I need a drop-bar commuter for $500. Can it be done?

[rcannon100]

Sarah

Think about a used bicycle from Phoenix Bikes or Ye Olde Bike Shop, both in Arlington. The probably with Phoenix is that the inventory is a bit hit and miss; they sell out of their bikes pretty much as fast as they refurbish them. Ye Olde Bike Shop is on Pershing and he has a bigger selection of “vintage” bicycles.

B

[TwoWheelsDC]

The DC Used Bicycle Marketplace is a good place to look…a little less sketchy than craigslist, but it may take longer to find what you need. But $500 is perfectly reasonable for what you need, particularly if you can be patient.

[Sarah Dots]

Hey there!

Yeah, I’ve thought about Phoenix Bikes, but I live on the other side of the metro area and don’t own a car, so hit or miss is tough to negotiate. I’ll check out Ye Olde, though!

[Sarah Dots]

Never heard of it. Thanks!

[dkel]

@Sarah Dots 91540 wrote:

I ride on the hoods and hate cyclocross brakes

What are cyclocross brakes? Aren’t all brakes just…brakes?

[KLizotte]

@Sarah Dots 91544 wrote:

Hey there!

Yeah, I’ve thought about Phoenix Bikes, but I live on the other side of the metro area and don’t own a car, so hit or miss is tough to negotiate. I’ll check out Ye Olde, though!

I’m sure you could call the Old Bike Shop before you shlepped over this way. Someone just posted today that a bike shop in Alexandria has excess WSD bikes on hand and will give forum folks an extra discount.

[jabberwocky]

@dkel 91549 wrote:

What are cyclocross brakes? Aren’t all brakes just…brakes?

I assume she means cantilevers, which pretty much only come on cyclocross bikes these days (and are generally pretty terrible).

[DismalScientist]

The choice between used and new should be based on competence at maintenance. If you know what you are doing, I would go used. If not, go to the internet. It seems like you want drop bars, brifters, and rack mounts. If new at that price range, you are probably looking at 8 cogs in the rear and 2300 brifters. You will probably pay more for a carbon fork. I would check out the current “sale” at bikesdirect.com. As far as not liking “cross” brakes, you can either not use them, but use the standard levers instead, or simply remove the interrupter levels and sell them to me cheap.

[mstone]

Cantilevers are also used on touring and utility bikes for people who want lots of clearance for tires and fenders and don’t want discs. Definitely a shrinking market segment.

[vvill]

It can definitely be done. You’ll get better value used, probably but even new there’s models like this
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/wellington4-xv.htm
You could probably buy Dismal a 6-pack to tune it up for you

[n18]

You could search Craigslist, but some ads use “women” while others use “woman”. To solve this problem, use the | character, like this:

(woman | women)

And some terms before or after, like:

(woman | women) road

[ebubar]

I’ve pondered this for a cheap all-weather commuter: http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/gravity/liberty_cxd.htm

[Sarah Dots]

Um, I don’t know what they’re called. The ones on the handlebar on either side of the stem thingy (no, I don’t know all these parts, clearly). When I have tried cyclocross bikes, those seem to be the only brakes that stop the bike, and I don’t want to have to reach up there to stop. Maybe it’s just the models I’ve tried? (Think, entry-level cheapo bikes.)
@dkel 91549 wrote:

What are cyclocross brakes? Aren’t all brakes just…brakes?

[Sarah Dots]

Didn’t mean cantis, but no, those aren’t my preference, either. @jabberwocky 91553 wrote:

I assume she means cantilevers, which pretty much only come on cyclocross bikes these days (and are generally pretty terrible).

[Sarah Dots]

Interrupter! That’s the word I was looking for. See my other post re: crappy braking on previous cyclocross bike tests. As for maintenance, I’d say I’m advanced beginner. Can replace cables but can’t true a wheel. But that’s on a road bike. Have NO clue about disc brakes. Are bar ends really useful in traffic? I go from Takoma/Silver Spring to Dupont Circle, so traffic is hellish for the last (a.m.)/first (p.m.) 4 miles of my commute. No trails for me! @DismalScientist 91555 wrote:

The choice between used and new should be based on competence at maintenance. If you know what you are doing, I would go used. If not, go to the internet. It seems like you want drop bars, brifters, and rack mounts. If new at that price range, you are probably looking at 8 cogs in the rear and 2300 brifters. You will probably pay more for a carbon fork. I would check out the current “sale” at bikesdirect.com. As far as not liking “cross” brakes, you can either not use them, but use the standard levers instead, or simply remove the interrupter levels and sell them to me cheap.

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