Bikefilter: is this a good choice for a first-time bike owner?
July 19, 2022 10:35 AM Subscribe
I’ve been looking to buy a bike to commute around the city and someone on FB marketplace is selling a gorgeous vintage women’s bike - specifically the Evans Colson Admiral bike.
It was recently tuned up by a bike mechanic and the seller is including a padlock with the bike. She also updated the bike with regular hand brakes and the bike had coaster pedals too. The bike also has 3 speeds.
The stated price is $230 though I think I could lower that if needed. I tested it out today and it was very comfortable, easy to ride; the only issue that I could foresee is that the seller told me that the hand brakes sometimes make sounds (not sure what that means?), though according to her, it’s very infrequent.
My questions:
- Do you know anything about this bike / is there anything else I should be concerned about?
- with the understanding that you haven’t seen or touched the bike, do you have thoughts on whether this is a good bike for someone who’s just starting to bike around the city?
- does the price seem reasonable?
- if not this bike, could you recommend a similar gorgeous and functional bike?
Some pictures of the bike here:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7
It was recently tuned up by a bike mechanic and the seller is including a padlock with the bike. She also updated the bike with regular hand brakes and the bike had coaster pedals too. The bike also has 3 speeds.
The stated price is $230 though I think I could lower that if needed. I tested it out today and it was very comfortable, easy to ride; the only issue that I could foresee is that the seller told me that the hand brakes sometimes make sounds (not sure what that means?), though according to her, it’s very infrequent.
My questions:
- Do you know anything about this bike / is there anything else I should be concerned about?
- with the understanding that you haven’t seen or touched the bike, do you have thoughts on whether this is a good bike for someone who’s just starting to bike around the city?
- does the price seem reasonable?
- if not this bike, could you recommend a similar gorgeous and functional bike?
Some pictures of the bike here:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7
The only concerns I would have are 1) it can sometimes be difficult/expensive to find parts for vintage bikes (I don't know about this bike specifically) and 2) three speeds is not enough for all riders in all conditions; I personally would want more speeds but I live at the top of a hill and I'm kind of lazy.
If you love it and it's comfortable for you to ride, I say go for it! $230 for a working bike that you love is pretty reasonable imo - if that's a price you can afford it seems OK to me (although I also wouldn't expect to necessarily be able to turn around and sell it for $230 if you change you mind). It's got fenders and a rack already (seriously even cheap plastic fenders would cost like $40 if you had to buy them separately; the rack would probably cost like $30)! It's recently tuned up (that's like another $80!)! You can replace that ripped seat really easily if you want!
posted by mskyle at 10:51 AM on July 19, 2022 [4 favorites]
If you love it and it's comfortable for you to ride, I say go for it! $230 for a working bike that you love is pretty reasonable imo - if that's a price you can afford it seems OK to me (although I also wouldn't expect to necessarily be able to turn around and sell it for $230 if you change you mind). It's got fenders and a rack already (seriously even cheap plastic fenders would cost like $40 if you had to buy them separately; the rack would probably cost like $30)! It's recently tuned up (that's like another $80!)! You can replace that ripped seat really easily if you want!
posted by mskyle at 10:51 AM on July 19, 2022 [4 favorites]
If you like riding it, then it’s the bike for you. That price seems good to me, since bikes here in Denver in good shape are often $300 and up. I would get a u-lock before going out and locking it up anywhere - you could use the u-lock to lock the frame to a rack and the lock you are getting to lock the wheels (or a wheel) to the frame - the more complex your locking strategy is, the more likely bike thieves may pass it by.
posted by heurtebise at 10:52 AM on July 19, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by heurtebise at 10:52 AM on July 19, 2022 [3 favorites]
This looks like a lovely stylish cruiser bike. I am not a bike expert but I have ridden a lot of bikes, including a cruiser for a while.
A few thoughts:
- I'm personally used to riding with more gear options than three, so if you're dealing with hilly areas, it could be more work. It might be fine for you, depending on your riding style.
- Looks like a steel frame bike, which makes for comfier riding in my opinion. They are heavier, so you may not go as fast and you should consider if you'll ever have to carry the bike up/down stairs. (For reference - I have had steel cruisers and carried them all the time).
