Good road bike to buy?

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: bR

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

I can get almost the same bike as the Roubiax (made by Trek) for $1099 though. Except the Trek has an aluminum frame with carbon wishbone and carbon fork and Bontrager Race crankset, handlebars and well, check it out here.

The Specialized looks like it has slightly better components but the steel frame would probably weigh a bit more.

I definitely want a road bike though. I like the responsiveness of a good road bike.

 

[boyRacer]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: bR

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

I can get almost the same bike as the Roubiax (made by Trek) for $1099 though. Except the Trek has an aluminum frame with carbon wishbone and carbon fork and Bontrager Race crankset, handlebars and well, check it out here.

The Specialized looks like it has slightly better components but the steel frame would probably weigh a bit more.

I definitely want a road bike though. I like the responsiveness of a good road bike.

If you can get it for $1,099... then I can't argue with that. I checked with the closest Trek dealer here and they have it for $1,199.

The Roubaix is also aluminum with carbon rear triangle and fork BUT is also $200 more. Post pics when you get it...

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: bR
If you can get it for $1,099... then I can't argue with that. I checked with the closest Trek dealer here and they have it for $1,199.

The Roubaix is also aluminum with carbon rear triangle and fork BUT is also $200 more. Post pics when you get it...

I couldn't tell if the Roubaix was aluminum or steel by the description...maybe I didn't look far enough.

I'm pretty sure it was $1099 and they aren't charging tax for the month of July which gives it another $85-90 advantage over the price of the Specialized.

I'll probably give it a ride this weekend and if I like it I'll probably pick it up by the end of the month.

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: 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

This article is helpful:

http://www.ehow.com/how_14104_determine-correct-frame.html

 

[Mrvile]

Hmm, I think I'm going to get into biking.

I read that the best place to start is to go to my LBS and get a bike fitted and everything. My nearest LBS is Eddy's Bike Shop, which is nice but they don't have anything for less than 600 dollars!

I looked in a few online bike stores, like BikesDirect and eBay, and they all have bikes for much cheaper. BikesDirect has a bunch of Motobecanes for 400 - 550.

Eddy's two cheapest models are the Specialized Langster (which I heard was very nice) and the Trek 1000, both for 600.

I wanna try to get a bike for as low as I can, in case I end up not using it that much, but I also want something that will last.

One more question...say I order a bike online, and I receive it, will it be ready to ride? BikesDirect says, "This bike comes 90% assembled.
We suggest you take it to your local bike shop for final assembly & safety checks." What does this include?

Thanks!!

 

[boyRacer]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: bR
If you can get it for $1,099... then I can't argue with that. I checked with the closest Trek dealer here and they have it for $1,199.

The Roubaix is also aluminum with carbon rear triangle and fork BUT is also $200 more. Post pics when you get it...

I couldn't tell if the Roubaix was aluminum or steel by the description...maybe I didn't look far enough.

I'm pretty sure it was $1099 and they aren't charging tax for the month of July which gives it another $85-90 advantage over the price of the Specialized.

I'll probably give it a ride this weekend and if I like it I'll probably pick it up by the end of the month.

Yeah Specialized has been really stingy with their sales lately.... especially if you get it from one of their main dealers like Supergo. Smaller LBS are more willing to discount it... but for $1,099 OTD I don't think there's any deal that can come closet to that unless you go for one of the lesser known brands.

 

[GasX]

stretch that budget!

 

[silverpig]

I'd recommend getting a good aluminum frame. It won't break the bank like a titanium or carbon fiber frame, but it will be almost as light. Skimp on the components for now to keep the cost down as they are replaceable (but make sure you get ones that are easy to switch out). In a few months, upgrade your shifters, sprockets, derailleurs etc...

 

[boyRacer]

Originally posted by: Mwilding
stretch that budget!

For some reason I don't find Colnago's or their paintjobs appealing... but I drool at Pinarellos and De Rosas...

 

[Mrvile]

Originally posted by: bR

Originally posted by: Mwilding
stretch that budget!

For some reason I don't find Colnago's or their paintjobs appealing... but I drool at Pinarellos and De Rosas...

dr00l dr00l @ the De Rosa!

