<p>Not sure what bike to use. I mean last time I bought a bike was like 4-5 years ago and I picked the one that was shiny haha. Also I know absolutely nothing about bikes except how to ride one. Also I probably going to have to pay for my own bike my parents are still going to tell me how much I’m allowed to spend.</p>
<p>I wrote a lot about picking bikes out because I am into bikes and there are a lot of little details that can make a difference if you bike a lot. That doesn’t mean it’s the end of the world if you go against all my advice, or if you pick a random bike in your price range.</p>
<p>One of the advantages of visiting bike shops is that they’ll almost always let you test ride a bike without purchasing it.</p>
<p>I’m 5’7 and I ride a 52cm frame. So if you’re 5’0 then you should be riding 47cm. </p>
<p>Cheap bike, expensive lock! is always a safe way to go!
kryponite new york mini !</p>
<p>I would just go on craigslist and search up road bikes and go from there. under 250 is always good and make sure you know how to ride a bike before you go to Davis, because all the advisers, teachers, deans, etc told us in orientation that seniors and upperclassmen will come out with lawn chairs to watch freshmen try to bike and go through the roundabout in Davis… don’t be an idiot and not ride a bike until 1st day of class !</p>
<p>On that note, avoid the freshman stripe—get fenders if you’re going to ride in wet conditions!</p>
<p>I’m completely clueless about bikes and bike equipment, so bear with me. Is it possible to buy fenders separately from a bike shop or something, and how would you put that on?</p>
<p>You can pick up a fender at a local shop and just attach it for the winter and take it off when rain season is over.</p>
<p>Yep, and if you get them online you can take them into the shop and ask the shop guys to attach them for you - or to show you how to do it yourself. It’s not difficult.</p>
<p>I plan to wear a freshman stripe all four years. I’m too lazy to buy/attach a fender, it usually just gets on my backpack, and I wash my clothes pretty often anyways! </p>
<p>But really, find a used bike as some suggested. New bikes get stolen way too often. Personally I’d advise against getting a cruiser, they take up way too much dam space in the parking spots and I constantly found myself pushing them aside to park or unpark my bike.</p>
<p>There was some used bike auction I heard about in Davis at the end of last spring quarter, but I don’t know how regularly that takes place. Shop around online first, look for deals. Remember, the flashier/newer, the more of a target for bike theft you’ll be. If you want flashy, you might be looking at 3 locks (front tire, frame, back tire).</p>
<p>And I probably shouldn’t advocate or recommend this, but the whole TAPS bike registration: scam! Just don’t do stupid crap on your bike or at least don’t get caught and you’re fine. But if you do register, they really do get stolen bikes back (which won’t matter if you get a bike no one wants to steal anyways…) Crappy bike with no registration, hah, I must sound terrible!</p>
<p>The bike auction is coming around again in October: [Bike</a> Auction - Davis Wiki](<a href=“http://daviswiki.org/bike_auction]Bike”>http://daviswiki.org/bike_auction)</p>
<p>I had to come back and bump this thread after a student posted this update on Facebook, to emphasize the risk you take when you buy a super-cheap bike:</p>
<p>
<a href=“http://www.alexhuth.com/images/bike.png[/img]”>http://www.alexhuth.com/images/bike.png
![http://www.alexhuth.com/images/bike.png[/img]](http://www.alexhuth.com/images/bike.png%5B/img%5D){kind=link}
</a></p>
<p>A scraped knee and a cracked iPod screen are bad enough; if you take a sudden dive while riding in traffic, you could end up in much worse shape.</p>
<p>would any of you recommend a specific bike shop in downtown davis? I plan on just buying one after I move in.</p>