- Squeaky brakes definitely happen, although they don't necessarily mean the brakes aren't working. I've never had much luck fixing squeaky brakes, although in a sense it does actually warn people that you're coming!
- Assuming this is American dollars, this price seems totally reasonable to me.
posted by Paper rabies at 10:53 AM on July 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
A few thoughts:
- I'm personally used to riding with more gear options than three, so if you're dealing with hilly areas, it could be more work. It might be fine for you, depending on your riding style.
- Looks like a steel frame bike, which makes for comfier riding in my opinion. They are heavier, so you may not go as fast and you should consider if you'll ever have to carry the bike up/down stairs. (For reference - I have had steel cruisers and carried them all the time).
- Squeaky brakes definitely happen, although they don't necessarily mean the brakes aren't working. I've never had much luck fixing squeaky brakes, although in a sense it does actually warn people that you're coming!
- Assuming this is American dollars, this price seems totally reasonable to me.
posted by Paper rabies at 10:53 AM on July 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
My first thought "looks heavy" and a quick Google showed one person describing it as "a TANK" - I get wanting a bike that is aesthetically pleasing, but the key to actually wanting to use a bike is for it be functional, and prioritizing a relatively lightweight bike will make things soooo much easier for you.
I also would advise going to your local bike store, and doing test rides on a number of different bikes. A lot of things (like handle bar type) are personal preferences, and a good bike store will help you navigate your options.
Edit: Oh, in terms of the brakes, look at the brake pads themselves - do they seem very worn? These are relatively easy to replace, but it's worth checking when negotiating a price.
posted by coffeecat at 10:56 AM on July 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
I also would advise going to your local bike store, and doing test rides on a number of different bikes. A lot of things (like handle bar type) are personal preferences, and a good bike store will help you navigate your options.
Edit: Oh, in terms of the brakes, look at the brake pads themselves - do they seem very worn? These are relatively easy to replace, but it's worth checking when negotiating a price.
posted by coffeecat at 10:56 AM on July 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
How far do you want to go? A few miles, no problem. Under 10 miles, maybe it's okay but it will get uncomfortable. I wouldn't ride this kind of bike in a town with hills. Will you need to carry it up/down stairs to store it? If so, check the weight. I agree with the above comment about getting a U-lock unless you live in a very very low crime area.
I have a vintage bike from a department store that I bought years ago to ride around a college campus, which it was great for. It was adorable and was fine for a few miles. Once I started biking longer (either for enjoyment, to get groceries, or to get somewhere I had to be) it got to be not enough. My vintage bike also suffered from squeaky breaks and needed more frequent maintenance than my nicer/newer bikes. I think this is typical of vintage bikes like the style you're looking at. I paid $10 for mine and have spent many hundreds on it at the bike shop over the years. So if you really are just starting out and love how this looks, go for it. I think that if you take to biking you will outgrow it, which is fine too if you can save up for a better bike long term.
posted by Bunglegirl at 11:13 AM on July 19, 2022
I have a vintage bike from a department store that I bought years ago to ride around a college campus, which it was great for. It was adorable and was fine for a few miles. Once I started biking longer (either for enjoyment, to get groceries, or to get somewhere I had to be) it got to be not enough. My vintage bike also suffered from squeaky breaks and needed more frequent maintenance than my nicer/newer bikes. I think this is typical of vintage bikes like the style you're looking at. I paid $10 for mine and have spent many hundreds on it at the bike shop over the years. So if you really are just starting out and love how this looks, go for it. I think that if you take to biking you will outgrow it, which is fine too if you can save up for a better bike long term.
posted by Bunglegirl at 11:13 AM on July 19, 2022
Best answer: I would buy that bike if you like how it rides and seems to fit you well! The price is decent, and those sturmy archer hubs are great bc they are low maintenance and easily last 50 yrs. I ride a similar 1975 Schwinn and love it. A new bike for around that price would be certainly inferior in my book.
