Any good road bikes around $300?
#1
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Any good road bikes around $300?
I am planning to get my first road bike, I am currently using a heavy fixed gear bike. Are there any decent entry level road bikes in the $300 range because all I find is $700+ bikes. Im not trying to sound like a weight wennie but I just prefer my bikes in the sub-20 lb range, I am light at about 130 lbs and at 5 '8. If you know any good road bikes in that price range please let me know thank you .
#3
Banned
Used . 2nd hand. but wont be sub 20 pounds .. unless its stripped down to 1 speed .
Trek 1.1 new is $700 .. save more Money.
work 3 jobs , this is america..
Trek 1.1 new is $700 .. save more Money.
work 3 jobs , this is america..
Last edited by fietsbob; 06-05-16 at 03:49 PM.
#4
Senior Member
$300 Sub-20 lbs? No.
$300 Sub-25 lbs? Lots.
Mid-grade mid-late '80s classic steel road bikes are generally lighter than 25 pounds.
At that price point, you're still not going to have the 'modern' features like brifters or even indexed shifting, but you'll have a nice dependable road bike that will be a joy to ride.
$300 Sub-25 lbs? Lots.
Mid-grade mid-late '80s classic steel road bikes are generally lighter than 25 pounds.
At that price point, you're still not going to have the 'modern' features like brifters or even indexed shifting, but you'll have a nice dependable road bike that will be a joy to ride.
#5
Senior Member
Used you can probably find something decent but anything under 20 lbs will run you more than 1k.
Last year for $140, I got what I thought was a good deal on a K2 Mach2 road bike in very good condition, been riding the heck out of it.
Previous to that I bought an used Specialized Allez that was about 2 years old for $400.
Both these bikes were in the $700 to $800 range when new.
Look in Craigslist but don't expect anything even used in the under 20 lbs range in your budget.
Last year for $140, I got what I thought was a good deal on a K2 Mach2 road bike in very good condition, been riding the heck out of it.
Previous to that I bought an used Specialized Allez that was about 2 years old for $400.
Both these bikes were in the $700 to $800 range when new.
Look in Craigslist but don't expect anything even used in the under 20 lbs range in your budget.
#6
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Every time I check craigslist locally I see several good looking used road bikes weighing in the low 20s for under $300. Some of them could probably be lightened by gradually replacing certain bits: lighter wheels and tires, pedals, carbon seat post/stem/bars/fork, lighter saddle, etc.
Total price after replacing those components will probably bring the final price of the bike up to $500-$700, but at least you'd have a good project bike to ride while replacing bits as the budget allows.
Or save up for a few months and buy a lighter complete bike with the same money.
Total price after replacing those components will probably bring the final price of the bike up to $500-$700, but at least you'd have a good project bike to ride while replacing bits as the budget allows.
Or save up for a few months and buy a lighter complete bike with the same money.
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New? No. Used? Plenty.
You may not be trying to sound like a weight weenie, but c'mon, admit it. ;-)
You should be able to find plenty of good used bikes in the low 20's at reasonable prices. To go down in weight from there, you'll generally be looking at high-end bikes with high-end price tags.
You should be able to find plenty of good used bikes in the low 20's at reasonable prices. To go down in weight from there, you'll generally be looking at high-end bikes with high-end price tags.
#10
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If you have a budget of $300, then if you buy new, all you will get is a 30+ piece-of-garbage that will be scrap in less than 2 years.
For $300, you can get a good used bike in the 22-25 lb range.
For sub 20 lb at $300, you'll probably have to remove the seat, the seat post, the bottle cages, and possibly the derailleurs and the brakes to get down to THAT level.....
For $300, you can get a good used bike in the 22-25 lb range.
For sub 20 lb at $300, you'll probably have to remove the seat, the seat post, the bottle cages, and possibly the derailleurs and the brakes to get down to THAT level.....
#11
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"Good" new road bikes at $300, no. Sub 20 pounds, no.
However, there are a number of entry-level choices in the $200-$300 range online which will serve you well. They'll weigh generally mid-20 pounds, have 7-speed freewheels, downtube or stem shifters or microshift integrated shifters at the high end of your budget.
