>>2860635
Try Craigslist.
Lots of good bikes if you can do some basic maintenance

>>2860635
Check online and you can occasionally get a deal used.
If you're commuting 5 miles definitely don't get a cheap bike with any sort of suspension. Get a road or hybrid style bike with solid front fork and frame Cheap suspensions are fucking terrible. A cheap solid bike can still be ok.
Make sure to look up how to set your cable tensions for brakes and derraileur. It won't be good out of the box

>>2860635
2nd hand stores can have some good deals. i bought a Amazon bike and put a 50cc motor on it and rode the fuck out of it and it still seems fine. fwiw

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>>2860639
>Try Craigslist.

The right answer. Look for a hybrid or MTB from early 90s/ GT, Diamondback, Trek, Mongoose, Fuji or Giant with no suspension & steel frame, Japan or Taiwan made. Just check CL around me in Podunk, 8 at $100 or less. Spend another $100 on chain, tires, tubes & cables and you've got a great bike for next 20 years. Really splurge and spring for new seat & grips.

Facebook marketplace>>>>>> craigslist in 2026.
I scored a Trek Domane 4.3 2014 for $480
2018 Specialized Stumpjumper for $1500

Craigslist, FB marketplace and to a lesser extent my local junkyard are all places that I've gotten used bikes from, and most of them have been rideable, or have provided parts for other bike projects.

as far as walmart bikes, the ozark G1 explorer and whatever the current ozark down hill bikes are pretty legit from what I've seen and read about, as in they're ridable. To me, I'd be more inclined to get the G1 over a mtb bike though

>>2860635
“Hundreds of dollars” is for an “overpriced bike”

Oh anon….

Real advice though I’d go secondary market, which is plentiful, and focus on quality there over <$500 new which equals shit. Check out the website pink bike, look for bikes that are under 7 years old, lightly used, no obvious defects, same size as you, etc from reputable manufacturers. You’ll get something much better. Or if you want to commute and nothing else you can probably find a local place in town that serves the community (aka Poors) with donated and refurbished bikes and get something there very cheap that will hold up


If you’re cycling for exercise, doing touring rides of 20+ miles, or mountain biking then I would focus on a decent bike

>>2860635
The one in your pic is good enough and will last you at least 10 yrs with moderate usage