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As for the search in question: instead of "best commuter bikes for under $500", do yourself a favor and buy a beater bike for $100-200. The comfort is the same

As for the search in question: instead of "best commuter bikes for under $500", do yourself a favor and buy a beater bike for $100-200. The comfort is the same if not higher, but you stop thinking about your bike at all, and if someone steals it you buy another one next day without shedding a tear. My favorite ones are by fahrradmanufaktur, very solid, a new one will cost you a few thousand bucks, but after 5-7 years it still feels fantastic and you can buy it for a fraction of the price.

mdolon 5y ago
I really was clueless at the time and figured it would take at least $400-500 to get a decent starter bike. Thankfully I wound up coming across a used bicycle sale in Brooklyn shortly after and picked up an old Giant for $150. Have probably done a couple of thousand miles on it since!
- hef19898 5y ago
  We have a small used bike shop nearby, damn great value for money! Bought a used Merida MTB for my so and a Bergamot each for my daughter and myself. Condition is close to new, cost in total 800 bucks, some smaller repairs included.
matsemann 5y ago
With the bike shortage the last two seasons, used bikes in OK condition can be almost more expensive than a new bike (since the new, unused bike is sold out everywhere). At least where I live, there is no chance to get what I would call a usable/durable bike for "$100-200" at the moment.
- hdjjhhvvhga 5y ago
  I bought a couple of them and parked them in different areas of the city to make it easier to reach any location using the subway + bike combination. I choose the ones with flaws that would deter normal buyers but relatively easy to repair, or with a damaged part that I'd replace anyway. I asked a local repair shop if it's fine if I ask the seller to send a bike directly to them and they happily agreed. So I look for an occasion, buy it, they ship it to the repair shop, the shop guy calls me and we talk about what to repair/replace, and in a few days I have a nice bike that will last many years with proper maintenance without spending a fortune.

mdolon 5y ago

I really was clueless at the time and figured it would take at least $400-500 to get a decent starter bike. Thankfully I wound up coming across a used bicycle sale in Brooklyn shortly after and picked up an old Giant for $150. Have probably done a couple of thousand miles on it since!

hef19898 5y ago
We have a small used bike shop nearby, damn great value for money! Bought a used Merida MTB for my so and a Bergamot each for my daughter and myself. Condition is close to new, cost in total 800 bucks, some smaller repairs included.

matsemann 5y ago

With the bike shortage the last two seasons, used bikes in OK condition can be almost more expensive than a new bike (since the new, unused bike is sold out everywhere). At least where I live, there is no chance to get what I would call a usable/durable bike for "$100-200" at the moment.

hdjjhhvvhga 5y ago
I bought a couple of them and parked them in different areas of the city to make it easier to reach any location using the subway + bike combination. I choose the ones with flaws that would deter normal buyers but relatively easy to repair, or with a damaged part that I'd replace anyway. I asked a local repair shop if it's fine if I ask the seller to send a bike directly to them and they happily agreed. So I look for an occasion, buy it, they ship it to the repair shop, the shop guy calls me and we talk about what to repair/replace, and in a few days I have a nice bike that will last many years with proper maintenance without spending a fortune.