Buying a (used/hoopty) bicycle

[matadorpoeta]

Originally Posted by Renault78law

I don't mean to nitpick, but some athletes ride Cannondales in the TDF. I agree though, they're seldom anything special.
I ride one. True story.

maybe it was you i saw in the marina.

 

[Renault78law]

I know you're kidding, but I actually do ride down to the marina, at least once a week. The "marina loop" is a very common ride for cyclists:
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=137708
this gmaps site is a runner's/cyclist's dream come true, so cool.

 

[Nantucket Red]

What does "hoopty" mean, anyway?

 

[Kent Wang]

I've only heard the term used for automobiles; I don't think it applies to bicycles. http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=hoopty In reference to cars: a vehicle in poor condition, often large, boatlike, and aided by duct tape or bungee cords. Comes in two flavors, White Trash and Black Ghetto. See also: hoopty mobile.

 

[shoreman1782]

Thanks for the recs and the tangential info, guys.

As far as calling it a hoopty, I had some folks scrathing their heads on Ask Andy awhile back when I referred to a mediocre, but very wearable JosABank sportcoat as a "beater." In re-applying these terms to jackets and bikes, I am either showing off my mastery of idiosyncratic slang and demonstrating the fluidity of language and usage, or I am just making people scratch their heads.

 

[faustian bargain]

Originally Posted by shoreman1782

Thanks for the recs and the tangential info, guys.

As far as calling it a hoopty, I had some folks scrathing their heads on Ask Andy awhile back when I referred to a mediocre, but very wearable JosABank sportcoat as a "beater." In re-applying these terms to jackets and bikes, I am either showing off my mastery of idiosyncratic slang and demonstrating the fluidity of language and usage, or I am just making people scratch their heads.

or maybe they have dandruff. HOOPTY-DOO!

 

[Joffrey]

Originally Posted by shoreman1782

I'm toying with the idea of buying a bike. I can get most places I want by walking/public transportation, and I have a car, but I wouldn't mind having an alternate form of transportation handy.

I am not in the market for high end, here. This is for riding around the neighborhood/to bars/to shows/maybe occasionally to work (about 5 miles, accessible on residential streets, for the most part), not for putting on a postal service uni and clipping in. Also, bikes get stolen around here pretty regularly, so flashy and new is not good. On the other hand, it's pretty hilly around here, so some functionality would be nice.

Any recommendations? I've flipped through craigslist for a few days, assessing what's out there. Seems like, in the <$200 range, there's a lot of older road bikes and a few 90s model mountain bikes.

What do you guys ride?


Similar position as Shoreman was a while ago. What should I be looking out for and asking about when looking at possible purchases of a vintage or used bike? Here is what I've found for $60 not too far from me.

$60

$100

$60 seat needs replacing and shifter/gear issues so possible candidate to convert to single speed.

Thanks and sorry for the dead thread revival. I saw no reason to create a new one.

 

[shoreman1782]

Ha! I bought a bike a couple weeks ago. I can be very deliberate about such things; it only took me 3 YEARS from posting about buying a bike until actual purchase. Ridiculous.

I'd suggest a real nice vintage 10-speed, with the brakes and gears tuned up at a local bike shop for cheap.

This is what I did. J, make sure you factor in the cost of fixing/tuning up--the bike I got for cheap needed new tires and a new frt wheel, plus a general tuneup (running me about $175 all in all). If you're not kind of a gear head, it can be tought to know what on a bike will need replacing, even when you see it in person.