I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike.
I’m one of the few people to live in Seattle without owning a real bike. I have one of those old Sears bikes that can’t make it uphill, let alone up the block. So I was thinking of making an adult purchase and getting one of those real bikes, so I can be like the rest of you. Except I don’t know where to go.
There’s REI, of course. But I think that’s a little too spendy for a first timer like myself.
I know of Play It Again Sports and Second Ascent. I’ve bought things from both places and like their prices. I’m not interested in a top of the line bike. Just something for under $200 that will get me up little baby hills, and maybe even has a gear or two to play with.
Do you know of any other places I could seek out such a bike? Or if Second Ascent is better than Play It Again Sports? Advice, comments, concerns are more than welcome.
I got my Giant at Velo on Capitol Hill. I think it was somewhere in the neighborhood of $200 or $300. It gets me places.
You can also try Recycled Cycles in the U-dist. http://www.recycledcycles.com/
if you ride your bike a lot and you think you’ll continue to ride it i would suggest aiming a little higher. personally i’m a "buy it once" kinda guy, so when i went for my first grownup bike i talked to a bunch of people and everyone said if you think you’re going to stick with it buy more than you think you’ll need so you don’t spend twice as much upgrading later. also the more you spend the better components you’ll get which means they work longer, better, which means less maintenance and replacing things.
i’d second recycled cycles. only other place i know of to get used bikes is craigslist :/
good luck!
Yeah, Recycled Cycles is where I’ve been telling my friends to go. They usually have some decent used bikes in stock, and will have had a mechanic give them a going-over before putting them out on the floor. I don’t know if Play It Again or Second Ascent do that, but it’s definitely something you want. Or find a friend who’s into bikes (especially repairing their own) to help you look on craigslist.
I have to agree with jared … bikes are like shoes and mattresses: You get exactly what you pay for, and if you go cheap you’ll only regret it. I went from a $160 Target special to a $500 Raleigh and have always been very glad I did.
So I guess if you’re going to spend $200, look for a well-kept used one.
I would also recommend 20/20 cycle on Union at 21st in the Central District (http://www.2020cycle.com/). They also breathe life into vintage bikes and they’ve got (at times) a pretty nice selection.
1. Look for the perfect used bike (see comments above – I’m no expert).
2. If you go for new, consider Performance Bikes. You get the exact same components as an REI priced bike, on a generic frame (who cares about the frame?). Bikes start at a bit under $300. I’ve been very happy with my $1200 road bike I bought there that is similar in weight and components to something that cost more than double elsewhere.
I’d recommend Bike Works down in Rainier Valley. They do great work in the community and can sell you a good used bike for not too much.
I bought a brand new bicycle at Recycled Cycles for $350 2 years ago that has served me well. I highly recommend them.