Road Cycling - ~$350 road bikes possible?

I'm looking for an entry level road bike selling for around 300-400 bucks...

is tha possible? i find a lot of deals on ebay but shipping always ruins the deal...

can anyone help me out on this?

I got a '99 Bianchi Volpe for $360 + $45 shipping. The thing was in great shape as if the original owner rarely rode it. I put a new 105 group on it I had, but I didn't absolutely have to. That was one of the handful of sweet deals I've gotten off eBay.

Police auctions are another option. Others have had luck at Salvation Army or other similar places. I would think for $300-$400 you can get a good deal of bike if you're patient and look wherever you can.

hmmm, i don't think we have salvation army or police auctions around here....

and i guess i really have to be patient to find those nice ebay deals...

anyone have an eye on something on ebay right now?

Yeah, I'm looking at this great deal that ends tomorrow, it's a, umm, nevermind.

Hi-

I purchased a used 2002 Giant OCR 2 with Shimano 105's front and rear, good road wheels and tires, in showroom condition for $350.00 just recently. Since that time, I have upgraded the bike with a carbon fork and carbon seat post, which cost more than the bike itself. However, I could have ridden it without these.

Find a dealer who takes good used bikes in trade.

Good luck!

i think it depends on what you mean by "entry level."

if you're not picky about components, the fuji league (http://www.fujibikes.com/road/bike.asp?category_short_name=road&myArray=87,88,89,90,91,92,93,102,94,95,96,103,97,104,106,99,98,100,105,101,107,108,109,112,110,111,1 13,114&myArrayID=13&yr=2004) is a great bike for $370. it comes with downtube shifters and an 8-speed cassette, decent brakes, and wheels that will last for a year or two, probably longer depending on how hard you're looking to be on it.

i work in a shop that sells fujis, and i've built probably a dozen of these bikes at least in the last 3 months. i really love this bike, simply because it's built to last and it's easy to maintain and build. it's great for someone who is looking to get into road biking, but who isn't looking to have the latest and greatest everything. the bike will last for a long time, with minimal maintenance. downtube shifters last for friggen ever, and the frame is nice enough (IMO) to make it completely worth it to upgrade to tiagra or 105 down the road.

if you're looking for something "entry level" for racing, the fuji newest (http://www.fujibikes.com/road/bike.asp?category_short_name=road&myArray=87,88,89,90,91,92,93,102,94,95,96,103,97,104,106,99,98,100,105,101,107,108,109,112,110,111,1 13,114&myArrayID=9&yr=2004) comes with tiagra STI for $820, which is a bit out of your price range.

shop around for deals on older bikes something with like, 7 speed RSX STIs in good condition shouldn't be too much more than $400. just make sure, if you go the used bike route, to test ride and make sure the shifters are working properly. they should feel "crisp," the chain should engage on the cassette almost immediately after you hear the click, or right on it.

older, NOS models can be had for great prices too, as a couple other folks pointed out. the '04s will be going on sale pretty soon, although manufacturers might be out of stock of a lot of models in a lot of sizes (such is the case with fuji, and they haven't released their '05 line yet).

2004 fuji league, about $350 new.

2004 Raleigh Sport, about $450 new.

If you go to http://www.raleighusa.com/ yuo can enter your zip and finfa local dealer.

My LBS is selling the sport for $470, comes with the 30 day tune up etc.

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/road_bikes.htm

They have 2004 Motobecane Mirage for $325. I don't use it.

I hope this helps.

I just sold a near-new Cannondale R300 - Sora equipped - STI - for $395 through the local newspaper want ads. Check your local paper.

I got a brand new Sora STI road bike on Ebay for $290 plus $35 shipping - in original box.

That Super Mirage looks like a great deal.

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/road_bikes.htm

They have 2004 Motobecane Mirage for $325. I don't use it.

I hope this helps.

I really hope he settles for a chromoly frame. On a more important issue, I hope the bike he chooses fits!

That Motobecane Mirage is a steal!

Its definatly possible. I just LOST a bid for a Lemond Alp deHuez with Campy ..went for $430...If you dont mind having downtube shifters instead of STI, there are tons of choices. You can find many deals with Sora components, but I hear the shifting position is a problem with these. Also lost a Jamis Ventura steel with Tiagra components for $350 (I held out too long for the Buy it now :mad: )

god, it's so hard to wait for a el tocome through ebay...shipping's always like $70 which pretty much kills the deals..

2003 KHS Flite 300 was selling for 350 through Getaway bike catalogs. Steel frame, Sora components and so forth.

If it's a bottom level bike you want. You might be able to get a Trek 1000 2004 model for 400 dollars. The only negative is the Sora comps. But as a beginner they sould be ok. Not sure how much the 2005 will be. If you spend little more you might find a 2004 Trek 1200 aliitle better comps. You can also look at Fuji bikes that seems to run low in price. A friend of mine rieds a Fuji Finest and he has had no troubles with it. Hope this helps. Good luck!!!

what about a used Giant OCR3 for $400 shipped? would that be a deal?

anyone?

Ithaca Police Dept does have the occasional auction, but you might also want to check with Cornell and IC's security and see if they have a cache of student abandoned bikes. Good luck if you decide to tackle the hill up to IC on Rte. 13! Have a white pizza from Rogan's for me, okay?

It does not sound that good a deal.

A LBS here in miami sold a new 2003 model for $399 recently.

OCR3 2004 new where selling here for $499

Ithaca Police Dept does have the occasional auction, but you might also want to check with Cornell and IC's security and see if they have a cache of student abandoned bikes. Good luck if you decide to tackle the hill up to IC on Rte. 13! Have a white pizza from Rogan's for me, okay?


heh, were you a local around here?