Entry level road bikes

[crussell451]

Looking to buy an entry level road bike ie <$1000 in Adelaide.

Is there really much difference between frames - such as those at nearby bike shops - Giant, Diamondback, Avanti, Specialised ???

Or is all the difference essentially in the gear (wheels, gears, brakes etc) and ultimately you get what you pay for?

 

[kvl1027]

I would say it seems to be the components on the bike that really set the price, when it comes to entry level bikes anyways. Of course the more advanced you get, that more the material the frame it made from will vary. Most entry level bikes, have an aluminum frame, and a carbon fork. the Fuji Roubaix, has carbon fork and carbon seatstays, for not a bad price. What you really need to look for when picking a brand, is going to be quality of the build, customer service, etc. Also different manufacturers build their frames with different geometries, so you should ride several brands and find the one that is right for you. I ride a LeMond, and due to my build it suites me just fine, I know a lot of people that hate LeMonds, so you shouldn't let someones opinion sway you on what feels good. I love my ride, and have had no problems at all.

 

[cmoore992002]

Pay close attention to the wheels. That is where I ran into trouble on my entry level Motobecane. When I started riding the bike hard I started popping spokes. I ended up buying some new wheels and rebuilding the original set with some good sturdy spokes. The blade spokes that came with the bike were ****. The BB also went south on me but that was a cheap fix. The Moto now serves me well. I have had many, many trouble free miles. Good luck.

 

[Trisha14]

Looking to buy an entry level road bike ie <$1000 in Adelaide.

Is there really much difference between frames - such as those at nearby bike shops - Giant, Diamondback, Avanti, Specialised ???

Or is all the difference essentially in the gear (wheels, gears, brakes etc) and ultimately you get what you pay for?

Hi - I too am in Adelaide and am looking at an entry level road bike. Just wondered what you ended up going with and how you've found it. Where you ended up buying it. etc??

 

[crussell451]

Hi - I too am in Adelaide and am looking at an entry level road bike. Just wondered what you ended up going with and how you've found it. Where you ended up buying it. etc??

Only posted message yesterday!
Spoke to someone today who rides a Specialised who reckons all the frames (like Giant, Specialised, Avanti etc) are made in the same factory so it's really only forks, wheels, gears, brakes which differ.

 

[crussell451]

I would say it seems to be the components on the bike that really set the price, when it comes to entry level bikes anyways. Of course the more advanced you get, that more the material the frame it made from will vary. Most entry level bikes, have an aluminum frame, and a carbon fork. the Fuji Roubaix, has carbon fork and carbon seatstays, for not a bad price. What you really need to look for when picking a brand, is going to be quality of the build, customer service, etc. Also different manufacturers build their frames with different geometries, so you should ride several brands and find the one that is right for you. I ride a LeMond, and due to my build it suites me just fine, I know a lot of people that hate LeMonds, so you shouldn't let someones opinion sway you on what feels good. I love my ride, and have had no problems at all.

How can I take advice seriously from someone who commits sacriledge on LOTR?? Amusing none the less.