Yeah, it is heavy and not great for long rides. But it will last well and if you keep it in good shape, you can sell it for around that price in a few years too if you decide you need something lighter/more speeds etc.
posted by SaltySalticid at 11:13 AM on July 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
Yeah, it is heavy and not great for long rides. But it will last well and if you keep it in good shape, you can sell it for around that price in a few years too if you decide you need something lighter/more speeds etc.
posted by SaltySalticid at 11:13 AM on July 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
This is a cheaply-built bike that I would expect to cost $230 brand-new. Maybe less. There is a bike shortage right now, and people are getting away with charging more for used bikes, but even allowing for that, I don't consider this a good deal.
The Schwinn linked to upthread or this Retrospec are better-built bikes for about half again the price, and they're new.
That Admiral has an internally geared hub, which is both a pro and con. It requires less maintenance than a bike with a derailleur, but it makes fixing flats more of a pain.
The fork is not original to the bike (it's actually nicer than the rest of the bike), suggesting that at some point the bike ran hard into something. No way of knowing if other parts of the bike sustained hidden damage.
The wheels have steel rims, which weigh a lot and have poor braking (OK-quality bikes have aluminum rims).
posted by adamrice at 11:14 AM on July 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
The Schwinn linked to upthread or this Retrospec are better-built bikes for about half again the price, and they're new.
That Admiral has an internally geared hub, which is both a pro and con. It requires less maintenance than a bike with a derailleur, but it makes fixing flats more of a pain.
The fork is not original to the bike (it's actually nicer than the rest of the bike), suggesting that at some point the bike ran hard into something. No way of knowing if other parts of the bike sustained hidden damage.
The wheels have steel rims, which weigh a lot and have poor braking (OK-quality bikes have aluminum rims).
posted by adamrice at 11:14 AM on July 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Honestly, if you love it and want to give it a whirl, go for it. It might feel heavy and sluggish and like there aren't enough gears for hills if you get really into riding around. But, so what? You can cross the bridge when you get to it. I would suggest bringing it to a good local bike shop and asking if needs a tune up (don't just rely on the seller). The noisy break could indicate the brake pads need adjusting.
We can all have a million opinions about this bike and if you should get it and what would be the best dream bike. But an affordable bike that you love is the best bike to start on. I say go for it!
And yes, get a u lock when you go to that bike shop to ask about a tune up.
posted by bluedaisy at 11:23 AM on July 19, 2022
We can all have a million opinions about this bike and if you should get it and what would be the best dream bike. But an affordable bike that you love is the best bike to start on. I say go for it!
And yes, get a u lock when you go to that bike shop to ask about a tune up.
posted by bluedaisy at 11:23 AM on July 19, 2022
Best answer: Oh, it's beautiful!
As far as some things to consider: It's probably heavy, so you won't be winning any speed races. If you have a lot of big hills you need to conquer, the weight and the gearing will probably make that a lot of work. But on the flipside, it's probably very stable and comfortable, which is great for a city bike and a new rider. Fenders are great in an urban environment, and noisy breaks aren't a problem as long as they work well.
I think it is possible you could get a "technically better" bike (newer, lighter, more gear choices, etc.) for a similar price, but you probably won't feel the same love looking at the "technically better" bike as you do for this one. I'd totally get this.
posted by mjcon at 11:28 AM on July 19, 2022
As far as some things to consider: It's probably heavy, so you won't be winning any speed races. If you have a lot of big hills you need to conquer, the weight and the gearing will probably make that a lot of work. But on the flipside, it's probably very stable and comfortable, which is great for a city bike and a new rider. Fenders are great in an urban environment, and noisy breaks aren't a problem as long as they work well.
I think it is possible you could get a "technically better" bike (newer, lighter, more gear choices, etc.) for a similar price, but you probably won't feel the same love looking at the "technically better" bike as you do for this one. I'd totally get this.
posted by mjcon at 11:28 AM on July 19, 2022
The ergonomics, engineering, materials, and construction quality of that bike are so terrible that any stylishness it may possess is completely lost on me.
For a similar price you could get a well designed and made beautiful old Mixte-framed Fuji — although shipping would be substantial unless you could go pick it up, and you would probably want to buy fenders and a chain guard.
