Selecting a Bike

Go audition your local bike shops and ask around, look for good service, and one that's active in local events if possible. Then start riding bikes based on what kind of "road riding" you're planning on doing. There are lots of good bikes in that price range, but good bike shops that can give you a good fit (most important) and good service after the sale are sometimes harder to find.

Ride lots of bikes.

Get a good fit.

The best deal isn't just about price.

I can summarize some of what is in other threads on this topic.

The component mix for bikes are somewhat similar (though there are some differences) between manufacturers within the same price range. One or two are known for having marginally better components for the price.

There will always be recommendations to go to bike shops and try different bikes to find out what you feel good riding, and in my opinion that should be your primary consideration.

To start people in the right direction, you should let us know what type of riding you expect to do (commuting, long distance touring, 3 times around the block each night, racing, showing off the latest cycling bling [can't beat Campagnola for bling], cruising through the park...).

Any extraordinary considerations? (Extremely tall, short, heavy, strong, weak) You mention this as your first road bike, are you experienced with other cycling?

You may want to search the forum to find the recommendations that have been given to others.

Good luck on your search, and welcome to the sport!

I've done a fair amount of mountain biking and am making the switch over to road biking. I'll use my bike for long rides a few times a week for exercise and possibly to do some recreational racing. I want to enter some triathalons and century rides so those and training, would be my primary uses for the bike. I live in Utah and will likely do a fair amount of riding in the canyons, so I'm guessing I'll do some climbing on the bike. Other than that though, no special needs. Average height, weight, etc. Any other recommendations? I really appreciate your help on getting started.

cornthrice said:

I've done a fair amount of mountain biking and am making the switch over to road biking. I'll use my bike for long rides a few times a week for exercise and possibly to do some recreational racing. I want to enter some triathalons and century rides so those and training, would be my primary uses for the bike. I live in Utah and will likely do a fair amount of riding in the canyons, so I'm guessing I'll do some climbing on the bike. Other than that though, no special needs. Average height, weight, etc. Any other recommendations? I really appreciate your help on getting started.

No single bike is going to do everything perfectly, but a good road bike will allow you to do most of what you want INITIALLY. If you plan on road racing, as well as triathlon you'll want to avoid a tri-specific bike, it may not be legal to use without changing bars etc... and wont offer you much versatility.

Compact vs standard geometry? Basically it's a question of what you like the look of better, and the bike you choose. Frame material choice? You're limited by budget here so don't get into the fray over which is best (the "fray" will undoubtedly begin now!). This is you're first, not last bike, so you'll probably end up with aluminum, probably with a carbon fork (and seat stays, maybe) and that would be just fine. Light enough for your climbs, and durable enough. Bang for the buck is the key here right? Components can be upgraded over time, and you may find some good deals on 9-speeds right now if you don't need "this years model 10 speed." The wheelsets that come with most bikes aren't that great, that's because you'll be wanting to upgrade them pretty quickly for your race wheels, so since they'll probably end up being your "training wheels," look for durability as well as lightweight. Low spoke count, paired spoke, wheels look cool, but if they're cheap, they can leave you walking. All the major (and many of the smaller) manufacturers make these $1500 road bikes, so get off the computer and go shopping and take your kit (cycling clothes).

Thanks, I'm going to check out some bike shops this week and see what I can find.