Looking for complete Bike, $300-400

[Chopotter]

Hi All, I am looking for a used bicycle, size Medium, in good condition for a friend who would like to start riding, probably just paved/graded trails to start. It doesn't need to be high-end, but I'm looking for a decent component group, LX would be fine. It shouldn't need much in the way of new parts, but I am definitely willing to give it a tuneup (cables, derailleur adjustments, bearing repacks, fork overhaul, wheel truing, etc.). Of course the more of that I have to do the lower I would expect the price to be, and I'll be looking at it with a critical eye.

If you have a bike you're looking to get rid of and it meets the criteria, please send an email to me: jonathan_wheaton@adelphia.net

[bigbadbrad]

I don't have one that fits the bill, but go see Phuoc (rhymes with juke) at a small, (& way overcrowded-- if you're claustrophobic, you may want to avoid it) shop in Falls Church, on Lee Hwy. inside the beltway, Bike Club. He's got plenty of new bikes in that price range or less.

Nice guy too; great for labor. Place is a bit of a mess as he's renovating (and is a bit of a packrat).

Tell him Brad sent you.

Cheers,
--Brad

[RetroG]

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/bik/

[velvetmidget]

i agree try craigs list or maybe http://classifieds.mtbr.com/cgi-bin/classifieds/classifieds.pl?db=MtbReview&website=&language=&session_key=

I worked as a mechanic/sales for a bike shop for 5 years. I have seen and worked on just about everything. Almost all bikes come out of 5 factories in taiwan. Basically you are paying for a sticker slapped on an aluminum frame that means something to someone. In my years i learned that most frames (in that price range) are about the same. Whats gonna make the noticable difference is the parts on a given bike for a certain price. you can have two different brand bikes for 299.99 and one has much better parts. One of these companies is usually HARO. Much better parts for the same price. And dont let anyone fool you. The only difference between LX and XTR is the price a little weight and some guys ego that rides less than he talks. I haven't seen HARO's line up this year but you can contact me if you have any questions. Diamond back is another that has good value.

[TrailVictim]

i agree try craigs list or maybe http://classifieds.mtbr.com/cgi-bin/classifieds/classifieds.pl?db=MtbReview&website=&language=&session_key=

And dont let anyone fool you. The only difference between LX and XTR is the price a little weight and some guys ego that rides less than he talks.

Wow dude relax, it's going to be ok!! Show me a decent rig with LX components for $299. I'm gonna get me one of them.

[gaz]

Haro is definately one of the better bikes for the buck at the low end of the scale, but even for one of those, you're looking at a good chunk more than the $400 price tag.