I believe you’d ultimately come to be extremely frustrated when you actually tried to ride that Admiral because such a high proportion of any effort you might put into it would go into chain stretch, frame flex, mechanical play, and friction instead of getting you anywhere.
posted by jamjam at 11:44 AM on July 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
For a similar price you could get a well designed and made beautiful old Mixte-framed Fuji — although shipping would be substantial unless you could go pick it up, and you would probably want to buy fenders and a chain guard.
I believe you’d ultimately come to be extremely frustrated when you actually tried to ride that Admiral because such a high proportion of any effort you might put into it would go into chain stretch, frame flex, mechanical play, and friction instead of getting you anywhere.
posted by jamjam at 11:44 AM on July 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Have you tried out new bikes in bike stores as a point of comparison? The first bike I ever bought as an adult was a lovely but heavy city cruiser type, and I hated riding it despite the good looks and comfy seat posture. The next bike I got, I focused on finding something super light in my price range and didn’t look at style, and that was 100% the right choice for a bike I would end up actually using. If this is your only bike, I would prioritize finding a lighter bike with more gears, even though this one looks pretty.
posted by music for skeletons at 11:54 AM on July 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by music for skeletons at 11:54 AM on July 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
This bike appears to have chromed steel wheels, which are extremely dangerous in wet weather. I would not want it on that basis. If you live where it's dry or never ride in the wet, you may feel differently.
posted by klanawa at 11:57 AM on July 19, 2022
posted by klanawa at 11:57 AM on July 19, 2022
Response by poster: Thank you for all the feedback so far, everyone! A couple more details if others want to chime in:
- I live in Boston, so yes, will need to go up and down some hills (though I live in a relatively flat area of the city).
- Because I’m just getting started riding and growing comfortable with biking in the city, I don’t think I’ll be going too far - def under 10 miles, realistically w/in 5 miles of my apartment.
- I could definitely tell how heavy the bike was when I tested it out. I didn’t love that though my place also has an elevator so it’s not a huge hassle.
posted by cruel summer at 12:01 PM on July 19, 2022
- I live in Boston, so yes, will need to go up and down some hills (though I live in a relatively flat area of the city).
- Because I’m just getting started riding and growing comfortable with biking in the city, I don’t think I’ll be going too far - def under 10 miles, realistically w/in 5 miles of my apartment.
- I could definitely tell how heavy the bike was when I tested it out. I didn’t love that though my place also has an elevator so it’s not a huge hassle.
posted by cruel summer at 12:01 PM on July 19, 2022
Best answer: You don't need that padlock. Bolt cutters can nip through that in a second. Same goes for chains and cables. Someone with tools is going to want to steal your bike. Don't let them.
posted by The Half Language Plant at 12:03 PM on July 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by The Half Language Plant at 12:03 PM on July 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
This bike appears to have chromed steel wheels, which are extremely dangerous in wet weather.
Only true for rim brakes, i.e. the front brake in this case. The rear hub brake will be fine.
posted by alexei at 12:28 PM on July 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
Only true for rim brakes, i.e. the front brake in this case. The rear hub brake will be fine.
posted by alexei at 12:28 PM on July 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I consider myself a transportation cyclist, most comfortable on city bikes.
I lived and biked in Boston/Cambridge/Somerville/immediately surrounding towns for over a decade; we left just before the pandemic. I rode (and still ride, though with Bay Area hills my beloved bike's limitations are more apparent now) a very similar-looking upright Dutch-style 3-speed steel Papillionaire Sommer bicycle (28 pounds *before* adding on another 6 lbs for my chain lock; link is Melissa of Bike Pretty describing what it feels like to ride). Not as vintage as what you're talking about, but I would bet very similar ride characteristics.
As you've seen in previous answers, there are plenty of MeFites on bikes who absolutely abhor every characteristic I'm about to cite as something I love and will prioritize in my future bikes, and the real answer for you is that you need to test ride this bike, and ideally a good range of other bikes, to know what feels comfortable enough TO YOU as a novice city biker.
* see how high the handlebars are compared to the seat, especially obvious in picture 2? That's going to give you a wonderfully upright riding position, save you a LOT of wrist and core pain, enable you to pootle along and arrive barely winded and far less sweaty than a more aggressive configuration of seat higher than handlebars would mean.
