Good entry level bikes?
 

I am looking for an entry level bike, I am wanting to start getting into doing duathons. Would either of these bikes work and which would be best?

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/bik/1929509323.html

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/bik/1930874843.html

http://greenbay.craigslist.org/bik/1933215982.html

Thanks for any help

Do you know what size frame you'll need? You won't be comfortable (or fast) on an ill fitting bike.
Go to a bike shop and get some pointers on what size bike you need.
If possible test ride all three bikes to make sure you're comfortable on them and they fit.

I wouldn't consider a bike with downtube shifters. There are safer setups to use out there. bk

I have downtube shifters on my primary bike. I wold not recommend downtube shifters because they are a nuisance and are definitely not for a beginning rider as they require a lot of predicting what gear you will need long before you need it. But, why a safety issue? I have never felt that they are unsafe.

Give us a little more to work with. Do you have experience with downtube shifters? What size bike do you need? How far will you be riding? What is your total budget?

I see you are looking in Milwaukee. Go to Cory the bike fixer on the East Side. http://www.corythebikefixer.com/index.php?id=152 They sell both new and used bikes.

Trek 1.5.

Safety? well, you have to reach down, screw around with it until you get into the right gear smoothly. You are a little off balance and distracted. With indexed shifters, like gripshifters and thumbies, your hands never leave the bars. Simpler and safer. Yeah, it's not a huge issue, but there are better options for a newb. bk

Bikes came with DT shifters for decades and guess what - new riders rode them! I commute in traffic dailey on DT shifters and don't find them "unsafe".

First thing anyone needs to know is your budget. $300 isn't going to get him out of DT shifters and the bike he linked to isn't above that.

Emery's also sells used bikes.

Trek 1000 in cedarburg $250

A little bigger than the Miyata you were looking at...

If your purpose is to get into duathlons, get a modern bike that sprints, shifts, and stops competitively. And doesn't have a kickstand.