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Entry-Level Road Bike
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 2004-12-02 1:34 AM |
 25 |  Subject: Entry-Level Road BikeI'm new to the tri. Any recommendations for an entry-level road bike for some training and eventually a few triathlons? Thanks. |
| 2004-12-02 6:57 AM in reply to: #88352 |
Resident Curmudgeon 25290   The Road Back Gold member | Subject: RE: Entry-Level Road Bike Check the websites of all the major manufacturers: Trek, Specialized, Giant, Cannondale, Felt, Fuji, Guru, etc. Not a whole lot to distinguish one entry-level bike from another, most will have Sora-level Shimano components on an aluminum frame. Expect to pay $500, although there may be some end-of-th-year bargains out there. There are other "off brands " (Motobecane, for example) and store brands (Supergo sells Scattante with 105-level components for $750). As an entry-level buyer, your most important aspects should be fit and customer service. I recommend these two sites for beginning cyclists to educate themselves prior to shopping for bikes: Buying A New Road Bike? Here's All You Need To Know http://bayoubicycles.com/site/page.cfm?PageID=63 What Is the Difference between a Road Bike and a Triathlon Bike? |
| 2004-12-02 8:56 PM in reply to: #88352 |
Extreme Veteran 439 Germantown, MD | Subject: RE: Entry-Level Road Bike Cannondale R500. Cannondales are great bikes, lifetime warranty on the frame, made in the US of A (unlike the cheapo Trek bikes!). If it fits, go for it! |
| 2004-12-02 9:35 PM in reply to: #88352 |
Master 1946   Bronze member | Subject: RE: Entry-Level Road Bike LOVE my Pearl, she's a Cannondale R500 sport. She's more than I deserve for my first real bike- but I know I'll be able to count on her for a while- easy shifting. light, fits me, pretty....I tried trek,Specialized,Fuji, but took homte Pearl. Enjoy the process! |
| 2004-12-02 10:02 PM in reply to: #88352 |
Regular 87 Toronto | Subject: RE: Entry-Level Road Bike Thanks for the sites Bear. I am starting to look for a bike, thought I would try to get one in the next couple of months, so these will be really helpful Jen |
| 2004-12-02 11:43 PM in reply to: #88352 |
Master 2033 | Subject: RE: Entry-Level Road Bike I ride a Cannondale R400 Sport and it is the best bike I have ever ridden. I LOVE it! Us Cannondale riders are a loyal bunch though arnt we! lol... |
| 2004-12-03 10:00 AM in reply to: #88352 |
Veteran 321 Findlay OH | Subject: RE: Entry-Level Road Bike THe articles are very useful to get you started. What you have now and how much money you can spend is really the place to start. I bought a Motobecane Al frame with sora and tiagra components off ebay and love it. It isn't what I would buy if I had a bigger budget, but is much better than the 20 year old steel beast I had. My opinion is that it will serve me well for a couple of years and then when I am absolutely sure that this is a life long pursuit I'll splurge and get a nicer bike. The last point is to find a bike that fits you. A $3000 bike that is the wrong size will be miserable and a $300 bike that fits can be comfortable. I really just wanted to through my $.02 in the ring about being happy with less expensive bike. |
| 2004-12-03 4:35 PM in reply to: #88878 |
Resident Curmudgeon 25290 The Road Back Gold member | Subject: RE: Entry-Level Road Bike Glad to hear from someone who bought a Motobecane. I see them mentioned occasionally, look like a good value. To me, the biggest problem would pertain to your "last point": how does an entry-level buyer get a bike that fits from ebay? |
| 2004-12-03 5:01 PM in reply to: #88352 |
Veteran 321 Findlay OH | Subject: RE: Entry-Level Road Bike I consider myself quite lucky on that. I took a few measurements and compared the geometry from the web site to my old bike, crossed my fingers and hoped it would fit. I wouldn't suggest this method for everyone though, the stars must have aligned over me 'cause it fits. At least it seems to fit, I feel comfortable on it and had no aches or pains when I switched from the old bike to this one. I actually feel more comfortable on it than my old bike. The top tube is a little shorter and the seat tube is a little longer. |
| 2004-12-06 6:27 PM in reply to: #88352 |
| Regular 65 Las Vegas, NV | Subject: RE: Entry-Level Road Bike I bought my bike used from a bike shop and it didn't exactly fit me. So, I've had to spend more money than I'd like to upfit it to my body and endure some physical discomfort until I realized that it was the bike and not me that was causing the problem. As such, I HIGHLY recommend making sure the bike fits first. I had read about that before I bought my bike but saw a good deal and, not knowing a lot about equipment and gear for triathlons, bought it and figured I'd worry about the rest later. Now I wish I had been professionally fitted even if I had to pay a little more. |
| 2004-12-07 3:46 PM in reply to: #88352 |
Veteran 171 Tampa, Florida | Subject: RE: Entry-Level Road Bike I bought a Fuji Newest from a local bike store. I got fitted and everything. I got a great deal on an '04. 20 percent off. I suggest looking at all the differnt types out there and go with one that feels good! I love my bike and couldnt be happier... -D |
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