Used Bicycles

Any place in town that sells used bicycles? I check CL every now and again but can't find anything worthwhile. I'm 50 now and need to get back in shape and get rid of this growing gut

Any place in town that sells used bicycles? I check CL every now and again but can't find anything worthwhile. I'm 50 now and need to get back in shape and get rid of this growing gut Originally Posted by Dondo7

Stay away from Craigslist bikes. They are either crap or overpriced. Check the local bike shops. Most carry used bikes that are reconditioned and tuned up before they are sold. You will pay more than at Walmart or Target, but they are better bikes. Don't forget the helmet. I have cracked 2 and I'm glad I had them on.

As a warning - cycling won't do much to help get "rid of a growing gut." Cycling AND diet modifications, perhaps, but not cycling alone. It's also a very equipment extensive sport. If you like it you'll spend a small fortune doing it.

I'm not downplaying it in any way. I've been riding for over 23 years and love every mile I crank out (I average 36 miles every weeknight and 60 - 80 miles on a Saturday). However, I've invested over 2,000 on my road bike and probably another grand in other gear over the years.

As a warning - cycling won't do much to help get "rid of a growing gut." Cycling AND diet modifications, perhaps, but not cycling alone. It's also a very equipment extensive sport. If you like it you'll spend a small fortune doing it.

I'm not downplaying it in any way. I've been riding for over 23 years and love every mile I crank out (I average 36 miles every weeknight and 60 - 80 miles on a Saturday). However, I've invested over 2,000 on my road bike and probably another grand in other gear over the years. Originally Posted by bikebryan

I've noticed that...I googled "entry level" bikes and the articles that came up showed around 800-1000 for the lowest end of "Entry Level"

Most thrift shops have some used bicyles in stock. Cheap way to see if you like cycling.
Help a cause at the same time. win,win.

You don't require an $800-1000 bike to burn calories. They are lighter weight, and will generally go faster, but if you ride an hour or so a day at an elevated heart rate, you can still get worthwhile calorie burning exercise no matter how expensive a bike you have. However, I would invest in a good helmet, good bicycle seat, riding shorts made for cycling, and riding shoes that "clip" into special pedals. It is getting toward the end of the riding season, so bike shops will be having their Fall clearance sales. You should be able to find something quite adequate for less than $500 and if you ask, you can probably get a discount on any accessories you buy when you purchase the bike.

You don't require an $800-1000 bike to burn calories. They are lighter weight, and will generally go faster, but if you ride an hour or so a day at an elevated heart rate, you can still get worthwhile calorie burning exercise no matter how expensive a bike you have. However, I would invest in a good helmet, good bicycle seat, riding shorts made for cycling, and riding shoes that "clip" into special pedals. It is getting toward the end of the riding season, so bike shops will be having their Fall clearance sales. You should be able to find something quite adequate for less than $500 and if you ask, you can probably get a discount on any accessories you buy when you purchase the bike. Originally Posted by ez2plz

Agree with everything you said except for clipless riding. Don't get me wrong, I have the shoes that clip in and wouldn't ride any other way. They can be dangerous without lots of practice.

Agree with everything you said except for clipless riding. Don't get me wrong, I have the shoes that clip in and wouldn't ride any other way. They can be dangerous without lots of practice. Originally Posted by vitokc

When I first transitioned to the special biking shoes and pedals you clip into, I was also a bit concerned at first, but I found the transition was very simple and a much improved way to power a bicycle. An overall awareness that your feet are "attached" to the pedals, a little forethought and planning before you come to a complete stop, and a little practice engaging and disengaging the connection to the pedals; and it quickly becomes second nature. At least it did for me. There is no better way to ride a bike. You exercise more of the muscles in your entire leg, and get a smoother transfer of power to the pedals throughout the 360 degrees of pedal motion. The special bike riding shoes also even out the pedal pressure over the entire length of your foot for more comfortable pedaling without specific pressure points.

When I first transitioned to the special biking shoes and pedals you clip into, I was also a bit concerned at first, but I found the transition was very simple and a much improved way to power a bicycle. An overall awareness that your feet are "attached" to the pedals, a little forethought and planning before you come to a complete stop, and a little practice engaging and disengaging the connection to the pedals; and it quickly becomes second nature. At least it did for me. There is no better way to ride a bike. You exercise more of the muscles in your entire leg, and get a smoother transfer of power to the pedals throughout the 360 degrees of pedal motion. The special bike riding shoes also even out the pedal pressure over the entire length of your foot for more comfortable pedaling without specific pressure points. Originally Posted by ez2plz

Agreed, I would never go back to the traditional pedals. I will say I did practice a lot away from city streets, clipping and unclipping, adjusting until it felt right. After that, just ride and enjoy.

I would never go without clipless pedals. I started out over two decades ago with clips/straps and transitioned very easily to clipless. I have never looked back. If you do go clipless I highly recommend having a shop do a fit kit for you. They will properly fit the cleats properly on the shoe; a bad positioned cleat is BAD. It can not only cause pain and injury, but it also does not provide correct biomechanical positioning for maximum power transmission. Contrary to popular belief, the cleat is not there so you can push/pull through the entire pedal stroke. It is designed to keep the ball of your foot centered directly over the spindle of the pedal for maximum efficiency.

Check out the pawn shops as well. I got a Raleigh m40 for 40 bucks. My bud got a trek for under 100.

I still say it depends on what you plan to do. If you get a cheap bike to start with, that doesn't fit correctly and is not suitable for the type of riding you plan on doing, it will drive you away instead of pulling you in further. I've seen it happen all to often.

Look out on the courses of longer rides (I'm talking rides longer than maybe 50 miles). You seldom see anything but more expensive road bikes. Why? Because all-terrain bikes, hybrids, beach cruisers, and the like are not really comfortable enough to do long distance.

My advice is to consider buying a bike like you would a computer. Buy more than you need to start with, up to what you can afford without breaking the bank. You will likely grow into it, whereas if you go cheap you will likely outgrow it and have to spend more and more and more...

There is a Go Chicken Go near the Plaza... across the street is a place that sells used bikes.

Has anyone made a bicycle seat reference yet?

There is a Go Chicken Go near the Plaza... across the street is a place that sells used bikes. Originally Posted by AllThisMeat

That sort of defeats the purpose of riding the bike. Mmmm...gizzards.

Has anyone made a bicycle seat reference yet?



That sort of defeats the purpose of riding the bike. Mmmm...gizzards. Originally Posted by BobInKC

Two good points. Wrong seat and it can affect your hobbying adventures.
Not all cyclists look like Lance. I see a lot dressed like Lance about to bust out
of their expensive clothing. That shows biking by itself is like anything else. You have to change up every now and then with different workouts.