gtipton55

So i'm looking for a road/commuting bike for fairly cheap. I sold my dads Trek 7.8 about a year ago to buy a 2011 Rockhopper and am unfortunately now wanting a nice road/commuting bike. I don't want anything fancy really even a steel frame with drop bars w/ gears, ect. is what I want. I'm thinking used is the way to go I just need to know if I yall think I could get away with a $250-$300 budget. Vintage frame would ofcourse be fine with me id almost even prefer it. I've been keeping my eyes open on Austins craigslist but most are smaller frames (i'm 6ft 1 and about 192lbs).

What do yall think?

Thanks!

knight9413

If you are spending $250-$300 just for the bike itself, that's certainly doable. I would assume ~56cm frame for your height? If so, it should be a very common size. Also consider maintenance cost, which can be somewhat costly if you commute everyday.

gtipton55

Thanks. Yeah I guess maybe commuting is the wrong section to be under just because I don't plan on buying bags and extra accessories for the bike. I just need a simple road bike with brakes and drop bars. Any certain frames/brands you'd recommend me keep my eyes out for?

derekthelion

Absolutely. I picked up a very very slightly used Kona Dew for 150, threw on a Topeak Rack ($25), fenders ($20), and was all set. You can totally get what you need for under 250!

gtipton55

Would something like this '83 Miyata work well?

https://austin.craigslist.org/bik/2270889323.html

Also I've been looking at this sizing chart to see what kind of size to look for and should I go for a 60-63 or does that chart seem a little off?
https://bicycling.about.com/od/howtor...ike_sizing.htm

monsterpile

Used is usually a better value, but if you want new and are willing to assemble the bike yourself here are some places to look. Either way your budget of $250-$300 is well within range.

I don't know much about this place

https://www.roadbikeoutlet.com/road-bikes.html

I have a bike from BD and so do alot of other posters.

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

qualla

re: https://austin.craigslist.org/bik/2270889323.html. Yes. Unless a Classic and Vintage forum member has gotten to it before you.

gtipton55

What about frame sizing though? Would a 56cm frame fit someone of my height?

Edit: Just got off the phone with the guy & he's on his way to sell it to someone... brutal.

curbtender

I'd say 60, + or- 2cm, in a road bike. Hybrids and touring could be a little smaller because they have more adjustments.

Fellow forum member with a sale problem. Wonder if he ships? https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...this-Centurion

LeeG

Since you don't seem to have a preference for a particular model I don't see the need to spend $300, look around for $150bikes. Six months ago I sold my Bottechia that I had for 23yrs, couldn't get more than $250 for it, Campy and Shimano 600 mix of parts.
Why not this?

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...e_xi_steel.htm

just guessing 56cm is too short if you have 34" pants. This may be a smidge tall.

https://austin.craigslist.org/bik/2276155263.html

Scooby214

The Bikes Direct bike you have linked to is quite tempting... Looks very simple and clean. I have never ridden a road bike and am really wanting to get one. How could I hide this one from the wife?

DVC45

Here's one candidate https://austin.craigslist.org/bik/2265056745.html

Make sure you like hamster.

Road Bike for Sale - $150 (S. Austin)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 2011-03-14, 7:07PM CDT
Reply to: sale-kv2jr-2265056745@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Please reply with the line I love Hamsters! so that I know you are a legit buyer.

I am selling this bike. I don't have the specifics on it, other than it is a Bridgestone 4130. I am asking $150 for it, and it can go as soon as you can come get it. If you want to ride it around for a test, bring a pump as my ex took mine and I have no way to air up the tires.

My name is Sara. I work from 9-6 every day M-F.


Location: S. Austin
it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

knight9413

I feel the sizes from about.com is a little too big for their ranges, but different frames have different geometries. Best if you do test ride on the actual bike to see if you really like the style and the fit.

Not sure about the Miyata, but vintage bikes usually comes with 27" (iso 630) wheels. Many places still sell 27" tires, but I would preferred the more common 700c (iso 622). Keep in mind, hubs (OLD, outer locknut dimension) of the wheel found in modern road bikes are also a bit wider (130mm). Hope this help.

sudo bike

I'd recommend either keeping an eye on CL or possibly BikesDirect.

