I’m in New York City (seemingly the worst market for used bikes) and looking for a road bike to do laps around Central Park 3x a week for exercise. This would be my first road bike and I’m not looking for a keeper as I will likely move to Seattle next year and don’t want to deal with bringing it. My only requirements are:
- light (I live in a 5 floor walk up)
- cheap ~$150-350 (don’t want to over-invest)
- can decently support Harlem Hill climbs
- 52-56CM (I’m 5”9)
Added some current options…
This has been quite the search so far. Might have to give up on this dream.
by ArsenalNig
2 Comments
The GT is older but very cool. Felt is maybe the slightly more sensible option, more of a modern geometry. The Evo is a bottom of the barrel department store bike, and the Cannondale is overpriced by half.
I’d put it between the GT and the Felt. In my opinion the GT is the “cooler” bike of the two just because of its Tour de France history and overall look. Downside there is the triple chainring drivetrain – hasn’t been used since the early 2000s and parts will be hard to find if something breaks.
Felt is from the same era and probably a little more modern only because of the double chainring drivetrain train.
You’d probably be able to ride both of them for free or lose minimal money over a year.
Big note: at 5’9” I would advise a 52cm or 54cm size. While you “could ride” a 56 – it will likely feel (you’d only notice when you try a properly sized bike) too big. Rule of thumb: be at the very top of the height range for a given size. Ie: if a 52cm = 5’5”-5’9” then it’s best fit for 5’8”-5’9”.