Originally Posted by
ShortLegCyclist
Sometimes pawn shops have pretty nice used bikes if there are any in your town.
I second that recommendation. My ride leader recently retired from the pawn business. He's reasonably knowledgeable about bikes, but he never focused on it. Said it was way too much time and effort to try and school up his employees in what bikes are worth. You'll probably find a number of overpriced bikes, but odds are good you'll find a winner.