A word on BD (always a hot topic ) - I have no problem with their bikes, and I think overall they are a great compromise between department store bikes and boutique bikes, but you should probably be a little knowledgeable about how to work on a bike (or at least just good with tools) or plan on taking it into a shop to get a once-over. Adjustments, tune-up, truing, all that business. It's still a good deal IMO, just something to keep in mind. Of course, you may have to do this with a CL bike anyway so....

Barring that, you can find killers on CL. I had to put some work into mine, but I still came out ahead. After a few years of ownership, I've probably spent about $300-$400 on all my stuff, including initial purchase price. And it was over time (new tires, new shifters, new brakes, etc).

As far as size, I would try and get on a few to get a rough idea. My first thought was 58. I'm a reasonably heavy 6'0" and fit comfortably on a 58. I was told generally it's easier to adjust a bike to fit that's a bit too small than one that's a bit too big. YMMV.

scroca

Put drop bars on the Rockhopper. There's a BF thread somewhere (couldn't find it) about putting drop bars on mountain bikes.

canyoneagle

NOOOOOOO
Well, unless he has a disproportionately small inseam.
I'm 6'2 with a 35-36" inseam and my proper road bike frame size is 62-64cm, though I can ride a frame as small as 58 cm with a ton of seatpost and a long stem.
If the OP is average proportions for 6'1 I'd say a 60cm would be about right for a road frame.

To the OP - Austin is a cycling hotbed - you should not have too much trouble finding something on CL.
If the Rockhopper has a lockout fork, another option is to get it set up with some slicks.

LeeG

wait a second, do you just want another bike, a road bike or a bike for commuting?

If you just want another bike for cheap the 25" Craigslist bike with straight bars fits the bill for commuting. If you want a bike for commuting put slicks on your Rockhopper, if you want a road bike because you want a road bike and you have to hide it then you better be writing to Dear Abby. My vote is the BikesDirect and learn to assemble it and true wheels. If you're not clear on the exact seat-bb position or bike size you should get that squared away before looking at used bikes.

Veik

Cannondale Quick 6 from REI is not a bad value.
$299+tax and free ship to local REI store.

its a 2010 model..

exile

Check Craigslist, pawn shops, auctions, garage sales, and Coops. You should be able to find something.

Scooby214

I am not the OP, I was just liking the look of that Bikes Direct bike to fill my N+1 void. I currently commute on a Sierra Schwinn with Conti Contact tires. I usually make my 13.5 mile each way commute in 50 minutes to an hour (pesky stoplights), so my current bike suits me well enough for commuting purposes. desire for a road bike is simply to add to my bike corral. I am not in the Austin area, though I do keep an eye on my local (Okla. City) Craigslist.

tpelle

I just bought that exact bike a couple of weeks ago. Here's a link to the thread where I talked about it.

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ne-Zombie-Bike

Only assembly issue that I had was they included a radius washer for installing the front brake, and it really needed a flat washer. Probably a $0.05 part at any bike shop, but a little inconvenient in the end. Derailleurs were adjusted (of course, like any new bike, you'll likely have to adjust-out cable stretching for a while), wheels were true, no real complaints other than the brake washer.

I really like the bike. I'm still getting used to the downtube shifters, but I've always been intrigued by "classic" stuff - and that bike just oozes classic. I mean, just look at that steel butted frame with that horizontal top tube!

Keep in mind that, if you go the BD route, you will have to outfit the bike with bottle cages and bottles, flt-fixing stuff, maybe a combo tool, a lock, a seat bag - probably another $100 all up.

tpelle

I agree. I'm about 6'-1" with a 36" standover height. I bought the 61cm version of the Bikesdirect bike referred to above (Motobecane Mirage), and the frame size is just about perfect. The stem (really the top tube) is a little bit too long, at about 115mm - I'm going to keep my eyes open for a 90mm stem that won't break the bank.

fietsbob

Figure -8 Trekking bars on the Rockhopper ..
don't have to change the brakes or shifters ,
and they will offer good variety of hand hold positions.. side, fore and aft
rather than drops up and down,

so you still have a lean into the wind position ..

slick tires and away you go..

gtipton55

I'm going to meet up with a guy within the next day and check out his 86 Dave Scott Iron Man bike that's all original parts and is mint. Sizing seems great and everything. He wants about $300 though which I don't know if that's a bit much but the bikes seem to be built like a machine and I hear good things about them. Anyone know anything about the Centurion Dave Scott Iron Man bikes?

curbtender

Great bikes. Sounds good if you don't have to put any money into it. You can ask more here.. https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...umber-Database