Hey everyone,
I’m looking for the cheapest possible bike to commute about 5 miles to work and 5 miles back. I found a vintage bike on Facebook Marketplace for $75—would that be a good option for NYC riding, or should I increase my budget to around $250–$300 for something more reliable?
I’m not a serious cyclist—just want a simple ride to save on transportation costs and get to work quickly. If you have recommendations or come across any decent finds on Marketplace for NYC, I’d really appreciate the help!
I’m on a tight budget, so any advice would mean a lot. Thanks in advance!
by PercyyLospsz
1 Comment
One non-NYC specific suggestion/thought (I’m in Minneapolis) is to consider a single speed bike for reliability purposes.
They’re simple to repair and are great for city riding. I have a 1970s Schwinn road bike and 1980s Schwinn Mountain Bike (for the winter) and they’re basically bombproof. The mountain bike has really tricky cantilever brakes which are a real hassle to adjust, so id try and avoid that.
I’ve needed to replace chains, tires/tubes, adjust chain tension, and brake pads, and all of those tasks are pretty straightforward and can be learned from YouTube.
The bike you linked looks like it’d totally work, but I’ve really enjoyed a single speed and a bike with more upright handlebars for comfort in the city. Best of luck with your search!