Originally Posted by JLahr
I like the idea of picking up a bike there but every dollar I spend on a bike is one I can't spend on seeing Europe. How much would you expect to pay for a decent road bike in Europe? Are used bikes fairly easy to get there?
You won't want to spend too much time shopping for bikes.
Do an internet search for bicycle shops in the city where you plan to start your adventure. See if they have or can get a used bike for you before you arrive. If you can't find a bike shop with a search, contact the local chamber of commerce or similar business group - or contact anybody/business you can find in that city and just ask them if they will send you some names from the phone book.
You probably don't need an elaborate machine. You should be able to get something to suite your travel needs for 120 euro or less. You can buy a new Wally-mart grade bike for under $100 if you don't mind that. Less prestige, perhaps, but you only need it for less than 1,000 miles or so.