Bicycles

[georgy.livejournal.com]

I'm looking to buy a bicycle. I don't want to do the time-consuming CL rigamarole. I know there are a few places in town (the place in Powderhouse Sq., Ace Wheelworks, Park Ave. Bicycle on Somerville Ave -- any others?) but I don't know a lot about the difference between them, which place is best, etc. What I'm looking for is a dependable hybrid bike that will get me around the city and the bike path for less than $200 (and the less, the better!). So, does anyone recommend one place over another?

Or, failing that, does anyone have a bike to sell? :-)

Thanks.

Comments

[androidqueen.livejournal.com]

finding a decent bike for less than $200 will be hard. i got an extra el cheapo, bare bones, rebuilt bike for ~$225.

[desiringsubject.livejournal.com]

I was just in the market for bikes myself, and Tyler and Paramount on Powderhouse no longer sells "off the rack" bikes. He has a few used, but doesn't seem invested in that sort of sales. I still maintain that he is *the best* for tune ups and repairs, but he's not going to help you to a $200 bike, because all of the work he does now is making custom bikes.

He recommended Ace Wheelworks, where I had a bad experience once. But not so bad as at the Bicycle Exchange, so I don't know where to send you. I do know that once you have a bike, take it to Tyler for repairs.

[rosiewoodboat.livejournal.com]

How tall are you? We have precious few (but still some) used bikes up at Paramount....

[georgy.livejournal.com]

I'm 6' tall :-)

[rosiewoodboat.livejournal.com]

Come on by. We have a bike in your size, in your price range.

[la-ti-da.livejournal.com]

i'm 5'6 and also looking :)

[rosiewoodboat.livejournal.com]

Come on by. We have a Jamis that may fit you.

[androidqueen.livejournal.com]

i will also recommend tyler, if he has anything. that's where i got my bike.

i have consistently had bad experiences with the salespeople at ace, who often try to sell you things you don't want, ignore you if another customer is trying to buy a more expensive bike, and certainly aren't inexpensive.

[sissychrissy1.livejournal.com]

I've not bought a bicycle there (just accessories), but I like ATA on Mass Ave., just past Porter Square. The folks there aren't pushy, they have a wide range of bicycles, and they're friendly to both the hardcore cyclist and the folks who just want to tool around town, which I find nice since I've definitely encountered some bike snobs in shopping the local shops.

[entrochan.livejournal.com]

Although I betcha anything their prices are really high. That's expensive storefront there.

[joifulgurl.livejournal.com]

nope, they're pretty consistent with other bike shops.

they do have very high-end bikes there, but they sell "average joe" bikes as well. and they have used bikes, which is always nice. i bought an awesome peugeot road bike there for $60. granted, it's 20 years old, but it's fantastic.

[fanw.livejournal.com]

Cheap hybrids run about $250, so you might have to rethink your $200 line. Ace Wheelworks has a lot of bikes and Belmont Wheelworks even more. You may want to take a look at the Annex, the shop around the corner from Belmont Wheelworks that has all their "out of season" bikes. They are new, but last years models, and so come at some discount.

[heliopsis.livejournal.com]

Take a look at Paramount Bicycle, on Powderhouse, next door to Tu Y Yo. It's a tiny little shop, and the owner is a great guy.

For cheap, the Broadway Bicycle School in Cambridge often has reconditioned bikes. Or they'll advise you how much work an old beater will need to make it usable.

[georgy.livejournal.com]

To add to my own discussion, the Cambridge Police Department's annual auction -- which features several bikes -- is this Sunday:

http://www.ci.cambridge.ma.us/CPD/

[magid.livejournal.com]

Looks like it's this Saturday, actually.

[on-reserve.livejournal.com]

Can I ask a silly question? What's a "hybrid" bike?

[ellf.livejournal.com]

A cross between a road bike and a mountain bike. Generally, this means a steel frame, light-if-any suspension, and tires that aren't quite street slicks and aren't quite mountain knobblies.

[marphod.livejournal.com]

Half way between a road bike (thin tires, low traction, drop handles, light frame) and a mountain bike (wide tires, high traction, straight handles, heavy, reinforced frame).

[signsoflife.livejournal.com]

A road bike is generally optimized for racing on pavement -- so the position is aerodynamic, the tires are thin, the suspension is non-existent, and you're paying for a lot of fancy gearing and weight reduction, which a commuter doesn't want or need, respectively. A mountain bike is generally optimized for dirt trails -- so they're designed to be very sturdy and have a lot of suspension, which adds weight and expense that a commuter doesn't want or need.

A hybrid is designed to be sturdy and comfortable, while still being light *relative to a mountain bike* and relatively cheap.

I think the simplest answer to this question, though, is to literally pick up one of each.

[ellf.livejournal.com]

You're apt to regret a sub-$200 bike, especially if you're buying it from a store. It is going to have cheap, breakable parts, won't hold up well to commuting, and won't ride well. If you just want to ride on Saturdays, you might get a few years out of a clunker, but in the long run you'll save money by purchasing something a bit more reliable -- think $300-$400.

That said:

Ace Wheelworks is a "big bike store" -- they have a large range of bikes, but they are not going to do much besides sell you a bike from the shelf, and build it up. Don't expect much, but you can find the less expensive rides here.

Paramount is the place in Powerhouse. Tyler, the owner, is very talented and very honest. However, he largely sells in the $800+ range, with the exception of some of his used bikes. He is easily the best mechanic and general cycle guy in the area, though.

No experience with the Park Ave.

