$1500 vs $2500+
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$1500 vs $2500+
Just wondering cause I plan on buying a bike. And honestly not sure in terms of my use whether spending more is needed. Currently I'm in college and might bring a bike next year when I live off campus. I mainly use my bike in the summer(live in city), currently using a 29ner hardtail mtb. I plan on having a hybrid cause it allows for speed yet still has control with a flatbar
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How many miles do you ride per month? How long is the commute you are bringing the bike for? I would say a bike to be parked on campus should cost less than $1000.
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Your question leaves out a lot of detail, such as what you intend to do with the bike, where you intend to store it (inside or outside?), etc. Presuming you'll use it for commuting between your apartment and class, I'd recommend a cheap used MTB or hybrid (like, $100 or less), replace the cables and get everything working smooth, and ride it. I wouldn't commute to campus on anything much more expensive than that.
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In the summer I ride usually 80 miles mainly for work, but sometimes for fun. For college, it will be mainly 15 minutes possibly since I live off-campus. So it will only be parked on campus during the day, I do have a U lock and a cable.
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Your question leaves out a lot of detail, such as what you intend to do with the bike, where you intend to store it (inside or outside?), etc. Presuming you'll use it for commuting between your apartment and class, I'd recommend a cheap used MTB or hybrid (like, $100 or less), replace the cables and get everything working smooth, and ride it. I wouldn't commute to campus on anything much more expensive than that.
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Instead of theft, I'm thinking of the bike just getting knocked around at bike racks. Other people jamming their bikes into a slot next to yours, getting scratches, dings, etc. The bike will have a lot of battle scars pretty quickly, and I'd get something used and already with "character" for that type of duty.
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I'm not getting this. From what you (op) says, sounds like you 'need' two bikes: a good one for summer use, if you are indeed riding 80 miles at times, and a beater/dispensable bike for college use.
Unless you can take a bike 'inside' on-campus, anything more than a decent-but-disposable bike for a 15 minute trip to/from campus seems to me silly -- a pointless waste of money. Anything in the 1500+ price range is going to be a theft magnet if left locked up outside; no way around that whatever you may think about campus security etc. That's leaving aside the question of incidental damage.
But hey ... if you can afford to take the loss, go for it.
Unless you can take a bike 'inside' on-campus, anything more than a decent-but-disposable bike for a 15 minute trip to/from campus seems to me silly -- a pointless waste of money. Anything in the 1500+ price range is going to be a theft magnet if left locked up outside; no way around that whatever you may think about campus security etc. That's leaving aside the question of incidental damage.
But hey ... if you can afford to take the loss, go for it.
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- Sears Free Spirit bike that a colleague (postdoc) gave me. Probably the chain was too short, and one day I shifted to the big-big gear. The rear derailleur was destroyed. I did not know anything about bike mechanics then, this bike had to go.
- I bought a 26" Magna MTB from Target for $80. I was parked near my building (graduate housing, slightly off-campus) with many other bikes. I did not lock it there. One night it got stolen.
- Then I bought a used Trek 820 from LBS for $100.
As hokiefyd said, do not expect people to treat your bike with caution.
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Op....save your $$$ and use the MTB. A U-lock and cable is only a minor inconvenience for a bike thief.
You want a bit more speed/pavement rideability from the MTB?......get it serviced and put on a pair of City tires.
Just my opinion and worth exactly what you paid for it......
You want a bit more speed/pavement rideability from the MTB?......get it serviced and put on a pair of City tires.
Just my opinion and worth exactly what you paid for it......