Looking for a bike
 

hi i'm a high schooler looking to buy a road bike that i get started in the sport on. I only have about 400 dollars to spend on a bike and i'm not sure what kind i need or what specs a good bike should have. I'd really appreciate it if someone more knowledgeable than i am good help to point out a good deal

Look around for one used in your area, Ebay is ok, but a real gamble if you don't know what to look for and ship cost will be high. $400 wont buy you much (road bike) at a local bike shop (unless used). Mail-order is probably your best bet. If you can increase your budget even $100 or so will make a difference.

Some years ago I found a primo vintage used bike from an extremely good frame maker (Richard Sachs) that cost me about $700 I think. there are plenty of 80's/90's vintage road bikes that ride fantastically, are easy to fix/maintain and if not "collector" bikes, can be had for your budget. You might even nail a decent European bike and used Cannondale bikes are robust. If you go used, be very wary of rust...anywhere.

cheers

k

See if you can get a 2-4 year old Trek 1000 or similar. Might need to replace a few parts, but they are decent bikes with entry-level components.
I can't stress enough how important it is for you to get a bike fitting prior to buying. The bike has to fit for you, and not you have to mold yourself to fit the bike.

Ditto above...fit is #1 importance.

I just saw another new post here that someone got a decent looking Iron Horse road bike for $499. Check it out.

best of luck

k

Yeah Iron Horse Triumph 5.0 on Amazon... I'm going to snatch one up too. Tiagra mix for $500 SHIPPED... incredible steal.

BEAT THAT BD!

Make sure you know your size though, and have a bike shop put it together for you.

definatley all fit... I'm in high school too and I bought a "56cm"( I'm about 5'10) bottechia sprint off ebay for about 700. Its a decent bike component wise (tiagra/105) but the head tube (where the steerer goes) is the same size as a 54, as well as the seat tube. only the top tube was the right length, at that a bit too long. she reach to the bars was awful, and I ended up buying a new nashbar frame, the same 56 cm that I had ridden on a friends bike (see road thread "sweet new ride"). So basically you want a good fitting bike, stay clear of bikesdirect.com and similar dealers. if you want a good component set for cheap, then go for the bikesdirect one. just be prepared to replace the frameset (frame, fork, headset). thats whats up.