Can anyone offer pointers on getting a really cheap bike?

Depends where you are but it shouldn't be a problem. Seeing that it's winter (depending on where you live) bike's are generally cheaper now.

Try

craigslist

kijiji/ebay classifieds

garage sales

flea markets (most of the bikes I buy at flea markets are $10-$20).

some pawn shops but they're usually overpriced.

I get most of my mountain bikes at municipal/police auctions and pay $5-$15.

Most likely at that price you'll have to get some work done. It's good to be handy at this stage or know someone that is. If you live in a fairly large city or near a university you can search for a local bike co-op. Lots of used parts, all the tools you need and there's usually someone there to guide you along. Some bike shops have the same service and they charge a nominal fee to use their workshop.

If you need parts - flea markets and craigslist are two places you can get used (and new) parts for dirt cheap.

Cables and pads are cheap no matter where you go and it's something you can do on your own. Check the rims to make sure they're fairly straight with no dents. Replacing a wheel is costly unless you can find one used. If you have to replace a chain that's about $12 for a cheap one. You can usually find used tires on craigslist and flea markets for cheap.

The other thing you want to watch out for on a $50 bike or less is the crankset/bottom bracket. Grip both pedal arms and try wiggling it and see if you can feel any play or looseness. If it's loose you'll have to replace the bearings and sometimes the bottom bracket cups and/or the axle. The parts for that aren't expensive and it's a cheap fix IF you can do it yourself. If you can't then don't bother buying the bike as you'll have to get that serviced and you won't be able to afford it if you're bidget is $50.

You might find something used, but be prepared to spend some money on repairs. If you did find a new bike for that price it would be so cheaply made it would probably break down within a week or two, even doing rides as short as 5 miles. Look up the prices of bike parts online, even the cheapest set of tires you could find would cost you over $20. Do you think you could buy the rest of a new bike for $30? It doesn't make sense. Try local garage sales. Lots of people have unused bikes cluttering up their sheds and garages. The bad news is that they didn't get used because they were mostly cheap to begin with and not very nice to ride.

What about a yard sale? Or go looking for a bike on bin day, people often throw bikes out which with a bit of work will make a good bike or use two or three to build one good bike. Have three bin bikes, one has lasted me over ten years. Using other peoples rubbish is a cheap way to fix bikes and do it all the time both for myself and others, scrap bikes can be a wonderful source of cheap usable spares.

A $50 bike from craigslist or a Salvation Army store will most likely require another $50 to $150 in repairs, adjustments and/or upgrades. So the answer to your question is...nope.

Now...to be brutally honest, can't anyone $AVE a few bucks anymore? I live on a meager Soc. Sec. income & have a stable of nice bikes. My "pride & joy" being a 2011 Raleigh Sojourn...$1,200 bike!

Try Goodwill, the Salvation Army, or Craig's list everyday.

you got to be either lucky or have a lot of time

plus know what you need and what is good and bad

wle