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: Mrvile

dr00l dr00l @ the De Rosa!

I had a DeRosa Professional SLX for many years - what a sweet-riding bike. IMO DeRosa (and Merckx, who copied his geometry from DeRosa) pretty well cracked the ride/handling/geometry equation in the mid-80s.

 

[Mrvile]

Guys I didn't want to have to start my own bike thread but I'm gonna soon

 

[saltedeggman]

Originally posted by: Mrvile
Hmm, I think I'm going to get into biking.

I read that the best place to start is to go to my LBS and get a bike fitted and everything. My nearest LBS is Eddy's Bike Shop, which is nice but they don't have anything for less than 600 dollars!

I looked in a few online bike stores, like BikesDirect and eBay, and they all have bikes for much cheaper. BikesDirect has a bunch of Motobecanes for 400 - 550.

Eddy's two cheapest models are the Specialized Langster (which I heard was very nice) and the Trek 1000, both for 600.

I wanna try to get a bike for as low as I can, in case I end up not using it that much, but I also want something that will last.

One more question...say I order a bike online, and I receive it, will it be ready to ride? BikesDirect says, "This bike comes 90% assembled.
We suggest you take it to your local bike shop for final assembly & safety checks." What does this include?

Thanks!!

The Langster is a singlespeed

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: bR

Originally posted by: Mwilding
stretch that budget!

For some reason I don't find Colnago's or their paintjobs appealing... but I drool at Pinarellos and De Rosas...

For $900 that is a helluva bike though!!!

And the fork on that Pinarello is cool!

 

[cpals]

Would this be worth looking into? It's around my area, but not if the size is wrong for me, then it would be a waste of money right?

http://naplescyclery.com/classifieds/previewad.cfm?adid=16&catid=3&subcatid=34

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: cpals
Would this be worth looking into? It's around my area, but not if the size is wrong for me, then it would be a waste of money right?

http://naplescyclery.com/classifieds/previewad.cfm?adid=16&catid=3&subcatid=34

Yes, the 1200 is a nice bike and (assuming near new condition) that is a nice price

 

[cpals]

Originally posted by: Mwilding

Originally posted by: cpals
Would this be worth looking into? It's around my area, but not if the size is wrong for me, then it would be a waste of money right?

http://naplescyclery.com/classifieds/previewad.cfm?adid=16&catid=3&subcatid=34

Yes, the 1200 is a nice bike and (assuming near new condition) that is a nice price

Just called the guy... he said it's in excellent condition and just bought a tarmac (sp?) which is why he is selling it. Also, he is the bike tech at that shop so it should be in good shape hopefully.

He said it is 58". I'm 5' 8" and my inseam is 29". Would this be a good fit for me? Anything else I should look for?

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: cpals

Yes, the 1200 is a nice bike and (assuming near new condition) that is a nice price

Just called the guy... he said it's in excellent condition and just bought a tarmac (sp?) which is why he is selling it. Also, he is the bike tech at that shop so it should be in good shape hopefully.

He said it is 58". I'm 5' 8" and my inseam is 29". Would this be a good fit for me? Anything else I should look for?[/quote]

A 58cm bike is almost certainly too large for you. You should be looking for a 55-56 or so.

 

[boyRacer]

Originally posted by: cpals

Originally posted by: Mwilding

Originally posted by: cpals
Would this be worth looking into? It's around my area, but not if the size is wrong for me, then it would be a waste of money right?

http://naplescyclery.com/classifieds/previewad.cfm?adid=16&catid=3&subcatid=34

Yes, the 1200 is a nice bike and (assuming near new condition) that is a nice price

Just called the guy... he said it's in excellent condition and just bought a tarmac (sp?) which is why he is selling it. Also, he is the bike tech at that shop so it should be in good shape hopefully.

He said it is 58". I'm 5' 8" and my inseam is 29". Would this be a good fit for me? Anything else I should look for?

I'm 5'9" and my cycling inseam is 32"... is 29" the inseam on your pants?

