Decent beginner bike between $300-$500?

If you've seen me around the forums you probably know what I ride. It's a junkie old roadbike. It's got two wheels and shifts so I'm content at the moment. However, once I get a better paying job, I'd like to get a new bike. One that isn't rusted and something mechanically sound. The problem is, even when I get a new job, the priority won't be the funds for a new bicycle so I won't have a lot to work with. Seeing as I'm new and really just going for fitness in my cycling and nothing else, I can't bring myself to spend more than $500 on a bike. Preferably $300-$500, but $500 would really be my limit. Am I asking too much? I've seen a lot of coments on here about bikes and it seems like they're almost always in the triple digits price wise. What do you think? Advice on brands to look into and links would be wonderful!

Thanks!

For new, you might be asking too much for a drop-bar road bike. There are road bikes that cost less than $1000, but many cost more than $500. I would suggest looking more closely at "flat bar road bikes," which often cost a bit less or start keeping an eye on Craigslist and eBay for a decent used bike.

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Originally Posted by Munch

I can't bring myself to spend more than $500 on a bike. Preferably $300-$500, but $500 would really be my limit. Am I asking too much?

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In a word yes..... In the new road bike world $500 isn't really enough. That can buy you the lowest model in some brands' lines of commuter or hybrid, but it won't buy you a road bike.

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Originally Posted by indysteel

I would suggest looking more closely at "flat bar road bikes," which often cost a bit less or start keeping an eye on Craigslist and eBay for a decent used bike.

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^ that. If you know your size and basic fit there are good deals at bike swaps, some stores sell used such as trade ins or their "rental fleet", bike kitchens and other non profits have pre-loved bikes, and of course Craigs and Ebay.

If the bike you have fits and you like the frame consider upgrades. New wheels are the most cost effective thing to do. But if the frame has serious rust as you imply then perhaps it's best to go for a new bike.

You can always keep the old one as a winter trainer :)

I have seen road bikes on craigslist in this price range. I'm told to look at my LBS too. I'm sort of curious myself, and looking.:p

Kona Dew Series bikes. I really really want one for tooling around town, but I have 3 bikes already. It's hard to justify yet another one!

I'd really like to get a bike with drop bars. I like being able to change riding positions. On the other hand, I'm really familiar with a flat bar bike because that's what I road with as a kid. Perhaps I will try to find something used. What a bummer.

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Originally Posted by Munch

I'd really like to get a bike with drop bars. I like being able to change riding positions. On the other hand, I'm really familiar with a flat bar bike because that's what I road with as a kid. Perhaps I will try to find something used. What a bummer.

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Do you have an idea what size you'll need or if you need a WSD bike? Given your proximity to Indianapolis, you might end up being able to find a decent used bike. I read Indy's Craigslist bike section fairly regularly myself; I can keep an eye out, too (I work in Indy but live south of town).

I have seen used Specialized Dolce road bike for around $500 to $600 on Craigslist. Just remember to pay to have that bike checked out at your LBS (Local Bike Shop) before you buy.

But, I have not seen any good new road bike with drop bars for the $500 price.
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2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle

2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle

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Originally Posted by indysteel

Do you have an idea what size you'll need or if you need a WSD bike? Given your proximity to Indianapolis, you might end up being able to find a decent used bike. I read Indy's Craigslist bike section fairly regularly myself; I can keep an eye out, too (I work in Indy but live south of town).

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Perhaps once I have the funds to purchase something I'll let you know. Right now I don't have anything, but was just curious.

BTW what does WSD mean?

Thanks!

What about Scwinn road bikes? I'm sorry if that offends anyone! I know they are cheaper bikes, but just searching.

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Originally Posted by Munch

BTW what does WSD mean?

Thanks!

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women specific design

I'm going to disagree here a bit..... an extremely cheap big box store road bike may actually worse than the vintage beater the OP is riding.

Problems with the $250 Schwinn (and any other big box bike)

-It will be very, very heavy - possibly even heavier than the OP's current bike

-It will come in extremely limited sizes - perhaps even only one....

-The components will be rock, rock bottom, difficult to adjust, easy to break, hard (if not impossible) to replace. In fact many bike shops will not work on these bikes because they represent a liability...

-They are often assembled by people with little to no training or experience. Many are assembled incorrectly.

I don't believe this type of bike would be even a small step up for the OP, nor would it have a very long useful life span if the OP does start to take a serious interest in riding. Invest some money into your current bike if it is worth it, try to find a decent used bike or save a little longer. You can get an entry level road bike in the $700-$800 range new.

I bought my first (recent) road bike at Performance Bikes, a Fuji Finest 2.0, aluminum with carbon forks. It wasn't their very lowest end model. On sale, it was $600. By the next year, there were a couple left in stock at the other location for $500. It was decent enough that I rode it for 18 months, 6000 miles and convinced me to upgrade when I could afford it. I sold it on craigslist for $300 (within 48 hours of posting it).

So it's possible, but you might have to be creative and ask if there are older year bikes they are trying to get rid of.

I just saw this add on craigslist you may want to check it out...I think this one should work for you. It looks pretty nice and clean and it has some upgrades as well like the brake levers . I don't know much about Cycling but if I didn't have my old schwinn with some upgrades for commuting already, I would be all over this one.
http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/bik/3105781269.html
I am also planning on getting me a nice road bike as soon as I can but my Schwinn works for now and I will keep her even when I get my new bike.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Munch

If you've seen me around the forums you probably know what I ride. It's a junkie old roadbike. It's got two wheels and shifts so I'm content at the moment. However, once I get a better paying job, I'd like to get a new bike. One that isn't rusted and something mechanically sound. The problem is, even when I get a new job, the priority won't be the funds for a new bicycle so I won't have a lot to work with. Seeing as I'm new and really just going for fitness in my cycling and nothing else, I can't bring myself to spend more than $500 on a bike. Preferably $300-$500, but $500 would really be my limit. Am I asking too much? I've seen a lot of coments on here about bikes and it seems like they're almost always in the triple digits price wise. What do you think? Advice on brands to look into and links would be wonderful!

Thanks!

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Sent you a PM. Looking to sell my Felt.

I sold my old Felt entry level for a price in that range, so not impossible. Kamikazejane's Felt would be worth considering.