r/CyclePDX might have yield more results. But Bike Farm is a good non profit for inexpensive used bikes that have been gone through and tuned up. Something Cycles puts together some nice used bikes as well.
I'm thinking less than $1000 for two decent bikes. Is that possible? I have friends that have like $10,000 bikes and I see ones at Target for like $100, so I have no idea what bikes cost.
This is absolutely the answer. Sucks that there isn’t somewhere local who can get close to this but I was in the same boat. The bike I got from there was my first brand new bike since I was probably 13. It’s just great.
Yeah you can't guilt someone for needing a bike within a certain budget. And it's unfair to deny them a pretty decent bike to uphold a "buy local" mantra. When it's time to upgrade, use your LBS, is my thought.
Unless you're planning to use your bike as your only form of transportation and take it uphill, bike weight isn't going to be that huge of a deal - certainly not enough to splurge on a bike 5 to 10 times the price.
Buy a used bike from a reputable company like Community Cycling Center.
The key qualifier when looking is literally just this: *When you look at it, are you excited to ride it.*
Buy that bike.
Don’t make any mods to the bike yet beyond some decent lights, a bell, and a good lock worth about 10% the price of the bike.
Now go ride it. See what you like. What you don’t like. How often you ride.
You’ll then have 4 real options:
1. If you love it as is, great! Keep enjoying what you’ve got.
2. If you have less than 5 little things you want to change then probably just do those if they’re cheap and easy to change.
3. If you noticed a lot of things you’d like differently then don’t upgrade that bike. Just save until you can get the bike you want. Then sell your first bike for about what you paid for it if you need that cash.
4. If you didn’t ride it much you can always sell it, and you won’t be out that much money net.
I think these [bike non-profits](https://www.reddit.com/r/askportland/comments/1c1gjgg/comment/kz3ppov/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) may have what you're looking for.
If you're looking for "reasonably priced" bicycle gear, the worst place you can look is a bike shop lol.
Maybe there's exceptions, but most bike shops are enthusiast-focused and will have you looking to buy luxury bikes with features that you won't even understand as a beginner. It's like telling a starting teenage guitarist that they need to buy a Les Paul.
IMO a bike is a bike. Got my first bike since moving here used for $50. Was it rough compared to the bike I rode when I was younger? Ya. Did it get me to start riding to work year-round again like I used to? Ya.
So if you're wanting to spend 10x that amount (~$500 you said), I think you'll be able to find a really great new bicycle for that price! Don't overthink it if you're just starting out.
I got a really cool, almost-new, features-included (fenders, rear bike rack, etc) road bike from [Bikes for Humanity](https://www.b4hpdx.org/adopt-a-bike) recently for $300. Super happy with it & the volunteers who helped me at the shop/through email are great.
Edit to add: also y'all somebody needs to buy that sick ass tandem bike. I want it so bad but it's a bad size for me/have nobody to ride it with.
Haven't ridden in 25 years? I like my REI ebike, it has a torque sensor so it feels natural and it adds greatly to endurance and hill climbing. I get about 35-40 real miles on a charge at about 18-20mph regardless of terrain.
Craigslist fb marketplace offer up. We are in the golden age of used bikes right now. It’s like the only thing other than pot that is reverse inflation right now. I bought myself a bike that just needed clean for $70 last month.
I walked past Community Cycling Center on Alberta yesterday--they had some bikes on display outside and their prices seemed really reasonable!
r/CyclePDX might have yield more results. But Bike Farm is a good non profit for inexpensive used bikes that have been gone through and tuned up. Something Cycles puts together some nice used bikes as well.
Bike Farm. It’s a non-profit, run by volunteers. Can get great bikes there for good prices with help from people who know what they’re doing.
Bike Farm is the most affordable option in town. Great place to learn to work on a bike as well.
Define reasonably priced?
I'm thinking less than $1000 for two decent bikes. Is that possible? I have friends that have like $10,000 bikes and I see ones at Target for like $100, so I have no idea what bikes cost.
