Very low cost bike needed....

I need to find a low cost bike soon. I was borrowing a cannondale from my friend but he got work out of town and its gone. My "back-up" bike is an old mountain bike my daughter used! It was a cheap wal-mart special to start with and needless to say....not the most functional or comfortable.

What about used? online? ebay?

I have several friends who can tune up any bike I get if I get a used one or one online.


I am also one of the heavier starting out riders but so far I have enjoyed it (on the cannondale...not the mb!).

I started out at 283 and am now down to 265. I am 5'6" with a large frame and my inseam is 31".

Tina

Craigslist?
Pawnshops?

good luck

txred, Congrats on the weight loss. More important I bet that goes along with inches lost and fitness gained.

Austin? There must be bike shops there that sell used bikes. You'd get the service and fit you need as a newbie, and the price you want.

Welcome to TE :) Let's hear the test ride reports.:cool:

What kind of bike are you looking for? What do you consider cheap? I have a 2006 brand new cannondale cyclocross bike that can be ridden on the road, fields and most trails. Its 52 cm. Its a great bike for someone who wants to ride on varied terrain. I am selling for $900 with new egg beater pedals included. I'll ship in the US for free. We have the same inseam so it would probably fit you. It has a women's racing saddle but you could easily add a comfort saddle if are riding for just fitness.

I really want a "real" road bike but need to go test drive a few this weekend at the bike store.

I do not have a lot of money to say the least and I may need to try and get something (at least to get through this first tri in may) and then save for something better.

If I had 900 I would jump on this deal but at this point I think I had better stay closer to 500 or under. I still need to get clothing to wear.

tina

Not a "real" road bike, but here is what my niece got last year. I had never heard of these bikes until folks on this board were raving about them. My niece had a big old honkin' heavy comfort bike and we needed something a little more manageable for hills on a charity ride she was planning to do with the family. Her big financial goal was "no comma". :) She loves this bike. Yes it is a bit heavier than mine, but she rides it just fine and it is a really lovely looking bike!

http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebik...a/09_coda.html

Since you are in Austin Craigslist is a great resource. I don't know any bike shops that sell much used, but I only go to a few I like.

Bicycle Sport Shop has a fantastic selection although $500 might be close on a road bike but maybe doable, I would check it out.

Austin Tri Cyclist usually has some sort of beginners bikes and have a woman co-owner, might look there.

Jack and Adam's is another good resource, I think I found a Felt when I was looking for a commuter in the $600 price range, so not far off your mark.

Also this weekend Mellow Johnny's is having their Spring Sale, not sure what they might have but it could be worth a look because the flyer said road bikes.

Bicycle Sport Shop has theirs next weekend and always has good deals on clothes if you can't find one on bikes.

Some people hate the idea of REI but they do have a good selection of a lot of price points. Might be worth looking there?

check out the classifieds in the southwest cycling news, a joint monthly publication of the austin cycling association and the san antonio wheelmen.

Amanda is making me want to go to Austin and bike shop. :)

I have "rented" my friends cannondale dual assault hybrid (the one I had been riding). I have it until after the race for now. (I might be able to buy it.... not sure)

It is a start..... and much easier then trying to find something in the next 8 weeks.

I did put different pedals on it to match the shoes I got for spin class.

Now I can concentrate on getting ready for the race and do more computer homework and find out what kind of bike I really want before going and buying one. I can also save my pennies!!!

Tina

In my city, each burrough proceeds to sell the lost & found stuff that was collected through the year on the street or in public places, public transit, etc. There are bikes in there. Each burrough proceeds at a different time of year, and some enlist a private firm to auction them off. We have to check the local newspapers or call the city and burroughs to find out when and where. I don't know about Austin TX, but it costs nothing to find out if such an auction or sale happens in your city. It might be an interesting opportunity to find a cheap bike. And you would be surprised to see what shows up in those auctions.

We have a bike co-op where you can go down and pick out a bike from the ranks (this is where the university and police send the abandoned bikes) and "build" it - get it working - with help from the volunteer staff.... ends up costing about 150 for a good bike, though you have to wait for a fresh lot to get a road bike (except this one really cute one... if I wanted road I would do it myself.

Hybrids are much cheaper and you can get a pretty light one... I put a few thousand miles on my hybrids each year.

Well the cannondale F400 (as I found out I think...LOL) is now mine. I still eventually would like to try a road bike.... once I loose more of this belly!!!

Tina

Not sure what your resources are but for starters, and I'm sure you have, but make sure you know how to fit a bike so that if you get used, it's going to work well for you.
From there- craigslist, yard sales, and word of mouth. A lot of our bike shops also trade, and thus sell used bikes- maybe something will pop up at a shop by you?
We have a bike rescue program also- people donate their old bikes, and volunteers help you fix them up and call them yours- maybe you have something like that?
Good luck!