Road Cycling - need help with buying a used road bike

hi. i want to get a road bike that's fast and reliable, doesn't have to be fancy and can't be too expensive. wondered if anyone can give advice on buying bikes - how do i know what's a good deal, is there a way to search what the going price is, for example? i ride bikes to get to places most of the time, but i always got free bikes from people but the last free bike i got was mountain bike and i hate it - it's too slow. don't know much about components,etc. are there good links to learn these things? thanks a ton in advance...(ps. i'm about 5'5" female - how do i know what size bike to get?)

i found this one on craig's list today:
$450
1999 Jamis Aurora Road Bike, 51 cm.
In good condition. Dark green.
Great for fitness, commuting, touring (has clearance for fenders and braze-ons to easily install racks & fenders)
Reynolds 525 steel frame
Shimano RSX components
STI (integrated) brake/shift levers
30/42/52 chainrings
8-speed cassette
Dual pivot sidepull brakes (not cantilever).

The cheapest new road bikes that you can buy start at around $450.

What is you budget?

Sizing varies by bike.

Although every manufacturer has their own sizing quirks, a bike's frame size is based on the length of the seat tube (the tube that the seatpost goes into).
You can get a rough idea of the size of frame you require if you measure your inside leg - crotch to floor - then subtract 9" / 23cm or 10" / 25cm for a road bike (or a mountain bike used as a road bike) or 12" / 30cm for an athletically-ridden mountain bike. Hence a rider with a 32" / 81cm inside leg who owns a 23" / 58cm road bike usually requires a 20" / 51cm mountain bike.

First thing is to take measurments of yourself. I'm sure you won't have any problems finding a volunteer to help you do that. I found this place that will help you with the size of bike. http://www.wrenchscience.com/WS1/Secure/Fitting/Height.asp All you have to do is input your findings and bingo, it spits what you should get size wise! As far as components, your going to find a whole lot of varying opinions. You can't go wrong with mid level Campy or Shimano. I prefer Campy myself. It's a shame your not 6"2", I'd have the perfect bike for you. Good luck!

One question I have about the fit page you linked to.

How would you make all of those measurments by yourself?

Some of them would require help in my opinion, cause how could you stand relaxed and measure at the same time?

just an observation.

The Aurora is a really nice bike.
The 2 key dimensions for fitting are height and length. Given safe standover clearance for height (1-3" when standing), then you need a frame that gives you optimum reach to the handlebars. This depends on how flat or upright your back is as well as your body dimensions. More experienced riders use a lower, flatter back, and most fit guides assume the rider is using an advanced racing position. Try and borrow a bike that you like and measure its size.
NB the standover clearance height includes the seat-tube height + the bottom bracket height. Some bikes are styled with a lowered top tube, angled down at the back. This may give the standover, but has the length of a larger bike.
Ask for the dimensions of standover to the TOP of the top tube, and for the top tube length (from center to center of its ajoining tubes)
There is a good guide to bike fit at Peter White Cycles.

Yes you would need someone to assist in taking the measurements. I would suggest someone who doesn't mind putting their hands in delicate places :-o Like the site suggests, take three measurements to make sure your getting it right, Oh what fun!!

I bought new, but I have friends that bought great deals on Ebay. Look their before you do anything.

The Aurora is a really nice bike.
With RSX, it was near bottom of the barrel.

With RSX, it was near bottom of the barrel.


To help compare...my understanding is RSX was the previous label for the 105 components.