Teach me about bicycles

[y4m]

I want to take advantage of all the bike trails around me, run errands, and occasionally ride into DC (~5 miles) for events like Nats games or music on the waterfront.

I know I'm looking for something with a small to medium frame (I'm 5'4") and used/cheap enough that I'm ok locking it at a metro station.  What other things should I be looking for?  What search terms should I be using on craigslist?

Is something like this on the right track?  washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/bik/3762665869.html

[Deleted]

sadlebred on H&F can help. Or you can just search out her sig which has a link to a lot of bike info.

[Deleted]

Even if you're not planning to buy new, i'd recommend going to a bike shop and riding a bunch of different brands & models. Some brands definitely do not work for me.

[aurora]

May 2, 2013 10:06:57 GMT -5 @ameliapond said:

Even if you're not planning to buy new, i'd recommend going to a bike shop and riding a bunch of different brands & models. Some brands definitely do not work for me.

It's definitely true that some brands won't work for you and I do agree with amelia that it's a smart idea to try out a bunch of types, but I wouldn't waste too much time at the bike shop if you're certain you won't buy there. 

If your area is like mine, anything less than ~$250 on Craigslist is actually going to be in pretty rough condition.  (I ended up buying my commuter bike new because used bikes were so overpriced here.)

Full disclosure: I ride my bikes a lot and spend more money on them than MM does on shoes and handbags combined.

[y4m]

I'm not sure how the CL bike market is here. There are a ton of them listed at all different price points.

If I use it the way I think I will, I'm fine spending some money to get a bike I really like. I see this purchase as a stepping stone to confirm that I would actually use it. So I want to make sure I get something that will serve my needs well enough for now, but it doesn't have to be my dream bike or anything.

[Deleted]

May 2, 2013 10:06:57 GMT -5 @ameliapond said:

Even if you're not planning to buy new, i'd recommend going to a bike shop and riding a bunch of different brands & models. Some brands definitely do not work for me.

Definitely do this.  Everybody has a different sized torso and legs.  Bikes that work for some won't work for others.   Go to a shop and try them out if you find a brand/model you like then search craigslist or online for a better deal. 

[simpsongal]

I think a good amount of the DC CL bike market consists of stolen bikes. Just a heads up. Arlington county has a rehab bike program (near the DMV & Shirlington dog park). DH bought a decent bike there (bikes are donated, the community teaches people how to fix them, and they sell the bikes for a fair price). I think DH got his street bike for about $200.

[y4m]

May 2, 2013 10:24:20 GMT -5 simpsongal said:

I think a good amount of the DC CL bike market consists of stolen bikes. Just a heads up. Arlington county has a rehab bike program (near the DMV & Shirlington dog park). DH bought a decent bike there (bikes are donated, the community teaches people how to fix them, and they sell the bikes for a fair price). I think DH got his street bike for about $200.

Ooh I love that idea.  Is that this?

www.phoenixbikes.org

[sadlebred]

I'd buy your first bike from a bike shop if you don't know what you are looking for or what will fit. Go to a few shops and buy from the one that you feel most comfortable with. Not only will they fit you for the bike, they provide other services. Many times bikes purchased from the LBS (local bike shop) will come with a year or a lifetime of free adjustments. They also offer a manufacturer's warranty on bikes they sell, typically 1 year.

Don't forget to budget for a helmet.

See the link below for plenty of advice. Send me a PM or come over to H&F.

[Deleted]

I bought a new bike last year. I spent about a month looking and trying them out at different stores. I honestly can't see the luck of finding a bike that fits you well on Craigslist. Maybe it's because I have really short legs? I ended up going with a Trek Skye S, which is a basic women's mountain bike. They have a regular Skye model that's cheaper. I bought it in may and it was on clearance bc the new models were getting ready to come out.

[halfpint]

I'll say from someone that went from a random cheap bike to a nice Trek that I tried at a bike store, had a professional work with me on fit, etc., it made a WORLD of difference.

I HATED biking with my H on my old bike, could barely keep up on smooth, paved trails, was exhausted after 45 minutes, and my ass always hurt after 30. With my new bike, I was able to go out for 30+ mile rides with him, it was SO much more enjoyable!! I love riding now, and am excited to pick it up again after the kid is here.

I have a hybrid with tires that lean more toward a road bike, so they work well on the paved trails and roads near our house. It was completely worth the investment.

[simpsongal]

May 2, 2013 10:30:01 GMT -5 y4m said:

May 2, 2013 10:24:20 GMT -5 simpsongal said:

I think a good amount of the DC CL bike market consists of stolen bikes. Just a heads up. Arlington county has a rehab bike program (near the DMV & Shirlington dog park). DH bought a decent bike there (bikes are donated, the community teaches people how to fix them, and they sell the bikes for a fair price). I think DH got his street bike for about $200.

Ooh I love that idea.  Is that this?

www.phoenixbikes.org

Yup - pretty sure that's the place. Good luck!  Bike shops in this area are amazing too.  I've gone many times to Revolution in the Clarendon area. Definitely take a ride down the W&OD trail - the stretch in Arlington is gorgeous.

[UnderProtest]

I second the Trek recommendation. We went to the store and were able to sit on bikes and find which ones worked. I'm short (5'2") so I needed something smaller. We got hybrid type bikes (can't remember exactly). They are good for street riding, but have thicker tires so they can be ridden on trails too. They also were able to switch out the seat and handle grips because I didn't like the color. Yeah, I'm high maintenance.

[Deleted]

Ditto the "bikes aren't OSFA" mentioned previously. When DH was purchasing his latest bike, a road bike, he thought he wanted a Trek bike. He was set on Trek whatever model number because of XYZ feature and $ABC cost. We went to the LBS and he tried similar Scott and Fuji models along with the Trek and ended up with a Scott bike. So even if you do some research on the internet, be prepared to like a completely different bike.

[gardengal]

Fresh Bikes (in Arlington) & Performance (multiple locations) have been helpful to me.
Also check out WABA (washington area bike association). They have Bike Valets at a lot of big events downtown so you don't have to worry (not sure if it's free for all or just members?)

[Deleted]

Let me know if you ever want a bike buddy! Right now I have to use bikeshare bikes. My bike will be here in a month. It needs some work and a new seat (because I despise my seat...I have not figured out a way to position it so that I can stay on without it jabbing upward into my girlyparts, causing them to go completely numb after 10 minutes), but then it should be good to go!

[aurora]

May 2, 2013 15:42:47 GMT -5 @angryharpy said:

Let me know if you ever want a bike buddy! Right now I have to use bikeshare bikes. My bike will be here in a month. It needs some work and a new seat (because I despise my seat...I have not figured out a way to position it so that I can stay on without it jabbing upward into my girlyparts, causing them to go completely numb after 10 minutes), but then it should be good to go!

You definitely need a good fit, but one counter-intuitive tip is not to get too soft a seat.  If you have a good, supportive seat it will have the appropriate hardness in the right places for your sit bones.  Seats that are too soft tend to push on your soft tissue.  They feel great at first, but then after some time they restrict too much blood for said soft tissue and make you go numb.