New to biking, have $800, help me get started!

With $800 you're looking at something equipped with Tiagra and maybe with some house brand components (cranks, bottom bracket, brakes) thrown in to keep costs down.

If you're lucky and you find an '05 model on closeout you may be able to get into a 105 equipped bike depending on how much your bike shop is willng to negotiate.

Doctor Morbius said:

With $800 you're looking at something equipped with Tiagra and maybe with some house brand components (cranks, bottom bracket, brakes) thrown in to keep costs down.

If you're lucky and you find an '05 model on closeout you may be able to get into a 105 equipped bike depending on how much your bike shop is willng to negotiate.

Thanks for the fast reply Doctor. I don't need anything to nice, just enough to get me around quicker and more easily than what I am doing now. I am not sure what Tiagra and 105 equipped mean. Keep in mind, I am a total 'noobie' to road cycling.

Gewwy said:

Thanks for the fast reply Doctor. I don't need anything to nice, just enough to get me around quicker and more easily than what I am doing now. I am not sure what Tiagra and 105 equipped mean. Keep in mind, I am a total 'noobie' to road cycling.

Your best bet is to visit your local bike shop. If they're any good they'll be able to explain the differences between groupsets and will show you a few bikes within your price range. If you pay cash, ask if they'll give you a discount. That way you might be able to walk away (ride away?) with an $800 bike and still have change for any extras you want.

For my first road bike, I bought a bike that was a year old, and I got a substantial savings on it. For under $700, I was able to land a bike equipped with 105/Tiagra. So check classifieds (www.roadbikereview.com) and perhaps ebay for used bikes if you're so inclined.

Shimano's Groupsets (in increasing order)
Sora
Tiagra
105
Ultegra
Dura Ace

If you buy a new bike, you're looking at the Sora/Tiagra range (which is fine if you're just using the bike for exercise). Go to all the bike shops in your area and talk to the staff and have them educate you, and then ride all the bikes in your price range and go with the one that fits you best.

Just FYI, you're going to want/need the following, so you should probably budget appropriately:
Helmet ($25 and up)
Frame pump (or C02 pump, starting at around $20)
tire levers, spare tube, and a patch kit (combined around $10)
Perhaps even a multi-tool ($10 and up)
Also, you might want a saddle bag (to put your tools in, and those can be had for around $10)

Hope this helps, best of luck with the bicycle purchase.

Check out this post. Maybe it can help you cut costs. It did for me. It has links for coupons for PB and Nashbar.

cyclingforums.comt280368 new nashbar 50 off returns + 10 off coupon amp 20 off coupon for performance bike.htmlOpen ↗

Performance Bike has a couple of bikes that would probably meet your needs:

For example, this K2 Mach 2.0 has a combination of Shimano Tiagra and 105 components:

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=20745&subcategory_ID=3040

And at $620, you'll have $$$ left over for whatever else you may need (like a helmet, shorts, etc.).

However, if you're just getting into it, you're probably better off buying in person at a local shop, where you can test ride the bikes, get fitted, etc.

BTW, in answer to your question, Shimano makes several levels of components for road bikes. From lowest end to highest end, they're called Sora, Tiagra, 105, Ultegra, and Dura Ace. In your price range, you should be able to find something equipped with a mix of Tiagra and 105 hardware. If you're lucky enough to find a "new old stock" 2004 or 2005 bike, you might even get one with all 105 hardware.

How tall are you? I'm asking just for general sizing information.

I have a bike I built up about one year ago from totally new parts. I actually have never ridden the bike outside of strolling around the parking lot. It's an aluminum Mercier Draco frame (not great, but pretty good), full ultegra components, Mavic Ksyrium Equipe Wheelset, Easton Carbon Bars (Equipe), Easton Carbon EC90 seatpost. Oh, I said full Ultegra, but it actually has a Truvativ Roleur triple crankset. Frame size is 58cm, which in general means you would need to be around 6' tall.

