Cycling at Princeton?

[kgt]

I will be at Princeton University for this term and I'd like to make a few short rides around Princeton if possible. I already have this used 26" mtb to commute but it weights like 40lbs. and has only 4 gears functioning.



The only place offering bike rentals is Jay's cycles as far as I know. They rent Trek road bikes for $75 the day (not cheap at all if you ask me). Any other options and/or suggestions?

[miltmaster3]

Ask calnago


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[Calnago]

Ha! I’m on the other side of the country. Only been to Princeton once. Did a covered bridge ride tour in New Jersey, kinda fun. Perfect season for that. Can’t believe you came all the way over here for an entire school term (or maybe you mean something else by “term”?, a few days?), and didn’t bring your own bike. $75 does not seem out of line for a bike rental for a day in a major city area. At least you won’t have to ride your twitchy TIME.
Oh, btw, looks like your Roadmaster could use a bit of lube in the chain. Nice basket though.

[AnkitS]

Hey, look on the bright side. At least it doesn't have disc brakes right? It's also not aero. If it was made in Europe you would basically be in love with it.

[miltmaster3]

Ha! I’m on the other side of the country. Only been to Princeton once. Did a covered bridge ride tour in New Jersey, kinda fun. Perfect season for that. Can’t believe you came all the way over here for an entire school term (or maybe you mean something else by “term”?, a few days?), and didn’t bring your own bike. $75 does not seem out of line for a bike rental for a day in a major city area. At least you won’t have to ride your twitchy TIME.
Oh, btw, looks like your Roadmaster could use a bit of lube in the chain. Nice basket though.

LoL you make my day ( night in Greece )


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[Matt28NJ]

Welcome, I live nearby, and my buddy is the coach of the Princeton Cycling team.

You mentioned you'll be here for this "term", but how long will you actually be on campus?

You might be better off buying a cheaper bike and selling it when you leave.

[kode54]

Tons of places to ride just a short distance from Princeton. Sour lands is great with a nice climb on Zion. Takes you close to Hopewell where there’s a great breakfast stop, Brick Farm.

Also, going north, you can hit Millstone and Canal Road.

[kode54]

That Roadmaster looks like it has some beefy tires. You can probably ride that on the tow path either on the Delaware water gap or alongside the Raritan River way where’s there’s no traffic.

[kgt]

@Matt28NJ
I arrived on September 1st and I will be on campus during the fall term (until mid December). Buying a cheap bike and selling it before I leave seems like a better idea. I really don't want to pay 400-500 bucks in order to rent a bike for a few rides.
@ kode54
Yes, I could ride my Roadmaster around but this would not be that fun.

Thank you both anyway.

[joeyb1000]

You could also try Kopp’s Cycles to see if they have any used road bikes for sale. The good news is that the weather doesn’t turn bad until Jan/Feb.

[nismosr]

Tons of places to ride just a short distance from Princeton. Sour lands is great with a nice climb on Zion. Takes you close to Hopewell where there’s a great breakfast stop, Brick Farm.

Also, going north, you can hit Millstone and Canal Road.

oh yes .. the good ol Zion Rd ouch ! .. I second Brick Farm Market .. and my group rides off princeton to New Hope Pa. and back on a nice weather.

[nismosr]

btw I'll rent you my Fat Bike for $100 a month but make sure it never get stolen ... or you'll owe me $1200 lol

[jfranci3]

Might be worth it to rent from a private individual or shop mechanic. A decent road bike rental is going to be $100/day and winter is coming, so you'd probably want a CX or XC bike. Anyway, hit up the clubs or big group ride leaders or craigslist https://cnj.craigslist.org/search/bia?m ... price=3000 . You'll probably need to leave some sort or deposit - maybe use Paypal to send XXX cash.

You're going to be by Manhattan at somepoint. I think the Rapha Club is $30/day max 3days. Plus, you can do a Central Park ride. Maybe you an re-up the rental via the phone. $200+30/day and 2x3hr train rides.

[CrankAddictsRich]

Nismosr has already metnioned some of the great riding areas... I agree that you might be better off finding a decent used bike, maybe a Caad10 or Allez to use and then sell.

[kgt]

Thank you all. Yes, buy something used and sell it makes sense.