Good road bike to buy?

[cpals]

Well, I'm looking into road biking and so far the prices seem pretty high. I went to my local schwinn shop and the cheapest he had was a Trek 1000 for $650. Sports Authority didn't even sell road bikes, so I'm not sure where else to look.

Are there even some good cheaper road bikes? $300-$500

I already have a mountain bike, which I guess I could ride for now until I could save up some more money, but would like a road bike soon.

 

[notfred]

Road bikes tend to start around $600, or you could look for a used one.

 

[hevnsnt]

Buy a Ninja ZX-6R

 

[newbiepcuser]

Whats your definition of "good" vs experience Roadie's definition?

check out used bikes if you can. Careful though, lots of BS prices at times on flebay, craiglist, etc.

roadbike review

you can do some research there.

I also notice a lot of bike threads lately, I wonder if people actually went thru with it and stayed with it.

 

[Brutuskend]

Originally posted by: notfred
Road bikes tend to start around $600, or you could look for a used one.

Yup

 

[cpals]

Someone on here said that a bike needs to be "fitted" for the rider, but when I asked the guy at the Schwinn store he said any bike would do and said it doesn't really need to be fitted or whatever. Also, the Trek 1000 didn't have clipless pedals, but had like little holsters.

 

[Mrvile]

What are generally more expensive, mountain or road?

 

[LS20]

road is more expensive because of lesser demand... the mtb boom of the 90s dropped mountain bikes in prices. for entry-level road bikes, shop used (craigslist or ebay). you dont need a personal fitting, but you should know roughly your bike size +- 1cm

 

[boyRacer]

Originally posted by: cpals
Someone on here said that a bike needs to be "fitted" for the rider, but when I asked the guy at the Schwinn store he said any bike would do and said it doesn't really need to be fitted or whatever. Also, the Trek 1000 didn't have clipless pedals, but had like little holsters.

lol that means you should avoid that Schwinn store. I know Mr. Armstrong rides a Trek... but you don't have to buy a Trek too.

Check this thread out.

 

[cpals]

Originally posted by: LS20
road is more expensive because of lesser demand... the mtb boom of the 90s dropped mountain bikes in prices. for entry-level road bikes, shop used (craigslist or ebay). you dont need a personal fitting, but you should know roughly your bike size +- 1cm

Is there a formula for bike sizes (if 5'6" get 26" bike, etc...)?

Also, is this a piece of junk? http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=3663046

 

[Mrvile]

Originally posted by: cpals

Originally posted by: LS20
road is more expensive because of lesser demand... the mtb boom of the 90s dropped mountain bikes in prices. for entry-level road bikes, shop used (craigslist or ebay). you dont need a personal fitting, but you should know roughly your bike size +- 1cm

Is there a formula for bike sizes (if 5'6" get 26" bike, etc...)?

Also, is this a piece of junk? http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=3663046

Well, they sell it at Walmart...

 

[boyRacer]

Originally posted by: cpals

Originally posted by: LS20
road is more expensive because of lesser demand... the mtb boom of the 90s dropped mountain bikes in prices. for entry-level road bikes, shop used (craigslist or ebay). you dont need a personal fitting, but you should know roughly your bike size +- 1cm

Is there a formula for bike sizes (if 5'6" get 26" bike, etc...)?

Also, is this a piece of junk? http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=3663046

I know that price is really attractive for you... but the bike only comes in one size. You're more likely to hate road bikes if you're stuck with an ill-fitting one. Plus, it has parts on it that are not upgradeable or easily replaceable which would probably end up costing more later.

 

[Relayer]

http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f=41

 

[Mrvile]

I've heard mixed feeling about what bikes are made of. The main ones I read about are either carbon fiber, aluminum, or steel. What are the pros and cons of each?

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: cpals
Someone on here said that a bike needs to be "fitted" for the rider, but when I asked the guy at the Schwinn store he said any bike would do and said it doesn't really need to be fitted or whatever. Also, the Trek 1000 didn't have clipless pedals, but had like little holsters.

