Entry Level Road Bike

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Zer0hmz
Hello all,
First off I'd like to say this is an amazing source of cycling information! Many thanks to all who maintain it. Please forgive me if I posted this in the wrong forum (feel free to move it where it belongs).

After reading many other posts I will try to format this in an easy to read and (hopefully) short manner.

Age - 24
Sex - Male
Height - 5 foot 9 inches
Weight - ~215 pounds (not completely fat, I lift weights 🙂

Immediate Goals - Cardiovascular exercise; good health
Longterm Goals - Perhaps race (local races)
Budget - <$600 (US)
Riding conditions - Pavement, no plans of riding on "mountains" 😉 or anything of the such
Location - Miami, Florida (not sure if that has any relevance or not)

Ok, I was interested in a road bike when I was introduced to hybrids and "all the benefits they provided" . I researched brands on this forum (not hybrid bikes), and found Giant was a worthy brand. After many LBS (is that right?) visits and plenty of sales pitches I ordered a Giant Sedona LX, a Hybrid. I was informed though that their main distributor did not have the bike and would not have it for a while (don't know why). Ok, so perhaps things happen for a reason. The next bike I was considering was a Giant Cypress model. I began researching that here and found out how much people dislike hybrids!

So after reading some other posts I found I'm best off with a Road Bike. Now, my question is, what would you recommend I look for. This is what I have learned so far (feel free to let me know I'm off on any of this):

Light = good
Shimano = good
Giant = good value
Trek = good but pricey

I will be visiting a bike shop later today, and would appreciate any input as to what you think I should do.

Thanks in advance to all.

Cheers!

Ride em all and pick the one you like best. If its out of your budget...save, save,save.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Zer0hmz
Hello all,
First off I'd like to say this is an amazing source of cycling information! Many thanks to all who maintain it. Please forgive me if I posted this in the wrong forum (feel free to move it where it belongs).

After reading many other posts I will try to format this in an easy to read and (hopefully) short manner.

Age - 24
Sex - Male
Height - 5 foot 9 inches
Weight - ~215 pounds (not completely fat, I lift weights 🙂

Immediate Goals - Cardiovascular exercise; good health
Longterm Goals - Perhaps race (local races)
Budget - <$600 (US)
Riding conditions - Pavement, no plans of riding on "mountains" 😉 or anything of the such
Location - Miami, Florida (not sure if that has any relevance or not)

Ok, I was interested in a road bike when I was introduced to hybrids and "all the benefits they provided" . I researched brands on this forum (not hybrid bikes), and found Giant was a worthy brand. After many LBS (is that right?) visits and plenty of sales pitches I ordered a Giant Sedona LX, a Hybrid. I was informed though that their main distributor did not have the bike and would not have it for a while (don't know why). Ok, so perhaps things happen for a reason. The next bike I was considering was a Giant Cypress model. I began researching that here and found out how much people dislike hybrids!

So after reading some other posts I found I'm best off with a Road Bike. Now, my question is, what would you recommend I look for. This is what I have learned so far (feel free to let me know I'm off on any of this):

Light = good
Shimano = good
Giant = good value
Trek = good but pricey

I will be visiting a bike shop later today, and would appreciate any input as to what you think I should do.

Thanks in advance to all.

Cheers!

Are you most people on this forum?
I think a need for speed and/or efficiency makes a lot of people dislike hybrids. They do make it harder to keep up with the fast riders. On the other hand, if it's what feels good to ride, its' what you'll end up getting out and riding, and that's the way to end up fast enough to keep up with whoever you want to keep up with anyway. I get along fine on a 7500FX Trek with thinner tires, and find the lowered expectations from folks making assumptions about hybrids and their riders rather inflating to the ego.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Zer0hmz
<snip>

Light = good
Shimano = good
Giant = good value
Trek = good but pricey

I will be visiting a bike shop later today, and would appreciate any input as to what you think I should do.

Thanks in advance to all.

Cheers!

If you are looking to (eventually) race, then obviously i would suggest a road bike and what you have listed there look like pretty good options. Hybrids are good if you plan on encountering a range of different surfaces and prefer a more upright riding position (comfort, back problems etc) but honestly, if you want to go as fast as you can go on paved roads, stick with a road bike.

Another possibility is of course buying a bike 2nd hand... but if this is going to be your first 'real' bike then it's probably better to get the knowledge/warranty/security from an LBS (local bike shop) along with everything else that goes with it.

With that price range, just about anything you get should be light enough. Shimano or Campagnolo are pretty much standard throughout road bikes and the way I see it, it's just a personal preference. They perform as well as each other generally. Its more the model within the brand to be concerned about, but even the bottom of the range will still do the job.

If they have both bikes at the shop then, as suggested above, ride 'em and see. They are both good so if you can't feel/see the difference then get the cheaper one.

Thanks very much to all who replied. After what I learned here, and discussing my goals with the sales person (who happens to be a cycling coach). In my price bracket they had a couple of Giants and a couple of Treks. I ended up picking up a Trek 1000. Added on a speedometer, a helmet, and liners that go in between the tube and the tire (forgot the term the sales person used), and it ended up as $617 (taxes included). I will work on the shorts and shirts next, and once I get "good" will probably get the shoes.

Once again, thanks to all for your helpful insight and advice!

