Road Cycling - Dilemma

My husband is searching for a road bike, but with our current financial situation, we are not going to spend more than $200. Can anyone suggest where we can find a cheap, but good quality, 16-18 speed road bike?

Also, if anyone is interested in trading a little more expensive bike (one worth approx $400-$500) for a kayak, let me know.

Thanks,
Tina

You may get lucky on ebay, or try a large local shop that takes trades. Good luck, that is a very limited budget.

DEMON

You may get lucky on ebay, or try a large local shop that takes trades. Good luck, that is a very limited budget.

DEMON



Yes. It is a very limited budget and we don't like it, but we have no choice. Thanks for the advice. Any other advice on what to look for in a road bike? If we can, we will sell the kayak and then have a more reasonable budget to work with.

At the money you want to spend I would look in the ads in your local paper and garage sales. Even if you were able to find something on E Bay the shipping alone would be a quarter of your budget. Now garage sales is where you can maybe find a diamond in the rough. You could probably pick up a bike for under $100 and the other money you could use for needed parts.

Try your local bike clubs. Many riders have 3rd bikes (or bits) hanging around, and are happy to see them ridden.

Tina

Does your husband currently have any kind of bike? You will find the MTBs and hybrids are cheaper and you may find a used hybrid for $200. This is the end of the year go to bike shops and see if you can't find a 2003 model - should be less than $300. That way you could keep the kayak - they are fun too.

Joe

Tina

Does your husband currently have any kind of bike? You will find the MTBs and hybrids are cheaper and you may find a used hybrid for $200. This is the end of the year go to bike shops and see if you can't find a 2003 model - should be less than $300. That way you could keep the kayak - they are fun too.

Joe

Joe -

Yes. He currently has a mountain bike which he enjoys, but is looking to get a road bike. As far as the kayak - he has three and can spare one. =)

Thanks for your advice.

Tina

You might also check out those retirees who have a little used bike business on the side. They like to tinker and you might find a diamond in the rough there. Also I've heard tell of bargains being found at Good Will though the GW stores around here don't deal with hardware of any type, just soft goods.

You might also check out those retirees who have a little used bike business on the side. They like to tinker and you might find a diamond in the rough there. Also I've heard tell of bargains being found at Good Will though the GW stores around here don't deal with hardware of any type, just soft goods.

Thanks for the info. Never thought about Good Will and putting some money into parts - as mentioned by a previous posting.

I search the Salvation Army every day on the way to work...they put the bikes outside so I can drive past and see if anything new is out.

I've found several good bikes at yard sales, a $20 Bianchi Squadra with full Campy grouppo, a $20 Trek 400T for example (needed a crank (warped), seatpost, and seat.)

I have an old repainted Fuji (not sure what model) (Salvation Army find) which needs some love that I'd sell cheap if you're interested. Right now, it's in pieces (I stripped it of parts to see about stripping the frame over the winter) it has a Suntour grouppo and Dia Compe brakes. The frame size is about 58cm, I can measure more accurately and e-mail some pix if you'd like to see it.

I don't know what the shipping would cost but I'm in CT.

PJBAZ

we are not going to spend more than $200.

You might be able to get e-mails of classified ads to save search time. Don't know if this link will work for your area.

http://www.adquest3d.com/search/search.asp?BRD=220&PAG=163 (http://)

I might have what you are looking for. They all ride great.
Check my site:

Rick's Bikes (http://www.geocities.com/rickkerkhoff/bikes.html)

I have an Univega road bike, 54cm frame, I'll sell to you for $200. Send me an email or PM.