Help a newbie out, it wont hurt too much...
 

So my parents are roadies.

Bout time to join the family tradition!

I would like to buy a bike below $300.

I realize that price is real low for anything really high-quality.

But hey, this is just for fun and excercise, I'm not competing in the Tour de France.

If you could point me in th rigth direction with link and etc. it'd be appreciated. Thanks.

~Racaryu

Best thing you can do with that $300 is to buy a used $1000 bike.

Least expensive new bike I've seen worth anything would be the OCR3 Giant about $600 or a Trek 1000 for about $575...for less, maybe go to a department store, but I would not want to ride it.
Used stuff, remember no warranty if it fails...

Yup, I'd check out ebay. Good luck! :)

I'm assuming that you're still young and living with your folks, so is there a posibility of asking them to help you out? If they're into road riding, I'd think they'd be willing to help you get into it, too. If not, then hit up ebay. Don't get a new bike under $300.

Check out this bike. Basic entry level with Sora components.

http://www.ibexbikes.com/Bikes/CLS-3300-Details.html

Buy a used Specialized Allez- good all around bike- you can get a two year old one for 300 i'm sure. I race one... it's not about the bike

I didnt know that sora made a down tube shifting set up, learn something new every day.

Thanks everyone for your input!

I will continue with another question:

Do you buy bike on eBay? What are the pro/cons to doing it that way?

If you live someplace with www.craigslist.org then I would look there as well. You can go and see the bikes and pick it up and pay there and just don't have to worry as much. Ebay however has twice as many bikes but be careful cause the prices end up pretty high a lot. Another advatange of craigslist is the price system.

Just my opinion, but I would be VERY cautious about ebay!! I know lots of people (myself included) who have gotten things from ebay sellers with not hitches. On the other hand, my nephew got stiffed for several grand by an ebay seller several years ago and the case has still not been settled!!

IMO Bikes are something you want to look at and touch (and get on) BEFORE you buy!! Also, who do you go to if there is a problem??

On the issue of used bikes - Not a bad idea if all you have is $300! The other thing to consider doing is holding off on the purchase until you can afford something a bit better (in a used or new bike). Several years ago I got a bike for $500 (thinking it was a deal) and ended up putting a lot of $$ into modifying it once I reolized it wasn't meeting my needs the way it was.

I've purchased three bikes from ebay. One for myself, one for my son, and one for a friend. No problems.

Pros:
* If you look long enough you'll eventually find something in your price range.

Cons:
* Getting the proper fit. It's helpful to know what model & size you like before shopping to ensure the best fit.
* Takes time to find the bike you want, wait until you win the auction for your price range, and shipping something that large sometimes takes a while. Be prepared to spend around 3 to 4 weeks to get your bike from the start to the finish of this process.
* Be prepared to take the bike to a LBS to get anything fixed that it might need. (plan on ad additional $50/75 or so for this).

Just my thoughts.

Another vote for craigslist -- I picked up my new ride (A specialized that had been upgraded to 105/Ultegra before the original owner got the hankering for a new frame.)

Saw one in Austin go by for $200 with a decent frame, carbon fork, and Tiagra components. Plus you get to see the thing before you pay.

this thread shouldn't be in the racing subforum, should it?