Hlxdrummer

Hey guys,

I currently have a Hard Rock mountain bike that my dad gave me. Since it is getting old/beat up/needs tires, I am looking at other options. I am going to school and don't have a lot of money to spend and am wondering if I should consider a road bike. My commute is mostly on the road/sidewalk and a very short bit through grass. I usually only bike when it is dry but may do light rain or snow in the future.

Would a road bike be a good fit for this?

Next, what kind of price can I expect for a decent bike? Like I said I am in school and have performance cars and photography as hobbies so I need to keep it somewhat cheap. My LBS said they sell road bikes for $50-75 regularly. Any chance of getting a bike with bar end shifters or integrated shifter at a reasonable price?

I am willing to put together a bike if that is a lot cheaper and not insanely difficult (I am into cars so I'm assuming I could handle it). Hardest part for me would be finding the correct parts since I am so new to this.

Thank you!!

danec99

Given the riding you describe that Hard Rock was a fairly perfect bike. Old MTBs are great commuters, and have bigger tires for gravel, dirt and snow. A standard road bike would be less than perfect for the daily riding you describe. Cross, Hybird, commuter styles would be better - bigger tires, better in foul weather. This place or this place have many styles of bikes, some assembly required and reasonable prices. Look at the Cross bikes, they have drop bars, 700 tires, and and can accept wider tires for you foul weather riding. For integrated shifters you will need to spend over $600 for entry level.

clichty

$50-75 is not going to get you a whole lot, what LBS said that? CL is going to be the best route for a cheap bike that would work a little better than the Hard Rock. No way you can get anything remotely new for that price, and even finding something used is going to be a challenge. If you had a few hundred to work with you would have a little more luck.

Black wallnut 

If your LBS sells road bikes "for $50-75 regularly" run away fast and find a real bike shop. Generally a good set of tires for road bike costs more than that!

Hlxdrummer

Ya... I thought that was kind of strange. The shop:

https://www.yelp.com/biz/indiana-schw...center-indiana

One kid in my class has a cyclocross bike that seems perfect for me (allows for tire variation, drop bars, etc) but they are too expensive for me.

As far as the Hard Rock, the seat height adjustment is broken, whole drivetrain probably needs redone, front tire is showing cords, and rear tire is probably 50% life. I feel like (unless marketing is getting me) the road bike will be easier/faster to ride but I could be wrong. Is there a list out there of reputable brands/models if I start looking on CL?

danec99

You'll find dozens of threads about about "what bike to buy"... I'd check CL for a bike similar to what you have. Does your bike have slicks? A MTB with slicks moves right along on pavement, the tires are thicker so you flat less, they take all kinds of surfaces. You can find them for under $200. Unless you are just sick of the Hard Rock and want a "new" bike, you could spends a few bucks on it. Replace the Derailleurs and tires, get a new seat clamp.

Drew Eckhardt 

Road bikes work great except in snow, although with enough tire clearance you can put on a set of cross tires that work somewhat better as long as it's packed. You will _really_ appreciate clearance for fenders if riding in the rain.

Hlxdrummer

My bike has huge knobby tires, lol. I thought about getting slicks but then figured I may as well get a road bike. I feel like I am a little sick of it and want a decent road bike, but it may be just for the novelty of it. I'm trying to be objective about it, but my gut really wants a road bike...

Ya I would definitely like the option of fenders. Most road bikes can't accommodate fenders? I would also like to be able to run cross tires (realistically I won't be in snow much if at all). Like I mentioned earlier, I love my friends cyclocross but just too expensive for me. I think road bike fits me better than mountain but you guys probably know better.

Just a quick search of CL showed a Trek 1100 in very nice condition but they want $350 which seems steep based on a forum search. Guess I'll keep looking!

adriano 

no, those frames may have been in catalogs 20 to 30 years ago, but they could still be perfectly serviceable now after being restored. hey, coppi pushed it faster than you ever will.

Hlxdrummer

What frames are you referring to?

Hlxdrummer

Hey what do you guys think of this bike?
https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/bik/2933121024.html