Do You Need an Expensive Bike to Commute? My Experience With Used Bikes

If you're thinking about commuting by bicycle, you might be wondering how much you actually need to spend on a bike. Do you need a dedicated commuter bike, a gravel bike, or something expensive to get started? Or can you get by with an old mountain bike or something you find used for under a couple hundred dollars? I've been using bicycles for transportation for nearly 20 years, and during that time I've ridden everything from BMX bikes to mountain bikes that weren't necessarily designed for commuting. Some were decent bikes, some were cheap, and others were whatever I happened to have available at the time. I've managed to get around on all kinds of bicycles, but that doesn't mean they were always comfortable or reliable. Just because I had to make do with certain bikes doesn't mean someone else should have to if they can afford something better.

I don't think you need an expensive bicycle to start commuting, but I also don't think buying the cheapest bike you can find is always the best idea. A lot depends on how often you plan to ride, how far you're going, what kind of roads you'll be traveling on, and what you can realistically afford. There's a big difference between riding a mile or two to the grocery store occasionally and depending on your bicycle to get to work five days a week. If you're going to spend a lot of time riding, having a bike that's comfortable and dependable can make a bigger difference than you might expect.

Some of My Best Transportation Bikes Were Bought Used

One of the better used bicycles I've owned was a Diamondback hardtail mountain bike with 29-inch wheels. I found it on OfferUp for around $250, and it had a small frame that fit me well. The nice thing about that bike was that it was ready to ride when I bought it. I didn't immediately have to start replacing parts or putting more money into it. I used it for transportation for several years, and it turned out to be a pretty good purchase considering how much riding I got out of it.

Eventually, though, it started needing quite a bit of work. Then one day, someone stole the rear wheel while the bike was locked up outside a store. Between replacing the wheel and fixing the other things that needed attention, I decided it would make more sense to get another bicycle. Sometimes I still wish I'd kept the Diamondback and fixed it up, but at the time I didn't think it was worth putting that much money into it. That's something to remember when buying used bikes. Even a good bicycle will eventually need maintenance, and there comes a point where you have to decide whether repairing it makes sense for your situation.

Another bike I've used for commuting is my GT i-Drive. Interestingly, I originally bought that bike for my dad. I don't remember the exact price, but I believe it was somewhere around $300. Unfortunately, he never really liked riding it. He thought it felt too small and that the riding position had him leaning too far forward. Eventually, I started using it as my commuter instead. That experience is a good reminder that a bicycle can be perfectly usable but still not be comfortable for the person riding it.

Before those bikes, I used BMX bikes and whatever mountain bike I happened to own at the time. I'm sure there are even a few bicycles I've forgotten about over the years. I wasn't always shopping specifically for a commuter bike. Most of the time, I simply needed transportation and used what I had.

A Good Deal Isn't Always a Good Bike

Around 2011, I bought an older GT mountain bike that seemed like a pretty good deal. The problem was that the frame was too large for me. I could ride it, but I was stretched out and hunched over more than I wanted to be. On shorter rides it wasn't necessarily a big problem, but I eventually stopped using it for longer trips because it wasn't comfortable.

That's one of the biggest things I'd tell someone shopping for a used commuter bike: don't buy something just because the price is good. Make sure it actually fits you. A bicycle that's too large or too small can make riding uncomfortable, especially when you're spending a lot of time on it. And if you're just getting into commuting, an uncomfortable bicycle might make you think you don't enjoy riding to work when the real problem is the bike itself.

I'm about 5'5", so frame size is something I pay attention to when looking at used bicycles. It's tempting to overlook sizing when you find a good deal, especially if you're working with a limited budget, but I wouldn't recommend it. You don't necessarily need a professional bike fitting or an expensive bicycle, but you should at least be able to ride comfortably without feeling overly stretched out or cramped.

Cheap Bikes Can End Up Costing More Than You Expect

Another thing to consider is how much work a used bicycle needs. I've seen plenty of bikes advertised for $60, $70, or $100 that look like decent deals at first. Some probably are, but others might need quite a bit of work before they're dependable enough for daily transportation. When I'm looking at a used bicycle, one of the things I check is the tires. If they're completely worn down, cracked, or nearly bald, I already know that's another expense I'll have to add to the purchase price. Depending on the bike, I might try negotiating a little on the price to account for the cost of replacing them.

The same goes for other parts. If the brakes aren't working properly, the wheels are damaged, or the drivetrain is badly worn, those repairs can add up. A $75 bicycle might not be such a bargain if you have to spend another $150 getting it ready to ride. On the other hand, a $150 bicycle that's already in good mechanical condition might end up being the better purchase.

I've also owned a few bicycles that simply weren't very good. At one point, someone gave us an older Mongoose mountain bike, one of the inexpensive models sold at Walmart. It wasn't a particularly good bicycle, and I eventually sold it for $60. That doesn't mean every inexpensive department-store bike is unusable, but there can be a noticeable difference in the quality of the components and how well a bicycle holds up over time.

