Is it possible to get a road bike for around $300

[lopxtc]

So I am wanting to get in to bike riding to rotate with my running schedule. I was checking out a local store but most of the road bikes they sell there are around $1500 and the low end ones are still $600-$700+ ...

Does anyone know of a good road bike that is around the $300 range?

Thanks,

Aaron

[Stix]

Not that I know of unfortunately, at least not any places locally on Long Island. Even an all Al frame with 105 spec will run you about 800. I've also heard/seen prices going up significantly. You might be able to find a 9-speed ultegra setup for less than 1k, but you'll probably have to hurry up on that.

That said, if you don't shift very much, and you find yourself never shifting under pressure, you could get away with a stiff frame and a much cheaper drivetrain at around 400-5ish. If there arn't many hills, go for a double and save yourself a couple bucks.

Don't skimp on the helmet though; unless you got a cheap head of course, but I doubt that.

[lopxtc]

Okay thanks for the advice I will keep looking around at those options you listed. Yeah I make sure not to skimp on safety gear, especially with my oldest getting ready to get started on his first bike.

Aaron

Not that I know of unfortunately, at least not any places locally on Long Island. Even an all Al frame with 105 spec will run you about 800. I've also heard/seen prices going up significantly. You might be able to find a 9-speed ultegra setup for less than 1k, but you'll probably have to hurry up on that.

That said, if you don't shift very much, and you find yourself never shifting under pressure, you could get away with a stiff frame and a much cheaper drivetrain at around 400-5ish. If there arn't many hills, go for a double and save yourself a couple bucks.

Don't skimp on the helmet though; unless you got a cheap head of course, but I doubt that.

[ShooterJM]

Pawn Shop or Bike Swap. You can get some unbelievable stuff at those places. Call a locally owned bike shop and ask if they know when the next big bike swap will be.

[rkjunior303]

Why not get a cheap mountain bike and get road tires?

[slade]

Why not get a cheap mountain bike and get road tires?

seconded. everyone always takes up biking for excercise, but then buys the best, lightest bike so its easier. make any sense?

or you could check out garage sales/flea markets. it probably wont be a great bike but itl be cheap. maybe you can also browse ebay for local sales. thats just about the only way you could find one for the price youre looking for.

[Lohman446]

If I'm paying $1500 for a bike it better have an engine...

[lopxtc]

It not so much that I am taking it up for exercise ... I do my running and such for that, but I want to change up the muscle groups that are getting worked out while also riding in distance rides. I figure no sense in getting two bikes really and I want to do my every other day rides on a bike that I would also ride for distance.

I went looking at Trek 1000 today ... its $600 a little above what I want to spend so I might end of sacrificing my phantom for the extra cash. Between running, my car, and house hunting I have no time to play any more anyway.

Aaron

seconded. everyone always takes up biking for excercise, but then buys the best, lightest bike so its easier. make any sense?

or you could check out garage sales/flea markets. it probably wont be a great bike but itl be cheap. maybe you can also browse ebay for local sales. thats just about the only way you could find one for the price youre looking for.

[Destructo6]

Buy used. Buying new, you get raped. If you buy used, you can do some raping.

Just be sure you know the component levels and such. A bike that cost $1500 new 5 years ago shouldn't really cost you much more than your budget allows and you'll have good components.

That's coming from somebody who bought a $1500 GT Zaskar LE in 1994 and probably coudn't give it away today (though it still meets my needs)

[Stix]

Mine. Pretty happy w/ the purchase.

[Jeffy-CanCon]

A quick look on eBay...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...154773656&rd=1
$300 Raleigh hybrid


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...155599370&rd=1
#350 K2 road bike

[lopxtc]

Okay that does help ... I would have looked on eBay but I had no clue what good names/models were of decent rode bikes.

Thanks,

Aaron

A quick look on eBay...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...154773656&rd=1
$300 Raleigh hybrid


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...155599370&rd=1
#350 K2 road bike

[Jeffy-CanCon]

My brother is a big bike nut, and he tells me you can't go by brand names anymore. You have to go right down to model #'s of individual components. Most every company makes low-end as well as high-end stuff in both the frames and the moving parts. But for what you have said you need, you don't really need anything top-of-the-line. I just ignored the less-reliable brakes and shifters that I saw on some of the bikes.