General Cycling Discussion - whats a light weight bike?

I only have about 300$ to spend on anew bike...its important that my bike is light weight due to my chronic shoulder problems...i know 300 isnt much to spend though...i would also like something that would be good for commuter-(work and school and work and school)...BAH! :0 but i also want something that could handle some good outback trails....is what im asking for possible in my price range at all? Or should i try to save more money and up the stakes? suggestions on bikes/ or advice?

Go to a bike shop not a ***mart, or general sporting goods store. Look for an Aluminum framed bike without suspension. Ask about the ability to switch tires for riding on the road or trails - you dont have to buy them now but you will want the bike to be able to take them. If you get a mountain bike with 26" wheels they normally come with 2" tires, but 1.25" or 1.5" slick ones are much better for roads. If you get a hybrid with 700c road wheels, 28 or 32 mm tires would be best for road and up to 38 or 42 mm for off road. Dont forget to allow money for helmet luggage rack pump etc. $300 will get you a bike that is both useful and fun - good luck.

Go find yourself a good used $1000 bike for $300.

"Go find yourself a good used $1000 bike for $300."

This is some of the best advice you'll ever get here. To find
that used bike spend time here and on www.sheldonbrown.com
learning about what makes a really good bike. One thing to
remember......
When it comes to bicycles your dollar will always buy more
used. Yesterdays premium bike can be found little used for
a few dollars.....it just takes some time.

And......
Used bikes are less attractive to theives !!!!!!

Used is the way to go. I picked up a showroom new looking Schwinn Traveler with full Shimano Exage components for $90 including a computer and helmet. Sure, it needed a new rear wheel and tires / tubes. I replaced the computer as well and put on a pump and seat bag, took off all the reflectors and put fancy blue tires that matched the bike. (The tires cost as much as the bike).

So I've now got an excellent bike, 14 speed, indexed in the rear, that looks and functions like it just came off the showroom floor for around $300. The bike's weight it only 26.5 lbs

Check out used bikes - EBay, www.roadbikereview.com, www.craigslist.org - look in your local area (that's how I found mine) and do searches on the web.

There are alot of people that buy decent bikes, never use them and then sell them.

Mark

Cyclo-cross are the lightest off-road style. They are not available in budget form, so you wil, have to go used.
Touring bikes also have a fairly good off-road performce for just riding trails.
Flat-bar road bikes like the Specialized Sirius are seriously practical on road and trail, and pretty light. Just make sure to look at models with V-brakes to give clearance for off-road tyres.
Make sure your bike is commutable, with luggage rack and fender threaded eyelets on the frame.

I only have about 300$ to spend on anew bike...its important that my bike is light weight due to my chronic shoulder problems...i know 300 isnt much to spend though...i would also like something that would be good for commuter-(work and school and work and school)...BAH! :0 but i also want something that could handle some good outback trails....is what im asking for possible in my price range at all? Or should i try to save more money and up the stakes? suggestions on bikes/ or advice?

A light weight bike is anything under 20 lbs. Some will consider a lightweight bike anything under 18 pounds but it's all relative.

At $300.00 dollars, you would not be able to afford a good "light weight" bike but it's not the end of the world. There are very good bikes that weight about 27 - 22 pounds. The type of bike you're looking for will cost over 1 thousand dollars or close to it so forget this idea.

The bike that you want is called a cross bike or maybe a hybrid with thin tires like somone posted. I purchased a very good Univega (used bike) that had all the things you wanted and cost about $150.00 on Ebay. That bike is better than the Bianchi Milano I purchased a few years back for about $650.00 dollars!

Here what I think you should look for.

1. Used
2. Chromoly frame or Reynolds steel (525, 631, 4130)
3. 700 cc tires but they don't have to be "road bike" thin but cross tires
4. Road bike frame or Street bike geometry with flat bars
5. Avoid comfort bikes (with straight up seating) or beach cruisers because these are very slow and inefficient

Don't look for name brand bikes from Bianchi, Trek or Giant. Look for lower budget steel bikes from Jamis, Motobacane and Univega.

Hi-

About two weeks ago I purchased a two year old Giant Road Bike withan Aluminum frame and 105s front and rear for $350. Also, the original owner paid almost $1000 for it, it was hardly used, and it is a beauty!
The bike is very light and rides well. I added some things to it, but it was not necessary. I could have done without the upgrades, but at my age I wanted more comfort.

Another thing....Go into a bike shop that also sells used bikes. They often have great bikes at good prices. Ask if you can ride a new bike, a used bike, tell them what you are looking for and buy it there. The advantage of buying a used bike from a bike shop is that they want your return business, so they will help you out if need be. That has been my experience with the Giant which I bought. Take your time and ride several bikes before you buy one.

Good hunting,

AR