Hi everyone!!!

I would like some experieced opinions on some bikes. I've been scanning the ol EBAy looking for a 400.00 dollar road bike, I can use for my short 25 mile round trip commute. I kinda liked the Trek 1400 and the cannandale 3.0, but I dont know much about road bikes. Does anyone have a suggestion for a racing road bike in the 400 dollar categorey? I would like to find something on Ebay that I can find plenty to choose from. Meaning nothing that is uncommon, so i can have plently of the same model to choose from.

Thanks for your help...Kendle

Are you sure you couldn't just buy a NEW Trek for $400?

Are you sure you couldn't just buy a NEW Trek for $400?

I've not seen a new trek road bike for 400? The ones in my bike shop start at 600.00

Thanks...

Then you should be able to get a $600 bike for $400 used pretty easily. Of course, the challenge will be to see how far up the line you can go while still paying $400.

What about asking the LBS if they have any '05 bikes left over? Maybe they'll make you a deal.


I've not seen a new trek road bike for 400? The ones in my bike shop start at 600.00

Thanks...

Then you should be able to get a $600 bike for $400 used pretty easily. Of course, the challenge will be to see how far up the line you can go while still paying $400.

What about asking the LBS if they have any '05 bikes left over? Maybe they'll make you a deal.

Hi and thanks for helping out. I have thought about the LBS thing, but they dont sell used bikes. I really cant go above 400, because I support a family of 4 and know I will need to get pedels and shoes. That is why I'm hoping to go the Ebay used route.

Thanks...

No, I wasn't suggesting you pay more than you can. Just that you might get lucky and find some old stock that they're willing to sell at blowout prices. Trek's website is showing '06 models, so this might be a good time to make an offer on an '05 or even earlier bike if they have one collecting dust. I've found that a really good shop will listen to what you want and try to find it rather than push you pay more or force you to go elsewhere.

Case in point: I needed an inexpensive tubular rear wheel. Every shop said they didn't have it but only one offered to call around to see if they could find it. In the end, they loaned me a wheel while I waited for my wheel to be fixed (of course I had them do this). It is Bicycle Workshop just in case you're in New Jersey.

Going the Ebay route is fine. But you'll have to be extra vigilant.


Hi and thanks for helping out. I have thought about the LBS thing, but they dont sell used bikes. I really cant go above 400, because I support a family of 4 and know I will need to get pedels and shoes. That is why I'm hoping to go the Ebay used route.

Thanks...

I think that if you take your time and research a little you'll be able to find some pretty decent used bikes in that price range. A general rule of thumb for pricing used bikes is that one in good shape, not too old but used for a couple years, is worth roughly half its original price. Once they're a little older, the price goes down more. Most of the big names -- Trek, Specialized, Cannondale, Giant, etc. -- offer pretty good bikes in the $800 to $1,000-range new. You probably can find some of those, a couple years old and in good shape, within your price range. For example, I have a 5-year-old Specialized bike with carbon fork, 105 components. I'm not planning to sell it, but if I did, I'd be pretty happy to get $400 for it. It's in great condition, has a lot of miles on it but looks like new.

If you find something that interests you, post a description with parts specs on this site and you can get some feedback about the quality and price. Before you buy used, shop around at some bike shops to get an idea of what to look for and what size you need.

I've been thinking about what I might add to this thread, and just tuned in to find that Mayday has already written almost exactly what I was going to say.

About all I can add is that a $400 used bike that originally sold for $800-1000 new comes from an extremely competitive market segment. Bikes in this range are expensive enough to be getting pretty good, component-wise, yet still inexpensive enough that they sell by the truckloads and so the manufacturers look for every opportunity to save a dime here, a dollar there, because those savings multiplied out across tens of thousands of bikes will add up to a significant difference on the bottom line.

What this means to you, as a buyer, is that if you try to compare one specific bike to another, item by item, in an effort to figure out which is "best" ... you'll slowly drive yourself nuts. I would therefore suggest that instead of focusing on detail differences that really don't mean very much, big-picture-wise, you should instead concentrate on finding a bike that fits you properly and is in good mechanical condition. For a first road bike, those are the two things that really matter.

Find a bike that satisfies those two criteria from one of the major brands and you really can't go too far wrong.

