For context, I live on the outskirts of a major city in South Florida and work downtown, a 2.5 mile commute each way with one small hill. This is an older photo too, but it’s the only one I have right now.
I filled my tank yesterday and after I was done feeling poor about it, I thought maybe I could ride my bike to and from work. So this morning, I rode in. It was actually really nice, besides the part where I’m brutally out of shape.
However, I’m questioning my bicycle situation now. I bought it on marketplace for $50 in 2019, and I don’t know how old it was at that point. It’s been fine for leisure. I did find out that the rear tire is not holding air and ended up bumming a ride home from a coworker. It’s also one speed (no gears to change, is that the right phrase?) and very heavy. I don’t know if it needs any other attention, and I realize tubes are cheap, but is it worth whatever maintenance it may need? Or have I gotten my money’s worth and should look into buying a better one?
by PM_ME_UR_STRBX
6 Comments
$50 is basically pennies for a bike and what you’re currently riding is not going to make things easy. Even on a very tight budget, you could get something like this inexpensive Ozark bike from Walmart and it would be massively better than your current bike for daily commuting:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/702OZT-GRAVEL-FLAT-L/5822688264
Get the green tough tubes from Walmart, they already have fix a flat in them. Change tubes out, continue riding till you decide if spending more money on another bike would be the right move for you. Single speeds are almost bulletproof, but lack optimization for climbing. My philosophy is ride with what you got, if you’re not wanting to put more money in. If you really enjoy bike commuting, look to invest in another bike after research.
you can buy a nicer bike if you want to, but you can ride 2.5 miles on anything. this bike is fine for that.
Depending on the hill, and your level, just stand and stomp
> I don’t know if it needs any other attention, and I realize tubes are cheap, but is it worth whatever maintenance it may need?
That is about as simple as a bicycle can get – no cables, no gears, no derailleurs, no brake pads and rotors, etc. The chain and tires appear to be in good shape, so other than the inner tube, you are probably good to go.
A nicer bike will certainly make the commute faster / easier / more pleasant, but you are saving money and getting great exercise with this one.
I don’t think you can go wrong either way! 😊🚴
This bike is perfectly fine for your needs, and there’s few parts to maintain on such a mechanically simple bike, so it’s not going to be a monet pit. For communiting, especially when it’s a short distance, reliability is king. Slap some new tubes in there, check the chain/tire wear, and you should be good.