I need to find a new bike. The mountain bike that I’ve had for the past 15 years is killing my back. I need an old man bike, one with really high handlebars that I can ride sitting up straight (like Almira Gulch in “The Wizard of Oz”). As I’ll probably never really ride it outside of Ypsi, which isn’t terribly mountainous, I think a single-speed bike would be fine, or maybe a three-speed. Basically, I just need something to get me to the co-op, post office, bar or park and back. I don’t need anything fancy — just something that I can put a baby seat on.
I went to the bike shop today and looked at their Schwinns. They seem pretty cool, but they’re a bit pricey. If possible, I’d rather find something used. So, if anyone knows of a local group that’s rehabbing and reselling old bikes along the lines of what Bikes Not Bombs is doing in Boston, Community Cycling Center is doing in Portland, Bike Works is doing in Seattle, or Recycle-a-Bicycle is doing in New York, please let me know. As much as I’d like to give my business to the local bike shop, I’d rather work with a politically/environmentally-motivated non-profit… especially if it means saving a few hundred dollars.
Oh, and I should mention that I wouldn’t really mind having a “girl’s bike.” It might actually be better if I had one that both Linette and I could use.
7 Comments
Go to the bike show this Sunday.
http://www.ann-arbor-bicycleshow.com/
Thanks for the tip. It looks like a cool event…. I don’t think that I’d find anything in my price range though.
The Ann Arbor Recycle-Reuse Center always has a ton of bikes, as does the new Salvation Army on S. State. It looks like most of them are kids’ bikes, but I’ve seen a few adult bikes there, too.
You could always ask for one on freecycle, or craigslist. With all the students leaving town now, some of them must be getting rid of their rides. They can’t all own BMW’s.
It didn’t dawn on me until a few days after I posted this, but I’ve got an old three-speed of my mom’s in the basement, and I think that it should work just fine. That is, if I can get a baby seat to work with it… Thanks for the ideas though.
Now I just have to decide what to do with my old mountain bike.
It was my 1st time at the show-There were lots of really cheap interesting bikes at the show- I bought a 1970’s Sears Peter Max (or Peter Max knock-off) hippie style banana seat bike for $20.00 that (I think) only needs 1 new tire.
It was great! I will go w/ more cash next year.
I saw bikes from $5.00 up–not Ann Arbor prices!
And you can bargain w/vendors!
I’ve read about those Peter Max bikes. Whatever you do, don’t lick the seat.
I think, in general, that’s a pretty good rule of thumb, regardless of the bike’s designer.