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Least expensive road bikes?
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 2005-03-24 8:58 PM |
Veteran 137   Littleton, NH |  Subject: Least expensive road bikes?What is the price range of the least expensive road bikes that I could get? I really don't want to do my tri on my Huffy Mountain bike.  |
| 2005-03-24 9:20 PM in reply to: #133938 |
Resident Curmudgeon 25290 The Road Back Gold member | Subject: RE: Least expensive road bikes? Can't vouch for the quality, but there are tons of these Motobecanes on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=98084&item=7144787759&rd=1 Edited by the bear 2005-03-24 9:21 PM |
| 2005-03-24 9:21 PM in reply to: #133938 |
Resident Curmudgeon 25290 The Road Back Gold member | Subject: RE: Least expensive road bikes? Also consider used bikes, check with your local tri or bike club, CraigsList if you're in an urban area. Edited by the bear 2005-03-24 9:22 PM |
| 2005-03-24 9:25 PM in reply to: #133938 |
Elite 2706  Hurst, Texas | Subject: RE: Least expensive road bikes? I recently bought a new 2004 model Raleigh Grand Sport from my LBS. Because the 2005 models are out, the 2004 was a bargain ($439). So far, it has been a great ride, especially considering the price |
| 2005-03-24 9:39 PM in reply to: #133938 |
Expert 1836 Lafayette, CO | Subject: RE: Least expensive road bikes? You don't mention a price point that you're looking for, but look into the Specialized Allez. These can be found, new, for around $700. They've got Shimano 105 components (which is really the least that you'll want), and you can easily put aero-bars, cyclocomputers, and a small tool/tube bag on it and it'll still be fairly light (compared to your MTB). I see a LOT of these between Boulder, Louisville and Lafayette; if it wasn't a good bike, them crazy Boulderites wouldn't buy them... |
| 2005-03-24 11:53 PM in reply to: #133938 |
Expert 1238 Denver, Colorado | Subject: RE: Least expensive road bikes? I'm in love with Ebay, but keep in mind that all the little bells and whistles you'll need for biking are way more expensive than anything you'll find there. I got my Fuji for $200 a couple years ago on Ebay, but little upgrades and extras have become pretty expensive (well, expensive for someone who buys a $200 road bike). If you plan on replacing the tires, saddle, pedals, etc. on a used bike, you might be better off just to spend a little more somewhere other than Ebay. Good luck in training. -dave |
| 2005-03-25 9:14 AM in reply to: #133938 |
Elite Veteran 777 flatland | Subject: RE: Least expensive road bikes? If you're willing to put in anywhere from $70 - $200 for new components (wheels, chain, saddle, brakes, depending on what's broken and how much your LBS charges for such things) and want to go super cheap, check out Goodwill and yard sales. I've seen some pretty nice bikes at Goodwill...people just get sick of them and toss 'em. They almost always have dry-rotted tires, bad brake cables, blah blah, but the frames are often quite solid and they're $15 - $25. Yard sales similarly. If you want new, I think Raleigh sells some $400 - $500 bikes. Trek's lowest end afaik is the 1000 for about $630. Dunno about the others. It seems that long ago you could pick up a Walmart special for $150...but now nobody sells cheap road bikes new, everybody wants hybrids. Myself, I don't trust ebay as far as I can throw 'em. I know a lot of people who got a lot of nifty stuff, but I just don't like the idea of buying things like bikes that need to fit, when I don't know anything beyond a size range. That of course is another route. You could also just replace your mtb knobby tires with slicks for your first race. That's what I was going to do, but have managed to scrounge the cash for a road bike. Good luck! |
| 2005-03-25 10:01 AM in reply to: #133938 |
Champion 4902 Ottawa, Ontario | Subject: RE: Least expensive road bikes? Stay away from Ebay unless you know what you are doing and you realise that you may or may not get what is advertised. You could check out your local bike and triathlon clubs for a good used road bike. But, for your first road bike, I would suggest visiting your local bike shop and looking for, if possible, last year's models; there are good savings to be had there. Look for such brands as Fuji, KHS, Motobecane and Raleigh; they do not offer the bragging rights of a Pinarello but they do offer good starter bikes at reasonable prices. You will hear conflicting opinions on various the Sora component group, which is what you will get on a good starter bike. Form your own opinion by test riding any bike you are interested in be it decked out with Sora or Tiagra. |
| 2005-03-25 10:34 AM in reply to: #133938 |
Pro 3870 Virginia Beach, VA | Subject: RE: Least expensive road bikes? If you are looking for a nice entry-level bike that won't require a lot of upgrades in the coming years then check out IronHorse...http://www.ironhorsebikes.com/ They are a small company but make a very nice bike with good component packages for typically 15-20% than a comparable model from the big names like Trek and Specialized. You should be able to get a Triumph Comp with Shimano 105 and carbon fork for $750 or a 2004 for $600 if there are any floating around in your size. We bought my GF an IronHorse Glory last year and I'm very impressed with what we got for the price. |
