Affordable bicycle for on-campus/city use?

[timekiller13]

Don’t over think this.

It’s a bike for casual use. You can find what you need at Walmart.

 

[LeftyWilbury]

another vote for the crappiest one that gets her to class on time.
but a standard sized bike...so when the wheel(s) are stolen she can get them replaced easily.

think i went through two wheels before the whole bike disappeared.... heck even the crappy bike a friend gave me after college got stolen too. thick cable locks are about as expensive as the bolt cutters they sell at Lowes that cut through them, and don't last as long.... burly locks suck to lug around, but that's the price of admission.

 

[RS_Non-Res]

It's "bike swap season" right now. Buy used.

 

[Kurts86]

A used brand name rigid frame hybrid, road bike or mountain bike with external cabling and a square taper bottom bracket is ideal. Most of these bikes are 20+ years old. As already mentioned the saavy bike guys are building their commuters on those type of bikes and painting them to look in descript or flat out ugly. Parts are cheap and common but you still have a capable moderately quick option for the cost of a Walmart bike.

 

[def90]

I'm assuming Colorado State is pretty much the same as CU.. The bike or parts of the bike will likely get stolen at some point in time so don't spend any more money than absolutely neccessary.

 

[Phaseolus]

Walmart. Unless she's racing, she doesn't need a fancy bike. My last bicycle was like $150 used. It did well till it was stolen

I can't recommend a Walmart junker. Find a good brand name used bike.

 

[Phaseolus]

CSU is one of those universities where everyone and their dog has a mountain bike, so even if it’s just for around campus just a standard inexpensive mountain bike with a really good U shape lock and secondary simple cable lock is normal. Worst case and all bike racks are full, the cable lets her at least attach to something immovable.

There is an advantage to getting a bike that’s from a bike shop and you can have adjusted or worked on if need be. Being out of town, maybe look at a local REI since there is a REI store just down College Ave from the university, but any mainstream bike that uses standard components will work. Basic REI bikes are $600ish new. Inflation has made everything seem expensive. Some weird Korean bike with proprietary parts that can’t be replaced or adjusted easily gets thumbs down.

The biker's guide to Colorado State - Admissions

Current student Austin explains the must-have gear, must-ride routes, and the best connections to community for bikers at CSU.

admissions.colostate.edu

The Spoke | Colorado State University

thespoke.colostate.edu

Don’t be surprised if by the end of her first semester she adds a general purpose full suspension mountain bike to the Christmas list. Many of my classmates, male and female, had a basic commuter bike and a second nicer full suspension model with clip in pedals even if the roughest trail is a flat boring two track dirt road. Colorado colleges and universities have the largest per capita mountain bike ownership in the country.

Go Rams!

That REI is built on a filled in wetland that I grew up duck hunting on.

 

[guitarpreston]

The bike market is hot garbage right now, so if you want to buy there are good deals to be had. A gravel bike would be a fun little commuter if she doesn’t mine curly bars. The new Ozark trail gravel bike honestly looks cool for not a ton of money. But a second hand bike shop brand or direct to consumer brand would be my first choice

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

Based on the many comments around theft, maybe a guy is better off with a foldable e-scooter that she can take to her room. Amazon sells one for around $100 that goes up to 20mph. There are foldable e-bikes, but they're like 50 pounds and $600+.

 

[guitarpreston]

Based on the many comments around theft, maybe a guy is better off with a foldable e-scooter that she can take to her room. Amazon sells one for around $100 that goes up to 20mph. There are foldable e-bikes, but they're like 50 pounds and $600+.

Some of those e bikes are flat out dangerous, poor geometry, budget parts, and a thumb throttle is a disaster waiting ot happen IMO.

But I did see a YouTube video (Berm peak/seths bike hacks for those interested) where he tried to cut this lock and it ate up a cutting disc...Its expensive but not new bike expensive.

Amazon.com

 

[7mm-08]

The used market is your friend in this instance. Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist and secondhand sporting goods shops are all good places to start.

 

[TaperPin]

That REI is built on a filled in wetland that I grew up duck hunting on.

It’s quite amazing how the front range has changed in our lifetimes. That is ironic about the REI store. lol

 

[grfox92]

If it's good enough to survive Unbound Gravel it'll be good enough to ride around campus

$200

Meet the $200 Walmart Beach Cruisers that Conquered Unbound Gravel 200

Rodeo Labs founder Stephen Fitzgerald and his friends test the limits of budget bikes at America’s toughest gravel race.

www.bicycling.com

Is it just me or does no where in that article list the model or a link to the bikes they used?

Sent from my SM-G990U using Tapatalk

 

[BBob]

Is it just me or does no where in that article list the model or a link to the bikes they used?

It mentions the Kent Seachange model which doesn’t appear to be available at Walmart right now but you can buy it direct from Kent

29" Kent Seachange

Comfortable cruisin'! The 29" Kent Seachange Cruiser bicycle is made for comfortable rides. Equipped with a tig welded steel frame, this bike is built to last and can handle extended & daily use. The easy-to-use coaster brakes, which allow you to stop simply by pedaling backwards, make it a...

kent.bike

 

[LostArra]

The used market is your friend in this instance. Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist and secondhand sporting goods shops are all good places to start.

AKA Tweakers Pre Stolen Bikes

 

[Danny Hoey]

https://motocompacto.honda.com/

 

[Mk44]

I would check craigslist, marketplace and Walmart. Sometimes Walmart has sales on their bikes that’s bets buying used.

 

[TaperPin]

If a bike has to be left outside overnight I agree with others and get a used bike that looks like hell and even then any part with a quick release that isn’t locked will grow legs. Watching Lock Picking Lawyer, he gives good instructions and tools for any POS that wants to get to a bike. It’s good advice to not be the best bike in a rack, or the easiest to walk off with.

 

[doc holiday13]

If a bike has to be left outside overnight I agree with others and get a used bike that looks like hell and even then any part with a quick release that isn’t locked will grow legs. Watching Lock Picking Lawyer, he gives good instructions and tools for any POS that wants to get to a bike. It’s good advice to not be the best bike in a rack, or the easiest to walk off with.

One could always pre-remove the tires and shifters... If it looks like it was already jacked then it might be ignored

 

[Nwihunter]

Definitely find a used quality higher end bike. A bike that originally sold for say $600 to $800 dollars originally that is now for sale used at $150 to $200 is going to be a lot better than any $200 Walmart bike. Essentially the bikes value is often in the quality of the components and cheap bikes have cheap components. Find a 20 year old Trek that’s been just sitting in someone’s garage for the last 15 years, take to a bike shop and get it tuned up and you’ll have something.