To determine your proper frame size, you?ll first need to get an accurate inseam measurement . Stand with your back against a wall, your bare feet 6" apart on a hard floor, looking straight ahead. Place a book or carpenter?s square between your legs with one edge against the wall, and pull it up firmly into your crotch, simulating the pressure of your saddle while riding. Have a helper measure from the top edge of the book to the floor, in centimeters. (You can convert inches to centimeters by multiplying inches by 2.54.) Repeat two or three times, for consistency, and average the results to get your inseam length.

For a bike like that Trek with a traditional geometry I ride a 54", some people I know with roughly the same proportions as I do ride a 56"... I think a 58" is too big.

 

[cpals]

Originally posted by: DonVito

Originally posted by: cpals

Yes, the 1200 is a nice bike and (assuming near new condition) that is a nice price

Just called the guy... he said it's in excellent condition and just bought a tarmac (sp?) which is why he is selling it. Also, he is the bike tech at that shop so it should be in good shape hopefully.

He said it is 58". I'm 5' 8" and my inseam is 29". Would this be a good fit for me? Anything else I should look for?

A 58cm bike is almost certainly too large for you. You should be looking for a 55-56 or so.[/quote]

Yeah, he told me it would be fine... so he might be stretching the truth just to make a sale...

 

[BatmanNate]

Originally posted by: cpals

Originally posted by: DonVito

Originally posted by: cpals

Yes, the 1200 is a nice bike and (assuming near new condition) that is a nice price

Just called the guy... he said it's in excellent condition and just bought a tarmac (sp?) which is why he is selling it. Also, he is the bike tech at that shop so it should be in good shape hopefully.

He said it is 58". I'm 5' 8" and my inseam is 29". Would this be a good fit for me? Anything else I should look for?

A 58cm bike is almost certainly too large for you. You should be looking for a 55-56 or so.

Yeah, he told me it would be fine... so he might be stretching the truth just to make a sale...[/quote]

I'm 5'11" with a 32 inseam and ride a 56cm, for reference sake, and have an inch or two at most at standover between the top tube and my boys. I would not recommend going with a 58cm unless you enjoy pain, or are just proportioned very strangely and the shop fitted you to it.

 

[cavemanmoron]

Road Bike/>
Road King.

 

[cpals]

Originally posted by: bR
I'm 5'9" and my cycling inseam is 32"... is 29" the inseam on your pants?

To determine your proper frame size, you?ll first need to get an accurate inseam measurement . Stand with your back against a wall, your bare feet 6" apart on a hard floor, looking straight ahead. Place a book or carpenter?s square between your legs with one edge against the wall, and pull it up firmly into your crotch, simulating the pressure of your saddle while riding. Have a helper measure from the top edge of the book to the floor, in centimeters. (You can convert inches to centimeters by multiplying inches by 2.54.) Repeat two or three times, for consistency, and average the results to get your inseam length.

For a bike like that Trek with a traditional geometry I ride a 54", some people I know with roughly the same proportions as I do ride a 56"... I think a 58" is too big.

When I buy pants I buy 30" length. I'm probably 5'8" maybe close to 5'9".

 

[boyRacer]

Originally posted by: cpals

Originally posted by: bR
I'm 5'9" and my cycling inseam is 32"... is 29" the inseam on your pants?

To determine your proper frame size, you?ll first need to get an accurate inseam measurement . Stand with your back against a wall, your bare feet 6" apart on a hard floor, looking straight ahead. Place a book or carpenter?s square between your legs with one edge against the wall, and pull it up firmly into your crotch, simulating the pressure of your saddle while riding. Have a helper measure from the top edge of the book to the floor, in centimeters. (You can convert inches to centimeters by multiplying inches by 2.54.) Repeat two or three times, for consistency, and average the results to get your inseam length.

For a bike like that Trek with a traditional geometry I ride a 54", some people I know with roughly the same proportions as I do ride a 56"... I think a 58" is too big.

When I buy pants I buy 30" length. I'm probably 5'8" maybe close to 5'9".

Me too. So you should PROBABLY ride a 54-56... depending on how you like it. But a 58 is too big.

 

[RossMAN]

What are the major differences between a ROAD and MOUNTAIN bike?