Pilot0287

I'm going to be in a road race in a few weeks and am looking into getting a new bike. The only problem is I live in a small town with a small selection. Out of these bikes, what would you suggest:

-Schwinn 700C Avenue
-26 Sidewinder
-Huffy Commuter
-Huffy Alpine
-Huffy Blackwater
-Ozone500 Edgerunner
-Mongoose Montanta

I know they're not all road bikes, but like I said, I don't have much of a selection. Plus, I'm not a serious racer, but I would like a nice bike and I would like to do well in the race. Thanks.

RonH

Sorry but if you show up at a race with any of those bikes ... Well, how can I say this?

Have you tried any of the bike shops in College Station. Is Austin too far to go?

Have you tried craigslist or ebay?

Pilot0287

Even at an event like this? https://tour.diabetes.org/site/TR/Tou...try&fr_id=5619

I need a decent bike that's not pricey, and can be used for things other than just road races.

c_m_shooter

Where are you from? If you are in the Dallas/Fort Worth area there are better bikes than those on Craigslist every day. Out of the ones you listed, I would say the Schwinn is the least bad of the options if you have the tools to tear it down, grease the bearings, and tune the derailers and brakes when you bring it home.

BlazingPedals

Most people on this forum are enthusiast level or above. The bikes on your list are one to three levels below anything you'll find in a bike shop. You're not going to get a recommendation that any of those are 'decent' bikes. In fact, I'd say the odds are against you getting any of them and having them be fully functional out of the box.

Pilot0287

I'm in San Angelo, TX (in the middle of nowhere, West Texas).. there are a grand total of 16 "bikes" on craigslist for my area, and that includes scooters, kids bikes, and exercise bikes.

mlts22 

You aren't that far from Abilene, (relatively... its about 80 miles), I'd consider visiting there and seeing about some bikes. Abilene has a lot of students for the small private colleges, and hunting at pawn shops or other places, you just might luck into something decent.

Of course, you can drive down into Austin and you would be almost guaranteed to be able to find something decent.

c_m_shooter

Concho Bike shop in San Angelo is a Trek dealer. My wife got her entry level Trek 820 for only about $250 new. That would be worlds better than anything you listed.

Panthers007

I'd say an exercise-bike would show as well in a race as any on that list. So if the money gets raised regardless of how well someone actually does - go ahead. Can you borrow a bike from someone?

JimF22003

That's not a "race" by the way. You could probably ride just about anything to that event and nobody would mock you.