Looking for a bike
05-26-08 | 09:47 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
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
05-26-08 | 02:21 PM
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 256
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From: New Jersey
Bikes: One at a time these days
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
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
05-26-08 | 05:31 PM
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,137
Likes: 1
Bikes: RichardZEP
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.
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.
05-26-08 | 05:37 PM
#5
I like my car
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,747
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From: Philadelphia, PA
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.
BEAT THAT BD!
Make sure you know your size though, and have a bike shop put it together for you.
05-26-08 | 06:04 PM
#6
Senior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: massachusetts
Bikes: one road bike, one cruiser, one fisher mtb, one track bike, one shogun mtb with studded tires for the winter
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.
