Road Cycling - used bikes

Hey- I'm new to the concept of road biking. To start out I would like to get a fairly cheap, decent road bike. How do I get a used bike that will be a good fit? I am 5ft 9in. What size bike am I looking for and whats the best type. Any suggestions or recommendations would be greatly apprieciated.
Thanks-Vanessa
:confused:

Check out www.wrenchscience.com you can input you're measurements and it will give you basicaly what size you need..

PRobably around a 56cm, but that could be way off depending how long your legs are etc... Best type.. umm.. CF or Titanium with Campy Record or Shimano Dura-Ace.but you won't find those cheap :)

What is your spending limit? That would determine alot.. you can find some good deals in the classifieds.. pawn shops sometimes.. I picked up a 58cm bianchi in a goodwill store for $20 you won't find that every day I admit though.

You need to fit a bike by the length, as well as standover height. I assume you are female (Vanessa), so you may be looking at smaller sized bikes. Many small bike are proportinately quite long, so do watch out. If you alrady have an MTB, use that as a guide for what fits you.
NB bike "sizes"are not always comparable. Check out some of the bikes in your local bike shop, take a tape measure and measure up the height and top tube length of bikes that fit you.

Get something which was good when it was new, not a used entry-level bike.
Avoid crash damage and excessive wear.
As for makes and models, that is pot luck, so happy hunting.

Once you have a good idea of your size, look on eBay and see if you find anything you like. I would suggest you stick with a steel bike if going on the road. Generally speaking, you will get a higher-end ride for fewer dollars and have a more comfortable ride. Once you pick out a couple, post what you are looking at and get some responses here. If we have nothing else, we have lots of opinions. There are lots of good used bikes on eBay.

Isnt that wrong to go to the lbs and set on there bikes,check them out and then go to e-bay to buy.That seems to be what most people have been saying in the other thread.Has that changed now?

Well, as long as you dont suck up a lot of salesman time, its OK. Ive worked in shops, and dont mind people coming when its quiet to check stuff out. Going in on a busy Sat am, to waste someones time when they are working on commission will make you no friends.

Go to your local bike shop and throw your leg over a few bikes to see where YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE.

Or

Just go to a local bike club ride and ask to try ona few bikes around the parking lot. This may be better as no salesmen will be haunting you.

Then set a budget. Hopefully around $1000. This beacuse you can buy a nice road bike for this amount with decent parts and a good frame.