chrisprattpd

As the title says

lots of options...looking for something that will last a year or two.

im 5'8 200lbs - i played rugby for years so i have a large upper body and quads but carry a little extra in the middle.


the schwinn phocus 1400 seems like one option
or the vilano 21 sod


Please help.

I know I'm better off in the long run going for something from my local bike shop but i simply don't have that kind of cash to stump up right now

dtrain

Buy used or bump up the budget with credit.

SundayNiagara

Double your budget and visit a LBS!

bikemig 

Or buy from an internet direct vendor assuming you can put a bike together. Check out bikes direct and bike nashbar.

JamesRL

Budget $250 for a used bike and $50 for a tune up, and adjustment of the seat and/or stem heights.

First thing to do is to figure out what size frame you need. You can find many posts here on how to do that, most center around inseam (not your pant length, the distance from the ground to your pubic bone.

Depending on where you live, there are often many great used bikes out there for that price, and most people post ads a little higher than what they will settle for.

chrisprattpd

double your budget?!?! nice advice lol

i have no idea on what to buy as far as used - from what i read i will be replacing tires and chains etc and will end up being more into it.

i get that you guys are all serious cyclist but i am not - i only need something for a couple years and was looking for some advice on a new machine -

the best of the bad bunch if you will

RaleighSport

Come over to Classic and Vintage subforum, ask again but about used on Craigslist and disclose your approximate location (i.g. what area you'd be searching on craigslist) That budget won't typically get you anything you'd really want to ride for a year or two new.

rms13

Where do you live? How is your local used market on Craigslist? Where I live I could definitely find something rideable used for under $300. It might be old and not have brifters but it would be much better than what you can get for $300 new. The only new $300 bike I would buy is a single speed and even at that you are looking at lower end bikes.

If there is a good selection of used in your area, you can get lucky and find something for $300 that is very rideable and doesn't need any parts replaced. .

chrisprattpd

im in st.louis

RaleighSport

Could get this and have it tuned up... Schwinn Traveler American Made 12 speed road bike

chrisprattpd

Amazon.com : 2014 Dawes Lightning DT Shimano SunRace 24 Speed Aluminum 700c Road Bike : Sports & Outdoors
Amazon.com : Vilano Aluminum Road Bike 21 Speed Shimano : Road Bicycles : Sports & Outdoors
Amazon.com : Aluminum Road Bike / Commuter Shimano 21 Speed Bicycle 700c : Sports & Outdoors
Amazon.com : Schwinn Men's Phocus 1400 700C Drop Bar Road Bicycle, Black, 18-Inch : Road Bike : Sports & Outdoors

something like these

chrisprattpd

tuning something up is something i have no idea about at all...has been years since i owned a bicycle

RaleighSport

You misunderstand, I should have stated more clearly, have it tuned up the LBS, you're still looking at more then likely under 200 with labor and consumables i.g. tires/tubes/cables etc. If you're going to buy a dawes, save some money and get it on bikesdirect... as for the rest personally you couldn't pay me to take those bikes.

chrisprattpd

is dawes any good as far as a budget starter bike goes?

dtrain

You'll get a little more for your money with bikesdirect. Look into these:
Save Up to 60% Off Road Bikes - DawesLightning1000
Save Up to 60% Off Road Bikes - Windsor Wellington 3.0 Web Sale Prices
Save Up to 60% Off Road Bikes - 2014 Motobecane Mirage Sport

SundayNiagara

+1

MRT2

The problem is, $300 is just a bad price point for a new road bike. Entry level new road bikes go for $700 retail at LBS. though you might find a deal on something on sale. Used is another matter, though as you have already said, it helps to know what your are looking at.

If you just want something to get you around, a basic hybrid can be found for around $350 to $450. It won't be particularly fast or sleek, but will be a much better bike than your big box road bike.

chrisprattpd

ok great....if you had to recommend one for a heavier rider...and one better than the other?

like i said I'm 5'8 and about 200lbs

dtrain

I think that Dawes Lightning 1000 looks pretty solid if you can afford $399. You are paying a touch more for the carbon fork.

The main thing (in my opinion) is shifting built into the brake levers. Avoid the Amazon stuff you pointed out and that top row of bikesdirect stuff. You want a $349-$399 offering with 2300, Tourney, or Microshift.

chrisprattpd

i was pretty fixed to as close to 300 as i can get because I'm going to have to pay for a set up and some gear so lets just say that i want to stay under 500 total...or as low as possible.

chrisprattpd

any other online stores worth checking out?

seymour1910

Could be to big but size not listed

2002 Raleigh R400 Road Bike

Wont hurt to offer $300

GT Strike road bike

Worth a look if you dont mind down tube shifters

Trek Road Bike

Giant Road Bike **Refurbished**

Hybrid?

Hybrid men's bike Giant Escape 2 21"

BRAND NEW BIKE FOR A GREAT PRICE

seymour1910

Okay, didn't know you could stretch a little over $300

Offer $400 for this 2009 Giant Defy 3 road bike

chrisprattpd

i made a couple of offers out there...thanks guys will let you know what I've got coming back

NormanF

You need to set aside money to get a partially assembled bike built up and tuned at a bike shop. About $50 is right for a bike shipped to your address in a bike carton. And don't forget any parts you might need to swap out and change. No one rides their bike stock.