* see how "swept-back" those handlebars are? Again, a strong contributor to wrist comfort, and the steering is a completely different quality than what you'd get with straight handlebars, or with racer-oriented drop bars.
* the weight means you will roll right over bumps and (small!) potholes that will give lighter bikes jitters and twitchy steering from all the rattling and bumping around.
* the fenders and partial chaincase also say that this bike is *practical*. You're not going to get a skunk stripe up your butt from Boston midwinter sludge, because your fenders will protect you from that. The chainguard helps prevent your pants from getting stuck in the chain, and also protects your chain at least a little from the elements. People who only want to bike fast strip their bikes of things like this because all that matters to them is the weight, every gram less is a fractional increase in speed.
* I can't say anything about the gear ratio because it's set up differently on every bike model, but when you go to test the bike, the lowest gear is going to determine how steep a hill you can do, while the highest gear will determine how fast you can go on flat ground (all of this intersecting with your own body's power). I could hit 12 mph on flat ground, slightly less when I had a full load of groceries on my back rack, but my running husband could absolutely beat me going up the Highland Ave hill, for example.
This is not a bike that will turn you into a perfectly aerodynamic roadie or a racer, biking as part of a peloton moving at precisely 19 mph or trying to keep up with/beat Masshole drivers doing 45 in a 20. BUT.
This is a bike that will let you see problems coming far ahead of you because of the upright riding posture, and give you enough time to maneuver to safety. This is a bike where you'll be able to wave to your friends because you can actually see them, where you can safely maneuver it even in lightly crowded conditions on Boston's very popular "multi use trails." This is a bike you can ride wearing normal street clothes; I rode in skirt suits on mine on a regular basis, and to parties in cocktail dresses, year-round.
You're going to enjoy your relaxed, 10 mph rides on the Southwest Corridor, the Minuteman, Memorial Drive on temperate weekends. You should go talk to Carice at Bicycle Belle (a city and family riding focused bike shop; here are their city bikes that are basically modern brand-new versions of what you've got) about adding a back rack to this bike once you get tired of your backpack making your back sweaty, which will let you carry 40 pounds of groceries, books, stuff your jacket somewhere because it's the first nice day in Boston after a long winter and you want to feel the wind on your arms after all. You will be completely fine in the flatter areas of town, especially where there's protected lanes or if you're near the Southwest Corridor. You could absolutely bike around most of Cambridge easily, as well as parts of Somerville and Arlington.
Teal deer:
1. Your bike looks very similar to mine and I would bet a lot of the riding characteristics are quite similar.
2. That bike looks like a good starter for casual city riding on relatively flat ground - you should be able to handle lightly rolling hills, but I wouldn't try to bike up Beacon Hill, for example, I'd just get off and walk.
3. I would pay $230 for that bike today, knowing that bikes are harder to get now because of supply chain and bike theft issues than they were when I was buying a decade ago. (And I would absolutely supplement whatever padlock the seller includes with a second lock; if you get this bike, you are accepting that weight vs. speed is not your primary concern, and having a second visible lock would make thieves think twice if there's somebody else's bike locked up nearby with just a cable or padlock instead of a U-lock and/or chain lock.)
4. If I could time-travel, if I were trying to buy a similar bike that was new rather than trying my luck with vintage, I would go back and get the 8 speed version of my Papillionaire. Wider gear range with more in-between gearing options. If I were buying a similar non-e-bike today with no budget limitations, I would absolutely be getting a Pashley Princess Sovereign. (I dream of a classic Gazelle Toer Populair, but my inseam is too short.)
posted by Pandora Kouti at 1:23 PM on July 19, 2022 [13 favorites]
I lived and biked in Boston/Cambridge/Somerville/immediately surrounding towns for over a decade; we left just before the pandemic. I rode (and still ride, though with Bay Area hills my beloved bike's limitations are more apparent now) a very similar-looking upright Dutch-style 3-speed steel Papillionaire Sommer bicycle (28 pounds *before* adding on another 6 lbs for my chain lock; link is Melissa of Bike Pretty describing what it feels like to ride). Not as vintage as what you're talking about, but I would bet very similar ride characteristics.
