I want to ride a bicycle

05/09/2008 Meredith K. says:

I want to ride a bicycle too!  We went and looked at bikes at Gregg's Greenlake and Performance (in the U dist).  I'm pretty much in the same boat, not having ridden a bike in quite a long time.  Yes, what they say is true, you never forget how, but I had a little bit of a panic attack the first time I took one out for a "test ride."
For used bikes, Recycled Cycles is the one everybody goes to and recommends.

05/09/2008 John "John John John" L. says:

i got a good used Trek mountain bike + lock + helmet all at Recycled Cycles for about $300

05/09/2008 Betsey "Being a Good-Ass" S. says:

I totally want to start commuting by bike.  Would it be hard from Ballard?

Check out Alpine Hut on Elliott Ave.  I believe they have used bikes.

05/09/2008 Angela V. says:

Cool - I'll check 'em out. I always thought they just had ski stuff.

BTW - where are you commuting to? I think any route will be challenging in this city!

05/09/2008 Lindi "I never thought I'd move to California" M. says:

I've found good bikes on CL. You can find used bikes for pretty cheap - especially if they are stolen!!! ;)

jk

05/09/2008 Angela V. says:

I've seen free ones on Craig's List as well as in our local neighborhood news flyer. I should go for free but want something a bit more reliable.

05/09/2008 Ray "Looking for the Review Writing Machine" C. says:

Bike Works (http://www.bikeworks.org/). Helpful, knowledgeable people who really know their stuff. And it's for a good cause.

Great people at Recycled Cycles (http://www.recycledcyc...) too but these days they don't have a lot of pre-owned stuff. This having been said, $600 gets a LOT of bike (for a new bike) these days.

05/09/2008 Ray "Looking for the Review Writing Machine" C. says:

Oops. One more. Andrew and the gang at Second Ascent are awesome also.

http://www.secondascen...

05/09/2008 John "John John John" L. says:

If you aren't having luck with Recycled Cycles (since it's pretty popular), check out:

1) Montlake Bicycle Shop -- http://www.yelp.com/bi...

2) Second Ascent in Ballard -- http://www.yelp.com/bi...

05/09/2008 John "John John John" L. says:

The only bad thing, I found, with craigslist is that you want to test ride the bike to make sure it fits. It's tough to do that with CL if you want a choice, bc you'll be driving this way and that answering multiple ads, when you aren't even sure if the bike rides correctly. At a place like Recycled Cycles, you had a few options, and can ride them all right there in one place.

05/09/2008 nate "I best not catch this flick on YouTube" j. says:

Check out Cascade Bicycle Club's education pograms.  There's one specific to those cyclists new to bike commuting...
http://www.cbcef.org/c...

And also some "urban riding" courses...
http://www.cbcef.org/c...

But I loved the simple bike maintenance classes... I recommend the "fix a flat" class to anyone.
http://www.cbcef.org/c...

They also have a low priced helmet program...
http://www.cbcef.org/h...

As far as new bike shops go, a lot of the ones listed above are good places to look.  In the south end, there's Center Cycle in Renton near IKEA (SW 41st St & Lind Ave SW) with a big showroom facility and helpful staff.   http://www.centercycle...  

Craigslist, online mail order shops, and department stores (Walmart, Target, Sears) are all places to avoid.  Principally, this is because you won't find experienced staff to assist you with determining what style of bike you like and what fits you.  Additionally, as far as I am aware, the department stores have their staff, not experienced bike mechanics, assemble the bikes.  You'd be amazed at how many bikes I've seen at those places that have brake parts assembled incorrectly, tires put on in the backwards direction, or things under or not properly lubricated.  Also, the bikes tend to be of lesser quality to begin with.  

From a reputable shop, I'd expect $300 to be the absolute minimum you would spend for a quality bike that will last you a while and you'll enjoy riding it.  Probably the $500-700 range gets you a few nice-to-have extras like a suspension fork or seat, or possibly outfitted with fenders and lights (like a Novarra Transfer at REI), perhaps better gripping disc brakes too.  Of course, that's for light duty mountain or trail/city/hybrid/commuter bikes.  Road bikes (looks like a "10 speed" with curled handle bars) are considerably more expensive than that, especially the lighter the frame and the more specialized the components.      

Last thing... I think a shop's margin of profit on a new bike is slim.  Where they make money is in accessories.  So save negotiation not for the bike itself but ask for what services (free maintenance for a year, etc.) or accessories (lights, fenders, helmets, etc.) they'd be willing to throw-in to make a deal.

05/09/2008 S. Alicia "Rose Quartz" S. says:

Fremont has a place.... deluxe bikes.  And there's a place going to Ballard from Belltown.  I don't know the names of the shops only the bikes.  Mountain is best for the Washington State.  And you'll need a helmet and reflective gear.  Correct sneakers too.

Fremont..... head-to-toe and bike - new $2,000
Other Bike Place...... head-to-toe and bike - used $700

05/09/2008 S. Alicia "Rose Quartz" S. says:

If you go for Fremont.... I'd say invest in a Vespa.

05/09/2008 Angela V. says:

Thank you everybody so-so much. I have a ton of very useful resources. Hats off to the Yelp crowd for once again sharing valuable advice!!!

05/09/2008 Meredith K. says:

Nate, those classes look awesome!  I've been putting off buying a bike b/c after doing my first couple "test rides" I pretty much convinced myself that the whole thing was a bad idea and I would probably end up getting nailed by a car or something.  Maybe I should buy a bike.....

05/09/2008 Ted "Big Dog" B. says:

I have about 12,000 miles on my road bike ( a Bianchi from Elliott Bay in Pike Place Market), all ridden in urban Seattle.  It has held up well - even after being hit by cars twice!  I also have an electric bike from that place in Fremont, for more serious commuting (carry a load of business clothes and my briefcase).

05/09/2008 Angela V. says:

This is great - I'll start out cautiously, of course. Bikeworks looks good as well as Cascade Cycle club for classes.

Before I had a car I use to bike to school and work (a VERY long time ago) ... but my commute was nothing: Capitol Hill to the UW to the Pike Place Market. Unfortunately I got hit by a taxi cab then moved too far away so I pretty much gave it up. This would be for recreational use to start with, working towards commuting (Montlake to Pioneer Square).

Another topic: can anyone think of a "beginner's route" for Montlake to Pioneer Square and back?

05/09/2008 Ted "Big Dog" B. says:

If you ride on the road, learn to ride defensively.  Take "possession" of the lane you are in.  Don't be shy.  It is better to be honked at than run over.  I learned that the hard way!

05/10/2008 Quinn D. says:

taking notes...I want a good bike as well.

05/10/2008 nate "I best not catch this flick on YouTube" j. says:

A new educational video from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on safely driving, fitting and maintaining a bicycle. http://www.youtube.com...

We need one of these for Queen Anne and Capitol Hill...
http://www.youtube.com...

05/16/2008 nate "I best not catch this flick on YouTube" j. says:

Happy Bike to Work Day everybody!

05/16/2008 Meredith K. says:

Angela, if you can get over to 12th Ave they have a bike lane that could take you south, then Yesler has a bike lane that would take you to pioneer square.

05/16/2008 patrick "aggressive dark metal lord" g. says:

http://www.youtube.com...

05/16/2008 Ian "foie gracias" M. says:

'Yesler has a bike lane that would take you to pioneer square."

Now, getting _back_ to 12th Ave is another story.  Some _cars_ can barely make it up Yesler. :-)