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How to Find a New Bike - Easily, Quickly and For As Little Money As Possible
By Todd Reed

I'd like to say that finding a cheap bike is really easy. It is pretty easy but you will have to do some footwork as bikes do not jump out and leap into your waiting hands.

Here are a few strategies you can use to find a new bike on the cheap.

First off, you need to know what to look for before you buy. We want a functional bike in the right size for us. It can be a bit small or a bit large, but not so far off in either direction that the bike becomes unfun to ride, meaning our ability to control the bike is compromised by size considerations. Plus there's the ergonomic considerations of comfort and fit. If the bike doesn't fit, don't commit.

What are we looking for when we shop for bikes?

* Mechanical - everything works. Shifters, derailleurs, tires, gearing, joints, cabling

When I say everything works, notice I didn't say everything is tuned up or properly adjusted. One of the things to look for in a used bike is mechanicals that are in good shape but out of tune, or poorly adjusted. The seller, not knowing bikes, thinks a cable out of adjustment is a broken part, while we, knowing better, snap up the cheap bike, take it home and adjust the cable.

That's a long way of saying that in our used bike shopping spree, we are looking for bikes that are fundamentally sound but perhaps look a bit out of whack.

Fundamentally though, the bike should basically work completely.

Some things to look for that are going to cause you to repair them when you get home:

- cable housings that are split with cable showing through

- tires with splits or cracks in the sidewall

- spokes that are broken or missing altogether

- derailleurs that are jammed or malfunctioning

- missing parts that are not easy to locate and replace

- chain is rusty or inoperative

- bike feels creaky

- brakes are inoperative in some way

• Fit - the bike should feel easy to ride with no hunching of shoulders or stretching too far forward to reach the handlebars. You should be able to stand over the top tube with an inch or two clearance minimum. The seat should be extended until your leg is 96% extended on the maximum downstroke. If you are ratcheting the seat post upwards until the post has only an inch or two left, that is unsafe. You will have to replace the seatpost to get one that fits if you want to ride that bike.

Some places to look for bikes: thrift stores, flea markets and garage sales.

There's a LOT of bikes out there that need a new home. You could have one for as little as $20. A solid ride that will get you down the road in style. Give it a try.

Todd Reed is the Internet Marketing Manager for the Bike Friday webstore. Bike Friday is a manufacturer of high-performance, high quality handbuilt bikes for adventure cycling and travel or urban commuting. Check out our webstore at http://store.bikefriday.com

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