I'm not even sure I want to do this, but I'll consider it if you're interested (thought just crossed my mind after reading your post). Nothing at all wrong with the bike, it's new... I just built it for the fun of it and have no real reason to ride it being that I have another I bought just previous to that.

Thanks for the help guys.

I'm really looking into the performancebike.com deals. I can get the 2.0 for $540 or the Nine Myste for $420 shipped. Both seem like great deals. But, I was wondering if those prices would even drop lower in the next 6 months or so?

After thinking about it, I might just end up building my own bike. I wouldn't dare start for about another 2 months (I'm still a complete rookie, but I'm a fast learner and mechanically skilled). But realistically, in North Dakota USA, we only have about 8 more weeks of biking left before the snow. I'm not sure, thats just what crossed my mind after browsing this site for a few hours. Seems like I could get a better bike for less that way, especially with used or returned parts sold during the offseason.

Mansmind: I'm 6'1" and that bike definately sounds interesting. PM me with more details.

Gewwy said:

Thanks for the help guys.

I'm really looking into the performancebike.com deals. I can get the 2.0 for $540 or the Nine Myste for $420 shipped. Both seem like great deals. But, I was wondering if those prices would even drop lower in the next 6 months or so?

After thinking about it, I might just end up building my own bike. I wouldn't dare start for about another 2 months (I'm still a complete rookie, but I'm a fast learner and mechanically skilled). But realistically, in North Dakota USA, we only have about 8 more weeks of biking left before the snow. I'm not sure, thats just what crossed my mind after browsing this site for a few hours. Seems like I could get a better bike for less that way, especially with used or returned parts sold during the offseason.

Mansmind: I'm 6'1" and that bike definately sounds interesting. PM me with more details.

I'd recommend going to wrenchscience.com and taking a look at the fit calculator. This way, you can have a good idea of what frame size you should be considering. Top tube length is very important, so make sure you consider that (in addition to the seat tube length).

There's nothing wrong with building up a bike yourself, but keep in mind that unless you're the king of finding ebay deals, you'll probably end up with a better bike for the money if you purchase an off-the-shelf bike.

I think I've decided on the 2.0. But, I have one Q regarding performancebike.com, is the performance card worth it? It says I can save $123 on my next purchase when the card (for a single year membership) is only $20. So I could then get all my misc. equipment for free? Right or wrong? Anyone know?

I just bought a bike from bikesdirect.com, they seem to have a nice selection. The bikes are not high end, but I am fully satisfied with the bike I purchased. Additionally, I paid no taxes and no shipping which saved me more.

I purchased a motobecane and was very satisfied with the bike.

Gewwy said:

Hey,

First off thanks for taking the time to take a look at my thread, I'm sure there are about 400 of these a month. (I can't search for some reason though...😕 )

Alright, I guess I'll start off with my intentions. I'm looking for a decent bike for road/bike path riding. I don't plan on riding MT or offroad at with it. I would like to do around 100 miles per week on it, give or take 25 miles. I bike for enjoyment, I'm not really competetive about it, but I use it to train and stay in shape for hockey and soccer.

Right now I ride a Trek MTN bike, I stopped MTN biking a few years ago and this bike hasn't exactly grown with me. I'm 6'1" around 180 lbs. Also, I have had a few back problems (insert medical jargin) in the last few years, it doesn't bother me biking right now, but about a year ago it did somewhat. I have about $800 that I am willing to put towards a new bike/misc. equipment. Keep in mind that that is a large chunk of money to me, seeing as I am only 16 and can only have a job about 6 months out of the year do to school and sports at the same time. I have really no idea what brand or model of bike I am looking for, I rode a Trek Alpha road bike a while ago and the difference between that and my current bike is what has me convinced to upgrade. I also do not know the misc. equipment that is reccomended (besides a helmet and water bottles, obviously, but things like shorts, shoes, etc.?)

I appreciate your input greatly, thanks in advance!