The bike rack outside the library. They're free there.

HAHAH. perfect. (tracking this thread b/c its a great idea)

HELLO WORKING BIKES

I volunteer there Wednesdays and Saturdays and sometimes Sundays (which are the only days the Co-op storefront are open). Come between 12-5. If you want a road bike, you have to come a little early, because if Wednesday was any indicator, Saturday will see a queue forming outside around 11:45.

If you want a crappy shit bike, expect to spend 50-70 bucks. 100-150 dollar bikes are usually nicer bikes with a lot of TLC. Everything rides. We're located at Roosevelt and Western (1200s, 2400w), so it's a bit of a trek for Northsiders.

That's my suggestion. 100% of the money from your purchase goes towards the operating costs of the coop, most of which involves renting containers for our next shipment of bikes to Angola.

Also, Ride Bike Shop (http://www.yelp.com/biz/ride-bike-shop-chicago) has been recommended by some people in the community, and you're certain to find a cheap bike there. I can't speak for their quality. I've seen some really nice bikes bought from there, and some real pieces of shit (see: janky). Better choice for Northsiders if you don't care to make that trip to Working Bikes.

hahaha how did i know nick was going to have a fucking huge reply to this?

i second what he said. Also, The Recyclery (www.therecyclery.org), but um...Working Bikes 4eva.

Expect to see me there one day nick, i need me a bike around these parts.

Yeah! If you are on the far, far northside (think Evanston) consider the Recyclery. They've help the local community and they're pretty great in general. Ride is a for-profit shop, so I really hesitate to say "OH YEAH GIRL" about it. Also, if you live on the way southside, Blackstone Cyclery is good too.

@retro.joe Bike theft is very bad karma.

@sex!death!robots! Awesome. My friend is in the market for a road bike and I just might be as well. I don't know whether to fix mine up or get a new one. I'll be sure to stop by the co-op sometime.