Budget Shopping

[ouo]

I've been looking for a bike to take on a long self-supported tour down the West Coast. As a university student, I'm not rich and finding a bike that I can afford seems to be impossible. I've looked at the Kona Jake ('05 model), which is a cyclocross and it is in my price range, however, they've soldout in my size. A guy at one bike shop said that if I bought a bike with flat handle bars from them he would change the flat bar to a drop bar, at this point this seems to be my best option, because the flat bar bikes priced at around $800-$1000.

I've been to many bike stores and all the bikes that are suitable are $1500 CDN +. I still have more gear to buy after I get the bike (ie. Panniers, new stove, new helmet, spare parts, racks, etc..)

I'd love to get something with drop bars opposed to flat bars.

Any recomendations?

 

[domaindomain]

Have you thought about a second hand bike?

There are real bargains to be had if you look carefully...

Cheers

 

[ouo]

Have you thought about a second hand bike?

There are real bargains to be had if you look carefully...

Cheers

I have thought about buying second hand.
I've been looking at the classifieds and on bulletin boards in my city.
I actually just contacted someone about a bike frame, it was 56cm which is way too big for me.