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You can definitely find department store bikes for less than $100. You get what you pay for. $200 for a decent bike might be a stretch, but $300 definitely get

You can definitely find department store bikes for less than $100. You get what you pay for. $200 for a decent bike might be a stretch, but $300 definitely gets you in that range.

Luc 12y ago
Damn. How is it that in a (generally speaking) bike-unfriendly country like the US bikes are so cheap, while in a bike-mad European country where sales per capita are probably >10 times as high prices are so much higher?
- ChrisNorstrom 12y ago
  Supply chain. Entrepreneurism. More business opportunities. More tax friendly. The list can go on and on. Every European country I visit I'm amazed at the lack of department stores, and lack of overall consumerism. Where do people buy things? Where are all the stores that aren't little shops?
  - rodgerd 12y ago
    > Where do people buy things? Where are all the stores that aren't little shops? They buy them at the little shops. > and lack of overall consumerism. Feature, not bug.
  - dalke 12y ago
    Another factor is to consider what's expected for a city bike for a daily commute. It needs front and rear lights, fenders, chain guard, and likely a built-in lock. It also needs to be able to stand up to being outside in the rain for long periods of time. While a bike in the US, used only for sunny days and by people who aren't wearing office clothes, and which is stored in the garage or basement, doesn't have the same requirements.
- benev 12y ago
  In the UK you can get a bike for comparable prices (here's an £80 mountain bike). Again, they'll fall apart aftera few months though. The cheapest decent bike? Hmm, personally, I'd guess around £300, but I haven't done enough research to know for sure.
kevin_thibedeau 12y ago
Just beware that pretty much every sub $500 bike uses plastic bearing races in the bottom bracket. They will fail after a few thousand miles.
Arnor 12y ago
If you're OK with friction shifters, you can get a used bike from the 80s for < $200 that will work well. I've got a buddy who beats me on flat stretches with his old Schwin World Sport (a really fun bike if you're looking for an old reliable work-horse). I happen to live in a very bike friendly city so they used bike market might not be as good everywhere. I love the trickle down effect in bicycling. I got my 2001 Trek 5200 for ~ $1000. The components are a bit behind, but I'd be happy to ride the carbon-fiber frameset for the next 10 years!

You can definitely find department store bikes for less than $100. You get what you pay for. $200 for a decent bike might be a stretch, but $300 definitely gets you in that range.

Luc 12y ago

Damn. How is it that in a (generally speaking) bike-unfriendly country like the US bikes are so cheap, while in a bike-mad European country where sales per capita are probably >10 times as high prices are so much higher?

ChrisNorstrom 12y ago
Supply chain. Entrepreneurism. More business opportunities. More tax friendly. The list can go on and on. Every European country I visit I'm amazed at the lack of department stores, and lack of overall consumerism. Where do people buy things? Where are all the stores that aren't little shops?
- rodgerd 12y ago
  > Where do people buy things? Where are all the stores that aren't little shops? They buy them at the little shops. > and lack of overall consumerism. Feature, not bug.
- dalke 12y ago
  Another factor is to consider what's expected for a city bike for a daily commute. It needs front and rear lights, fenders, chain guard, and likely a built-in lock. It also needs to be able to stand up to being outside in the rain for long periods of time. While a bike in the US, used only for sunny days and by people who aren't wearing office clothes, and which is stored in the garage or basement, doesn't have the same requirements.
benev 12y ago
In the UK you can get a bike for comparable prices (here's an £80 mountain bike). Again, they'll fall apart aftera few months though. The cheapest decent bike? Hmm, personally, I'd guess around £300, but I haven't done enough research to know for sure.

kevin_thibedeau 12y ago

Just beware that pretty much every sub $500 bike uses plastic bearing races in the bottom bracket. They will fail after a few thousand miles.

Arnor 12y ago

If you're OK with friction shifters, you can get a used bike from the 80s for < $200 that will work well. I've got a buddy who beats me on flat stretches with his old Schwin World Sport (a really fun bike if you're looking for an old reliable work-horse). I happen to live in a very bike friendly city so they used bike market might not be as good everywhere. I love the trickle down effect in bicycling. I got my 2001 Trek 5200 for ~ $1000. The components are a bit behind, but I'd be happy to ride the carbon-fiber frameset for the next 10 years!