As you've seen in previous answers, there are plenty of MeFites on bikes who absolutely abhor every characteristic I'm about to cite as something I love and will prioritize in my future bikes, and the real answer for you is that you need to test ride this bike, and ideally a good range of other bikes, to know what feels comfortable enough TO YOU as a novice city biker.
* see how high the handlebars are compared to the seat, especially obvious in picture 2? That's going to give you a wonderfully upright riding position, save you a LOT of wrist and core pain, enable you to pootle along and arrive barely winded and far less sweaty than a more aggressive configuration of seat higher than handlebars would mean.
* see how "swept-back" those handlebars are? Again, a strong contributor to wrist comfort, and the steering is a completely different quality than what you'd get with straight handlebars, or with racer-oriented drop bars.
* the weight means you will roll right over bumps and (small!) potholes that will give lighter bikes jitters and twitchy steering from all the rattling and bumping around.
* the fenders and partial chaincase also say that this bike is *practical*. You're not going to get a skunk stripe up your butt from Boston midwinter sludge, because your fenders will protect you from that. The chainguard helps prevent your pants from getting stuck in the chain, and also protects your chain at least a little from the elements. People who only want to bike fast strip their bikes of things like this because all that matters to them is the weight, every gram less is a fractional increase in speed.
* I can't say anything about the gear ratio because it's set up differently on every bike model, but when you go to test the bike, the lowest gear is going to determine how steep a hill you can do, while the highest gear will determine how fast you can go on flat ground (all of this intersecting with your own body's power). I could hit 12 mph on flat ground, slightly less when I had a full load of groceries on my back rack, but my running husband could absolutely beat me going up the Highland Ave hill, for example.
This is not a bike that will turn you into a perfectly aerodynamic roadie or a racer, biking as part of a peloton moving at precisely 19 mph or trying to keep up with/beat Masshole drivers doing 45 in a 20. BUT.
This is a bike that will let you see problems coming far ahead of you because of the upright riding posture, and give you enough time to maneuver to safety. This is a bike where you'll be able to wave to your friends because you can actually see them, where you can safely maneuver it even in lightly crowded conditions on Boston's very popular "multi use trails." This is a bike you can ride wearing normal street clothes; I rode in skirt suits on mine on a regular basis, and to parties in cocktail dresses, year-round.
You're going to enjoy your relaxed, 10 mph rides on the Southwest Corridor, the Minuteman, Memorial Drive on temperate weekends. You should go talk to Carice at Bicycle Belle (a city and family riding focused bike shop; here are their city bikes that are basically modern brand-new versions of what you've got) about adding a back rack to this bike once you get tired of your backpack making your back sweaty, which will let you carry 40 pounds of groceries, books, stuff your jacket somewhere because it's the first nice day in Boston after a long winter and you want to feel the wind on your arms after all. You will be completely fine in the flatter areas of town, especially where there's protected lanes or if you're near the Southwest Corridor. You could absolutely bike around most of Cambridge easily, as well as parts of Somerville and Arlington.
Teal deer:
1. Your bike looks very similar to mine and I would bet a lot of the riding characteristics are quite similar.
2. That bike looks like a good starter for casual city riding on relatively flat ground - you should be able to handle lightly rolling hills, but I wouldn't try to bike up Beacon Hill, for example, I'd just get off and walk.
3. I would pay $230 for that bike today, knowing that bikes are harder to get now because of supply chain and bike theft issues than they were when I was buying a decade ago. (And I would absolutely supplement whatever padlock the seller includes with a second lock; if you get this bike, you are accepting that weight vs. speed is not your primary concern, and having a second visible lock would make thieves think twice if there's somebody else's bike locked up nearby with just a cable or padlock instead of a U-lock and/or chain lock.)
