Fifty Plus (50+) - DG Starts a Trend - Sources for Road Bikes

Alright, DG started me thinking. I have the tools and the bike stand. I have access to a very expensive repair manual. So, what am I waiting for?

All I need is a decent road bike to rebuild / fix to use when I don't want to ride my touring bike. It would also be fun to have a mountain bike with no front suspension. I sold my mountain bike to an old room mate. He isn't riding it either, hmmm maybe I should buy it back.

Well, back to the road bike. DG may agree, but S. California seems to want a premium for used bikes on Craigs List. Any suggestions for my hunt?

Yard sales. Thrift shops. Classified ads in the local paper.

Yard sales. Thrift shops. Classified ads in the local paper.

Tell everybody you know who rides bikes, what you're looking for. One will come to you.

Leave a message here for Solveg.

I actually think Craigslist can be a good source, if you are both patient and persistent. For instance, I bought a twenty year old Univega for $25 in great shape and had it converted to a SS. (Unfortunately, I could never get used to it being just a smudge too big.) I also bought a Trek 1500, in excellent condition, that had sold new for $900 fifteen or so years ago, for $125. I think I had to buy tires is all.

The reason I was able to get that bike was because I had popped on Craigslist and the ad had been placed just ten minutes before. I called the guy immediately, and went right over (ten minutes away). In the time it took me to get there, he had four other phone inquiries and two serious buyers.

So I think Craigslist can be a good source, if you search it daily or even more often, and pounce when you see something interesting. I have been looking daily for a repair stand, and it will come up, sooner or later. I saw several in the past few months, when I wasn't interested.

Road bikes without brifters are usually much less expensive. Learn to spot a quality bike from a good but less prestigious brand for a real bargain.

Here you go...how's free??? Okay, I realize it's a piece of junk... :D

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/bik/540552568.html

Instead of a suspension-less mountain bike, why not a hybrid? Should be just as rugged and, with the right tires, as capable of light off-road stuff, as a heavier, less nimble mountain bike.
By all means, look for a road bike, too, if that is your main goal.

I have done very well with yard sales (Schwinn, Capo #1), but a neighbor gave me the Bianchi. :)

If you can wait a few months, try the local university campuses in June, when students move out of the dorms and dump possessions, including bicycles, very cheaply.

You Guys are the Greatest


The 50 Plus (50+) thread has to be the most comfortable place for me to post at bikeforums.net. Thanks for your input.

I found a bike on Craig's List that is all Shimano 105 and three years old. The bike was driven into a garage I was told. Thinking that there must be something else, I asked if it was on top of a car. Yes!

So, they are asking $300 for the bike with oval-ized head tube - it would cost a lot of money to have that done custom - and busted forks. So, the frame is toast. I asked about the brifters and she told me they were fine. Ok, how would one know for sure considering the front impact to the handlebars.

Checking at the LBS I was told that Shimano upgraded or changed the 105 line last year. If I could get these for a decent price, what price would that be? Great deal $100 Ok Deal $200??? I think $300 is a bit stiff.

I also checked on Scattante (Performance Bikes) frames - aluminum with carbon seat stays and carbon fork. That is a bit more than I want to spend, but they go on sale at Performance all the time. Just have to watch. Any of you guys have any thoughts on other frames - new or used. It might be cheaper to find a good used frame on eBay and add the components.

The Cost / Benefit ratio escapes me on this as I have never tackled anything like this before.

Used Components and New Frame
Used Components and Used Frame

Used Frame and New Components or a Mix

Probably one of the more expensive and important aspects would be the wheels I would think.

Fthomas you have a pm

Your best bet is to find a complete bike. You can easily spend $50-$100 dollars just replacing things like brake pads, chains, tires, bar tape, etc. You can also, not so easily, find good bikes for $50-$100 that are just unwanted and need nothing. I've done it both ways and the latter is better;) Be patient, know what you're looking for and be ready to jump on it quickly once you see a good deal.

The search continues!

What do you guys think of this frame?

http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/500/30-0082-RED-SIDE.jpg

It is on sale for 324.00 at Performance

Add some components and I have a road bike. This may be far better than paying for a fixer upper, but then I have to remember stem, bars, chain (as someone mentioned earlier), etc. Better count the cost first.

I like it...........but then I paid $279 less 20% when Supergo was selling it. It seems that Performance was selling it for a lot less just a couple of weeks ago. You might take a look at the Leader Bike Store online.

Nashbar has this one (https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=6000130&subcategory=60001176&brand=&sku=13771&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20Frames%2FBikes) for $250 without a fork (https://www.nashbar.com/results.cfm?category=600086&subcategory=60001182&storetype=&estoreid=&init=y&pagename=Category%3A%20Forks).

As fun as it is to build a bike, it is very easy to spend more than the bike is worth unless you are careful, lucky and have access to free or cheap parts.

I've seen the Nashbar one for as low as $180 within the past 2-3 months.