AnotherNub

I've been trolling craigslist and ebay to the point of migraines, and it's wonderful how overpriced some are. Anyway, I can bump my price point up as long as the value is there, but here is what I need a bike for, and what I would like from here is what bikes should I keep an eye out for?

Going to work: 1-2 miles round trip ( 6 days a week)

To my softball games: 4-5 mile round trip (once a week)

I can't say I would take on any big trips that are large, but I can't say that I wouldn't either, but I figure once it comes down to that, I'll just buy a better bike.

Budget $75-150 (aren't they always for us beginners?)

Bike Type: "road" bike

I see many road bikes all over, and my taste is amazingly well as I keep attracting myself to $400 and up bikes, but I can't simply do that. I do need and want a road bike though, I love the look, and would not even consider a mountain bike. So that said, what brands can or should I look for? Based on my needs, would basically any bike work? Dare I even say a Huffy Road bike? Perhaps one of those heavy old Varsity bikes? If not there, what? You get the point. Thank you for all the help and advice!

Side note: Every time I need to look up a bike and Google it, your forum pops up, and so finally I get off my lazy rear and joined. The forum is extremely helpful and knowledgeable, and thank you all for taking the time out of your day to help even the newest of riders! Thank you, it is appreciated and respected

lostarchitect 

Where are you? Is the area hilly? Do you know what size bike you need?

AnotherNub

I am in Oregon, definitely some hills, but not in my situation or immediate area, I think the bike I am looking for right now is a decent enough to hold on to but still replaceable. I am 5'11 so forgive me but I am gonna take a big guess and say that I would fit 54-56 cm based on my size?

IthaDan 

Probably a little bigger if you can get your leg over without jeopardizing your fertility. I'd set a mental low limit of a 56 and keep an open mind upwards from there, especially since, for your budget, you're pretty much confined to the used market. Get familiar with your local craigslist, you'll have to act quick to get a great deal, good deals don't take quite the same urgency. I say 56 as a low limit because the headtube will be taller which will put the bars up which is a much more comfortable position for the lower back of a beginner to cycling.

4Rings6Stars

Look for 80s Japanese. Chromoly frame and aluminum wheels.

Don't worry too much about the brand, but avoid huffy, roadmaster...etc.

Department/Mart store bikes are terrible today, 30 year old department store bikes should also be avoided (though their initial quality was likely higher than stuff sold at Walmart today).

wrk101

A road bike in the $75 to $150 price range, ready to go? Thats not going to happen unless you fall into a smoking hot deal. Decent road bikes, from bike shop brands, with cromoly frames and alloy wheels, start at about $200 here, and go up.

The best deals are projects (bikes that need work), but... you have to have the tools/time/aptitude/access to cheap parts, or its real easy to go through quite a bit of $$ on repairs. Most of western Oregon is a hot market, close to red hot, where bikes that might go for $200 here, might bring $300 to $350 there. The closer you get to Portland, the hotter the market.

IthaDan 

How a location a little more specific than Oregon? I'd be happy to
poke around Craigslist for you.

AnotherNub

Unfortunately I am in "bike city" so anything around Portland and 30-50 miles around it is fine with me. I don't need a bike that will be road ready off the bat, if I can at least ride it, then I'd be satisfied, then as the time goes by I can upgrade the parts. I don't mind spending money, just don't have over $200 all at once and right now, but I can spend $50-100 a month, but no I don't feel like saving it for a $300-400 bike, I rather find a deal and up the value as I go.

Specifically I am in Forest Grove, but Portland area is the Craigslist area, thank you to IthaDan for the other, I would appreciate some educated eyes on the ads as I spend 15-20 minutes looking up each bike as I seem them!

jyl

[Edited to add more bikes]

Here are some possibilities, yes, springtime Portland prices are high. Note if the bike isn't recently serviced, you're hoping they will be rideable enough to defer the probably-needed $75 tuneup and $25-50 in cables, pads, maybe tires - for a month.

https://portland.craigslist.org/clc/bik/3057242982.html

Mid-70s 57cm (CTC) 12-speed Centurion Super Le Mans bicycle. Bicycle is in good condition, minus some paint chips resulting in minor cosmetic rust and brakes that squeak a bit (pads probably need to be replaced, or the rims more thoroughly cleaned).
Shifting, brakes, etc function well, and the wheels are true. Seat-post adjusts freely. Comes with all original parts, including SunTour VX derailleurs, bar-end shifters, brakes with safety-levers, and big honking reflectors.
I recently gave the bicycle a cleaning, including the chain. It needs a new home.
This has basically been in a garage for 30+ years. Price is $200 OBO. Please email to come try it out!


Looks pretty nice, as in complete and decent condition, the bar-ends are a plus for a new rider.

https://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/bik/3056623713.html

Late 70's - early 80's Peugot road bike. Has a 1985 U of O sticker on it. In great condition. Needs the dust cleaned off of it and new tubes. $250.

