I'm looking to get a bike for college to save on gas and parking problems. What would be the best type of bike?

Choice C) None of the above. 99.9% of the bikes for sale on Amazon.com are j-u-n-k. If you're going to be "commuting" by bicycle - get a "commuter" type bicycle. The best deal on the market right now is a Diamondback Insight RS Commuter Bike from R.E.I. Comes in both the man's style & the women's style. Both links below. YES...this is more $$$. It is also a MUCH better grade of bicycle that will last for years to come taken care of properly. And it comes from the factory with fenders & a rear rack. Add panniers (saddle bags) to store your books & stuff while riding between classes. Get a good (and I do mean GOOD) U-Bolt lock and a thick chain or cable to lock the bike up. Several additional links below. Remember this quote & refer to it when in doubt...“The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.” – Ben Franklin

If this is your first bike, a yard sale or thrift store bike might be a better way to go. You won't have to worry about it getting stolen, and you can use the bike to learn about the mechanics of the bike without worrying about breaking expensive parts. It's really rewarding to tinker around with your bike and learn how to fix/maintain it, and youtube makes this incredibly easy to do. I think you should go with the cruiser style of bike, but that not a new one. Older vintage ones are much more authentic and it's great to recycle bikes. My townie was actually my grandma's. It has lots of character and is fun to ride. You can find really cool old bikes for sale if you look around. The new cruisers are huge, heavy and flashy. I personally think they look kind of silly. I like my cruiser because I think the vintage look is really cool, the low crossbar lets me wear skirts while I ride, and a basket is the perfect addition, so you don't have to wear your pack on your back. while you ride. I have 2 other bikes, but I use the cruiser most of the time (every day) because it's just more relaxed and fun to ride. I absolutely love bike commuting, and I think you will too! Good for you for making the switch : ) For sure, whatever you choose, get fenders!

If this is your first bike, a yard sale or thrift store bike might be a better way to go. You won't have to worry about it getting stolen, and you can use the bike to learn about the mechanics of the bike without worrying about breaking expensive parts. It's really rewarding to tinker around with your bike and learn how to fix/maintain it, and youtube makes this incredibly easy to do. I think you should go with the cruiser style of bike, but that not a new one. Older vintage ones are much more authentic and it's great to recycle bikes. My townie was actually my grandma's. It has lots of character and is fun to ride. You can find really cool old bikes for sale if you look around. The new cruisers are huge, heavy and flashy. I personally think they look kind of silly. I like my cruiser because I think the vintage look is really cool, the low crossbar lets me wear skirts while I ride, and a basket is the perfect addition, so you don't have to wear your pack on your back. while you ride. I have 2 other bikes, but I use the cruiser most of the time (every day) because it's just more relaxed and fun to ride. I absolutely love bike commuting, and I think you will too! Good for you for making the switch : ) For sure, whatever you choose, get fenders!

Get a commuter bike or a hybrid. Something with gears and a 700c wheel size. Nothing from walmart, amazon, ebay, or cragistlist (craigslist has some gems on there but you need to know what youre looking for to pick them out). Go to a bike shop and tell them what you want and what you need. You walk in and say this "ya hi i'm looking for a good bike to ride to school. Its about x miles one way and pretty much flat terrain. I would also like a rack so I can put my books on it and not have by back get all sweaty from wearing a backpack." sales staff: "Oh of course, here let me show you these hybrids and commuter bikes. We can put a rack on just about any one of these bikes *motions to bikes.* All of these bikes have a 700c wheel which will allow you to carry your momentum better thus requiring less effort than a typical 26" mountain bike wheel would." Then he'll find your price range and so on. So recap: Commuter or hybrid style bike (700c wheels) Gears!!! at least 8 No shock = more efficient, don't need a shock for city riding. Any bike can have a rack (backpacks make you sweaty, not good for picking up girls) Go to a bike shop, they know what you need.

Get a commuter bike or a hybrid. Something with gears and a 700c wheel size. Nothing from walmart, amazon, ebay, or cragistlist (craigslist has some gems on there but you need to know what youre looking for to pick them out). Go to a bike shop and tell them what you want and what you need. You walk in and say this "ya hi i'm looking for a good bike to ride to school. Its about x miles one way and pretty much flat terrain. I would also like a rack so I can put my books on it and not have by back get all sweaty from wearing a backpack." sales staff: "Oh of course, here let me show you these hybrids and commuter bikes. We can put a rack on just about any one of these bikes *motions to bikes.* All of these bikes have a 700c wheel which will allow you to carry your momentum better thus requiring less effort than a typical 26" mountain bike wheel would." Then he'll find your price range and so on. So recap: Commuter or hybrid style bike (700c wheels) Gears!!! at least 8 No shock = more efficient, don't need a shock for city riding. Any bike can have a rack (backpacks make you sweaty, not good for picking up girls) Go to a bike shop, they know what you need.

We have to keep them outside in the bike rack at all times and the university issues bike permits that lists the info in case they get stolen so the uni police can get them back. ===if it is stolen you will never get it back serial numbers are worth zip wle

Better is this bicycle: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004W8LG1S/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=acomprar-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004W8LG1S

The bike will almost certainly be stolen. Repeat until you accept the fact. Now, what bike is best? An inexpensive, used bike that looks like cr*p, but is mechanically sound. It also helps to NOT get a type that is popular. Given the flat terrain and short distances almost any bike will suit, so look for garage sale bikes that fit (most important factor) and have it checked over at a local bike shop to be sure it is sound. Get anything badly worn replaced (tires, chain, brake pads, cogs, chainring, ...), put on fenders and a rear rack to allow you to carry stuff (in panniers), skuff up the seat and finally get some paint and give it an ugly paint job and ride in the rain a couple of times (dry and oil the drivetrain afterward). Voila ... an instant junker on the surface but mechanicaly sound underneath. But get a chain and padlock to lock it up with since even a junker can attract thieves.

The bike will almost certainly be stolen. Repeat until you accept the fact. Now, what bike is best? An inexpensive, used bike that looks like cr*p, but is mechanically sound. It also helps to NOT get a type that is popular. Given the flat terrain and short distances almost any bike will suit, so look for garage sale bikes that fit (most important factor) and have it checked over at a local bike shop to be sure it is sound. Get anything badly worn replaced (tires, chain, brake pads, cogs, chainring, ...), put on fenders and a rear rack to allow you to carry stuff (in panniers), skuff up the seat and finally get some paint and give it an ugly paint job and ride in the rain a couple of times (dry and oil the drivetrain afterward). Voila ... an instant junker on the surface but mechanicaly sound underneath. But get a chain and padlock to lock it up with since even a junker can attract thieves.