Paramemetic

I usually commute on a Gary Fisher Marlin MTB, which I've adapted wonderfully to that purpose, but ever since my fiancee picked up a roadster/comfort hybrid with 700c wheels, I've wanted those tiny wheels. I've also been wanting to adopt a forward, aggressive position on some drops, which you just can't do with the short top tube of a MTB.

So now I'm in an awkward position. I haven't much more than $300 I can afford to spend on a bike right now, but I really want a roadbike that I can take out on a local bikeway and on some roads and get some speed on. Should I just hold out and buy one later when I have the funds, or is it possible to find a road bike that will perform nicely for that much? Maybe a refurb or something like this? Clearly I'm not going to be riding on campy comps for that much money, but I wonder if it's possible to find a road bike that cheap at all that is worth riding?

halfspeed

Used yes, new no.

Look for a late 70's to early 90's non-Italian, non-French lugged steel bike. (Italian is always spendy and French have funky parts.) You'll do better if you have some mechanical skills. If used makes you nervous, start saving.

BarracksSi

Poke around the Commuting forum -- you'll see examples of nice older road bikes that were saved from the scrap heap.

https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/49471-commuter-bicycle-pics.html

For a given price, I'd take a decent used bike over a substandard new bike.

In the meantime, I'd see if a local bike shop could take part in a bridal registry.

Paramemetic

Halfspeed, thanks, that's really helpful advice. I do have some mechanical skills, I do my own repairs and work unless it's either a very subtle adjustment or it's completely borked, so I'm not afraid of it being a mechanical failure unless it's likely that parts and such on a used bike will be substandard.

I don't expect racing parts here, but I'd like it to be able to do the "road" thing, as ultimately I want this for a speedy bike I can do the speed thing on, it won't be my main commuter.

Are there any names I should look for in older bikes? I heard c'dales had a tendency to be rough back in the day, and I've heard Schwinn's from the 70s are much better than the modern Schwinns which basically became Wally World bikes. Any kind of older components I should note as bad or good deals? Theoretically if it's older it's got a lower failure rate or it wouldn't still be around.

Barracks, if I can get them on a bridal reg it'll be for some nice campy brifters and the cranks and gears to go with it. Hehe

halfspeed

This comes up a lot in Classics and Vintage forum. Search there. But I'll give you a few pointers here first.

There are a fair number of bike specific tools. If it isn't obvious how something is supposed to come off or be adjusted do your research.

Some things are reverse threaded.

Invest in a tub of grease.

Old Schwinns vary greatly in quality. If you want a relatively light road bike, stay away from Varsities and Continentals. Aside from being pigs, they use many non-standard parts. LeTours and some of the mid-level brazed models can be nice. Paramounts are collectors items and you won't likely find them cheap.

Old steel Trek road bikes are all over the place around here and they are all good to excellent. There are many very fine Japanese bikes from the '80's. Don't pass them up!

Learn the differences between components and steel tubing grades and that'll tell you more than brand names.

Avoid stem shifters, suicide levers, cottered cranks, and steel wheels unless you're REALLY on a budget and need something NOW. Those are all signs of entry level bikes.

Oh, and one more possibility is to check the "Under $750 Road Bike" thread up top and then look locally for some of those used.

And the modern Schwinns vary widely in quality, from craptacular Wal*Mart bikes to some really nice value leaders like the Fastbacks.

JBS103

I would personally wait a little while; invest in a pair of slicks for the mountain bike and start saving.

Based on the stuff out there, I would say that just having $400 more in your budget will give you a huge variety of options. $300 total, on the other hand, might be limiting.

Bacciagalupe

You're in Ohio, it's November. Save up for a decent road bike. $750 will get you a pretty sweet ride these days. If that's still too rich for your blood, the Jamis Ventura Sport is $535 MSRP.

Paramemetic

I may or may not end up waiting. Halfspeed, thanks a lot again. One thing my LBS does is let me pay 3 months later on new bikes (and maybe refurbs, I'll have to find out). If they do that, my budget suddenly becomes quite a bit bigger. But I'll probably just wait a while anyhow, and get a pair of fatboys or summat. I'll buy a refurb only if next time I'm in there's something that fits me perfectly at a brilliant price.