Going crazy looking for a bike

I'm driving myself insane searching for a bike. My grandfather found an old Huffy in the bushes behind his house and gave it to me, which reinvigorated my interest in bicycling. It's kind of pathetic and is falling apart. At the moment, I can only spend about $300-400, maybe $500. I've been to most of the bike shops around the city and have been watching Craigslist. When I first started my search, I was looking for a used road bike. Apparently this is impossible because I'm 5'4" with a 29" inseam and all of the used bikes that would fit me sell out as soon as they come in. I'm not set on a road bike, I'm just totally in love with drop bars and road tires. Now I'm thinking about a few things: I can buy a new commuter and covet every bike with drop bars. I looked at the Trek 7.2fx, Jamis Coda, and KHS Urban Xpress. If I get one and like it enough, I can think about doing a drop bar conversion? Or, as someone at a LBS suggested, get a mountain bike and add road tires, and drop bars. I live outside of a Portland in a part of town with a few nasty (to me, I guess) hills and need something that will make climbing possible. I'm not looking to ride really long distances, but would like to give my car (and wallet) a rest and ride to my jobs around town (I'm a pet sitter/dog walker), which range from 10-20 miles roundtrip. Also, something that can accommodate a rear and maybe front rack.

The problem with Craigslist is that I know relatively little about bikes, so I doubt I'd know if I was wasting my money. Other than a test ride to see if it fits me and shifts well, what should I look for to see that I'm getting a decent bike?

What should I do? New commuter, convert an old mountain bike, or search Craigslist and hope for something good?

Oh, and hello! I found this forum last night and was happy to find a friendly, welcoming place to ask my questions.

hi DSA
welcome to TE
I think you need to be patient. I don't know much about Portland bike shops, but here in Seattle, we have shops that sell used stuff.

Do check craig's list, if there is a bike in your size ... it might be worth it.
you're about the same size as I am. It is harder to find bikes our size, but not impossible.
there are some folks from Portland on TE who will eventually see this thread.

Welcome!

Patience, patience, patience . . . small bikes are hard to find!

A lot of people seem to like (cyclo)cross bikes for city riding, so you may want to expand your research to that category as well. I don't have one, but but I have been coveting the ones I see around Seattle. They seem very versatile.

If you continue to shop craigslist, be sure to verify that the seller is the rightful owner of the bike and has the right to sell it. Ask about the history of the bike, how long they've had it, why they're selling, etc. Craigslist is a wonderful resource, but bike thieves also use it to pass off stolen goods.

If you suspect someone is trying to sell you a stolen bike, you can run a search for it at finetoothcog.com or stolenbicycleregistry.com . . . or just walk away. Bike thieves are evil, evil people. Do not support them!

Back to bike-shopping advice: seems like you've visited a lot of bike shops. Is there one in particular that stands out in terms of customer service, fitting services, etc? Did you talk to any salespeople who really wanted to help you find a bike that fits your needs, vs. trying to sell you something on the floor that might be a smidge too big for you?

If you feel strongly about a particular make/model but your size is not in stock, is there an LBS that will special order it for you?

Best of luck -- it can be a frustrating process, especially when bike shops don't have much that you can test ride.

Check out the Giant FCR 3w. I just bought one about a month ago and I love it. It is a hybrid but geared more towards a road bike. It is a woman's specific design and comes in the smaller frames. I'm 5'5 with a 29" inseam and ended up with the small frame so that should most likely work for you.

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/...en/1254/29455/

Risking the wrath of the forum:
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/dawes/sheila.htm
Just take it to a bike shop and have it tuned. I have never purchased from them, reviews are mixed, and the whole experience could suck.
But it might not. And it will beat a Huffy.
Pink can be a difficult bike color....

Go to the Citybikes Annex...see what they have used...and then try the Jamis Coda...you could switch out the bars and tires and have close to an Aurora..which is Jamis' touring bike...what I got. ANd I live in the West Hills...so I know the hills well!!!:eek:

Also...check out the Terry site for used Terrys...the right size, and price.
http://www.terrybicycles.com/trade/index.html


(the folks at the shop actually suggested converting the Coda when they didn't have the Aurora in my size)

DSA,

I just started riding in April and I kinda went crazy lookin' too. Everyone had great advice and an opinion, it made my head spin. I was fortunate that my 'riding mentor' let me borrow couple of her bikes first couple rides, we're just about the same size. She was able to observe my style and while riding we talked about what felt right/wrong. To top it off, she works in a bike store and is a bike nut.

Anyway, for me, I had to stop the voices and put my trust and confidence in one person's advice to stop my head spinning. I let all the other opinions sit on the back burner and went with her advice. She suggested a Trek 6000, she fit me at the bike store and the last couple rides, we've been fine tuning and I'm completely satisfied.

I don't know if that is any help or not.

PJ

Sometimes you can find the best deals through your bike shop. ;) Avid cyclists often upgrade bikes and sometimes your mechanic may know of a friend of a friend that wants to sell a bike. :)

Well, I don't have much to add, but I did want to say welcome to the site.

We found my bike used at a bike shop and it had about 30 miles on it. It was like new, I guess someone bought it and decided thay wanted something else and brought it back.
We got lucky, but with patience and checking often with your local bike shop or checking on craigslist, you will find the perfect bike for you.

I have the 7.3fx and we recently bought a 7.2fx for my daughter. We love them and if you don't want a road bike this is a good city-bike choice. I commute 20 miles a day on mine and have had no problems.

Thanks so much for all of the advice! My mom had me talk to a coworker of hers who's into cycling and whose husband is a bike mechanic. We're about the same size and she's been helping me search Craigslist and suggesting bikes. I went to CityBikes last week and they said they'd call me when they had a Jamis Coda or KHS Urban Xpress built in my size. It will happen eventually, I know. I just hope it's sooner rather than later because my sad Huffy's rear brakes snapped off last night and my car's in the shop!