"I'm new to bikes and I want to get a good deal...."

Want a good deal? Bad news, in any financial transaction, the one with the most knowledge, wins. This is true whether you are buying a car, a home, or even a bicycle. Based on your description, you are not that person. So the solution, spend some time getting educated on what makes a bike good, and what price is a good deal, then pounce. Without that effort to get knowledge, you will be counting on luck to save the day. While its possible to get lucky, the odds are relatively low, compared to being an educated buyer. The great news is that with the internet, you can become a knowledgeable buyer in a couple of hours, really! So the choice is yours.



+1 Junker. Probably worth the $50 price. The good stuff, particularly road bikes, start at about $200 (good MTBs start at about $100). This does not stop someone with junk asking a "good bike" price.

Signs of junker: One piece crank. Add to that stem shifters, steel rims, various steel parts. Myself, I would rather spend more and get something decent. Or spend some time getting educated on what makes a good bike, and then finding a deal.

Really, in a town the size of Austin, a bike for $50 that is still available = junk. Anything decent at that price would be gone in 15 minutes or less, and then a lot of them reappear a week or two later at a much higher price.

Decent and bargain road bike? Education is the key, followed by pursuing other sales outlets: word of mouth, garage sales, etc. Just realize the "best" deals are neglected bikes, and unless you have the tools/time/aptitude/access to cheap parts, picking up a neglected bike, even a free one, can be a loser.

If you don't have the tools and aptitude, then a co-op, like the one mentioned below, is a godsend. It also can be a good source of parts and even bikes.