Need recommendations for a cheap, quality bike for under $100?

H

Hindu Man

Sparrow
Since it is summer and the weather is nice outside, I need recommendations for a cheap, quality bike (preferably under $100).

I am seeing bikes (Diamondback, etc) are in the $400 to $1,000 price range. I rather not spend that much, as I will just casually bike around my neighborhood--once in a while. I don't need anything too fancy; just something that is safe and reliable.

I live in the United States.
 
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jarlo

jarlo

Woodpecker
Orthodox
Under 100 will not get you a quality bike. Cheapest I'd look for is the 150-200 range, you might be able to get a decent used hybrid off Craigslist for that price. New bikes at any bike shop will start at $300, and almost all Walmart bikes are pieces of crap which will fall apart within months.
 
M

MovingForward2050

Pelican
If you live in the United States, visit your local Walmart. Or check out your options on Amazon. Either way, you should be able to get a semi decent bicycle for just a little over $100... But keep in mind that such a bike will not last or put up with abuse, like a Cannondale or GT would.

Don't forget to buy a helmet and lights! : )
 
H

Hindu Man

Sparrow
jarlo said:
Under 100 will not get you a quality bike. Cheapest I'd look for is the 150-200 range, you might be able to get a decent used hybrid off Craigslist for that price. New bikes at any bike shop will start at $300, and almost all Walmart bikes are pieces of crap which will fall apart within months.
Click to expand...

I will try out a $100 bike: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hyper-26-Men-s-Beach-Cruiser-Bike/299035532


MovingForward2050 said:
If you live in the United States, visit your local Walmart. Or check out your options on Amazon. Either way, you should be able to get a semi decent bicycle for just a little over $100... But keep in mind that such a bike will not last or put up with abuse, like a Cannondale or GT would.

Don't forget to buy a helmet and lights! : )
Click to expand...

Any recommendations for helmets?
 
Laner

Laner

Crow
Protestant
Gold Member
If you have tools and some basic mechanical knowledge, there are plenty of bikes for under $100. Police auctions are drowning in bikes, try one of them.

We have community bike centers here where parts are stocked in bins and are dirt cheap.

I bought my son a really good Haro bike that needed work. A seat, pedal, grips and brake lever was $10 and the bike was $110. A little bit of touch up paint. Brand new it was $750. I will sell it next year when he outgrows it for $250.
 
M

MovingForward2050

Pelican
budoslavic

budoslavic

Eagle
Orthodox
Gold Member
Well, if you are looking for a good quality bike for less than $100, why not look into buying a used bike?

Check out https://www.localbiketrader.com/. Just enter your zip code and choose the type of bike you are looking for (i.e., Commuting, Comfort, Mountain, Road, etc.).

If you are lucky, there are top quality brand names' used bikes that you could possibly buy for $100 or less - i.e., Bianchi, Schwinn, Raleigh, Nishiki, Miyata, Cannondale, KHS, Giant, KHS, etc.
 
M

MovingForward2050

Pelican
The problem with used bicycles is that there can be much more wear and tear than what the naked eye reveals. And so either be a good bike mechanic, or be ready to spend a lot more money, if you go the used bike route.
 
whitewashedblackguy

whitewashedblackguy

Kingfisher
MovingForward2050 said:
The problem with used bicycles is that there can be much more wear and tear than what the naked eye reveals. And so either be a good bike mechanic, or be ready to spend a lot more money, if you go the used bike route.
Click to expand...
Wear and tear won’t be all that bad. The safe bet is to make sure the bike is make out of 4130 steel. The chance of a steel bike having fatal damage is super low. I’ve had bikes from Schwinn, Giant, Miyata, and now Nishiki, all without issue. A quick once over is usually enough.
 
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I

iOneIndividual

 
Banned
Second hand is a good way to get things for better prices. I agree with the others. I've bought some of my best stuff second hand, just have to be picky about it, ask questions, test if you can to find the right previous owner.
One of my best second hand buys was a 1080p projector I used for home theatre. The guy had it less than 6 months and upgraded to a 4k or something, so he sold it for less than half price of retail. I paid something like 140 bucks for it, with a brand new bulb (the most common thing to go first and need replacing on that kind of hardware)

I got 3 great years of use out of it before I accidentally broke the internal screen which would have cost too much to replace.
Got a similar deal on my speakers for the same home theatre. 100 bucks for a 5.1 with 5 disc dvd changer. Granted, these buys were 10 years ago so there's some inflation and tech advances to consider.
 
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Tex Cruise

Tex Cruise

Pelican
I think second hand is the right choice for that sort of money. A new $100 bike is going to be absolute garbage build-quality wise. I bought one for my son once. Had buckled wheels straight out of the box, and was landfill within a few days.

One thing to watch for though, Did you say in another thread that you're quite tall, 6'4" or something? Not many bikes are designed for taller riders, and although the seat and handlebars can be adjusted it still doesn't change the frame length and so is not ideal.
I was really fortunate with my current bike, about an $800-$900 bike that a second hand dealer friend of mine picked up and sold to me for I think it was $50. It's the largest frame size that company makes, designed for riders over 6'. Once I rode it and found how comfortable it was I realized every bike I'd ever had was too small for me
 
H

Hindu Man

Sparrow
Tex Cruise said:
I think second hand is the right choice for that sort of money. A new $100 bike is going to be absolute garbage build-quality wise. I bought one for my son once. Had buckled wheels straight out of the box, and was landfill within a few days.

One thing to watch for though, Did you say in another thread that you're quite tall, 6'4" or something? Not many bikes are designed for taller riders, and although the seat and handlebars can be adjusted it still doesn't change the frame length and so is not ideal.
I was really fortunate with my current bike, about an $800-$900 bike that a second hand dealer friend of mine picked up and sold to me for I think it was $50. It's the largest frame size that company makes, designed for riders over 6'. Once I rode it and found how comfortable it was I realized every bike I'd ever had was too small for me
Click to expand...

Yes, I'm 6'4" and I think I need a 29 incher.
 
budoslavic

budoslavic

Eagle
Orthodox
Gold Member
whitewashedblackguy said:
Most bikes are measured by the size the top tube. You’ll need a 60cm (20’’) or higher for your size. 29 incher is the wheel size.
Click to expand...

Also, it depends on the type of bike (mountain, road, casual, etc.).

This is a simple Bike Size Chart (your height) to follow:
4’11” – 5’3″ = 13 – 15 inches
5’3″ – 5’7″ = 15 – 16 inches
5’7″ – 5’11” = 16 – 17 inches
6’0″ – 6’2″ = 17 – 19 inches
6’2″ – 6’4″ = 19 – 21 inches
6’4″ and taller = 21+ inches

Source
www.bicycle-guider.com

Bike Size Chart - How to Choose Right Bicycle - 7 Methods!

Ordering bikes online is becoming more and more popular because there are no shop-keeping or warehouse costs making the cost even less! Don’t worry about the fact that you might think you have to try your bike first because I can assure you it is overrated. And very highly. Salesmen only tell...
www.bicycle-guider.com www.bicycle-guider.com

Otherwise, if one is looking at a fancy bike (i.e., mountain or road bike), then the bike size chart will be different.

www.bicycling.com

Sizing Your Bike Frame Can Be a Bit Complicated, But We Made a Guide to Help Out

Whether you’re new to cycling or buying a bike online, here’s how to get the right fit.
www.bicycling.com www.bicycling.com
 
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