thicker tires & tubes on to make it more comfortable - but given your price range, you really should buy about what you need and then upgrade the seat for comfort.

[newfsmith]

Try recycled cycles in Seattle,
http://www.recycledcycles.com
Also try contacting bike clubs in your area, they may be able to direct you to appropriate sources. Don't be afraid to go to any bike shop. Be clear about your budget. If they can't help you, they are likely to know where you can go. Scan the volunteer pages, many "earn-a-bike" programs give credit to volunteers that can be applied to purchases and some have adult EAB's. Google for earn-a-bike to find a location near you. Try browsing the bicycle paper for shop and club locations. http://www.bicyclepaper.com

[tc1]

It's been my experience that people love to help struggling college students, if they know them. So ask your dad to ask his friends and acquaintances if any of them have a bike they aren't using to give to you.