hello, Bike Forums.. I am brand new to biking (ULTRA NEW)
I am looking to start road biking, I have never really biked before other than when I was a kid when i first learned to bike
I am 25 now, and am looking to take the NYC 5 boro (42 miles) leisurely run not the competitive

with a VERY LIMITED budget
which is better.

An older (70s or 80s) road bike versus a brand new road bike which is better?
if the older bike was considered great back then
and the new bike is considered very intro today

and also.. is this bike worth it?
i dont know anything about bikes
but the guy says its rideable.
https://newyork.craigslist.org/brx/bik/1033290064.html

thanks for your time and thank you in advance for your responses !

I new bike is what I'd suggest. You get a warranty for anything that goes wrong - barring accidents and flat tires. And older bike is bound to need parts/repairs. You'll be on your own. Or at the mercy of the bike shop.

You'll need to have a general idea of what you can afford. What sort of riding you wish to do. And so forth. Then go to a couple bike shops and tell them. Look at what they offer. Test-ride what you like (how it looks can be a strong factor - go with it. You'll ride it more often). Then visit another shop. Do as before. And compare prices/services offered.

And ask a few cyclists you know what shop they like the best.

A newer used bike can be had for a reasonable price but once again you need to know what you want. It is a lot easier to find good 700c tires for a newer bike than 27s for an older road bike. Be sure to check out Craigs list. What is your budget?

I agree with the answer but for a completely different reason.

It's just like buying shoes. Bike fit is a big deal - especially on a road bike. fit affects your comfort, efficiency and performance every single minute that you're riding. Nothing else even comes close in importance. A basic bike that fits trumps a super bike that's too big.

If you buy a new bike from a shop you can basically pick out the model that you want and simply tell them to find you one that fits.

When you buy a used bike there's usually only one. If you don't have the experience to know that you need sizewise, you can't make an intelligent purchase desicion.

If this is your first bike in a long time as you say, borrow friends bikes, try out bikes at bike shops, watch Craigslist- if nothing else you will learn what is out there. I hadn't biked for 20 years and when reading craigslist, I had to constantly google different bikes and terms that I had never heard of. They switched to cassettes from freewheels when I wasn't looking.

Have to agree with Retro for a very similar reason.

When wanting your first bike----First find your LBS (Local bike shop) And there are good LBS' And ones not so good. A good one will find out what you want- Find out your budget (And sell you a bike above that) and give you the choices for you. They will also ensure that it is the right size and do any adjustments for you as require them. A secondhand bike is difficult to buy unless you already know something about cycling.

I Would suggest pleading poverty when you go the the LBS and enquire about last years models at a cheaper price.

I got back into roadbike riding in the beginning of the nineties by buying a ca 1978-79 swedish Crescent with a full Dura Ace group. Lovely bike,but I had to glue on sewup tires. No way a highend old bike can be compared to cheap new stuff. I am aware prices are up on old bikes, but you can still get decent japanese bikes from the eighties for not a lot of money.

thanks guys, well the budget i was looking into is cheaper the better, sub 200 at most.

For $200 I say older is better, with caveats. Bikes from the 1970's had a lot of things going for them that are difficult to find on modern bikes. You would have to learn a few things about these bikes first and a trip to the library to find an older book on bikes is a good start.

Bike fit is important but it does not have to be as precise as some people would have you think. You should be able to straddle the bike with both feet flat on the floor. Seats can be adjusted up and down and on older bikes so can the handlebars, within limits. With the seat adjusted for your height you should be able to grab a fistfull of seatpost between the seat and the bike, but not much more. If the seat is too high you won't be able to raise the handlebars to the same level which means you need to find a bigger bike.

1970's bikes were well designed as recreational bikes. They had decent size tires, good geometry, you could easily mount fenders and racks, and the brakes and derailleurs work as well as any today on a new bike. You could ride them on rough roads, gravel roads, in the rain, on long trips, to work etc.

