<p>Do any of you out there know where my son can buy a good, reliable, but relatively inexpensive bicycle in the South Bend/Mishawaka area? He's a senior who's living off-campus for the first time, and in the one day he's been out there he's quickly realized that he needs a bike to come and go, rather than rely on the schedules of roommates and friends who would drive him. Thanks!</p>
<p>Walmart is the best place I found.</p>
<p>Buy a bike from the NDSP auction at the beginning of the year. They make sure all the bikes work and you can get them for as cheap as 20 bucks.</p>
<p>I keep hearing about bikes being clipped and stuff, anybody else found a problem with this? I swear I will go postal if they touch my bike lol.</p>
<p>Thanks. Just a short time ago, I went searching through the ND website for any 'bike' info, and stumbled upon a mention of NDSP. The NDSP site says nothing about their bike sale, so I sent them an email. But I'm glad to get this corroborated by you. I hope they advertise this well, so my son doesn't miss out. It's probably a first-come, first-serve thing, right? And the bikes are in decent shape, you say?</p>
<p>Meijers $55 two years ago- basic comfortable campus bike.</p>
<p>The bike sale usually is in the stepan center during the first few weeks of school. often times you can ask NDSP to throw in a lock, too. Be careful though---i bought mine two years ago and it was in horrible condition by the end of sophomore year, such that the bike shop refused to repair it because it was a major hazard and they sent it to the junkyard...without consulting me first...in fear of my personal safety. </p>
<p>it was pretty ghetto though by that point, i must admit. i faceplanted in the snow several times, was the laughing stock of north quad...whoops.</p>
<p>Disappointing news. NDSP responded to my email. They haven't done this bike auction in several years. Any bikes they get after the school year they donate to charity. Oh well. I guess my son needs to head for Walmart or Meijer.</p>
<p>I know the South Bend Police dept. held their annual bike auction on the past Sat. We werent planning on getting a bike until we read about the auction on the front page of the local paper that morning. There were hundreds of bikes in great shape available but didnt have the time to wait around. May be worth checking on what bikes are left. I hope theft of bikes is not a big issue on campus.</p>
<p>Target $59.88 two weeks ago.</p>
<p>I'm hitting nothing but dead ends. I called the South Bend Police Department, and they sold every last one of the bikes they had at their auction last weekend. Bummer -- and I was in SB with my son last week and never knew about this.</p>
<p>On to the big chain stores!</p>
<p>Honestly, I found better prices at Walmart than at the auction, it isn't always a bargain. Good luck in finding an affordable bike!</p>