ginshun

Right now the wife just has an old (1970's? 60's maybe) Schwinn Collegiate that is fine for cruising, but she would like an actual road bike for a little harder rides and for fitness.
We want something entry level, but not crappy, so I was wondering if I can get some opinions on what cheaper bikes are a good value. Looking to spend maybe $400 tops.
I have a mt bike and a fixed gear conversion that I did, but don't even know where to start when it comes to road bikes.

valygrl

At $400 crappy is your only option.

StanSeven

Go to a local bike store, tell them what you are looking for, get the proper size, and see what deals are available since the model year is ending.

ginshun

Seriously? Their isn't a single $400 road bike that anybody here would even recommend owning? Wow.

tagaproject6

Craigslist. Or visit bikesdirect.

ginshun

I was thinking about a BikesDirect bike actually. Not sure which one though, or if it even really matters.

I am watching Craig's List as well, but would rather just buy a new one so that I get the right size.

freedomrider1

Performance has a nice womens road bike on sale but its 800.00

Yo Spiff

You can get the right size on Craigslist. You may just need to have a bit of patience and check the listings daily until something that fits your specs comes up. For $400, you will have a tough time finding a new road bike at a shop. Some shops may have a decent used selection, but it's still up to chance what they will have at any given time. Bikes direct may be the best option if you can't wait.

dimachka

At that price range, your only option for a new road bike that is worth owning will be on bikesdirect. Something like these:

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/..._al_xi_sc3.htm
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...r_elle_xii.htm

That said, I would personally stick to craigslist. With a little patience you should be able to find a fairly decent road bike there for $400 that is much better than the bikesdirect choice.

ginshun

The problem with craigslist, is we live in a pretty small market, and not really one that is into bikes. We are not in a huge hurry, but I have been watching our area for a while and there has been virtually nothing. Not sure I want to drive a couple hundred miles to Minneapolis or Chicago to buy a used bike.

Breitling

If she's just getting started out, I'd recommend getting her a bike from Nashbar like the WR-1. Womens specific geometry, Sora components (although 2300 shifters this year), pretty heavy. They're on sale for $400 right now at nashbar.com. I bought one for my wife a year ago and it has never even popped a chain or anything after about 2000 miles (she does about 20-30 mile rides). I'd highly recommend picking one of these up at this price point. I'm pretty sure this sale ends soon though.

buckwheat987

Not after 77 minutes I guess.....

only new bike even close is a diamondback I see on Ama-zon I see occasionally discounted to around $500. The reviews are pretty good from those that have bought.

ginshun

that post was more in response to valygrl's "At $400 crappy is your only option." post than to the thread in general.

Thanks for the reply's so far. Hopefully a few more will come in.

I will probably go used or with something from BD. Its a little tough to drop 8 or 9 bills on something that i am not sure will take. She's never even ridden a road bike before, so we really want to get something for her to try out. If he likes it, then we will upgrade in a couple years or something.

Phil_gretz

Craigslist is your friend. Do you know her size accurately? Can you spot it in a road frame?

Yesterday morning, I bought a steel 1999 Bianchi Volpe (for my 22-year old daughter) in near mint condition for $200 after a craigslist bidding war broke out overnight. It has 3x8-speed Shimano RSX integrated brake shifters, RSX groupset throughout, cantilever brakes, and the seller had added new cyclocross tires. Full touring braze ons, including mid-fork front and rear rack, dual dropout eyelets, and triple bottle mounts. It was in her size, 52cm, and required immediate action to snag it. Great bike at half of your budget, and in a hot DC market.

Find her a mid-1980s mid-level Schwinn like a Super LeTour. Check out Fujis with mixte frames. There are options out there...

Phil_gretz

$400 buys an excellent used bike, but not much of a new bike. That's just the way that it is.

SuperGregNo1

I've found that it's really hard to find bikes in that price range on Craigslist. I was originally looking for something used for my GF. A new entry level Trek Lexa is around $650 so I was hoping to find a used one for half that. All I found were decades old crap bikes. Ended up finding a Trek 2.3 for $750. Much more bike than the new Lexa for the same price (maybe even cheaper after taxes and adding accessories that came with the used bike like a Cateye, Look pedals, etc).

I'd like to get something cheap for my son now, and I'd really like to stick to around $300-400 since he'll probably outgrow it soon anyway. If I can't find used I'm considering Bikes Direct.

ginshun

What do you guys think of this?

https://www.performancebike.com/bikes..._1117961_-1___

ginshun

don't get me wrong, I love the old Schwinns. I have a 1988 World Sport that is converted to fixed gear, and its awesome.

Easier said than done, but if I see one at around 19" I will probably grab it.

buckwheat987

I would also consider with the diamondback insight 2 on Ama-zon for $400.


https://www.amazon.com/Diamondback-In...ords=insight+2

My wife has one and likes it.

Breitling

That's a flat bar bike with an aluminum fork and low end mountain bike components. Check this out: https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/SearchD...earchTerm=wr-1

ginshun

Are those things bad?
Maybe I should clarify my needs by saying it will be ridden virtually exclusively on the road. It wouldn't necessarily need to be a pure road bike though. I don't have a pure road bike myself, my main road bike now is a the '88 Schwinn fixed gear conversion that I mentioned earlier.

Thanks, I saw that one. It looks pretty nice. Minus the carbon fork though, it doesn't really look any better than one that I could get from BD for a hundred bucks cheaper.

iamtim

If you're capable with a wrench (or a competent learner*) go with BikesDirect. I've owned three different BD bikes - and ride one right now - and they're great deals for the price.

* The bikes as delivered from BD require some wrenching; if that's not your thing, you can also take them to a FLBS for setup, but... that's gonna up the price a bit.

Germanicus

Checkout Nashbar too.

Cheap: https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...11_-1___202339

A little more expensive but better: https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...0052_535083_-1

Although your LBS will have bikes you can fit to her body geometry better.

Breitling

Here's women's specific geometry: https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/SearchD...earchTerm=wr-1

This bike is exactly what she needs. For the price, bikes direct can't compete on this one with WS geometry

Yo Spiff

A good choice if she wants a flat bar road bike. I know someone in my local club that has one. He seems to like it well enough.

Saturday morning club ride by Yo Spiff, on Flickr