Modern bikes are also very nice but for $200 you're really going to have to do some research and sharpen up your Persian Rug negotiating skills. A lot of modern road bikes are built in the racing bike fashion with very narrow tires, low handlebars, and special pedals designed for riding on smooth roads. And the frame design won't allow you to fit larger tires.

It's easy to find tires for 27" wheels, every bike shop carries them as do many department stores. Bike messengers and the entire fixed gear crowd favor these older bikes which has really driven the price up in places like NYC but at least it means there are lots of 27" tires for sale.

It's hard to tell from the picture how good a bike that is. The chainguard on the front chainwheel indicates it may be a low end bike. A good place to take questions about older bikes is to the Classic and Vintage forum. But first, find out what size bike you need.

I think for $200 I'd go old if possible. You might like a 70's touring bike. I have a couple of older road bikes that probably never counted as high end, but I love them. They are great for weekend rides and having fun. (I have gone 20 miles or so at a time on my weekend ride). An older bike may need things like tires, new cables, and such, but they can usually be found. It's been my experience that you can usually add about $25-$50 in repairs to initial cost if you do it yourself. However, after that repairs seem to stay fairly minor. It is really rewarding (not to mention useful) to learn to do somethings, like changing tires, yourself. I am as non-mechanically inclined as they come and I can do most work myself.

Look on your local Craigs List. If you are lucky you will find someone who buys bikes from the local police auctions. I have picked up some very good deals on bikes from a place just like that. I happened ot be looking for a MTB at the time but I got a 2000 or 2002 Haro escape A7 in very good condition for less than 150 bucks. Now I know the West Coast is different than the East Coast but just don't believe you have to go so old you end up with a 70s bike. Some of them were good bikes but if you aren't into bikes anyway they are also ones that will need the most work. You have options.

youre not getting anything new for $200 that is better than something old for $200. Not happening. keep in mind that the old bike needs repair/maintenance most of the time. And consumables (tires, chain, brakepads, cable housing, tubes ) if you cant do the repairs dont even consider this option, it would cost almost as much as a new bike to have the bike shop do it.

for new you need at least $400 and even then you need to get lucky to get something decent at that price. You wont just walk in and find something for $400. (or maybe you will) Isn't there that schwinn cutter for around $300? https://urbanvelo.org/schwinn-cutter/

Lets be clear there is a difference between used and old? Unless we are talking about me and then they are the same.

As Grouch and Step have mentioned going to your LBS has other advantages. Often they might have a customer that is ready to upgrade and you can get a good deal on the bike they want to trade in. One of our club riders got a great deal on a Specialized Allez that way. That way you get a bit more modern componants as well.

Caveat emptor. Knowledge is power

I'm riding a 25 year old Univega Super Strada bought new. It's a great bike. Saw one for sale for $150.00 on C-list. If you learn all you can about bikes, put together a short list of what you'd buy, you can do well buying used.

Fit is paramount. A great bike that doesn't fit is no different than a crap bike that doesn't fit.

You don't have to go ancient with a used bike for $200 - you can get an entry level used bike that's just a few years old.... I picked up an Iron Horse for $200 a few years back - my son rode it until he outgrew it, and sold it to another kid for $150 - absolutley nothing wrong with it when we got it or when we sold it.

Retro Grouch is absolutely correct; far more important than old or new is fit and adjustment. If you buy a new bike from a reputable shop, they will see that you get a properly fitting bike. (at least, they should)
If you're buying used, you had better either know what you're looking for or take an experienced cyclist along with you.

I was able to get a new 2007 Jamis Ventura Sport in 2008 for $450. It has been a great road bike for me so far.

I say stick with new unless you are the type to pick up a fad/hobby and drop it in a few months. You could have a miserable experience buying a used bike that looks good but has hidden mechanical problems.

I bought a 2008 Jamis just before the 2009s came out and got a great deal as well.But I think you beat me by 90 bucks. I like my Jamis and it has given me 2200 miles of trouble free riding so far. But the best part may be that is was to correct size for me. And that is a major consideration if someone is going to ride a lot.