bike question help

[lotsofplants]

I should've thought to ask this sooner.

I got a free bike. I need a helmet and a lock. I would prefer to pay less than $50 for these two items. Anyone have suggestions on:

- good stores to purchase such for reasonable prices?
- brands to look for / brands to avoid?

Comments

Re:

[ionan.livejournal.com]

I can vouch for most of the advice given. However, also keep in mind that you can come to your favorite local family-owned hardware store and obtain many of the supplies listed above (sans helmet) for employee discount prices, just by finding me. Hardwick's sells hex key sets, u-locks, tire irons, and patches for non-inflated bike store prices, plus 20% off if you can find me wandering around. And the expert advice of our resident bike culties(none of whom are me), who will be happy to give you loads of good pointers.

And you get to talk to me. This may or may not be a selling point.

[adularia.livejournal.com]

Hmm. Could you put Sarah in touch with Colin? (that's his name, IIRC - the cute one with curly hair and blue glass necklace.)

Re:

[ionan.livejournal.com]

Possibly. I've been to RecyCyc's with my coworkers/ bike culties, and they treat said coworkers like gods. It's scary. Plus, they give mad discounts. We shall see.