What is a decent "beginner" road bike?

Synergy · 05-12-2009, 11:40 AM

Any bicyclists out there that can give advice on what to look for when shopping for a first road bike?

I've never ridden a road bike before, only bmx and mountain bikes. Any big difference? How much should I spend on my first bike?

Looking to pick this up as a summer activity.

Red Bread · 05-12-2009, 01:03 PM

Consider used. Lots of sub $1k bikes tend to really short you on component selection. This might sound weird, but consider spending some money on a professional fitting. A properly fitted road bike is better than all the fancy components on a poorly fit bike.

Once you know the size that you need, you should have a fairly easy time finding something to fit. Do you want to do centuries, crits, recreational rides, or a little of each?

1cleanm6 · 05-12-2009, 01:03 PM

ninja 250

Incompatible · 05-12-2009, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Consider used. Lots of sub $1k bikes tend to really short you on component selection. This might sound weird, but consider spending some money on a professional fitting. A properly fitted road bike is better than all the fancy components on a poorly fit bike.

Once you know the size that you need, you should have a fairly easy time finding something to fit. Do you want to do centuries, crits, recreational rides, or a little of each?

2X. Buy used and inexpensive initially or better yet borrow if possible. Your local shop might even have rentals and some initial advice on fit. It will take you a while to find what you like and don't like in terms of bike position, gear range, and type of rides you do. Once you have a good feel for what you want then go out and spend the money.

Lots of different ways to go and like mtn bikes, you can go crazy expensive over a roady with materials, design, setup, .....Be patient and do some research.

Michael Schott · 05-12-2009, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Consider used. Lots of sub $1k bikes tend to really short you on component selection. This might sound weird, but consider spending some money on a professional fitting. A properly fitted road bike is better than all the fancy components on a poorly fit bike.

Once you know the size that you need, you should have a fairly easy time finding something to fit. Do you want to do centuries, crits, recreational rides, or a little of each?

Good advice. Fit is extremely important.

A few more thoughts. Depending on the topography, you may want a triple crankset for the hills. Also, consider frame material. Aluminum is very common in the low to mid-price range. Thick framed aluminum road bikes can ride harshly but the better frames have thinner tubes and some even have carbon forks and rear stays that help the ride.

Thanks, Mike.

Red Bread · 05-12-2009, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phiberglass

Do you ride PCH often? I'm always going through Laguna Beach or south to San Clemente. Been busy for the past few weeks and haven't made it out there. See you on the road!

Yeah, fairly often, but I live right by Aliso Woods, so I ride off road more often. I'd like to start getting more road miles in though.

For the OP, if you can find a bike you like with compact gearing, that can be good for the hills too. Conventional gearing is traditionally 39/53t on the front, while compact is 34/50t and works nearly as well as a triple ring setup and results in a little less chain cross, which is nice.

clickclickboom · 05-12-2009, 01:49 PM

Save some money. Buy a leftover or lightly used.

UCSBMW · 05-12-2009, 02:13 PM

used R6...

just4kickz · 05-12-2009, 02:30 PM

are you looking for geared, single gear, or fixed gear?

are you looking to build one or are you looking to buy a complete set / +modify to your liking?

what kind of frame are you looking for? there's buncha grades of aluminum and then theres steel.

when comparing bmx bikes to a road bike, there's a huge difference in geometry. i ride a bmx bike as my daily and my fixy for fun... you feel a huge loss with more chain, plus you run into more problems with more gears (i have pretty bad luck with bikes)

i've spent around 1.5k on my fixed gear. around 650-700 with an add on brake+lever, then i bought new set of wheels with tires for like 400, got new pedals/cages/straps for another 150, got a new brake lever for i think 30, and then lastly got a new saddle for 200.

i'm thinking of doing another build by starting off fresh with a leader aluminum fixed gear frame

stuff adds up, but if you enjoy it--it shouldn't matter too much

Synergy · 05-12-2009, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UCSBMW

used R6...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boosted335

ninja 250

this is about road bicycles, guys

i ride a gsxr600 anyway. street bikes are not new to me. i'm trying to use my legs instead of an engine

Synergy · 05-12-2009, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Do you want to do centuries, crits, recreational rides, or a little of each?

