Hi all. I live in Boulder, CO and spend 2-5 days per month in Southern Cal - I need a decent bike to leave in CA so that I can ride when I am there, but I dont want to spend much as I am still recovering from my purchase of an upgraded Orbea Mitis Dama as my #1 bike. When I say not much, I am thinking $500 or less. Specific questions are:

Is $500 at all feasible?
Should I resign myself to spending more than $500, in spite of the 'occasional' nature of its purpose?
Should I go pre-owned or new?
Are there low-end new bikes out there for this price that are worth having?

Thoughts welcome.
Laura

Hi flatironsgirl!

Give Giant OCR3 a look. This entry level roadbike retails for $600. I'm pretty sure you can score a close-out for roughly around your budget. Congrats on the ORBEA. I too, am a happy Orbea owner/fan. I'm pretty sure you'll have many many great rides on your Dama Mitis.

Also, Ebay might be a viable option to your need.

Ride safely,


Joe

Hi all. I live in Boulder, CO and spend 2-5 days per month in Southern Cal - I need a decent bike to leave in CA so that I can ride when I am there, but I dont want to spend much as I am still recovering from my purchase of an upgraded Orbea Mitis Dama as my #1 bike. When I say not much, I am thinking $500 or less. Specific questions are:

Is $500 at all feasible?
Should I resign myself to spending more than $500, in spite of the 'occasional' nature of its purpose?
Should I go pre-owned or new?
Are there low-end new bikes out there for this price that are worth having?

Thoughts welcome.
Laura

Sure it's feasible. My inclination would be to look for a decent, used ride--there should be plenty available in So Cal and, surely, in the Boulder area. You'll get more bike for your $ going used.

As for new: The bottom-of-the-line road bikes from Giant and Trek, although far from dream bikes, are serviceable geared road bikes that work just fine. Jump off your Orbea onto one and you'll notice the difference. But ride around for 10 or 20 miles and it'll feel basically like a road bike. I've been on a Trek 1000--it really is ok, not great, but ok. You'd probably really appreciate having one, especially if the alternative is not riding. There might be late season sales going on that would make one of these even more palatable. Also, if you've ever wanted a fixed gear bike, there are some pretty nice options, new, out-of-the-box, at about 500 bucks from Raleigh, Bianchi, and KHS (although I'd slap a front brake on the Bianchi, which doesn't come with one).

I will check out those options - new and used - have never considered fixed and dont really even know if that should be a consideration, but you have piqued my curiosity.

And Joe, I couldnt be happier with my Orbea! mutual congratulations all round!

Regards
Laura

I bought my wife a Specialized Hardrock MB, to turn into a commuter, for ten bucks in a thrift shop last spring. The same shop had a Centurion Ironman for $45--way too small for me, or I would have snapped it up. The Salvation Army store just down the street had a Centurion LeMans, a $1000 bike in 1975, for $49.95, and I bought a Brooks B-17 for a dollar. All the bikes were in good shape, no obvious problems, even the bearings were pretty smooth. I didn't do anything to the Hardrock but lube the chain and cables and put road tires on it, and my wife rode it 1200 miles last summer, including a metric century when she loaned her roadie to somebody, then decided at the last minute to do the ride herself.