[turil.livejournal.com]

I bought a cheapy used old-style mountain bike (no silly shocks) at Park Sales for $75 about 5 years ago. It was a decent, solid Trek that I added skinny tires (which I got free from a trashpicked bike) to make it a good hybrid for short touring trips. Carl, the owner is a good old Somerville townie guy.

I was there the other day and didn't see much selection of used bikes, but there may be some on the second floor.

Oh, and if you are a MassBike member, don't forget to tell the shop so you can get your discount! Most shops give the MassBike discount, actually.

[signsoflife.livejournal.com]

You *may* be able to find a good hybrid <$200 if you get last year's model on a deep sale. If that $200 is a solid ceiling, that may be the only way -- you may be able to find something on Craigslist, but remember to factor in replacing components to any price there.

Broadway or BNB!

[turil.livejournal.com]

Either go to Broadway Bikes in Cambridge and get a used bike that's been fixed up to be a commuter bike or go to Bikes Not Bombs in JP and do the same thing. Both places will have a decent selection, though this time of year is the worst for buying bikes, since everyone is doing it (well, all the recreational bicyclists, anyway). I'm not sure about prices, but I'm guessing they might be in the $200 range for a really well built bike that will last you, and will come with at least a one year warrantee on repairs.

Alternately, check out Goodwill, in Davis. Ask Wayne (the tall skinny, friendly guy with black hair who is the manager there) when the deliveries come in, and then get there early, so you have a decent selection. Bring someone who knows about bikes with you and find something that will only need a few small repairs to get it in solid condition. Take it to Broadway or Wheelworks, or wherever, and get it checked out and fixed up. All told this route could cost you less than $50 or upwards of $100 depending on the repairs it needs.

Re: Broadway or BNB!

[schpahky.livejournal.com]

Seconded here for Bikes Not Bombs in JP. Plus it's up the street from the Sam Adams Brewery :) Beyond that I've never bought a hybrid so I'm afraid I'm not much help.

Re: Broadway or BNB!

[dawneliz.livejournal.com]

Thirds for BNB. Not only decent bike selection, but rockin' folks who do amazing community work. Their annual bike-a-thon is Sunday June 11. Wicked fun.

[karmaportrait.livejournal.com]

first of all, good job on wanting to get a bike. it's lots of fun despite boston's best efforts to **** it up.

everyone here has covered the usual suspects of where to go quite well. my suggestion would be go to go Ace to get started. see what they have, get a recommendation as far as what size bike would fit you, etc. if they don't have anything that matches your size/price range, then try some of the other shops mentioned above (bikes not bombs, etc.). Ace may be a "big store" but quality people work there and they get enough business already from the yuppie crowd that they're not going to push you to buy something you don't need.

bike

[reed-davis.livejournal.com]

I have an older hybrid type of bike that I am not using. I am 6ft and it is in pretty good shape. If you want more info email me at reed_002000@yahoo.com.

[jbsegal.livejournal.com]

I'll also take this opportunity to pimp bostoncycling

[abilouise.livejournal.com]

I thought I'd pipe up and say that I had an actually GOOD experience at Ace buying my bike, though admittedly that was 5-6 years ago, though I bought mine off-season so the sales staff had a lot more time to help me. I found a bike that I liked and the salesguy found me the same model in my size, 3 years old, for a really good price, from their Belmont annex that came in a week later.

[ukelele.livejournal.com]

I also want to say I have had good experiences with Ace (which is where I usually go). Occasionally, when it is busy in the summer, you will get someone who is not clueful, but most of the time I have had experienced salespeople who are helpful and supportive. A few of them in particular are really wonderful (like the guy with the Belgian accent, and especially the gentle-voiced guy with grey hair and angular features). I bought my first-ever bike from there and they didn't laugh at me when I didn't know how to ride it, and I went in for advice on new parts and training when I signed up for my first Pan-Mass Challenge and didn't believe I was able to do it (but they believed, and they were right), and I've just gotten tons of maintenance there because I beat the hell out of my bike four-season commuting and I've usually been satisfied. Also, they get to recognize you (and your bike) if you're a regular. (I do think the people at Belmont are not as nice or attentive, but the Annex is often a better place to buy bikes because of the deep sales.)

Tyler at Paramount is also fantastic. I haven't had many experiences with him but I agree with the folks above that he is a super, super nice guy and he knows his stuff. I go to Ace because I find myself buying a fair amount of stuff and I want the bigger selection, plus which it's just where I've been going (I heard about it sooner).

[charlwoo.livejournal.com]

I'm going to add another vote for Ace Wheelworks. I've found that sometimes they're a little bit snobby depending on who you talk to, but most of the people there are friendly and really know their subject matter. They're thrilled when you show genuine interest in cycling and bicycles, and when they're not busy (mornings are good) they take the time to answer questions thoroughly and make sure that you are as informed as possible. I've never felt pressured to buy anything there, and have gotten good to excellent service and prices.
However, for commuting in Boston, I'd recommend getting something sturdy and tough. Some of these roads are in bad shape -- like the stretch of JFK between Memorial Drive and Harvard Square -- especially in the spring, before potholes and frost heaves have been repaired. Keep in mind that 9 months of subway fare to and from work is about $450 -- which is about what you'd spend on a reasonable bicycle, helmet, lock and lights. So in one cycling season, you've broken even, and a good bicycle will last 10-15 years. And if you commute during the winter (a surreal and excellent experience) you'll break even on the cost of winter cycling clothing after the first year. Every year you commute by bicycle after that is gravy.

[ukelele.livejournal.com]

I do winter commuting on my hybrid, and it works fine (though I pay for some epic tuneups come March ;).