I'm just looking to do recreational riding for now. Hoping to get a few buddies into the hobby with me

Thanks for the advice everyone.

just4kickz · 05-12-2009, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Synergy

I'm just looking to do recreational riding for now. Hoping to get a few buddies into the hobby with me

Thanks for the advice everyone.

nice. some friends and i picked up biking about a year ago... go through some pretty good bike/scenic routes. pretty fun and you get a good workout

Synergy · 05-19-2009, 05:40 PM

i ended up buying a Trek 1.2

will post pictures later today

TK-421 · 05-19-2009, 10:58 PM

Specialized Sequoia

05-12-2009, 11:40 AM	#1
Synergy Captain 68 Rep 723 Posts Drives: Jet Black E92 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: San Jose, CA iTrader: (8)	What is a decent "beginner" road bike? Any bicyclists out there that can give advice on what to look for when shopping for a first road bike? I've never ridden a road bike before, only bmx and mountain bikes. Any big difference? How much should I spend on my first bike? Looking to pick this up as a summer activity.
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05-12-2009, 01:03 PM	#2
Red Bread Major General 4463 Rep 9,160 Posts Drives: Smog machines Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	Consider used. Lots of sub $1k bikes tend to really short you on component selection. This might sound weird, but consider spending some money on a professional fitting. A properly fitted road bike is better than all the fancy components on a poorly fit bike. Once you know the size that you need, you should have a fairly easy time finding something to fit. Do you want to do centuries, crits, recreational rides, or a little of each?
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05-12-2009, 01:03 PM	#3
1cleanm6 Brigadier General 441 Rep 3,668 Posts Drives: M5 comp/Range/i3S Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Earth iTrader: (7)	ninja 250
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05-12-2009, 01:49 PM	#7
clickclickboom Private First Class 78 Rep 164 Posts Drives: Rust Bucket Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: PA iTrader: (0)	Save some money. Buy a leftover or lightly used.
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05-12-2009, 02:13 PM	#8
UCSBMW Captain 68 Rep 655 Posts Drives: G05 Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: OC iTrader: (1)	used R6... __________________ Ex's: E46 325i, E90 330i, E92 335i, E60 550i, E46 M3, F30 335i, m235i, G30 540i Current: G05
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05-12-2009, 02:30 PM	#9
just4kickz boku no namae ha... 336 Rep 11,025 Posts Drives: 2006 BS 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: S. Bay Area, CA + Newark, NJ + ChiCity + True Blue iTrader: (11) Garage List 2006 E90 330i [0.00]	are you looking for geared, single gear, or fixed gear? are you looking to build one or are you looking to buy a complete set / +modify to your liking? what kind of frame are you looking for? there's buncha grades of aluminum and then theres steel. when comparing bmx bikes to a road bike, there's a huge difference in geometry. i ride a bmx bike as my daily and my fixy for fun... you feel a huge loss with more chain, plus you run into more problems with more gears (i have pretty bad luck with bikes) i've spent around 1.5k on my fixed gear. around 650-700 with an add on brake+lever, then i bought new set of wheels with tires for like 400, got new pedals/cages/straps for another 150, got a new brake lever for i think 30, and then lastly got a new saddle for 200. i'm thinking of doing another build by starting off fresh with a leader aluminum fixed gear frame stuff adds up, but if you enjoy it--it shouldn't matter too much __________________ looking for a PreLCI Black Sapphire e90 front bumper without license plate holes "Akimbo shotguns. Broken wrists anyone? And don't give me that 'it's just a game' bull**. Where the are my akimbo interventions then?! One scope on each eye mother**er!!"
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05-19-2009, 05:40 PM	#13
Synergy Captain 68 Rep 723 Posts Drives: Jet Black E92 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: San Jose, CA iTrader: (8)	i ended up buying a Trek 1.2 will post pictures later today
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05-19-2009, 10:58 PM	#14
TK-421 Registered Sex Offender 573 Rep 4,759 Posts Drives: E46 M3 \| 1JZ S13 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Tampa, FL iTrader: (0)	Specialized Sequoia __________________ Stop putting stuff like painted reflectors and premium package in your signature. You're embarrassing.
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