General Cycling Discussion - Girls looking for good stores. To buy road bikes around $100

Hi -
We´re looking for the name of a few stores to shop on-line. It may sound silly, and latter we´ll buy more expensive bikes, but right now I need to buy cheap road (or touring) bikes for around $140 for my sisters and I. (ie. cheap 10 speeds, the kind Walmart would sell if they had any.) We were looking for new bikes, but if we can´t find anything we´ll consider used if they have a decent exchange (or return) policy. Why is it that places like Walmart and Target sell all kinds of differant bikes (most around $ 70)but not ANY thin tire bikes? Thanks so much for any help with this you can give us!

Hi -
We´re looking for few good stores to shop on-line. I need to buy road bikes around $100 (ie. cheap 10 speeds, the kind walmart would sell if they sold anything besides mountain bikes which they don´t) for my sisters and I. We were looking for new bikes, but if we can´t find anything we´ll consider used if they have a decent exchange (or return) policy. Thanks so much for any help with that you can give us!

If you find a store that sells new road bikes for $100, please let us all know. I would like to spec their components!

No offense but you're joking right?
Your best bet would be used, either local classifieds or ebay.

used, garage sales etc.

You're unlikely to find anything new that's decent or even safe in that price range. If you're new to cycling then a used bike from a reputable shop is your best bet. However, I would caution you right now to not expect to find much in the $100 price range... even used. If you have some knowledge about bikes and how to fix/maintain them or know someone who does then you can probably find good deals on eBay, in the classified, in thriftshops, etc... However, be prepared to do some fixing up as these bikes are generally pretty neglected and not in very good working order. You will want to budget for the cost of replacement parts.

your almost always better off spending the extra 100-150 and getting the lowest end Trek.

Anyone find something odd about the fact that she's basically spammed the site with this request?

I smell a troll!

www.craigslist.com

I don´t think it´s spammed!

I don´t think it´s spammed!

You posted the same question to multiple forums. You don't need to do that. Many users will use the "View New Posts" feature and can view your first post irregardless of the forum it's in. Posting the same question in multiple forums just creates clutter.

I don´t think it´s spammed!


What he means is that you've posted the same request in multiple forums, including the Road Bike Racing forum, where bikes under $3000 get ridiculed. :D

...Why is it that places like Walmart and Target sell all kinds of differant bikes (most around $ 70)but not ANY thin tire bikes?...

here's (http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/sr=2-2/qid=1110854420/ref=sr_2_2/601-1921023-5827320?%5Fencoding=UTF8&asin=B00009ILZE) a sweet ride that fits the bill. tires will get "thin" after you put a couple hundred miles on them.


http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00009ILZE.16._AA260_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

Find an old Schwinn Le Tour or any other decent bike with downtube/friction shifters that fits. Have someone clean and grease the wheel bearings, bottom bracket, and head set. They should also give the derailers a check/adjustment.



You posted the same question to multiple forums. You don't need to do that. Many users will use the "View New Posts" feature and can view your first post irregardless of the forum it's in. Posting the same question in multiple forums just creates clutter.

I believe that regardless, irrelevant, or irrespective will get you more brownie points at the next english teachers convention. ;)

here's (http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/sr=2-2/qid=1110854420/ref=sr_2_2/601-1921023-5827320?%5Fencoding=UTF8&asin=B00009ILZE) a sweet ride that fits the bill. tires will get "thin" after you put a couple hundred miles on them.


http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00009ILZE.16._AA260_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

That´s really cute and funny. It made me laugh - THANKS : ) : )

We´ll try to find an old Schwinn Le Tour but in the mean time we´ll check out Coastco.
Anyone know of any other fine retailers? :) They don´t have to hold up long.

try a thrift store, they often have bikes

We´ll try to find an old Schwinn Le Tour but in the mean time we´ll check out Coastco.
Anyone know of any other fine retailers? :) They don´t have to hold up long.

Oh good god don't buy it from costco. Well if you do, come back here with some pics of your setup so we can tell you how to fix it up.

Troll

Look. Let's not assume a troll until it gets real obvious. To me, it looks like someone is really looking for something low end for now. Until we get something a bit more substantiative, just answer as seriously and honestly as you can. If it ends up being troll-ly, we can close the thread.

Koffee

Mod

I still say go used.

if you need help fixing it up you can always post Q's here and we can help:)

Pool your money, get one $300 hybrid and share it.

Sounds genuine to me. Try K-mart as well.

police auctions. Under $20.

Hi -
We´re looking for the name of a few stores to shop on-line. It may sound silly, and latter we´ll buy more expensive bikes, but right now I need to buy cheap road (or touring) bikes for around $140 for my sisters and I. (ie. cheap 10 speeds, the kind Walmart would sell if they had any.) We were looking for new bikes, but if we can´t find anything we´ll consider used if they have a decent exchange (or return) policy. Why is it that places like Walmart and Target sell all kinds of differant bikes (most around $ 70)but not ANY thin tire bikes? Thanks so much for any help with this you can give us!

The only place I know to get entry level road bikes is in a bike shop. The lowest priced ones I have ever seen are about $400. In the 1970's You could get what you are looking for.

uhh...I'd check garage sales.

here's (http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/sr=2-2/qid=1110854420/ref=sr_2_2/601-1921023-5827320?%5Fencoding=UTF8&asin=B00009ILZE) a sweet ride that fits the bill. tires will get "thin" after you put a couple hundred miles on them.


