Where to buy used bikes for $100?

[phyrefly]

I'm looking for a used bike (road/hybrid) to use for sidewalks or trails. I'm kind of reluctant about buying from CT/Walmart/Sportmart, so I'm wondering if it's possible to buy a decent used road or hybrid bike for $100.

If so, where?

I'm somewhat of a newbie... haven't ridden a bike for four years but used to ride one every day before that.

Thanks!

[bobmans]

Have a look at garage sales in your area. I would say that at least one in 5 of them have some sort of bike for sale; might not be exactly what you are looking for but they can usually be negotiated down from the asking price to fifty dollars or less, and if you are just a weekend rider it probably makes sense. Just rember that some of these bikes might need a little attention like new tires or some sort of adjustment made to brake cables or gear sets if they have been sitting in the garage for a few years...a friend at work got one last week and when he was riding it for the first time the front and back brake cables snapped while he was riding down the escarpment. He should have checked it out first on flat pavement.

[wushudrew]

if you must buy used and must only spend $100, then you dont have many options. check craigslist toronto - lots of people sell used bikes there.

quality cant be guaranteed though, and spending money to tune it up is hardly worth it. you sure you cant spend more than $100?

[phyrefly]

How much more do I need to fork out for a decent bike?

I'm going to use it for the occasional commute, buying groceries and getting around town (K/W, not Toronto).

What about the $100 bikes at CT or Sportchek... are they any good?

[wushudrew]

a bike from a reputable company will cost at least $300 for the lowest end models. trek makes a few bikes in that price range, but theyre mostly mountain. you should be able to find some hybrids in that price range.

for a decent bike, though, i would be prepared to spend at least $400 on previous year's models.

stay away from bikes that come from stores like canadian tire, sportchek, sportmart, wal-mart, toys r us, zellers, etc. go to your local bike shop and inquire there. they will know infinitely more about your riding style and can help you out with everything you need to know.

if youre going to use it to commute and trek around town, factor things like locks, racks, mirrors, and lights into your budget as well since you will most certainly need them.

[phyrefly]

Hmm, I think $300-400 is a bit too much for a piece of equipment that I won't use that frequently :/

http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444329 6288&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1408474396673781&bmUID=1185578847224

http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444329 1317&bmForm=form_add_to_cart&bmFormID=1185578623452&bmSubmit=check_inv&bmUID=1185578623452&bmHash=53c0f61d56153d74a567b6d40f100ced6a4abaf3

What about these two? They're still kinda strecthing my budget but they look pretty reliable.

I don't plan to use the bike on mountain trails/'offroad'.

Thanks!

[xsighted]

How much more do I need to fork out for a decent bike?

I'm going to use it for the occasional commute, buying groceries and getting around town (K/W, not Toronto).

What about the $100 bikes at CT or Sportchek... are they any good?

i got road bikes in waterloo for $30 ... worked good till it got stolen .. (it might still work, i wouldnt know)

once i got a mountain bike at the UW thursday sale at the east campus hall for $5 .... i just needed to get new tires on it .. my brother uses it now .. works good ..

check uw.forsale on google groups ... there's usually a bike for sale ... especially at this time of the year ..

[AirBosh]

Hmm, I think $300-400 is a bit too much for a piece of equipment that I won't use that frequently :/

http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444329 6288&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1408474396673781&bmUID=1185578847224

http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444329 1317&bmForm=form_add_to_cart&bmFormID=1185578623452&bmSubmit=check_inv&bmUID=1185578623452&bmHash=53c0f61d56153d74a567b6d40f100ced6a4abaf3

What about these two? They're still kinda strecthing my budget but they look pretty reliable.

I don't plan to use the bike on mountain trails/'offroad'.

Thanks!

I just bought a Raleigh Ambush 6061 from CT. Reg price $299.99 now $149.99. Looks like a solid bike.

[squirrelyfox]

There are tons of amazing deals on UsedOttawa.com (if you live in Ottawa, otherwise you can try your local UsedCanada.com network). I was able to buy a very decent street bike AND mountain bike for $50 on there. A lot of people getting rid of bikes they don't use and don't know how much they're worth that are still in terrific shape.