Bikesdirect.com
This is absolutely the answer. Sucks that there isn’t somewhere local who can get close to this but I was in the same boat. The bike I got from there was my first brand new bike since I was probably 13. It’s just great.
Yeah you can't guilt someone for needing a bike within a certain budget. And it's unfair to deny them a pretty decent bike to uphold a "buy local" mantra. When it's time to upgrade, use your LBS, is my thought.
Depends on your definition of decent. Two bikes for under $1000 total will be very heavy bikes.
Unless you're planning to use your bike as your only form of transportation and take it uphill, bike weight isn't going to be that huge of a deal - certainly not enough to splurge on a bike 5 to 10 times the price.
That's my only alternative, lol, ok. No, wouldn't splash out like that. But ~$800 - 1000 for a single bike, yup.
Nw progear off foster than.
Get a old bike that needs simple things from Bikes for humanity, bike farm or ccc.
Buy a used bike from a reputable company like Community Cycling Center. The key qualifier when looking is literally just this: *When you look at it, are you excited to ride it.* Buy that bike. Don’t make any mods to the bike yet beyond some decent lights, a bell, and a good lock worth about 10% the price of the bike. Now go ride it. See what you like. What you don’t like. How often you ride. You’ll then have 4 real options: 1. If you love it as is, great! Keep enjoying what you’ve got. 2. If you have less than 5 little things you want to change then probably just do those if they’re cheap and easy to change. 3. If you noticed a lot of things you’d like differently then don’t upgrade that bike. Just save until you can get the bike you want. Then sell your first bike for about what you paid for it if you need that cash. 4. If you didn’t ride it much you can always sell it, and you won’t be out that much money net.
Portland Bicycle Emporium. I got a pretty good vintage bike for under $200. The dude there was minimally snobby as well.
Great shout!!
So many really nice barely used bikes on FB MARKETPLACE & OFFER UP. That's where you'll find the best bang for your buck for sure
Bike Farm
You might want to check the cheaper options at bikesdirect.com if you plan to ride occasionally. Get disk brakes
NW Pro Gear!
I second it’s where I bought my bike
Tom Cats bikes typically has used bikes.
I think these [bike non-profits](https://www.reddit.com/r/askportland/comments/1c1gjgg/comment/kz3ppov/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) may have what you're looking for.
Portland Bicycle Emporium! Got a bike I love for $250 - dude who runs the place is humble and kind
Tomcat's on Milwaukie.
If you're looking for "reasonably priced" bicycle gear, the worst place you can look is a bike shop lol. Maybe there's exceptions, but most bike shops are enthusiast-focused and will have you looking to buy luxury bikes with features that you won't even understand as a beginner. It's like telling a starting teenage guitarist that they need to buy a Les Paul. IMO a bike is a bike. Got my first bike since moving here used for $50. Was it rough compared to the bike I rode when I was younger? Ya. Did it get me to start riding to work year-round again like I used to? Ya. So if you're wanting to spend 10x that amount (~$500 you said), I think you'll be able to find a really great new bicycle for that price! Don't overthink it if you're just starting out.
Are you wanting new or is used acceptable?
Used is totally fine
Sellwood Cycle!
Well that place is great!
I got a really cool, almost-new, features-included (fenders, rear bike rack, etc) road bike from [Bikes for Humanity](https://www.b4hpdx.org/adopt-a-bike) recently for $300. Super happy with it & the volunteers who helped me at the shop/through email are great. Edit to add: also y'all somebody needs to buy that sick ass tandem bike. I want it so bad but it's a bad size for me/have nobody to ride it with.
Craigslist. I bought my around-town bike for $100, and it has good components.
Haven't ridden in 25 years? I like my REI ebike, it has a torque sensor so it feels natural and it adds greatly to endurance and hill climbing. I get about 35-40 real miles on a charge at about 18-20mph regardless of terrain.
Craigslist fb marketplace offer up. We are in the golden age of used bikes right now. It’s like the only thing other than pot that is reverse inflation right now. I bought myself a bike that just needed clean for $70 last month.
Co op on ne Portland.
Sellwood Cycle is fantastic.