Yikes!!! You should run away from that idiot. He doesn't have a clue what he's talking about.

 

[thehstrybean]

Ebay...

 

[boyRacer]

Originally posted by: Mrvile
I've heard mixed feeling about what bikes are made of. The main ones I read about are either carbon fiber, aluminum, or steel. What are the pros and cons of each?

Text

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: cpals

Originally posted by: LS20
road is more expensive because of lesser demand... the mtb boom of the 90s dropped mountain bikes in prices. for entry-level road bikes, shop used (craigslist or ebay). you dont need a personal fitting, but you should know roughly your bike size +- 1cm

Is there a formula for bike sizes (if 5'6" get 26" bike, etc...)?

Also, is this a piece of junk? http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=3663046

Yes, that is a piece of junk.

 

[LS20]

Originally posted by: cpals


Is there a formula for bike sizes (if 5'6" get 26" bike, etc...)?

Also, is this a piece of junk? http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=3663046

There are a few different estimates out there... from wrenchcycles.com and peterwhitecycles.com and few other places... in my experience, you are around a 53/54cm road bicycle. 26" is designation for mountain bike tire size. if you are looking at a mountain bike, you are Small/Medium/15"... mtb sizes are more generous

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: bR

Originally posted by: Mrvile
I've heard mixed feeling about what bikes are made of. The main ones I read about are either carbon fiber, aluminum, or steel. What are the pros and cons of each?

Text

I'm looking a new Trek made of aluminum with a carbon triangle and fork. I still need to give it a ride but if that goes well I may just buy it.

 

[CraigRT]

Originally posted by: Mrvile
I've heard mixed feeling about what bikes are made of. The main ones I read about are either carbon fiber, aluminum, or steel. What are the pros and cons of each?

weight, weight, weight

I think Aluminum is best only because it's light and relatively inexpensive compared to CF

CF apparently flexes a bit more giving a better (smoother) ride (never ridden a CF bike) but the aluminum and steel are a tad more harsh. The Aluminum weighs a little more than the CF but is a lot lighter than the Steel.

my bike is 6061 aluminum with a CF front fork.. I love it to pieces

 

[boyRacer]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: bR

Originally posted by: Mrvile
I've heard mixed feeling about what bikes are made of. The main ones I read about are either carbon fiber, aluminum, or steel. What are the pros and cons of each?

Text

I'm looking a new Trek made of aluminum with a carbon triangle and fork. I still need to give it a ride but if that goes well I may just buy it.

buy it.

have you looked at other bikes?

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: bR

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: bR

Originally posted by: Mrvile
I've heard mixed feeling about what bikes are made of. The main ones I read about are either carbon fiber, aluminum, or steel. What are the pros and cons of each?

Text

I'm looking a new Trek made of aluminum with a carbon triangle and fork. I still need to give it a ride but if that goes well I may just buy it.

buy it.

have you looked at other bikes?

Nope, recommendations?

I'm looking for something comfortable but responsive that I can commute on. I have the Pilot 2.1 in mind.

 

[boyRacer]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: bR

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: bR

Originally posted by: Mrvile
I've heard mixed feeling about what bikes are made of. The main ones I read about are either carbon fiber, aluminum, or steel. What are the pros and cons of each?

Text

I'm looking a new Trek made of aluminum with a carbon triangle and fork. I still need to give it a ride but if that goes well I may just buy it.

buy it.

have you looked at other bikes?

Nope, recommendations?

I'm looking for something comfortable but responsive that I can commute on. I have the Pilot 2.1 in mind.

*cough*

I think flat bars are a lot easier for commuting though so...

*cough*


/specialized fanboy

 

[cpals]

I'm thinking I am just going to use my mountain bike for a month right now and if I am still into biking still, then I'll splurge and get a real bike. I have a tendency to start something and then a month later just stop.