Beginner looking for a road bike for fun, exercise, and weight loss. 5’11 and currently 275 lbs. I’ve spent the last month tracking calorie intake and I’ve been riding a Specialized Roll around my neighborhood and using a stationary recumbent exercise bike at night. Down 10 pounds but want to start going on longer rides on greenway paths and I feel like I need more gears than 7.
There’s a Trek 1500 SLR (someone on another post I made said mid 2000’s and I’m assuming 2006 or 2007 based on Google searches) listed locally for $250 and a 2011 Specialized Roubaix SL3 Expert Compact slight closer for $500. The Specialized looks like it may have lightly gone down on the derailleur side, but overall looks in good shape. I think both have been sitting in garages for at least a couple of years, so I’m assuming I’ll have to take either one of them in to get tuned up and have the tires checked so I’m probably another $50-$100 on that. Both are 56cm.
Which is the better option? Is the Specialized enough of an upgrade that $250 is worth it? Any suggestions on lower offers that wouldn’t be insulting?
by kywldcts