Question for Fausto1 and any other bikers.

[Gyrene]

I'm looking into to getting a decent road bike so that I can save some time getting from class to class on campus, and so that I can get some free cardio. My budget is around $600-$700. Do you have any recommendations on brands or specific bikes? Could you provide some good resources so that I can do some research? Any help would be wonderful. I'm off to English, I'll check back after class.

 

[ElFenix]

must not be going down stairs between classes...

 

[Viper GTS]

You're a brave soul to ride a $700 bike to class.

My $700 bike stays only in my room, or an enclosed bike locker at work.

Viper GTS

 

[Brutuskend]

IMO being a biker and working at a bike shop your best bet would be to look in the local paper and garage sales for used ones. I see MANY people selling NICE road bikes, they think they are going to get into the sport, ride them a half dozen times and then they hang in the garage collecting dust. I've seen full Campy equipped bikes selling in the $300 dollar range. I once bought a Alum. Trek 21 speed ridden less than a dozen times for $40.00 and the woman was glad to get it! Look around, there are KILLER deals out there. Also check the bulletin board at your local bike shops for used road bikes!

Good Luck!

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: Brutuskend
IMO being a biker and working at a bike shop your best bet would be to look in the local paper and garage sales for used ones. I see MANY people selling NICE road bikes, they think they are going to get into the sport, ride them a half dozen times and then they hang in the garage collecting dust. I've seen full Campy equipped bikes selling in the $300 dollar range. I once bought a Alum. Trek 21 speed ridden less than a dozen times for $40.00 and the woman was glad to get it! Look around, there are KILLER deals out there. Also check the bulletin board at your local bike shops for used road bikes!

Good Luck!

Yup. Good advice. You can also look online at Ebay or Road Bike Review if you get fitted and know exactly what size to look for.

 

[Gyrene]

So, what are some good brand names that I should keep an eye out for? Thanks for your help.

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: dtyn
So, what are some good brand names that I should keep an eye out for? Thanks for your help.

Honestly, there's no "bad" brand names when you're talking about real bike manufacturers and not the mega-mass-produced crap you see in Target.

You'll have a choice between the "big" companies and the smaller builders. At your price range, you're mostly going to be looking for the big names as it will give you the best bang for your buck. Trek, Specialized, Cannondale, Giant, Bianchi, Fuji, K2, LeMond, Marin are the "big" names I can think of off the top of my head that cater to the under-$1,000 market. If you want something spiffier like a Colnago or Serotta you'll have to look at used bikes in that price range.

 

[boyRacer]

Litespeed... weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: boyRacer
Litespeed... weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Titanium.......Cha-CHING!!

 

[Brutuskend]

Originally posted by: boyRacer
Litespeed... weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Yeah, and he MIGHT get half a frame set in his price range.

 

[amnesiac]

Personally riding a road bike to school is counterproductive. You'll spend lots of your time riding slow, between people, and having to stop suddenly. I found that my hybrid bike - Specialized "Sirrus" worked great -- lightweight, thin roadbike profile but mountainbike stance. The bike is also good for longer rides but definitely not as fast or comfortable as a road bike in that respect. However, if you're not going to be going on day-long trips, I'd recommend something other than a road bike.

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: amnesiac
Personally riding a road bike to school is counterproductive. You'll spend lots of your time riding slow, between people, and having to stop suddenly. I found that my hybrid bike - Specialized "Sirrus" worked great -- lightweight, thin roadbike profile but mountainbike stance. The bike is also good for longer rides but definitely not as fast or comfortable as a road bike in that respect. However, if you're not going to be going on day-long trips, I'd recommend something other than a road bike.

Hybrids are definitely great if you need one bike for everything and you're not going to be doing long road rides. Next best thing would be a hardtail mountain bike with narrow slick tires. Best thing is a dedicated road bike since they're by far the lightest and stiffest. It all depends on what kind of riding you want to do.

This is why I have a zillion bikes; something for every occasion.