4. If I could time-travel, if I were trying to buy a similar bike that was new rather than trying my luck with vintage, I would go back and get the 8 speed version of my Papillionaire. Wider gear range with more in-between gearing options. If I were buying a similar non-e-bike today with no budget limitations, I would absolutely be getting a Pashley Princess Sovereign. (I dream of a classic Gazelle Toer Populair, but my inseam is too short.)
posted by Pandora Kouti at 1:23 PM on July 19, 2022 [13 favorites]
A relative owns a very similar bike and I ride it when I visit and we ride together. It is very heavy and hills are much tougher than they should be. I love to bike (and ride a 15 year old budget Marin) but I would never choose this type of bike my first or only bike. I think its a pain to do much more than a couple of flat miles at a time. (Which I can handle when visiting for a few days but would not want to deal with on a regular basis.)
I agree with those who suggest testing out some models at a bikeshop for a perhaps less quaint but more practical model.(But if you really do want to purchase the older model, try to negotiate it way down.)
posted by fies at 1:58 PM on July 19, 2022
I agree with those who suggest testing out some models at a bikeshop for a perhaps less quaint but more practical model.(But if you really do want to purchase the older model, try to negotiate it way down.)
posted by fies at 1:58 PM on July 19, 2022
Best answer: I cannot improve on Pandora Kouti's fantastic answer from a practicality and experiential perspective.
As a lover of vintage bikes, I would only ask that you give every inch of this frame a patient visual and *tactile* inspection, looking for cracks. Especially where one tube meets another.
A crack is not necessarily a deal-breaker with a bike like this. Within reason, they can be repaired on olden steel frames. But you wouldn't want to let it go and then get worse and eventually fail.
If you love this bike, over time you can make all kinds of incremental, perfectly reasonable and mostly-affordable improvements, though it looks like some stuff has already gotten that treatment (e.g. brake levers and calipers): funky pedals; modern, lighter seat post with non-rage-inducing seat clamp system. Bigger stuff: replacing bottom bracket and its Ashtabula crank; the wheels - which look like steel? - with alloy. (It's a lot harder to keep steel rims true and undented if you're on indifferently-maintained city streets.)
The bike is an access to joy as is. Nothing I mentioned, with the possible exception of the wheels, is an issue.
posted by Caxton1476 at 2:31 PM on July 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
As a lover of vintage bikes, I would only ask that you give every inch of this frame a patient visual and *tactile* inspection, looking for cracks. Especially where one tube meets another.
A crack is not necessarily a deal-breaker with a bike like this. Within reason, they can be repaired on olden steel frames. But you wouldn't want to let it go and then get worse and eventually fail.
If you love this bike, over time you can make all kinds of incremental, perfectly reasonable and mostly-affordable improvements, though it looks like some stuff has already gotten that treatment (e.g. brake levers and calipers): funky pedals; modern, lighter seat post with non-rage-inducing seat clamp system. Bigger stuff: replacing bottom bracket and its Ashtabula crank; the wheels - which look like steel? - with alloy. (It's a lot harder to keep steel rims true and undented if you're on indifferently-maintained city streets.)
The bike is an access to joy as is. Nothing I mentioned, with the possible exception of the wheels, is an issue.
posted by Caxton1476 at 2:31 PM on July 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Since you are in Boston, if you don't end up going with this bike (the best bike for you is the one you ride -- but I would suggest if you do buy this one to take it to a bike shop for a quick look-over), I am going to put in a plug for going to Bikes Not Bombs and talking to the folks there. You can also see *some* of the available bikes on their shop site.
I help out with refurbishing old bikes there as a volunteer, and they do a great job weeding out the not-so-great brands, plus bringing the ones they sell back into working order. They have vintage refurbs regularly, and new stuff every week, plus can give you some recommendations of what to look for if you like a particular style of bike.
They also have a great bike shop and social justice mission, so when you do need some work done on your bike, I totally recommend them!
posted by chiefthe at 3:24 PM on July 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
I help out with refurbishing old bikes there as a volunteer, and they do a great job weeding out the not-so-great brands, plus bringing the ones they sell back into working order. They have vintage refurbs regularly, and new stuff every week, plus can give you some recommendations of what to look for if you like a particular style of bike.
They also have a great bike shop and social justice mission, so when you do need some work done on your bike, I totally recommend them!
posted by chiefthe at 3:24 PM on July 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
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https://www.target.com/p/schwinn-women-39-s-gateway-700c-28-34-hybrid-bike-cream/-/A-15305154
posted by Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug at 10:51 AM on July 19, 2022