Reynolds 501 sticker, should be standard threads if is a 1985, looks pretty nice. I'm a sucker for Peugeots though.

https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/bik/3049529528.html

Light-weight, CR-MO steel-alloy frame.
Oooh! Just got a full tune-up.
Oooh! Replaced the brakes, tires trued, etc. 27 " tires.
Oooh! Shimano shifters and derailleurs .
Comes with a sturdy set of fenders(ooh!). Really good for commuting around the city. Nice and clean and ready to ride home. $250

Anonymous frame but sounds tuned-up and ready to ride. Probably a functional bike, would prefer to pay $200 or less since it is a no-name. If the rims are steel, pass (that applies to all of these bikes).

https://portland.craigslist.org/clk/bik/3053633682.html

Selling my trek 400 in excellent condition 21 speed. If you are around 6 feet tall plus mines few inches it would be perfect. Feel free to text: (360) 5one3 two7two9

I don't know much about Treks, this one looks kind of lower end, but some people like them so I thought I'd point it out.
https://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/bik/3048909992.html

this is a very nice vintage raleigh super grand prix 10 speed road bike made in england that still rides and shifts great, the bike has a 21 1/2 inch lugged frame, 27 inch aluminum rims and good tires, Raleigh/suntour derailers and bar end shifters, raleigh crank, weinmann brakes, quick release front and rear hubs and original suede saddle, asking price is $195.00, if interested send me an email with contact information and ill respond asap.

Asking $195, but for $150 this would be a good around town bike. I'm mostly thinking about the bar end shifters. Maybe a little small for you.

thinktubes 

As much as I hate French bikes, I have to say the Peugot is a far superior bike. Try to get it for under $200.

IthaDan 

If you're short enough, like less than 5'9" this strikes me as a good deal for a pretty modern bike.

https://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/bik/3057848428.html



Edit: Screw that trek, buy this cannondale. NOW. Run, don't walk.

https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/bik/3057846491.html

iPad screenshot:

jyl

No sh-t - call and get over there right now with cash and don't dicker - that Cannondale was just posted and will be gone in hours if not minutes.

IthaDan 

Seriously, I don't care if you're Vern Troyer and that thing is a mile too tall for you, buy it anyway, we'll help you fix it up and sell it. It's worth easily twice that.

AnotherNub

wow! Talk about responses, then this "cannondale" ? I'd of never thought, while I am contacting them, what's up with the bike? I'm 5'11 should be alright, guess I'll see once I get there if still available. Damn I was near there as well, but without my laptop! Calling....

IthaDan 

Chances are there's nothing wrong with it, more that the seller just set a price in their head without researching the market value and went with it. It's surprisingly common, but you have to act fast. The only saving grace is that an ambiguous title like "cannondale" and very little in the text of the ad about specific parts of the bike might not trip up people's custom searches.

That bike is perfectly sized for you. I emailed around 925 here to get my place in line if I happen to be the first, I can certainly parlay that over to you- I'm in NY and up to my ears in bikes I don't ride nearly enough.

Edit: just to reiterate, if you get through, run over there with $200 cash in hand and buy the thing.

AnotherNub

emailed, and texted, no response yet. Let you know, thanks for all the help guys. Ya the ad looks like a need to sell fast to pay rent type of thing. Anyway to check if stolen? You just never know

IthaDan 

I'd doubt it's stolen. Just a hunch. It's not THAT amazing of a deal. And it's a 1997 with original paint, none of the flags are flying for me. Ask the owner about it, they might have some of the original paperwork, I'd bet this bike has had one owner.

If you're really worried, you could draft up a bill of sale, buy it anyway and then call the local police. Ideally, with the bill of sale, you'd be able to recoup your money.

AnotherNub

Thanks Dan, just was curious as I have no clue about these bikes, but learning quickly on the fly, no response to my text either so obviously he isn't that financially constrained. Just ship me one of your bikes so we can call this a day.

AnotherNub

Apparently I didn't run fast enough, seller responded that he did some research and is re-listing it for more. Still sitting at $175, but that really was the reach of my current budget. Migraine moves on!

IthaDan 

This has been on since last Thursday-
https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/bik/3049552855.html good buy at $125.

Friday here, don't know anything about the non-ironman centurions, but for 145, is looks solid and lightly used.
https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/bid/3051708518.html

Don't know what's going on here, tHe headtube angle confuddles me-
https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/bik/3056851403.html

Offer this guy $125, don't go past $150.
https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/bik/3049109978.html

If you're mechanically inclined and/or interested in learning to fix bikes, this could be a good buy-
https://portland.craigslist.org/clc/bik/3048252249.html

Size depending, you might want to check this one out too-
https://portland.craigslist.org/clc/bik/3057662966.html

AnotherNub

I haggle with the best of em! Do you sleep? I do see the Peugeot bikes often, so I'll keep my eye out for those in that price range!