Few questions about bikes

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Berkeley
1

<p>So I'm planning to buy a bike this week and am basically going to it to get to campus and to drive around Berkeley on weekends. Since I'm a complete n00b when it comes to bikes, I need help with a few questions:
1. Should I be looking at mountain bikes or road bikes?
2. In case I decide to buy a used bike, what kind of stuff should I look out for/check the bike for?
3. U-lock or chain lock? 2 locks? Or is just one around the frame and front wheel good enough?
4. What are safe hours to have the bike parked on campus? When do bikes usually get knicked?
5. How important is it to ride with a helmet on?
6. Investing in lights is probably a good idea right?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<ol>
<li>people have both kinds of bikes. pick whichever suits you.</li>
<li>both locks can be picked pretty easily… it’s just a matter of hoping the bike next to you gets stolen before yours. make sure you lock your seat also… a lot of people forget and get it stolen.</li>
<li>just my guess, but safe hours generally are the same hours you would like to be walking around campus. i.e. not before 5am and after 10pm?</li>
<li>it’s extremely important, but no one is going to care if you wear a helmet or not. it’s your life you’re risking everytime you get on your bike, not theirs.</li>
<li>get the light reflectors on your bike. if you’re not planning to bike in the evening, then you don’t need to purchase lights.</li>
</ol>

3

<p>I recommend a hybrid bike. Very similar to a mtn bike but with thinner tires for less friction.</p>

<p>Check that there aren’t obvious cracks in the frame. Check that the components work (ie, pedals, shifting, braking).</p>

<p>Definitely at least one good u-lock. I have used only one U-lock, and my bike has been fine so far, but I lock it overnight in a secured area.</p>

<p>Others can answer the rest</p>

4

<p>@Castel:

  1. How do I decide though? Based on what - driving them? Based on where I’ll be driving them? Sorry, like I said, I have no idea where to start.
    Thanks for the other answers.</p>

<p>Thanks webhappy - I’ll be on the look out for a good hybrid.</p>

<ol>
<li>What size frame should I be looking at if I’m around 5’7"/5’8"?</li>
</ol>

5

<ol>
<li><p>mountain bikes are generally cheaper ~$50-100. but they’re pretty clunky and not well-suited for biking on the road (obviously). road bikes range from $150-200+ (not really sure, but more than mtn bikes). i’d suggest a road bike just because they look a whole lot better.</p></li>
<li><p>it entirely depends on what you feel comfortable with, but the general height of the bike is about 2 inches + the length of your foot to your hip (logically).</p></li>
</ol>

6

<p>check out craigslist.com for a used road bikes. You will need a 54-56 cm based on your height.</p>

7

<p>In terms of the height of the bike, when you’re on the seat, are your feet supposed to be firmly on the ground or just touching the ground?</p>

8

<p>a used road bike is better than a brand new mtn bike for me. You can get pretty good “looking” one for 150-200 in craiglist.
For the U lock question, I do want to know where can I buy a cheap one. What price should I look into? I got a pretty old road bike for $80 and I don’t want to spend $40+ on buying a lock. And where should I go to fix the bake?</p>

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<p>i suggest getting a $10 bike it’s probably gonna be stolen every month.</p>

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<p>I’m really only going to park it on campus between 9am and 9pm, and I intend to buy a u-lock. Do bikes get stolen even during those hours?</p>

11

<p>

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<p>I’ve had the same bike for over a year. It won’t get stolen if you lock it in the proper locations and use good sense.</p>

12

<p>^Care to elaborate on that Ektaylor? Really worried about bike theft since I’m practically broke already.</p>

13

<p>i might have one to sell to you for pretty cheap. let me know if you’re interested!</p>