ender7

Hello,

My old (ancient) 10-speed is biting the dust and I need to replace it. I want a tough, basic, road bike, same 10-speed style but with more than 14 speeds, that uses over-the-counter-buy-anywhere 27 x 1 1/4 tubes with Schrader valves. I don't want to pay over $300.00 max. Would like something rather tough, light weight is not an issue.

It used to be the kind of thing you could buy anywhere but no more because mountain bikes have taken over.

I've been looking all over and online. Any advice or suggestions?

THANK YOU!

bikemig 

Well you aren't going to find a bike with 27 inch wheels, at least not new. With a $300 budget, I'd look for a used bike from Craigslist. That's a pretty good budget for CL and you'll be able to find a "tough, basic road bike" with sufficient gearing. Also, everything else being equal, you are better off getting a bike with 700c wheels (the new standard) than 27 inch but there's nothing wrong with 27 inch if that's what you find.

walrus1

Check Yelp for good cheap LBS (local bike shops) around ya! If weight is no option go for steel. It weighs a ton but my 1981 steel Schwinn is still alive and kicking! Be flexible with wheel and tube size. What do you mean by 10 speed style? You mean the shifters? The positioning of the shifters? Hopefully someone with more experience than I can help you!

Mobile 155

I agree a 27 inch will be harder to find than a 700c. It would also limit where you could get new tires and the kind you can get. I also agree Craig's list could be your friend. Also look at yard sales. I would also caution you to avoid the big box store bike shaped objects. If you have any wrenching skills you might try Bikes Direct or Bike Island. https://www.bikeisland.com/ https://bikesdirect.com/index.htm

Not something I would choose but better than the big box stores.

tim24k

I would have a look on Craigslist. I found a nice like new Globe Pilot with disc brakes for $300 that sold new for around $750. Or look at your LBS for their year end close outs.

Jim Kukula

Breezer seems to make good basic bikes, e.g.:

https://www.breezerbikes.com/bikes/details/greenway

yeah though for $300 you'll want to be looking on craigslist.

I have bought spare tires in odd sizes through

www.biketiresdirect.com

This: https://sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html is a good place to start for understanding tire sizes. The old 27x1-1/4 is ETRTO 32-630. You can still get tires in that size but not so easily.

fietsbob

pick a bike shop you like first , then a bike from them , some have an ebb and flow of used bikes
in and out on short time periods . like the tides.

sreten

Hi,

A Walmart GMC Denali fits the basic criteria, at under $200.
Except the fairly pointless tube size and valve criteria.

rgds, sreten.