Are you sure those bikes can actually go 200 miles ?? :)

- - The answer depends:

1. If you ladies are familiar with bike repair and have access to tools and parts and trusted advice, then carefully check out the thrift stores for used high-end bikes.

2. If you are not, then look at good used bikes often sold by bicycle repair shops (as opposed to just bike stores). The bike shops will have gone over their used ones and they provide you with some accountablility you can't get from the pawn shops or thrift stores.

Be aware that a cheaply made bike that is second-hand may have hidden stress fractures or other dangerous problems that are not obvious at first.


.

An experienced "roadie" can shop on E-Bay, or at a resale shop, and find a high quality bike that is the correct size, and do necessary repairs at minimum cost. For novices, a "new" bike with a strong warranty is a more realistic option.

These days, the only sturdy, reliable, "sized to fit" bikes selling for under $400 are the entry level mountain bikes and hybrids from Trek, Giant, Fuji, KHS, and others. A quality hybrid, using light weight 28mm slick tires instead of the heavier "factory tires" makes a good "around town" road bike.

Although hybrids may LOOK different than road bikes, the measured geometry of many hybrids is quite close to the geometry of the mid-priced road bikes of the 1970's. Higher bar position for comfort. Relaxed head angles for easy steering. Longer chain stays for a softer ride, and to carry racks and saddle bags. The best hybrids are what road bikes were, before the industry began limiting "road bikes" to the role of "pretend race bikes".

The $400 Trek 7300FX, a "hybrid", would be excellent for local "road" use. It comes in seven sizes, for a precise fit, and with the support and service of both the local store, and the Trek corporation. It is built to provide ten or twenty years of reliable riding service. Much cheaper in the long run than a $100 discount store bike.

Most bikes with a "list" price below $400 involve some degree of "cost-cutting" that could impair either their usefulness, or their longevity. A $400 bike that you can ride for ten years is cheaper than a $150 bike that is useful for only a year or two.

Honestly honey you should really check your local newspaper and look out for garage sales and such. Why don't you ask around your neighborhood and see if anyone has a bike laying around that they don't use and would like to sell, not only would you get to meet your neighbors but could spark some interest among others.

Goodluck with your find!!!

i saw a raliegh Mixte 10 speed at the Helping hand thrift shop in Brookfield Illinois on saturday . I am sure it was less than 100 dollars.

There are a couple of brand-new 1970s Japanese bike-boom bikes on Ebay right now that fit your budget (well, except for shipping costs and assembly costs if you don't know how to assemble them or know somebody who will help you). I'm in no way affiliated with the seller, but I believe a poster here, Ultra-G, bought one of them and was at least initially pleased with his find... You might want to contact him for more information.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=98084&item=7142342698&rd=1

That same seller has four or five others posted as well; looks like at least two colors and two sizes are available. The quality of the bike won't necessarily be any higher than that of a garage-sale find, but you'd at least know that what you're buying is brand new and doesn't have hidden damage - and based on the specs provided, all of the componentry looks fairly reliable, and certainly better than what you'd expect to find on a modern-day walmart bike.

Good luck!
-chris

I've seen some used bikes at an LBS selling for slightly more than $125.00 dollars.

hybrids suck ass. get a mtb. you ca get those for about $250 new. road bikes are more like $650 for the lowest end garbage.

Hi -
We´re looking for the name of a few stores to shop on-line. It may sound silly, and latter we´ll buy more expensive bikes, but right now I need to buy cheap road (or touring) bikes for around $140 for my sisters and I. (ie. cheap 10 speeds, the kind Walmart would sell if they had any.) We were looking for new bikes, but if we can´t find anything we´ll consider used if they have a decent exchange (or return) policy. Why is it that places like Walmart and Target sell all kinds of differant bikes (most around $ 70)but not ANY thin tire bikes? Thanks so much for any help with this you can give us! Look for Diamondback bikes. Good bike for the price and ususally less than 200 on sale. One store that has them around us is "Dicks Sporting Goods". If you do a search for "Dicks Sporting Goods" on the web be sure to put the whole name in the search.

hybrids suck ass. get a mtb. you ca get those for about $250 new. road bikes are more like $650 for the lowest end garbage.

$650 will buy you a a solid entry level bike. What bike do you have Merton?

$250 new MTB... it's garbage.

Look for Diamondback bikes.

The closest thing in the Diamondback lineup to a thin-tyred roadbike are their cross bikes which come with fairly wide (for road) 700Cx40 tyres and crappy front and seatpost suspension.

I think one thing that no one has yet to mention in this thread is that a big problem with just shopping on the basis of price is that you might not end up with a bike that fits. Would you go and pick up a pair of $0.99 underwear for yourself if the size wasn't right? To the oroginal poster, whatever you do, no matter how cheap or expensive it is, a bike that doesn't fit will be a worthless bike to you. Get a bike that fits and one you're comfortable riding.

A few years ago I bought an old centurian lemans for $100. I then proceeded to put 4000 miles on it and rode it in El Tour De Tucson (109 miles). It is possible to find quality old school equipment in that price range. I was lucky in that the bike happened to be a good fit for me.