A decent starter road bike under $200?
A couple weeks ago I started riding again - I'm up to 12-14 miles a day at this point, but my bike is old and decrepit and I'd like to find something else.
Budget is a big issue though - anyone have any suggestions as to brand? I am obviously no expert bike rider at this point but Id like to have the right bike for what I am up to.
Thanks for your help!
Lexi - Size 6-8 and holding.
The bikes are a little worn, but it may come down into your price range.
I purchased mine online from REI warehouse it was a closeout of a bike that was a couple years old. It saved me a couple hundred dollars, but it was still almost 500 after taxes etc.
I couldn't even sit on a bike at the local dealer for that money. Their low end bikes started at 800.00 and went up to 8000.00 dollars.
Flea markets and garage sales might be another option.
A quick search of walmart online showed a couple under the 200 dollar price, but like was said before, you may get what you pay for.
http://www.walmart.com/search/browse-ng.do?ic=48_0&ref=12587 1.413813&catNavId=133073
Scott
The first time you do something - It's going to be a personal record!
I bought my husband one for his birthday (he commutes) and it was an $800 bike and I got it on sale for $450. It was a Schwinn.
I got a road bike also (GT) and I paid $350 (it was a $600 bike). But I didn't need anything as good as what my husband has because I don't commute and I'm just still struggling to ride a bike. (Just started learning how to ride a bike in March 08).
We also have two mountain bikes that we paid $400 - $500 for each (again on sale), and again, because we were just starting out trail riding, we opted for "starter" bikes.
They also have bikes that cost $8,000 plus!!!
Don't know if you have this store in your area, but they always treated us great and the bikes came with warranties and lifetime warrenty on the frames.
Good luck!!!
Donna
Surgery Wt: 305 Current Wt: 177.50 Goal Wt: 150 Pounds to Go: 27.50
I got my first road bike from craigslist for just under $500. You will REALLY be hard pressed to find anything new or used for under $200. You may be able to find something but if someone is letting something go for under $200 then it probably won't be worth your time because there's either something wrong with it or it's about to fall apart.
Don't know exactly the city you live in but I searched craigslist for a few bikes in North Carolina.
AROUND CHARLOTTE
http://charlotte.craigslist.org/bik/757521822.html
http://charlotte.craigslist.org/bik/757390223.html ($300, you may want to look at that one)http://charlotte.craigslist.org/bik/757415380.html ($75, I guess I eat my words. Pics look OK on it too. If it fits you then that one may be a good deal if it's still available)
http://charlotte.craigslist.org/bik/744715852.html ($225, old but good manufacturer)
http://charlotte.craigslist.org/bik/727990648.html ($200)
http://charlotte.craigslist.org/bik/709121316.html (The Trek 1220 is a good, solid starter bike)
AROUNG RALEIGH
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/bik/754046831.html (Another great starter bike)
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/bik/753197569.html (Good stuff for $250)
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/bik/730656616.html
Another option would be to contact a bike repair shop in your area and ask the owner if he could build a bike for you out of parts that he may have. You can usually get a pretty good bike for under $300 doing this.
The most important thing to me now when I shop for bikes is COMFORT. Comfort after 3 to 4 hours on the saddle is really important. You CAN put a price on that. :) My price was this: http://www.team464.com/trekequinox95.jpg
Best of luck in your search!
Chad