| 2005-03-25 1:03 PM in reply to: #133938 |
Member 10 Arlington, VA | Subject: RE: Least expensive road bikes? I picked up a Specialized Allez a couple of weeks ago. I love it! It only cost me about $700. As I get a bit more used to it, I will get aero-bars and clipless pedals. All in all a great ride! |
| 2005-03-25 4:27 PM in reply to: #133938 |
| Elite Veteran 1817 Cedar Rapids, Iowa | Subject: RE: Least expensive road bikes? After I checked out the reviews on that seller, I bought one of those Motobecane bikes from that seller on e-bay that 'the bear' posted the link to. It was my first e-bay buying experience and went off without a hitch. I love my BLUE bike, got it for $325 - and have not spent one dime having to do anything to it. |
| 2005-03-25 4:48 PM in reply to: #133938 |
Elite 2527 Armpit of Ontario | Subject: RE: Least expensive road bikes? Cheap (new as opposed to used) will get you a steel frame and low-end components (Sora or no-name). If you are looking specifically at new, cheap bike, I'd look outside specialty bike shops and more towards big box-style stores like Walmart or Price Club, Sam's, Costco, etc, even Toys R Us or similar stores. I agree with the Ironhorse recommendation, as I saw a model at a local Sportchek (Canadain general sporting goods store) for around $400CDN as well as a Nakamura for $299CDN, which is as cheap as I've ever seen, with old school shifters on the downtube and no visible manufacturer markings on any of the components. It did have a real purdy pearlescent white paint job, though! Schwinn also makes a cheap road bike for around $400CDN, and I've also seen a couple of other Schwinn models at a bike shop for $$500 & $700CDN. All of these bikes are about the same quality of the bikes pumped out enmasse in the 70's and 80's that we all road around on as kids. They are all cheap, steel frame, low-end components, but they are all road bikes and will get you into the game for starters. Pick up one of these cheap and after your first tri season or two, upgrade to a better bike and sell this one to a friend that you talk into tri-ing! |
| 2005-03-25 11:02 PM in reply to: #133938 |
Member 13 | Subject: RE: Least expensive road bikes? I've seen reviews regarding the Felt, and I checked them out at a Tri specific store. Really nice bikes, one step up from entry level is $750 A thought . . . |
| 2005-03-26 9:19 AM in reply to: #133938 |
Extreme Veteran 347 Chapel Hill, North Carolina | Subject: RE: Least expensive road bikes? Last Fall, I picked up a Lemond Etape for around $600. It is an aluminum frame with a carbon front fork and Sora components. I was able to add clipless pedals and shoes, clipon aerobars, a wireless cycling computer, spare tube, CO2 cartridges and a seat pack, and I still came out of the LBS for under $1000. I know the Sora components are not the highest end quality, but I test rode 105's and honestly couldn't feel enough difference to justify paying more for my very first "real" bike. The aluminum frame and carbon front fork are a nice improvement from a steel frame. This bike is very similar to the Trek 1000. They were only $20 apart in price. The choice was made by the fact that the Lemond was in stock in my size.  Bottom line, this is a great entry level road bike. I'm very, very happy with mine. In a couple of years, I may be able to justify spending more money on a better bike, but until then, more money won't make me any faster. I need to spend time making the motor for my bike stronger.  |
| 2005-03-26 9:34 AM in reply to: #133938 |
Champion 5183 Wisconsin | Subject: RE: Least expensive road bikes? 2 great deals on bikes at ebay here: the seller looks like the real deal, and clearly knows bikes: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=98084&item=7... and http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=98084&item=7... |
| 2005-04-04 11:50 AM in reply to: #133938 |
Extreme Veteran 724 Delray Beach, FL | Subject: RE: Least expensive road bikes? You have to be sincere and set an amount of money you'll be willing to spend. Is that $300? $500? $800? (more if you are lucky). Are you serious about this? A $300 bike will be pretty darned expensive if you never use it. A $1000 bike will be pretty cheap if you ride 100 miles a week and never get a sore back Once you know your budget, you have different options. Used bikes are a great way to start on a budget. Visit LBS ask for used bikes or last year models. Be careful with Ebay. Ask lots of questions before bidding. Is the bike your size? Make sure the frame does not have cracks or the bike has thousands of miles on it. Sometimes you have to add as much as $80 to final price for shipping. Giant and Felt have good entry level bikes. The prices on entry level road bikes goes around $550 - $700. That price will go up around $150 - $200 if you plan on getting clipless pedals and shoes. I started with a Huffy.... it was like running with sandals I bought a Trek 1000 a month ago.... best thing I've ever done with my tax return |
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