what's the minimum I will need to spend to buy a road bicycle?

[edprush]

I just want a basic road bicycle that can be ridden hard on streets....I don't need more than 10 gears/speeds.

 

[olds]

$89 at K Mart

 

[scorpmatt]

you just gonna ride it back and forth to work (in town riding), sunday riding, or going for long distances?

 

[Safeway]

You can get a decent one for $400. A good one for $1000. A great one for $2500.

 

[mwmorph]

Originally posted by: Safeway
You can get a decent one for $400. A good one for $1000. A great one for $2500.

:Q
at those prices, just get a bike form k-mart/Walmart/target or something, maybe one of the better models for $200-250

 

[mordantmonkey]

you can get one for $30 plus $30 in parts/work at your local thrift store. will be much better than anything at target. you just have to know what to look for.

 

[edprush]

Originally posted by: scorpmatt
you just gonna ride it back and forth to work (in town riding), sunday riding, or going for long distances?

I plan to ride it in town--but ride it hard, on streets...several 5 blocks long 'sprints' ...just to get a good workout

 

[newbiepcuser]

Try Craig's list, E-bay, want ads, etc

People quit this "hobby" everyday. Not sure if you want to spend a ton of money if you're going to just do some simple riding recreational riding. How about city/hybrid bike then?

Goto bike store to try the bike out, I don't think Walmart/Target, etc lets you try out the bikes. Unless you don't mind riding thru the isles.

 

Garage sale - $20.

 

[edprush]

Originally posted by: mwmorph

Originally posted by: Safeway
You can get a decent one for $400. A good one for $1000. A great one for $2500.

:Q
at those prices, just get a bike form k-mart/Walmart/target or something, maybe one of the better models for $200-250

I have bought several Kmart cheapos over the years (off-road bikes---this time I want an ON-road bike) and usually had some brake or tire trouble with them and they never fit me well.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

I'd suggest you look at the used market. Prior to the mountain-bike boom in the late '80s, the default "nice bike" was a Japanese lugged steel sport-touring bike that would suit your needs 100 times better than some Wal-Mart crapcycle. You should be able to find a perfectly nice bike along these lines for less than $200. It would be a lot easier if you had a bike-geek friend to help you search and examine the bikes for mechanical soundness (in particular, the bearing parts, especially the hubs, are costly to replace, and wear over time and use).

 

[scorpmatt]

Originally posted by: edprush

Originally posted by: mwmorph

Originally posted by: Safeway
You can get a decent one for $400. A good one for $1000. A great one for $2500.

:Q
at those prices, just get a bike form k-mart/Walmart/target or something, maybe one of the better models for $200-250

I have bought several Kmart cheapos over the years (off-road bikes---this time I want an ON-road bike) and usually had some brake or tire trouble with them and they never fit me well.

go out and find a used specialized (brand name), ou usually can find a decent one for 100 to 300 and they are much better (hence lighter, easier to ride, structurall more sound) than department store bikes.

 

[edprush]

Originally posted by: newbiepcuser
Try Craig's list, E-bay, want ads, etc

People quit this "hobby" everyday. Not sure if you want to spend a ton of money if you're going to just do some simple riding recreational riding. How about city/hybrid bike then?

Goto bike store to try the bike out, I don't think Walmart/Target, etc lets you try out the bikes. Unless you don't mind riding thru the isles.

ebay had some decent sales that turned crap when you add in shipping.

There was nothing local (under 70 miles).

 

[scorpmatt]

Originally posted by: edprush

Originally posted by: newbiepcuser
Try Craig's list, E-bay, want ads, etc

People quit this "hobby" everyday. Not sure if you want to spend a ton of money if you're going to just do some simple riding recreational riding. How about city/hybrid bike then?

Goto bike store to try the bike out, I don't think Walmart/Target, etc lets you try out the bikes. Unless you don't mind riding thru the isles.

ebay had some decent sales that turned crap when you add in shipping.

There was nothing local (under 70 miles).

try Craig's List, they should have a site in your local area, check the links on the right hand side.

 

[newbiepcuser]

Originally posted by: edprush

Originally posted by: newbiepcuser
Try Craig's list, E-bay, want ads, etc

People quit this "hobby" everyday. Not sure if you want to spend a ton of money if you're going to just do some simple riding recreational riding. How about city/hybrid bike then?

Goto bike store to try the bike out, I don't think Walmart/Target, etc lets you try out the bikes. Unless you don't mind riding thru the isles.

ebay had some decent sales that turned crap when you add in shipping.

There was nothing local (under 70 miles).

try their classifieds
Local pickup only. There are just many scam aritst in the bikeworld.
There should be link for mtbreview.com also.

I know people are slamming Costco, Target, Walmart etc bikes but buy what your needs are. Most people who rips on these bikes either ride seriously or know somebody who is more into the sport.

Its not like you're going to be doing stunts on the streets. This is from hardcore Specialized fan boy. Look at City/hybrid bikes also. Decent ones under 300 for brand names.

 

[2cpuminimum]

Helmet: $20
Trashpicking/dumpster diving for used bicycle parts until you can build a whole one: many hours of searching and $0

 

[edprush]

Walmart.com, Target.com, and Kmart.com didn't have street bikes--I'm talking like the old style 10-speeds.

 

[mordantmonkey]

local thrift stores are your friend. the ones around me always have a few steel framed old school 10spds. at best they just need new tubes and/or chain $20. at worst new wheels $60.

 

[QuitBanningMe]

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=69273

Of course you can get a used one or a wal mart bike for less.

I paid ~800 for mine.

 

[cKGunslinger]

Target and Wal-Mart have bikes for $49.

edit: oops.

 

[edprush]

Is this a piece of junk or is it decent?

http://www.rei.com/online/store/Product...ODUCT_PAGE&vcat=OUTLET_SSHP_CYCLING_SA

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: edprush
Is this a piece of junk or is it decent?

http://www.rei.com/online/store/Product...ODUCT_PAGE&vcat=OUTLET_SSHP_CYCLING_SA

It's very decent, and would make a fine starter road bike. You'll want to go to a local shop and get sizing information before ordering, though - I note that both the in-stock sizes are on the big side.

 

[mercanucaribe]

REI outlet only has that bike in XL and XXL. God knows what that is in cm.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: mwmorph

Originally posted by: Safeway
You can get a decent one for $400. A good one for $1000. A great one for $2500.

:Q
at those prices, just get a bike form k-mart/Walmart/target or something, maybe one of the better models for $200-250

Worst advice ever!!!

Go to your local bike store and get something in the $350-400 range or better yet see if you can find a decent used bike that someone spent way too much money on and never rode. There are loads of those around if you are patient. You could pick up a $1000 bike for $400-500 easily, maybe even less.

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

i'm confused about how you intend to use the bike?

is this a commuter bike?

will you be locking the bike up outside? is theft a concern?