Bike advice for college

[Samcansnowboard]

I’m heading to college and deciding which bike to take—or whether to sell and buy a new one. One college is flat with roads, smooth walkways, and brick walkways, while the other has roads, stairs, and a mix of smooth, brick, wood walkways. I have a 2004 Trek OCLV 5500 (road bike) and a Jamis Trail X3 (mountain bike).





I love the road bike , so if I attend the flatter school, I’ll take the Trek, which is in great shape. While on the other hand, the Jamis is in decent shape but it needs new grips and a tune-up. If I go to school 1 should I fix up the Jamis or sell both bikes to buy a new mountain bike, and it’s the same fillers for school 2.

 

[Sharky]

How far is the commute and what is the storage/security going to be?

 

[Samcansnowboard]

I’d be on campus but for college one I’d say probably 5+ miles a day and college two I’d say probably 3. Whatever I have is going on my dorm and I’m going to have a good lock for whenever I’m not riding it.

 

[raleighnut]

I'd do up the Jamis and probably put more 'road orientated' tyres on it as a commuter.

 

[ColinJ]

Do NOT buy/take a nice, expensive bike - Buy the cheapest bike that you can stand to ride! You will probably have to replace it a few times...

I went with my stepdaughter to her interview at Sheffield university. While she was being interviewed I walked around the campus and spotted some bike racks. There were locked front wheels with bikes missing, locked bikes with front wheels missing, broken locks (with entire bikes missing!) and securely-locked bikes which had been vandalised.

My mate's son was going to Sheffield uni the following year. I heard that his mum was going to buy him a bike to get around the city so I suggested that it would be a good idea for him to ride something cheap, and effectively disposable. The advice went unheeded and he got an expensive mountain bike. It was stolen in his first couple of weeks there ...

 

[Ajax Bay]

I too once rode a 2004 Trek OCLV 5500! Black though.
If this bike is for getting to and from college/faculty/gym/sports ground then neither the Trek nor the Jamis. As @ColinJ says the security issue is the primary concern in that environment: anything will do, and the shoddier the better. Be aware that noone is judging you by the bike you ride and almost noone will sympathise when a good bike gets stolen.
If you are actually going to go out for rides (road or on terrain) then that's a different Q which you'll have to balance.
I took an old road bike bitd: our son has our 'worst' MTB with a fixed fork and V brakes (in Birmingham).

 

[Gillstay]

I would take a ladies bike as less stolen and cheaper to buy, make it look shoddy, but mechanically great, put a rack on it and very good guards for the wet winter days rather than the summer days your thinking of. Oh and do anything else you can to help it cope with neglect.

 

[Debade]

I would take a ladies bike as less stolen and cheaper to buy, make it look shoddy, but mechanically great, put a rack on it and very good guards for the wet winter days rather than the summer days your thinking of. Oh and do anything else you can to help it cope with neglect.

This!! Except I think a 2004 is old enough.

But , what I really want to suggest, if you have not already, take the time to learn how to navigate and safely ride in the street. I live near 3 universities and it is clear to me that the last bicycle traffic safety guidance they received is one of their parents holding the back of their saddle.

The League of American Bycyclists has a series of safety videos called Smart Cycling. Some are basic. Some are very important. Another is called Cycling Savvy. They focus more on lessons for sharing the road with motor vehicles.

Enjoy your college years.

 

[Ajax Bay]

This!! Except I think a 2004 is old enough.

I assure you the OP's Trek OCLV 5500 even 20 years old is a svelte attractive carbon bike and easily shifted by a thief.

 

[slowmotion]

I would take the roughest, scruffiest bike I could lay my hands on. That way, there's a faint chance it might not get nicked.

 

[raleighnut]

I would take the roughest, scruffiest bike I could lay my hands on. That way, there's a faint chance it might not get nicked.

Yep, as long as it is mechanically A1 then the scruffier the better, old carrier bag over the saddle helps too.

 

[slowmotion]

Yep, as long as it is mechanically A1 then the scruffier the better, old carrier bag over the saddle helps too.

A smashed up wicker basket on the bars would help to reduce cool-appeal.