Road Bike: Recommend me a good brand/model?

[WayneTeK]

There are so many brands to choose from: Trek, Giant, KHS, Specialized, Raleigh, Cannondale.. etc.

I'm probably gonna buy this bike used from craigslist or auction so please recommend a good brand? I'm a total noob when it comes to road biking.

 

[TRUMPHENT]

You've given yourself a tough choice. You want to make sure the bike frame size matches your frame size. These bikes have so many (custom) components that you have to look up each one and decide if you want the mix.

 

[loic2003]

I have a GT Avalanche off-road bike, but I've put slick tyres on it = bloody quick, yet all the advantages of a mountain bike. It's great in town, but I can always throw on the original tyres and take it through the woods or whatevr if I wish. You can also get smaller cassettes (gears) at the back making it faster on road.

 

Go to a local bike shop. They probably have a computer program where they can enter your measurements and find a bike that can be adjusted to fit your frame.

 

[vegetation]

Don't buy used if it's your first bike and you're unsure about the size your body requires. Bike fit is the key ingredient for road bikes. A poor fit will give you aches and pains and make you want to stop riding altogether. Better to buy a cheap roadbike that fits you well than a $2k bike that's too big.

 

[alent1234]

you can buy a cheapo road bike for $1000 or a full carbon fiber monster for more than $5000

I bought a used Colnago 6 years ago for $1000. It was $2000 originally. I bought it while in Italy so I got a better deal than in the US. A lot of soldiers would get $5000 bikes in Italy and bring them back to the US.

 

[WayneTeK]

what bike frame size would you need for a 5'9" male? 54inches?

 

[xcript]

Damnit. Whenever I see a bike thread I think "motorbike", not "bicycle".

How disappointing.

 

[Ophir]

Price?

 

[Ophir]

Originally posted by: WayneTeK
what bike frame size would you need for a 5'9" male? 54inches?

Inseam? Armlength?

Geometry of bikes differ greatly between companies. You have to factor this in when selecting a frame, so one size frame from one company != same "size" frame from another.

 

[WayneTeK]

Originally posted by: Ophir

Originally posted by: WayneTeK
what bike frame size would you need for a 5'9" male? 54inches?

Inseam? Armlength?

Geometry of bikes differ greatly between companies. You have to factor this in when selecting a frame, so one size frame from one company != same "size" frame from another.

so i guess it's not a good idea to purchase abike from ebay or craigslist unless actually sitting in it?

 

[Dessert Tears]

Originally posted by: WayneTeK
so i guess it's not a good idea to purchase abike from ebay or craigslist unless actually sitting in it?

And riding it at least a little, and knowing what a good fit feels like.