Road Cycling - Looking for a used (ie. inexpensive) bike

Hey all. I would like to get started with road biking but the problem is I'm in college and the dough is low. I've been looking on ebay and other places for used bikes, something like mid 90s, but I can't dump a fortune into a bike, at least not my first one. Any suggestions on where to look or what to look for?

Check with the bike shops in the area and see if any deal in used bikes. Also, try to get in touch with some bike clubs in your area; club members will often sell and swap bikes among themselves and with others. And, of course, there's aways the classified section in the local paper(s). See if your college has a 'For Sale' message board or something similar.

Be careful buying used. The first bike I bought was a used italian steel bike. It had first generation Ultegra sti ( shimano 600) it worked perfectly and I thought it was a great deal. I didnt know enough about bikes at the time to give it a good inspection before I bought it. To make a long story short I found out that there was a small crack in the seat tube. I was lucky it didnt fail while I was riding. The saddest part about the whole thing is that the bike ws on consignment at an lbs and they failed to detect the crack also.

I advise against buying used, but if you must take the time to give the bike a good examination before you buy or better yet take a buddy with that knows about bikes.

Be extremely cautious about any used aluminum bicycle. Aluminum has a 'lifespan'. The actual usable safe lifespan of any aluminum bicycle depends on the type of aluminum alloy, the design of the bicycle, the amount and type of riding it has been subject to. It's almost impossible to know how much life is left in a used aluminum frame. A used aluminum bicycle could be a great deal or ready to fail at the next pothole.

Originally posted by Waxbytes
Be extremely cautious about any used aluminum bicycle. Aluminum has a 'lifespan'. The actual usable safe lifespan of any aluminum bicycle depends on the type of aluminum alloy, the design of the bicycle, the amount and type of riding it has been subject to. It's almost impossible to know how much life is left in a used aluminum frame. A used aluminum bicycle could be a great deal or ready to fail at the next pothole. OH, please!!.... Buying a used bike is like buying used anything else. A good way to double your bang for buck or get screwed.Know what you are doing.Ebay is no place for the underinformed.

I agree that e-bay is not a good place to start
if you don't know much about what you're buying.
You might check out Goodwill, Pawnshops etc.

Let us know what you find, we can help with
components, advice (lots of it here) and general
help.

Marty

Notes from the Bargain Basement:
I have acquired 2 Bianchis so far (neither one a high end bike, but nice to ride nonetheless) with a total investment of $52. The first was $35 at a yard sale about a year ago (just needed new tubes) and I've just purchased a nicer one for $17 at a used stuff store. Police auctions are also a good place, most road bikes at the ones around here go for $5 - $20. Patience is the key. Usually you have to look at a lot of junk before you find the treasures.

I have purchased a dozen used bikes over the past ten years and the worst thing I have to complain about is a worn RD. I rarely buy new. Why waste the money? Just like new cars, lose 20% the instant you drive off the lot.

Buy brand names (Campagnolo or Shimano gear) used and save a bundle.

Regardless of the above post about a steel frame, you will get a much better riding frameset with steel than anything else you buy on a budget. Stay with a brand name (most Italian frames from before 2000 were steel, or Paramount or Trek from the 80's). Steel frames do not have a "life-span" and there are tons of them out there because everyone is going to the new "gee-whiz" materials. The new materials are great if you $2K, or more, to spend, but give a lousy ride if you don't.

If you find something you like locally, see if you can get your LBS to check it out for $10 before you pony up. But I have had excellent success on eBay and am currently bidding on something. If you want new, there are lots of close-out new on eBay, as well.

Good luck and welcome to the road. Its great fun out there!

Much good advice has already been posted. Let me add;

Tell us what size you need. If you don't know, tell what size YOU are.

What price range and do you have any brand or equipment preferences?

There are plenty of good folks here that can help. Someone may even be able to help you out with a reasonable ride.

Blake

Thanks alot for all the replies.

I got sized last weekend at the lbs and I think I need about a 58cm. I'm 5'11" tall.

Budget...well as they say in limbo...how low can you go?

I don't have any preferences as far as brands go, I just don't want Wal-Mart.