i'm thinking of getting a bicycle for my birthday.

[mopinko]

i am an old broad, 51 next tuesday. i want a comfy bike. i want to schlep shit with it. i am recovering from a long systemic illness, and need to rebuild my muscles. i have been riding my daughters bike a lot, and enjoying it.
i don't have a ton of money to put into this, but i can afford a couple c's, if necessary. a used bike would be fine.
i have looked at recumbant bikes, but i don't think i can afford a decent one. especially a light one. i am fairly strong now, but i am looking for a bike for the second half of a long life.
ideas? recommendations?

[smartvoter]

1. Get a big comfy seat. If you get something easy to

ride like a cruiser, get at least a 3-speed -- you'll hit more hills than you think.

The term "good" bike is relative. My wife and I got bikes for $129.00 and $149.00. They would be considered junk by many, but we just ride around the neighborhood and they're just fine for that.

[Mika]

2. $200 or under? Gonna be tough to find.

A used bike ($200 or under) will most likely have service issues.

Call around to your local bike shops, but its unlikely. The new biz model is expensive new bikes.

Sears, for a Chinese made pusher?

:shrug:


Garage sales are a good place to find a used bike for cheap, but if you do find one it would be advisable to get it serviced to make sure its safe to ride.


Happy birthday.

[mopinko]

5. i hate sears

another traitor company, abandoning chicago.
there is a good bike shop around the corner here. you are right, most of the new stuff is $400-700. but they are a good resource to fix up something used. i keep one eye out for garage sales, but i don't have time to make a big search of it. besides, i will buy too much other junk.

[cleofus1]

3. schwinn

3 speed

[mopinko]

4. schwinn

as a chicagoan, i am still pissed at them for moving to korea. i actually have an old schwinn 10 speed that i may just rehabilitate. it needs a lot of work, but it is a great old bike.
i would like something a little more ergonomic, and a little more suited to city streets, tho.
i am going to go to this place, and see what they have. i have a couple of old bikes i could donate to them, too.
http://www.workingbikes.org/
The Working Bikes Cooperative's mission is to empower communities by engaging in activities that promote environmentalism, public health, and human equality. Working Bikes recovers landfill-bound bicycles, repairs them to working condition, and sells them to Chicagoans at a low cost in order to fund shipments of bicycles and bike parts to developing countries.

[RedCloud]

6. I think a ten speed is good for the Midwest.

What the hell are those things called again? Oh yeah, hills!

Whatever you do get, make sure you adjust the seat so that when your leg is fully extended the pedal is at the bottom as well. Your knees will love you for this. Maybe the handle bar could be adjusted somewhat as well.

Good luck mopinko, I also boycott Sears for abandoning Politically Incorrect because the freepers jammed their phone lines.

[mopinko]

9. i wonder about the "women's bikes"

do you know anything about them?

[LostinVA]

7. Only two US-made bikes any more

Specialized... and I can't remember the other one! Gary Fisher??? PLus, Rocky Mountain is the only other true NA bike company (out of Canada). They are GREAT bikes, but not cheap. You may be able to get a decent used Trek or something for $200-250 at the bike shop. ASk.

[mopinko]

8. they are bush haters, and know me a little

so, i could bribe them with a few buttons, and i think they might hook me up. i have to go by the brat child a lock, anyway.