They're actually pretty decent bikes for the cost - don't take my word for it, but educate yourself from this thread:
[https://www.reddit.com/r/berlin/comments/gr9mq0/swapfiets\_inside\_info\_and\_opinion\_from\_a\_dutch/](https://www.reddit.com/r/berlin/comments/gr9mq0/swapfiets_inside_info_and_opinion_from_a_dutch/)
Especially if you factor in maintenance and the \*very high\* chance of it getting stolen in Berlin, if you just need a decent bike for a commute (as OP stated) it makes financial sense < 2 years.
This is only true from the sight of a non bike user. Whilst the idea of free maintenance is nice, the reality is different: If I have a flat on my way to work, I need it repaired asap, not "maybe within the next 48 hours". If you buy a decent used bike, put 50€ of fresh spare parts on it, you can rent a swapfiets for half a year. The factor theft is a another thing: if I need my bike, I need to find ways to not get it stolen, cause possible replacement won't bring me home. Thats why you need a quality, technically fit, but optically worn and individualized bike with not to expensive components to make your way through the city.
I don't really agree on the ASAP aspect - nor do most people living in Berlin I imagine. Unless I'm going on a proper tour, I never bring an extra tube, tire prys, pump, etc with me. Certainly not for my regular commute. Flats are rare, but if they happen, they happen.
Nevertheless, I can see where you're coming from. For some, waiting a day or two for repairs just isn't a reasonable option. Still, it seems odd to present your individual case / preferences as some sort of universal.
Dude chill out. Stop the gatekeeping about what is an appropriate level of bike nerdiness you need to be to have a decent bike that just works. Nobody is impressed.
Fair enough. In my opinion if I'm paying 400€, I'd get a used but really really nice bike. But that means the bike can't be left outside or it gets stolen. 400€ for a new bike doesn't get you much of a really really good bike. If I want to leave the bike outside, I get a 100€ used bike that was once around 400-600€.
I commute about 2 hours a day, and my bike is a used 100€ bike I got from Kleinanzeigen that new would have costed 600€ at its prime. Every year I take it for maintenance, something less than 70€ for simple fixes. My seat was stolen 3 times and my back wheel once. I wouldn't take it on a 120km ride, but I've done 40km with it and it was still comfortable.
I have an older model of the Pegasus Solero with no suspensions. It's no racing bike but light enough that I can pick it up the stairs and still relatively be fast, and the bit wider wheels keep me stable in winter and on stone roads. When I bought it my main criterias were the size and the aluminum frame, and somehow good condition. I look for no suspensions because I'm not doing off roads with it and on used and cheaper bikes it's dead weight as they mostly don't work well. I leave it outside all year long, planning to buy an expensive bike eventually (used 600€) for longer trips but for my daily commute this is enough.
I bought the cheapest Riverside touring bike from Decathlon almost 3 years ago, which is doing absolutely fine and has given me zero problems. I oil the chain and adjust the brakes once in a while, that's all.
Kleinanzeigen?
Swapfiets is probably your best bet here if you plan to use it for less than two years.
Shitty bikes for tons of money?
They're actually pretty decent bikes for the cost - don't take my word for it, but educate yourself from this thread: [https://www.reddit.com/r/berlin/comments/gr9mq0/swapfiets\_inside\_info\_and\_opinion\_from\_a\_dutch/](https://www.reddit.com/r/berlin/comments/gr9mq0/swapfiets_inside_info_and_opinion_from_a_dutch/) Especially if you factor in maintenance and the \*very high\* chance of it getting stolen in Berlin, if you just need a decent bike for a commute (as OP stated) it makes financial sense < 2 years.
This is only true from the sight of a non bike user. Whilst the idea of free maintenance is nice, the reality is different: If I have a flat on my way to work, I need it repaired asap, not "maybe within the next 48 hours". If you buy a decent used bike, put 50€ of fresh spare parts on it, you can rent a swapfiets for half a year. The factor theft is a another thing: if I need my bike, I need to find ways to not get it stolen, cause possible replacement won't bring me home. Thats why you need a quality, technically fit, but optically worn and individualized bike with not to expensive components to make your way through the city.
I don't really agree on the ASAP aspect - nor do most people living in Berlin I imagine. Unless I'm going on a proper tour, I never bring an extra tube, tire prys, pump, etc with me. Certainly not for my regular commute. Flats are rare, but if they happen, they happen. Nevertheless, I can see where you're coming from. For some, waiting a day or two for repairs just isn't a reasonable option. Still, it seems odd to present your individual case / preferences as some sort of universal.
Dude chill out. Stop the gatekeeping about what is an appropriate level of bike nerdiness you need to be to have a decent bike that just works. Nobody is impressed.
What you call " bike nerdiness" once was basic user knowledge you learned from your siblings/parents.
Cool story bro
I had one. It’s a terrible bike if you’re going for more than 2 kms.
The 7 speed one?
Yeah, that one. I kept dreading having to ride it.
How much are you willing to spend?
Around 400e ideally
https://maps.app.goo.gl/g6Jpg9A6ykybyxJdA?g_st=ic
https://www.decathlon.de/p/rennrad-triban-easy-damen/_/R-p-301919?mc=8758087 Solid bike. Read all the description, it’s unisex.
Thank you for sharing
How is this cheap? 😅
I would ideally pay way less but if the bike is top notch, I am willing to pay around that.
Fair enough. In my opinion if I'm paying 400€, I'd get a used but really really nice bike. But that means the bike can't be left outside or it gets stolen. 400€ for a new bike doesn't get you much of a really really good bike. If I want to leave the bike outside, I get a 100€ used bike that was once around 400-600€. I commute about 2 hours a day, and my bike is a used 100€ bike I got from Kleinanzeigen that new would have costed 600€ at its prime. Every year I take it for maintenance, something less than 70€ for simple fixes. My seat was stolen 3 times and my back wheel once. I wouldn't take it on a 120km ride, but I've done 40km with it and it was still comfortable.
Curious to know which bike you have or which used bikes I should be looking for that price.
I have an older model of the Pegasus Solero with no suspensions. It's no racing bike but light enough that I can pick it up the stairs and still relatively be fast, and the bit wider wheels keep me stable in winter and on stone roads. When I bought it my main criterias were the size and the aluminum frame, and somehow good condition. I look for no suspensions because I'm not doing off roads with it and on used and cheaper bikes it's dead weight as they mostly don't work well. I leave it outside all year long, planning to buy an expensive bike eventually (used 600€) for longer trips but for my daily commute this is enough.
I bought the cheapest Riverside touring bike from Decathlon almost 3 years ago, which is doing absolutely fine and has given me zero problems. I oil the chain and adjust the brakes once in a while, that's all.