Entry Level Bike Question

[engr]

Hi guys, I've been biking to and from work 2-3 days a week for about a month now (25 miles round trip) and am really enjoying it. However, since all my riding before this was mtn. biking I am starting to think about a road bike (the dull rumble and drag of knobbies on asphalt sure does get old.) I don't intend to get into racing or anything like taht but want to get a good solid bike that will last. I've checked out the shops aroound me and the ones I have been too carry a wide range of bikes (Fuji, LeMond, Raleigh, etc.) I'm looking to get into a decent bike for somehwhere around $750. First, is that reasonable pricewise, and 2nd, any redommendations?

I am 6'2" and have been told it might be difficult to find a frame that fits well by a few of the shops around, others did not seem to think it was a problem. Thoughts?

Thanks,
Engr

[johnptracy]

My thoughts - get thee to a good bike shop, and get their recommendation on frame size. Then start calling around - don't forget to ask at first bike shop. Lots and lots of racers have used bikes with all the best components that are twice what you could buy new. Check the paper, check at shops, check at your local craigslist if you live in a big enough city. You'll save money, or be able to get a $2,000 bike for five or six hundred with a frame and components you could never afford.
Also, find a bike shop that fits you. A bike that fits is more than just frame. It also involves handlebars, seat, etc. A lot of this depends on: are you long legged and short waisted, or short legged and long waisted? A good shop will measure and "fit" you to the bike, changing out handlebars, putting on and adjusting click in cleats, etc to fit you to your bike.
Ask for advice as well on wheels - depending on where you are riding, you may want to go light - where there are good roads - or a bit more heavy duty - say an urban area where there are lots of railroad tracks and potholes you have to manuever around. Go wrong on the wheels, and you'll spend a lot of time getting your wheels trued. Don't forget Mr. Tuffy's between tube and tire - always a worthwhile thing to put in to keep flats from ruining your day.
Oh, and as I found out from a daily commute that was about the same - 25 miles round trip - a day;
invest in some panniers. Using a back pack kills your back. Panniers make all the difference in the world.

[pigperson]

You may look at getting a cyclocross/touring bike. These types of bikes can handle larger tires and fenders if you commute during the winter months. They're many different materials and price points for these bikes, plus the materials used in the frames can keep corrosion at bay. Cyclocross bikes are very similar to road bikes with the exception of higher bottom brackets, longer top tubes and cantilever type brakes. I have a few friends that actually use cyclocross bikes for their road race rigs in the summer too. I use a cyclocross bike for commuting and it's great, especially when the weather gets bad. A few good companys to look at would be Bianchi (Volpe), Raleigh, Specialized, Redline. johnptracy made a good point in trying to score a bike from your local craigslist, just make sure you can check it out first, don't buy it before you ride it. It would also be great if you could bring to a local bike mechaninc that you trust to really scrutinize the condition of the bike and parts. Here are a couple of links to start off with:

http://www.raleighusa.com/items.asp?deptid=5&itemid=352

http://www.bianchiusa.com/06_axis.html

http://www.redlinebicycles.com/adultbikes/conquest.html

Good luck and do get fitted and visit a couple of LBD's to see what types of deals they may be able to give you. The '07's are starting to show up so you may be able to score an '06 bike for a very good price.

25 mile commute, that's awesome!! keep it up.

[engr]

Thanks for the info pigperson and johnptracy! I appreciate the input. I hadn't thought about a cylcocross bike, I'll definitely look into it. Thanks again for the links and info.

[eljamis]

Look up the local bike clubs and or hang out on the state highways on saturday morning.

Get to know the local riders, if they are like me and the ones I know we have more bikes than we need and are always looking for more.

I know that I have sold some verry good bikes at great prices to people starting out to make room for the up and comming always better and lighter bike and I am sure that they may let you use it a few Saturdays or point you in the right local direction.

[daniella]

Engr, kudos for biking to work. I wish I could. My commute is too long and not bike friendly, but it's a great way to get in part of your work out every day. I'm into racing, not commuting, so take my comments with a grain of salt. First, skip the major sporting good chain stores. Go to a real bike shop. Down the road, you will need accesories, tune ups and spare parts. So, location of the shop is important, like when you buy a car.

You are not too tall to get a good fit. I bike with guys 6'4" and 6'5" and they have no problem. Bikes are measured in centimeters, not inches. The wheel sizes remain constant within each brand and style, but the seat tube and top tube get longer as the size increases. You probably need something in the 59 or 60 range. You have 4 basic choices for frame metals: titanium, carbon, aluminum and steel. For entry level you are looking at aluminum and steel, with maybe a carbon seat post and front fork. Basically, the lighter the metal, the more expensive the frame.

