OT: Looking for a Road Bike Options

[BahnBrenner914]

So I'm here at College in Angola, IN and my fiesta is getting a new head in Virginia (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) (refer to my summer roadathon thread), so I figure now is the time to look around for a good road bike to get around town, save gas, and stay fit.

So here's the deal. I dont have a lot of money, but I'm willing to shell out about 300 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pinch.gif) max so I get something decent that wont fall apart on me. I have a 30-31" inseam which is a 56cm frame (yes?).

Nobody here in town has roadbikes new or used except the Schwinn dealer, which from my friends who ride say isnt the best place to do business. And as far as craigslist (IMG:style_emoticons/default/type.gif) and such, there's pretty slim pickings for anything within an hour of here (which is as far as I'd ask my roomates to drive (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif) ).

The other option is Ebay (IMG:style_emoticons/default/type.gif) . There are a few roadbikes new and used for around 300 like a mercier (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) (which I've never heard of but apparently was lance armstrong's first bike?). Also some used bikes from 200 to 300 and the GMC (?!?) bikes that are somewhere in the 100's.

Ideas, comments, wisdom? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pray.gif)

[ConeDodger]

So I'm here at College in Angola, IN and my fiesta is getting a new head in Virginia (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) (refer to my summer roadathon thread), so I figure now is the time to look around for a good road bike to get around town, save gas, and stay fit.

So here's the deal. I dont have a lot of money, but I'm willing to shell out about 300 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pinch.gif) max so I get something decent that wont fall apart on me. I have a 30-31" inseam which is a 56cm frame (yes?).

Nobody here in town has roadbikes new or used except the Schwinn dealer, which from my friends who ride say isnt the best place to do business. And as far as craigslist (IMG:style_emoticons/default/type.gif) and such, there's pretty slim pickings for anything within an hour of here (which is as far as I'd ask my roomates to drive (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif) ).

The other option is Ebay (IMG:style_emoticons/default/type.gif) . There are a few roadbikes new and used for around 300 like a mercier (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) (which I've never heard of but apparently was lance armstrong's first bike?). Also some used bikes from 200 to 300 and the GMC (?!?) bikes that are somewhere in the 100's.

Ideas, comments, wisdom? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pray.gif)

One of my first bikes was a Mercier. In fact it was my first serious bike with sew-up tires and Campy components... They were at one time a serious road machine. These days, who knows. Big bike companies swallow small all the time. It is actually hard to NOT be riding a Trek these days because they bought everyone in the 80's...
A Hybrid is probably the best choice for a campus bike. It can be outfitted with panniers to carry books and groceries, it can go on road or light off road... It will take some abuse without blowing tires every sixty miles...
I have a couple spare bikes laying around but they would be more like $1000 and $3000 each... One is titanium Look Team bike and the other vintage Bianchi Raparto Corsa... Try local Craigs List...