But the thing is I'm young and am going off the money I make at my $7.75/hr job plus from stuff I sell. I can't afford to pay too much extra bucks and still have money for the gear as well as for the trip itself. (So no, that's not my whole budget)

And I know where a bike shop is near me. I guess I'll go in and see what they say. Maybe I'll just have to work harder for more money, like selling my car... (which still wouldn't make me that much - not sure how much longer it's gonna last).