If you look hard enough, know your stuff and have the mechanical knowledge to rehabilitate a used bike you might be able to find a decent used bike on Craigs List that weighs 20 pounds. I suspect it would require replacing parts of it. Personally in your shoes I'd adjust my expectations to an entry level bike and look at Bikesdirect. Any of those will last for years, having standard (entry level) modern parts that will be easy to repair or replace, if that ever becomes necessary.
Or you can spend weeks studying craigslist, researching the different models as they come up, pounce on a project bike and dive in on the wrenching. There's nothing wrong with that and maybe you wind up with a better bike. But there's something to be said for ordering a brand new one, delivered in 3-5 days and after minimal assembly you're on the road instead of watching CL ads.
However, there are a number of entry-level choices in the $200-$300 range online which will serve you well. They'll weigh generally mid-20 pounds, have 7-speed freewheels, downtube or stem shifters or microshift integrated shifters at the high end of your budget.
If you look hard enough, know your stuff and have the mechanical knowledge to rehabilitate a used bike you might be able to find a decent used bike on Craigs List that weighs 20 pounds. I suspect it would require replacing parts of it. Personally in your shoes I'd adjust my expectations to an entry level bike and look at Bikesdirect. Any of those will last for years, having standard (entry level) modern parts that will be easy to repair or replace, if that ever becomes necessary.
Or you can spend weeks studying craigslist, researching the different models as they come up, pounce on a project bike and dive in on the wrenching. There's nothing wrong with that and maybe you wind up with a better bike. But there's something to be said for ordering a brand new one, delivered in 3-5 days and after minimal assembly you're on the road instead of watching CL ads.
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If it is going to be your first road bike, how can you know that you prefer your bikes to be less than 20 lb.? Are you saying you have a sub-20 lb. mountain bike?
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If there were, everyone here who spent into the four digits getting their new bikes to that level would probably feel quite silly.
AFAIK, short of Bikes Direct or Wal-Mart, you'd have a hard time finding anything even with drop bars for $300 new.
That said, my "lightweight" Peugeot comes in around 24#, and my Schwinn nearly 10# heavier than that. For the riding I do, and the riding I suspect you would do with such a question, I actually find myself on the heavier bike far more often than caring about the weight savings.
AFAIK, short of Bikes Direct or Wal-Mart, you'd have a hard time finding anything even with drop bars for $300 new.
That said, my "lightweight" Peugeot comes in around 24#, and my Schwinn nearly 10# heavier than that. For the riding I do, and the riding I suspect you would do with such a question, I actually find myself on the heavier bike far more often than caring about the weight savings.
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Post your location, a link to your local Craigslist, and perhaps someone will give you a suggestion. Frame size? 54ish?
20 lbs is a tough target. From the building perspective, you'll need a super-light frame, lightweight bottom bracket and crankest, lightweight wheels. And then can't ignore the weight of anything else. And, it all comes at a cost.
Keep in mind, however, the best deals are snapped up quickly without time for a lengthy online debate.
20 lbs is a tough target. From the building perspective, you'll need a super-light frame, lightweight bottom bracket and crankest, lightweight wheels. And then can't ignore the weight of anything else. And, it all comes at a cost.
Keep in mind, however, the best deals are snapped up quickly without time for a lengthy online debate.
#16
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I am currently commuting to school with a heavy 32+ pound fixie, I previously had a fixie around the 19 lb mark and it was unbelievably fast with little effort until I got it stolen . I just want a bicycle that is very light and fun to use. Should I invest my money and add a aluminium frame with a carbon fork and new wheel set or just get a new road bike for 300?
#17
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I am currently commuting to school with a heavy 32+ pound fixie, I previously had a fixie around the 19 lb mark and it was unbelievably fast with little effort until I got it stolen . I just want a bicycle that is very light and fun to use. Should I invest my money and add a aluminium frame with a carbon fork and new wheel set or just get a new road bike for 300?
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#20
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I've seen some used Carbon bikes that tip the scales in the 18-19 pound range for under $500, but not under $300. I paid $450 for my Trek Y-foil, which weighs under 19 lbs. I recently saw a Kestrel KA40 Airfoil in really nice condition that weighed under 19 lbs and the seller was asking $400. There are several Trek 5200 and 5500 bikes around San Diego being offered for $450-500 and those too weigh under 19 lbs. For under $300, you could probably find an older aluminum Cannondale or Specialized that weighs under 20 ins,
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