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)

[rjames]

Found this on Craig's list

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/bik/406628026.html

No picture, so I can't tell what's on it.

But.....
Cannondale only makes a few models of frames but puts different components on it to hit different price points. If you can spend the money on a new one outfitted with the cheapest components, you'll have a frame that will last you for a long time that you can upgrade with better parts later if you want.

$300 for a new bike won't buy you much unfortunately, look for used. Single speed would be a good choice $ wise, but a pain in the ass for long rides.

[Eric Taylor]

Found this on Craig's list

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/bik/406628026.html

No picture, so I can't tell what's on it.

But.....
Cannondale only makes a few models of frames but puts different components on it to hit different price points. If you can spend the money on a new one outfitted with the cheapest components, you'll have a frame that will last you for a long time that you can upgrade with better parts later if you want.

$300 for a new bike won't buy you much unfortunately, look for used. Single speed would be a good choice $ wise, but a pain in the ass for long rides.

I completely agree. Cannondale for life!

Anyway $300 is going to buy you an entry level mountain bike or a hybrid. If you're not going to ride it off road, go for the hybrid and be sure to get 700c wheels. There are a number of good hybrids right now with that size wheels that make great commuter bikes.

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.j...amp;language=US

Check this guy out. We sell them and I've got to say that for a bike to ride around town without having to pay up for a true road bike the Sirrus is awesome. You get true road wheels, tires, cassette and derailleur which make it pretty much a road bike with flat bars. From there you go up to at least $700 for an entry level road bike from almost any manufacture. That will get you drop bars, race geometry and shifters. They are pretty nice, but if you're on a budget something like a sirrus makes an awesome bike.

Now if you're willing to go single speed the options get super sweet. You could find
an old road steel frame, get a rear wheel built up with a fixed gear/single speed hub and make it totally custom. If you're super cool you can run the bike fixed with no brakes and practice your skid (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif). It's a good time on a fixie and it's totally custom, relatively cheap and with bolt on wheels pretty dam hard to steel or take a part.

If you want to go with a pre built bike specialized makes the langster

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=32712

And Bianchi makes the Pista

http://bianchiusa.com/07_pista.html

Both are nice bikes. I think the specialized rides nice because it's alluminum and it's snappier, but the bianchi is a bianchi and that's hard to argue with.

With used bikes, it's hit or miss, but if you can find an old cannondale especially a CAAD 4 get it. You'll love it. Super light and stiff.

Eric