Very low cost bike needed....

[Aggie_Ama]

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.

[Aggie_Ama]

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?

[Triskeliongirl]

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

[Possegal]

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

[txred9876]

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

[Fontinalis]

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.

[Geonz]

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.