Finding a good road bike for a beginner?

I now have a trek mountain bike, but now I am interested in a road bike. What is a good brand road bike for a good price? Keep in mind I am a college student. I realize they are expensive, but this is just something to start me off.

Ebay is possible, but you can't ride the bike before you buy it. Personally, I would not recommend buying a bike you can't try before hand. There are too many variables for fit style that you just can't feel until you're in the saddle. If there is a Craig's list that covers your area, it's a good start. You can get lucky at garage sales, too.

Trek, Giant, Schwinn, Specialized - all offer some entry level bikes that will do a good job. Try looking for last year's model - that's how I saved $500 on my Specialized Roubaix. But I also like the above comment about asking around your college's cycling team for any possibilities. Also, check to see if your town has any amateur cycling clubs. They are another potential source.

You should be able to find a decent bike used for $300-400 if you look hard. The next step up is going to be the $600-700 level, for which you can probably find a really good $1500 bike that someone finally figured out they're not going to actually ride. Good luck hunting

Check out ebay. It really pays of to check there. http://sporting-goods.search.ebay.com/bi...

How far do you plan to ride it, at any given time? If it's just to pop around campus, fit and comfort aren't as important - look for a used one. The suggestion re: Ebay is a good one.

But, if it's going to be your primary mode of transportation, you will spend a lot of time on it - look for a new one. Brands? Something that is carried in your college town and your home town, ideally, for service and parts. Me - I have a TREK road bike, and I love it......it has served me well for 10 years - low end of their range, but very comfortable, serviceable. Good luck

Ebay is a great place to get good stuff for good prices. Another place to look is craigslist in your area, depending on where that is than you might be able to find something good for what you want to do. One more place to look is find someone on the cycling team, if your college has one, the team would be a good source of cheap, good quality, decent road bikes - someone probably has a bike for sale or one they don't use and are willing to part with. They would also be a good resource to help you fix bikes, since they will need maintenance sometime.