Want to get a road bike, but cheap!

[kinetic]

Right now I am cycling on a trek 820- but I'd like to get some sort of road bike. My budget is quite low, can anyone recommend some vintage models to keep an eye out for on ebay or craigslist that will be a good starting place for a road bike?


Or should I just put slicks on my trek and save up for a good later model road bike?

[Tom Stormcrowe]

Raleigh Pursuit, heck, any vintage Raleigh.

Schwinn Passage, Traveler, Le Tour, World Sport, Paramount (if you can find one of these reasonable!)

Pugeot, Motobecane, LeMond

There are some starters, enjoy the hunt!

[fbagatelleblack]

Right now I am cycling on a trek 820- but I'd like to get some sort of road bike. My budget is quite low, can anyone recommend some vintage models to keep an eye out for on ebay or craigslist that will be a good starting place for a road bike?


Or should I just put slicks on my trek and save up for a good later model road bike?

Being as how you are posting on the Clydesdales/Athenas list, you might have some "special requirements." How tall/big are you? I ask because some old bikes are better for big folks than others...

- FBB

[v1k1ng1001]

slicks and save would get my vote

[Stujoe]

I don't know how long it will hold up (wheels are probably a little iffy) but I satisfied my road jones by re-doing this Le Tour:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1089/822204930_2a2048b378.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stujoe/822204930/)

[MRT2]

I was in the same boat, looking for a real roadbike. Just budget for new parts or repairs, if you can't or don't want to fix it yourself.

I just pulled the trigger on a mid to late 80's Schwinn LeTour Luxe off Craigslist for $65. I test rode it and it seemed to ride OK, noticed the tire didn't sit quite right. I took it to a local bike shop known for restoration of classic and vintage rides. I told the guy I planned to do rides between 20 and 60 miles, mostly on weekends (what I have been doing this spring/summer).

He is replacing tires, brake pads, chain and rear cassette, also will be doing a complete overhaul of the bike as the original owner never did anything more than oil the chain and put air in the tires.

The work he is doing obviously pushes the budget up well beyond the original $65 (with new bike computer and maybe saddle) the total investment will be something like $250 or $300.

Is it a smart move or should I have waited/saved for a new road bike? I honestly don't know as I haven't gotten the bike back yet. For less than $300 I have a chro-moly frame American made bike with downtube shifters. Obviously, a bike from that era did not come with integrated brakes/shifters and this one did not come with index shifting so I will have to re-learn standard friction shifting as I used to do back in high school. It will have a 6 speed rear cassette (rather than the 8, 9 or 10 speed models new ones have) for a total of 18 speeds.

I look at this purchase as an opportunity to learn more about road biking, what I like and dislike about this bike may further inform my choices down the line (steel or aluminum, race or touring geometry) or if I really like the ride, just keep it and ride it.

I obviously couldn't get a new road bike for less than $600 and more likely more as I would be looking for full 105 at least, thus bumping the price up more towards $1,200. I was extremely reluctant to spend that type of cash at this point.

Good luck in your search for a used bike.

[geo8rge]

Most of the advantage to a road bike would come from the road tires. High pressure tubes would also help, make sure to use rim tape with high pressure tires. Beyond that the right handle bars/saddle might be a positive change. Sometimes a new bike is cheaper than upgrading, in time+money.

"vintage models" check the garbage during recycling days. Many of the no name brands of that period are quite good. As to brands, learn the frame materials, and make sure the frame is the better types. Reynolds, Tange ect.

[VTRoadie]

I went the slicks on mountain bike method, and waited for a good deal. I ended up finding an end-of-year clearance aluminum/carbon bike w/ Shimano 105 group for $550.

[ivesrw]

look on ebay for Cannondale aluminum road bikes from 1985 on. You can win bids from 200 to 300, figure on another 150-200 for upgrades and fixes and you will have a good roadbike for a Clyde. Good sturdy bikes with good Suntour equipment

[Halthane]

The centurion, nishiki, miyata, univega, panasonic, all made fantastic light steel road frames in the late 80's early 90's that go for about 200-300 dollars ready to ride on ebay and are some of the finest light steel roadbikes you can get for the price if you ask me.

[cyccommute]

Jamis Ventura Comps are around $550 new. Not a bad bike for that amount. In the 22 lb range which is a heavy weight today but a super lightweight compared to the vintage bikes.