looking for road bike / frame

hi,

i'm a relatively new rider and i've been riding a steel fuji that's too big for me on 50 mile rides. finally, i'm taking the plunge and starting my new bike search. i'm somewhat limited on funds and would like to keep the budget around $1500 but i'm also aware that quality is important. i'd like to find that gem that someone isn't riding anymore that would be a smart step up and into faster fitter riding.

i live in the boston area. a bike pro friend told me to write into the forum because sometimes folks have those 1st or 2nd bikes that were their starters but are just sitting in their garage... maybe someone wants to sell me one? or help me build something? i'm 5'4" and it seems like i'm looking at a 48"-50" frame, depending on the make.

be well and thanks!
sharon

I have a frame that might be of interest to you. It's a Cinelli frame and one that is a couple of years old, although I have multiple bikes and it may have 1200 miles on it. It has a taller headtube, so one is able to sit a bit higher and has carbon fiber carbon chain and seat stays.(of course fork is carbon as well) The model is called the Dynamo, I'll get more specs for you at the end of the day.

Jackie

Have you looked online? My husband bought a really nice mountain bike for a steal online.

You mentioned building a bike as well, which could be the cheapest way to do it. My Cannondale SuperSix frame was new, but a year old model and had a blemish on it. My husband got it for a super great price and I don't even know where the blemish is and told him not to show me. (He and his friend had to search a long time to find it themselves.)

That same friend built the mountain bike of his dreams by being patient, watching ebay for all the components he wanted and didn't settle for anything out of his price range. It took a little time, but he ended up with an amazing bike for a fraction of the price it would have been in a bike shop.

You might start with buying just a frame and putting your current components on it and upgrading your components a little at a time. Or whatever bike you get in your budget, you can then slowly upgrade further. My bike has been an evolution of upgrades. I think the brakes are the only thing I originally had and my husband has had SRAM Red brakes in the garage to put on it for a year and a half now!