I wouldn't wait too long to get the shorts. They make all the difference in your comfort on the bike. Don't be afraid to get the lycra/spandex -- I wasted some bucks on the mtn. bike shorts because I didn't want to wear spandex in public. Nobody looks anyway... so go for comfort. As the big guy in my LBS said, "If people don't like what they see, they don't have to look!"

Thanks for the advice waterford. It's one of those things, that you know you gotta do, but like you said, there is some reluctance initially 🙂 .

Yesterday while I was being fitted for the bike, someone came in to get their bike tuned. After being fitted, I talked to him for a little bit, found out he just started riding a month prior, and that yes, eventually you do have to give in to the shorts, shirts, the entire look. So I'm sure I'll be getting those items for Christmas, if not sooner.

The one thing he suggested and the person who fitted me did also was to look into the shoes and pedals. How critical are they? *Side note - went for a ride this morning, I have the straps that you put your feet in, got the right one in, started rolling, but couldn't get the left one in, after a bit of awkward struggling...let's just say I have received my first knee scrape

Yeah, from a cycling point of view, pedals and cleats would definately have higher priority than a cycling outfit.

It will take a ride or few to get used to being 'attached' to the bike but you will notice the benefits pretty quickly... easier to control, more efficient to pedal/climb and the ability to get your feet disengaged quickly (which is not always easy with straps).

Good choice on the bike!

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Zer0hmz
The one thing he suggested and the person who fitted me did also was to look into the shoes and pedals. How critical are they? *Side note - went for a ride this morning, I have the straps that you put your feet in, got the right one in, started rolling, but couldn't get the left one in, after a bit of awkward struggling...let's just say I have received my first knee scrape

I've found clipless pedals and real cycling shoes to be a good selection, though not necessarily "critical." I put 900 road miles on a $125 Mongoose mountain bike from a big-box sporting good store (although the tune-up at the LBS, semi-slick tires, computer, new saddle & toe straps cost nearly as much). I was using running shoes and toe straps, and didn't have any problems. I also did my first "real" organized ride (72 miles in the Assault on Marion) on a borrowed road bike with the same running shoes and toe straps.

When I got my own road bike in June (a Specialized Allez, which appeared to be essentially the same bike as the Trek 1000, only on sale for $50 cheaper), I got clipless pedals and a pair of cycling shoes (both are actually marketed for mountain biking, but they work for me -- the shoes are easier to walk in than road shoes). I've had only two minor forgot-to-unclip falls in 1,100 miles.

mike

then it's official....I am asking for shoes and clipless pedals for christmas!

Watch out with the straps - you need to be extra mindful when coming up to intersections / traffic lights. Remember to loosen the foot you put down on the ground in good time.

When I first started riding with straps I had a couple of occassions where I forgot and only remembered as I slowly toppled over sideways at the traffic lights - much to the amusement of the car drivers behind me!! The second time I pulled up at the lights where there were repairs of the pavements going on to my left. I toppled through the orange tape set up between the road and the roadworks and headfirst into the ditch that had been dug there.

I have to admit that I was laughing almost as much as the car driver behind me when I climbed out :-D

man...now I'm even more nervous about riding with the straps...are they more hassle than they're worth? If all goes well, I'll be getting the pedals and shoes from Santa a little early 😉 .

Your thoughts? Should I ride without them for the time being?

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Zer0hmz
man...now I'm even more nervous about riding with the straps...are they more hassle than they're worth? If all goes well, I'll be getting the pedals and shoes from Santa a little early 😉 .

Your thoughts? Should I ride without them for the time being?

You will get used to it . Just anticipate the traffic. I used to race (and train) with them begin eighties. For me it was second nature to brake right and release the straps with my left hand.

I fell just once not getting out of my toeclips. The first day 😄

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Zer0hmz
Hello all,
First off I'd like to say this is an amazing source of cycling information! Many thanks to all who maintain it. Please forgive me if I posted this in the wrong forum (feel free to move it where it belongs).

After reading many other posts I will try to format this in an easy to read and (hopefully) short manner.

Age - 24
Sex - Male
Height - 5 foot 9 inches
Weight - ~215 pounds (not completely fat, I lift weights 🙂

Immediate Goals - Cardiovascular exercise; good health
Longterm Goals - Perhaps race (local races)
Budget - <$600 (US)
Riding conditions - Pavement, no plans of riding on "mountains" 😉 or anything of the such
Location - Miami, Florida (not sure if that has any relevance or not)


Ok, I was interested in a road bike when I was introduced to hybrids and "all the benefits they provided" . I researched brands on this forum (not hybrid bikes), and found Giant was a worthy brand. After many LBS (is that right?) visits and plenty of sales pitches I ordered a Giant Sedona LX, a Hybrid. I was informed though that their main distributor did not have the bike and would not have it for a while (don't know why). Ok, so perhaps things happen for a reason. The next bike I was considering was a Giant Cypress model. I began researching that here and found out how much people dislike hybrids!

So after reading some other posts I found I'm best off with a Road Bike. Now, my question is, what would you recommend I look for. This is what I have learned so far (feel free to let me know I'm off on any of this):

Light = good
Shimano = good
Giant = good value
Trek = good but pricey

I will be visiting a bike shop later today, and would appreciate any input as to what you think I should do.

Thanks in advance to all.

Cheers!

FUJI, good bike, low-cost