Most good road bikes come with some Shimano hardware in the derailler, chain ring or brakes. Shimano 105 is low end, Shimano Ultegra is middle, Shimano Dura Ace is top end for amateurs. Many manufacturers will mix and match the grades of hardware to give you a good bike without breaking your budget. About your budget. $750.00 is a little low for a road bike. You're gonna spend $1,000.00 for a good entry level road bike. There are "commuter bikes" that focus more on comfort than speed. $750.00 will get you a decent commuter. Are your riding surfaces completely paved? If not, you want a commuter bike, or hybrid with medium width tires.

The point is that you're putting on 25 miles/day, so you want something good, not something you're going to replace in a year. Pedals and bike shoes are extra. Figure $100.00 apiece for shoes and pedals, although you might get a bargain this time of year. As a point of comparison, I have about $2,000.00 into my mid-range road bike and $3,000.00 into my low-mid range tri bike. Specialized, Trek, Raleigh, Giant, Cannondale, Felt and LeMond are all good names in road bikes.

Check 'em out online, get an idea of MSRP, and then go and make a deal. This is a great time of year to get a bargain, at least where I'm from. Good luck.

[engr]

Originally Posted by eljamis

Look up the local bike clubs and or hang out on the state highways on saturday morning.

Get to know the local riders, if they are like me and the ones I know we have more bikes than we need and are always looking for more.

I know that I have sold some verry good bikes at great prices to people starting out to make room for the up and comming always better and lighter bike and I am sure that they may let you use it a few Saturdays or point you in the right local direction.

Turns out my new cross street neighbor is a teacher, but works for a local shop in the summers. I'm going to have a sit down with him to do just what you suggest. Hopefully there are some buys out there looking to shed one of their "obsolete" bikes for someone starting out.

[engr]

Originally Posted by daniella

Engr, kudos for biking to work. I wish I could. My commute is too long and not bike friendly, but it's a great way to get in part of your work out every day. I'm into racing, not commuting, so take my comments with a grain of salt. First, skip the major sporting good chain stores. Go to a real bike shop. Down the road, you will need accesories, tune ups and spare parts. So, location of the shop is important, like when you buy a car.

You are not too tall to get a good fit. I bike with guys 6'4" and 6'5" and they have no problem. Bikes are measured in centimeters, not inches. The wheel sizes remain constant within each brand and style, but the seat tube and top tube get longer as the size increases. You probably need something in the 59 or 60 range. You have 4 basic choices for frame metals: titanium, carbon, aluminum and steel. For entry level you are looking at aluminum and steel, with maybe a carbon seat post and front fork. Basically, the lighter the metal, the more expensive the frame.

Most good road bikes come with some Shimano hardware in the derailler, chain ring or brakes. Shimano 105 is low end, Shimano Ultegra is middle, Shimano Dura Ace is top end for amateurs. Many manufacturers will mix and match the grades of hardware to give you a good bike without breaking your budget. About your budget. $750.00 is a little low for a road bike. You're gonna spend $1,000.00 for a good entry level road bike. There are "commuter bikes" that focus more on comfort than speed. $750.00 will get you a decent commuter. Are your riding surfaces completely paved? If not, you want a commuter bike, or hybrid with medium width tires.

The point is that you're putting on 25 miles/day, so you want something good, not something you're going to replace in a year. Pedals and bike shoes are extra. Figure $100.00 apiece for shoes and pedals, although you might get a bargain this time of year. As a point of comparison, I have about $2,000.00 into my mid-range road bike and $3,000.00 into my low-mid range tri bike. Specialized, Trek, Raleigh, Giant, Cannondale, Felt and LeMond are all good names in road bikes.

Check 'em out online, get an idea of MSRP, and then go and make a deal. This is a great time of year to get a bargain, at least where I'm from. Good luck.

Thanks for the info Daniella. My route is all paved, but paved back roads in the northeast can have some pretty nasty spots in them so I'll look into a commuter as well. Thanks also for the rundown on components and pricing. It's been about 10 years since I bought my Gary Fisher mtn. bike and lots has changed since then.

[kano]

I use aTrek 7300fx in a similar manner. Its a great bike an I didnt have to modify it at all. May want to check this out

[ted_maul]

I've got a Trek 7300fx too. It's done me proud for over 2000 miles of commuting. Highly recommended.