...try Randall Scott cycles. I got the following for my sister...she loves it. Very good, very reliable people to deal with:

http://www.rscycle.com/s.nl/sc.7/category.53/it.A/id.6481/.f

The following from Performance Bike (also a good place to save $$$ on shoes, pedals, clothes, etc.):

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=20744&subcategory_ID=3040

I would add to what Ski Racer said... and also make a suggestion that I haven't seen here...
With the Performance bike that Ski Racer pointed out - if you order it, you SHOULD find some of the 10% or 20% coupons that Performance has from time to time, and you MIGHT think about becoming a member of their club - that gives you an additional 10% or so, back, in the form of credit that you can use on other purchases... http://www.bikewebsite.com/Otherbikesources.htm#Coupons has been keeping track of available coupons.

BUT - here is another idea - to answer your used bike question:
I'd suggest you check out your local bike clubs. There may be links to the local bike club websites, flyers, meetings, etc from the websites that your local bike shops keep - let them know what you are looking for. VERY often, you can find people who have bikes that they would sell, if they knew there was a buyer.

If you get a used bike like that, make sure it is in good working condition before you buy it. Good tires, gears shift, brakes work, no wierd noises, etc. Consider having a bike shop give it a checkup. For any bike you get, new or used, fit is VERY important. The more you ride it, the more important fit becomes. Make sure whatever you get - that it fits - well.

If you are planning to spend $400 on the bike, you might consider also getting a helmet, a pair of gloves, a spare tube and a pump or CO2 kit...

Good luck - whichever way you go.

Buying on eBay is a great way to get a deal but don't forget about shipping. This is normally 60-90 bucks for packing and shipping and is normally the buyers responsibility. Which means you have less to spend. Winter is coming and the market should be more of a buyers market on eBay and at the LBS although It seems the LBSs dont comedown much even in the winter. Good Luck!!

Hi everyone!!!

I would like some experieced opinions on some bikes. I've been scanning the ol EBAy looking for a 400.00 dollar road bike, I can use for my short 25 mile round trip commute. I kinda liked the Trek 1400 and the cannandale 3.0, but I dont know much about road bikes. Does anyone have a suggestion for a racing road bike in the 400 dollar categorey? I would like to find something on Ebay that I can find plenty to choose from. Meaning nothing that is uncommon, so i can have plently of the same model to choose from.

Thanks for your help...Kendle
OK Kendle I'm going to do you and all the others looking for quality bikes on the cheap a solid. If you know your size (and you'd better if you're looking at ebay) look over at Sellwood Cycle. They're based in Or and I can distract myself for hourse pouring over the used bikes that they've sold at amazing prices.
http://sellwoodcycle.com/Gallery/album57

Right now they've got two great Davidson bikes for $350. For those unfamiliar with the make, Bill Davidson made some beautiful handmade frames. Some of the best post war American frames.

Another qualtiy source is Cyclart's eBay store. Cyclart is a highly respected restoration and paint shop that also operates a very fairly priced eBay store. Rightt now they've got a few bikes in your price range, including a 55cm Viner for $149 and a 62 cm Nishiki Competition for $225.
http://stores.ebay.com/Cyclartist_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQftidZ2QQtZkm

Best of luck and do post a pic when you buy the new ride.

I'd look for a high quality 80s steel bike but that's me. Something like this.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Medici-Pro-Strada-steel-road-bike_W0QQitemZ7183872565QQcategoryZ98084QQrdZ1QQcm dZViewItem

I always wonder if bikes are stolen when people don't seem to know the size or even how to measure...

But, have you looked at the Sora equipped bikes at bikesdirect? They have a couple below 400, and shipping is included. I would rather have Tiagra or above, and for that you will need to go used.

Another possibility new is for a Trek hybrid, like the 7000, which retails for 260, or the 7200 FX for another hundred. These are both non-suspended fork upright bikes. Obviously not a racing road bike, as you requested, but are you sure you want drops rather than an upright position? I bought the 7000 for my daughter, and I've ridden around on it a few times as well. Not a bad bike at all, plus you will have a warranty. Just a thought.

Hi Everyone!!!

At first I thought my post was going to slide down the page, but just as I was starting to lose my faith, many of you came through!!!

Thank you so much for your much needed advise. I know many of you have answered questions like this before, so it means alot to me, that you took the time to help me make the right choice at the right price.

Thanks again...

I personally would rather buy something locally rather than on eb*y. You will end up paying a lot for shipping which is pretty disproportionate for a $400 bike. I would be scared of sizing issues since size isn't always the same across all lines.. Also, you need to be very patient if doing something through eb*y. Deals aren't always there and it could be months, even a year, before you really find something that's worth it to you. Don't be a fool and bid too much for an old bike.