<p>I enjoy biking and gas prices are very high, which makes it seem like biking around campus would be effective.</p>
<p>I'm looking for something like a mountain bike under $600, because of their versatility, and I'm also looking at dual-sport bikes because they seem like they can handle the campus roads better. My number 1 choice (Penn) and one safety (Minn-TC) are downtown campuses, so that's probably something to take into account.</p>
<p>Given these factors, what bike or type of bike would best suit my desires?</p>
<p>How far are you going to be biking? Is it just around campus?
What kind of terrain are you going to be riding on? Just the campus roads and normal roads?</p>
<p>Have you considered a hybrid or city bike?</p>
<p>I’d like to have a pretty versatil bike, so normal roads, campus roads, and some dirt trails. I’d mostly be biking around campus with the occasional 25+ mile trip.</p>
<p>I haven’t heard of a hybrid bike or a city bike. Could you explain or post a link?</p>
<p>without getting too much into detail, you should get the gravity liberty 3.0 from bikesdirect. It’s a road bike with 23mm tires, so you won’t be doing any dirt trails. But with the lower/mid range groupset components (eg. front/rear derailleurs, shifters/levers), it’s a steal at this price. Trust me, you will find bikes like this sell for $900 if not more at your local bike store. And you will be wanting this for your 25+ mile trips.</p>
<p>I could get into the specifics with shimano, sram groupsets as well as race level bike components such as 105, ultegra, dura ace, but your head might start spinning. And the funny thing is I’m a complete invalid compared to most cyclists who are actually serious about the hobby.</p>
<p>You might want to consider getting a motorcycle</p>
<p>My hubbie’s bike was stolen on the first day of classes at Stanford. He learned his lesson and bought a second cheapie bike and rode that one around with a Kryptonite Lock.</p>
<p>My daughter will be at Davis, with 40k other bikes, they also recommended used bikes since bikes get relocated or stolen all of the time. Lesson learned? buy a cheapie bike or get some really good bike insurance.</p>
<p>if you value your bike at all, don’t leave it on campus over night. Some douch3bag will inevitable take the saddle, wheels, and scratch the frame, just to pis you off. Bring it with you to your apartment, preferably inside. And use a U-lock that can’t be clipped by a pocket sized wire cutter, doesn’t necessarily have to be kryponite, but it must use a flat key, not the round ones. all just common sense if you live in a big city.</p>
<p>bike insurance is usually covered under homeowner insurance, and typically involve $300+ deductibles. No point in getting insurance unless you get a $1000 bike. And no point in starting out with a $1000 bike if you don’t know how to maintain one.</p>
<p>I agree with aunt bea.</p>
<p>Just get a cheap bike.</p>
<p>I got a used road bike for $20 from this guy who repairs bikes then sells them from his garage. AND he had just put in new tubes. He wanted $40 but it was right before winter so he was trying to get rid of them.</p>
<p>I regularly use my bike for 20-30 mile rides. Sometimes I get paranoid and think my bike could just collasp and at moment, but in reality, it’s a sturdy bike. It gets the job done.</p>
<p>If anything, I’d get a cheap bike to ride around campus and an expensive/new bike for long rides. But since you said that the 25+ mile trip would only be occasional, I’d just got for a cheap bike. Even just getting a cheap frame and putting on new brakes or new tires or whatnot, it’ll still be loads cheaper than putting forth the money for an expensive, new bike. And hey, if you decide after a month that you really do need a new bike, then you’ve spent minimal amount of money figuring that out.</p>
<p>cheap bike would be ideal, but it really depends on the craigslist in your area. Like in the midwest, all the bikes are crap, and the prices are high. $20 will get you half of a wheel around here, it sucks. But in big cities with large biking community, the deals will be a lot better.</p>
<p>In the midwest you can get new cheap “dept store bikes”. At Walmart, Target, etc., under $100. But I think a beater that no one will want to steal is best.</p>
<p>Believe me, I don’t like contradicting people, but I know what I’m talking about. Don’t buy a walmart bike when you can spend the same money on a quality vintage, which never depreciates in value like new bikes do. The quality (eg. welds, setup and reliability) of walmart bikes are just horrendous. They might have improved their quality control over the last couple of years, but I’m still not impressed. An old friend of mine broke her leg riding a walmart bike because part of the frame cracked and broke in two. That’s just unacceptable.</p>
<p>Didn’t you say in the midwest quality vintages aren’t available?</p>
<p>they are, but fair prices are very rare…</p>
<p>I agree with nervousohio. We’re fortunate in my community that there are a ton of bike shops. Our local Mom and Pop bike shop can fix anything, but the best thing is that they sell used/reconditioned bikes. </p>
<p>If you want a bike that “works”, contact a bike shop and ask about their used bikes. You might pay a little more than $100, but reputable bike shops warranty their used bikes and service is free, the only thing you pay for is the parts, if that! </p>
<p>At Davis, the knowledgeable tour guides told us to assume that our child’s first bike will be stolen. All the parents started asking about good used bikes.</p>