I do some basic bicycle maintenance myself, but I've also relied on bike shops over the years. When I worked at a car wash on Baseline, there was a small shop nearby that sold hubcaps and also worked on bicycles. I knew the people there, and their prices used to be pretty reasonable. Sometimes I'd drop my bike off during my lunch break and pick it up after work. That was really convenient when I was depending on my bike to get around. Over time, their prices gradually went up, but having somewhere nearby that could fix problems was still useful. If you're buying a cheap used bicycle and don't know how to do repairs yourself, it's worth remembering that shop labor can sometimes cost more than the parts.

How Often Will You Actually Be Riding?

I think this is one of the most important questions to ask before deciding how much to spend. Are you planning to ride to the grocery store once or twice a week, or is this going to be your main form of transportation? Are you commuting a couple of miles each day, or will you be riding much farther?

If you're only making occasional short trips, you might be perfectly happy with an inexpensive used bicycle. As long as it's safe, fits reasonably well, and works properly, you probably don't need anything fancy. But if you're going to be riding every day, especially for longer distances, I think spending a little more to get something comfortable and reliable is worth considering.

When you depend on a bicycle for transportation, you don't always get to choose the perfect day to ride. Sometimes you're tired, the weather isn't great, or you've already spent eight hours on your feet at work. You still have to get home. The last thing you want is a bicycle that's uncomfortable, difficult to pedal, or constantly giving you problems.

I think someone who's new to commuting should give themselves a fair chance to enjoy it. If you buy a poorly fitting bicycle that needs constant repairs, you might end up hating bike commuting before you've really had a chance to experience it on a decent bike. I've ridden plenty of bikes that weren't ideal because they were what I had available. But if you can afford something better, there's no reason you should have to make things harder on yourself.

Do You Need a Dedicated Commuter or Gravel Bike?

Not necessarily. I've spent much of my life using mountain bikes for transportation, and they've worked well enough for everything from commuting to work to running errands and taking longer rides. A mountain bike might not be the fastest or most efficient choice for pavement, especially with heavy knobby tires and suspension, but that doesn't mean you can't commute on one.

A hybrid, gravel bike, or dedicated commuter might offer advantages depending on where you ride. Some have mounting points for racks and fenders, more comfortable riding positions, or tires better suited to pavement. Those things can be useful, particularly if you're planning to carry groceries or ride regularly. But I wouldn't tell someone they need to buy a completely different bicycle just because they want to start commuting.

If you already own a mountain bike that's in good condition and fits you, I'd suggest trying it before spending money on something else. You can always make changes later based on what you actually need. Maybe you eventually want smoother tires, a rear rack, a basket, or handlebars that put you in a more upright position. You don't necessarily need to buy everything at once.

I've actually been thinking about building a couple of inexpensive commuter bikes myself, one for me and another for my dad. I originally considered buying one of the newer budget gravel bikes, but then I started looking at used bicycles and realized I might be able to put together two practical commuters for around $400 total, including some accessories. I haven't bought anything yet, and I'm not in a hurry. My plan is to keep looking for good deals and gradually add racks and other equipment as needed. I'd rather find bicycles that fit us and are in good condition than rush into buying something just because it's cheap.

Finding a Balance Between Price and Theft

There's another reason I don't necessarily want an expensive bicycle for everyday transportation: theft. When you're using a bike to go to work, grocery stores, and other places around town, you're eventually going to have to leave it locked up somewhere. Even with a good lock, there's always some risk.

I've had bicycle parts stolen before, including the rear wheel from my Diamondback. That experience definitely makes me think about how much money I want tied up in a bike that I'll regularly be leaving outside stores.

I wouldn't recommend buying a terrible bicycle just because you're worried about someone stealing it, though. You still want something dependable and comfortable. I think there's a middle ground where you can find a decent used bicycle that works well without spending so much that replacing it would be a major financial setback. And regardless of how much your bicycle costs, using a good lock and securing the wheels and frame properly is important.

So, How Much Should You Spend on a Commuter Bike?

I don't think there's one price that works for everyone. Someone might find a perfectly good used bicycle for $75, while someone else might be better off spending $250 or $400 on a bike that's already in excellent condition. It depends on what's available, what kind of riding you plan to do, and whether you can handle any repairs it might need.

Personally, I've had good experiences with used bikes in the $200–$300 range, but I've also gotten around on much cheaper bicycles. The biggest lesson I've learned is that the purchase price doesn't tell you everything. A bicycle that fits, rides comfortably, and doesn't need a bunch of immediate repairs can be worth spending a little more on, especially if you're going to use it every day.

If you're just starting out, I'd first look at what you already have. If you own a bicycle that's safe and comfortable enough to ride, there's nothing wrong with using it to see how commuting works for you. If you're shopping for something used, take your time, check its condition, and don't overlook the importance of getting the right size.

You don't need to spend a fortune to get around by bicycle. I've been doing it for nearly 20 years without always having the best equipment. But after all those years, I also know that having a comfortable, dependable bike makes everyday transportation a whole lot easier. The goal shouldn't be to find the cheapest bicycle possible. It should be to find one that makes you want to keep riding.