Beginner advice wanted
 

Hello,
I've been thinking about getting a bike for a while now. I'm pretty sure I'd like a road bike. Would like to explore the country side of Central New York on a bike.
I've been looking on various internet sites at used bikes. However, I am not at all familiar with any brand.
I am thinking of a good beginner bike under 200$ or so, depending on the advice I get. Didn't want to spend a ton of $ on something I didn't like.

Also, was thinking of rebuilding a bike as a winter project. Any advice on that is welcome.

Thanks for your knowledge​ and time,

CnyRider

Well, $200 isn't going to get you much of a bike. You might be able to find a quality used bike for that price...but still $200 isn't much to spend on a bike if you really want to be into cycling. For that amount, you need to look at the bikes at department stores. For a descent quality road bike you're probably going to have to spend AT LEAST twice that amount at a bike shop. But, since you're new...perhaps the cheap bike to begin with is the way to go. If you don't like it, you haven't lost a great deal of money.

Dan

I'd up my budget a bit.

There are a few promising results on Craigslist, with a max price of $500 (https://syracuse.craigslist.org/sear...&max_price=500). Fuji, Trek, Giant, Specialized, and a Serotta show up.

A couple of bike shops in CNY also sell used bikes (including Bike Loft East in Manlius*). The advantage there is that you can get a little one-on-one help with choosing the right size.

* I work there part-time. ;)

This one looks promising, if you're around 5'6" to 5'9" https://syracuse.craigslist.org/bik/...287763251.html

This could be good and is close to you're preferred budget https://syracuse.craigslist.org/bik/...236313567.html. Should fit like 5'9" to 6'.

If you're pretty tall and want a project-worthy vintage frame, check this one out - https://syracuse.craigslist.org/bik/...278728769.html. The gearing doesn't look very hill friendly though, so keep that in mind.

Raising your budget a bit (under $300) should allow you to find a nice used bike. My suggestion is to be unconcerned about not enjoying biking and wasting money. If you can find a nice bike, getting your money back if you sell it shouldn't be an issue.

In terms of brands, here's some I'd look for in no particular order: Giant, Specialized, Fuji, Bianchi, Raleigh, Jamis, Scott, Felt.

If you are looking for a good bike from the 80's, a bit of hunting and you should be able to find a good one for < $200. Expect to put a bit of cash into it for things like new tires, perhaps a new seat, and a few other things to get it just right.

As others have mentioned, for a reasonably modern bike with 9-speed or better "brifters", 130mm frame spacing, etc, probably aluminum frame, or aluminum + carbon fork/rear stays, and you're probably looking more at $300, although good deals do pop up, and you have to jump on them quickly.

The only new entry level bikes in the $200 range that I know of, are single speed. bikes direct which I happen to like, but other than that the budget is going to be higher. Or buy used.

If you are just beginning, buy any bike that fits you, ride it, and enjoy it. If cycling really is for you, you'll be buying a different bike very soon no matter what you choose the first time.

Just make sure it fits you and if you aren't confident about how to judge this, buy from a bike shop, rather than used.

There are very few of us here who ride regularly and who are still primarily riding that first bike.

Also, there are very few of us here who did not change our idea of "affordable" vs. "too expensive" in our first 0-2 years of riding.

Enjoy. You may just be embarking on one of the great adventures of your life.

Also, it's early September - hurry up and get something and enjoy a couple of good months of glorious autumn weather in NY. Pretty soon the ideal riding weather (and light) will be gone. Don't hem and haw, just go find your local bike shop, buy something basic that's probably a little more money than you expected to spend, and go out and ride. If you spend several weeks hunting and doing research, you'll lose the moment.

carpe diem

My brother lives in NJ and he got two used bikes (about a year apart, different sellers) for I think $150 and $200. Perfectly enjoyable Trek hybrids (Trek 700 and Trek 750 IIRC). Is he gonna win the race? Probably not, but he rides hundreds of miles a year on them and enjoys the heck out of them. I've ridden them with him when I visit and we have good rides, even though they're not my usual type of bike.

I'd suggest buying a used bike and getting out on it. If you find you want more or something else, go to plan B next spring.

Thanks for the advice. Some good things there.

For casual riding you can get pretty much any bike you want, at any budget. My first road bike was only $150, with friction shifters, but it was perfectly adequate for long rides over varying terrain. I completed my first century ride on this bike, with no issues at all.

The important things are to get a bike which fits, and to set it up properly. There are plenty of resources online which can advise you of the proper frame size, and a good bike shop can get you fit reasonably close.

For casual riding, I would not waste money on a new bike. There are garages across America with nearly-new bikes hanging from the rafters, ridden a few times, then left to gather dust. If you find you like riding enough to put in a lot of miles on an older bike, you can honestly justify spending more, later, on a new bike.

Many people, especially on this forum, are into the latest and greatest when it comes to bikes and components, and these tend to be expensive. For all-around riding, you can easily find a decent bike for under $200. A look on the local Craigslist in my area shows at least a dozen bikes under $200 which would be good enough for the kind of riding you are talking about. If you shop around, you can get a good deal on one of those "nearly-new" bikes sleeping in someones garage.

Brands are not important, any mainstream brand (Specialized, Trek, Bridgestone, etc) are good enough. So long as it is the right size, and nothing is cracked or broken, the brand is irrelevant.

Good advice. Thanks