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)

[BahnBrenner914]

Thanks for all the advice guys, I'm still waiting on my mom to deposit some big $$$ in my account for painting her house this summer, so I'm not buying a bike until thats in my hands. I'm also looking for something that I can use while I'm here at college (2-3 more years) and then when I have an engineering job I can pony up and get a good road/commuter bike depending on my situation then.

I found this on Ebay, i'm not a seasoned ebay-er, so I'll let you guys give me thumbs up or down on this one:

Ebay road bike

[Eric Taylor]

Thanks for all the advice guys, I'm still waiting on my mom to deposit some big $$$ in my account for painting her house this summer, so I'm not buying a bike until thats in my hands. I'm also looking for something that I can use while I'm here at college (2-3 more years) and then when I have an engineering job I can pony up and get a good road/commuter bike depending on my situation then.

I found this on Ebay, i'm not a seasoned ebay-er, so I'll let you guys give me thumbs up or down on this one:

Ebay road bike

A couple friends of mine got those. They actually arn't that bad for the price. They are really heavy but for riding around campus it's not to bad. I would suggest having a bike mechanic build it for you. You're going to ge the most out of it if you start with everything in the best shape that it can be.
Eric