Klaver

I don't know much about road bikes but I would like to start riding them though. I am sixteen years old and work at a bike shop in Georgia, Bicycles Unlimited. I've been riding my Trek Fuel for quite some time now and I would love to ride the road. I have been looking at the Klein Q-Carbon Team as my first bike, but i'm not compleatly sure. If anyone has any recommendations that would be great.

Thanx,
Klaver

Poppaspoke

I'd feel a little queasy about a newbie spending kilobucks for a top end Klein, unless you have a well-heeled patron. Get a little experience under your belt on a less expensive bike. In a year or two you'll have a lot stronger knowldege and experience base to make a decision.

Klaver

your absolutly right, this Klein in my shop is 2k. but i can shave off a few hundered since i'm an employee. But, is it an elite class bike?

Klaver

i'm not going to go cheap when i'm going to buy a road bike. my price range is going to be 1-2k that way the machine has better componets that will last longer

Klaver

does anyone think i should stick with the klein or something else?

Aggressor

Nice bike, if I had the money I'd look at it myself. After I considered a range of similar bikes. Look around and see what you can get for your money.

Klaver

okay, cool thanx man

Rossgo

i think starting out you should get a cheaper bike.
What if you don't like it?

Aggressor

Good point. You should always test a bike before you purchase it. Just because a bike's specification read well, doesnt mean it will feel comfortable to ride. All bodies are different, and yours may be suited to a different frame.
I dont see any reason to start on a cheaper bike, as if you start on a decent bike you are going to get used to the feel of a good bike. I started with an OCR, and now have the Trek Team frame. It made a lot of difference and I wish I had've saved the money for the team frame in the first place.

Laggard

Just remember that Lance or Greg or Miguel could hop on a Wal-Mart Huffy special and destroy anyone here.

It's amazing how much money some people waste on bikes that will at best give them a fraction of a second advantage over the guy next to them. Or the people who buy titanium everything but have a gut that hangs over their shorts. Am I missing something?

Klaver

You all have great points, but I would like to stick to a higher end bike mainly because the componets will last a bit longer than if i were to purchase a lower end one where the componets will only last so long.

Laggard

It's debatable how much longer Dura Ace components will last than 600 stuff. Properly cared for, a 105 grupo will probably last longer than your interest in cycling.

Klaver

i think i should go ahead and get the Klein q carbon

Laggard

You can always put it in the closet next to your shortwave radio, guitar and karate outfit.

I don't mean to be so hard on ya. If you've got the money and are sure that racing is for you, then go ahead. I just hate to see anyone waste their money on something unnecessary.

I used to love flying uphill past someone whose bike cost twice what mine did.

Good luck.

Klaver

i'll have to make the money to get the bike, i don't want to make just enough to buy a fairly good bike that i will have to replace parts a year later or 1,000 mi later. like i said, i don't know much about road bikes as well as how fast the parts ware.

Poppaspoke

If you're a serious racer and plan to put in 5K+ miles a year in training on the road, you could probably justify D/A level components. I can amost guarantee you, however, you'll replace your bike before there's perceptible wear on your components---even at the 105 level. I'm extrapolating from the experienece of roadies I know; you may be lucky enough to find the bike you'll be comfortable with long-term on your first try. I'm probably commiting heresy, but I'd argue a well-fitting pair of road shoes would probably pay more dividends than an elite frame or wheelset.

Laggard

600 series components will last you years.

I'd have loved to have had Dura Ace stuff but just couldn't afford it. My 600 stuff works beautifully though.

chuck1sd

I don't think you have to worry about wearing through your components too quickly! I doubt you will ever ride enough to kill them. The key is regular maintenance. I put about 15-16k miles a year on my bike, racing, training and fun... I had Ultegra components on my previous bike and they are just as durable as Dura Ace I have now. Maybe their only week point is the plastic in the shifter body-but we mortals very rarely will wear them out. Again, get a bike that fits, and you are comfortable with. Nothing will ruin your self esteem more than riding a $2K bike and getting trounced by a guy riding a low end, 10 year old Trek with touring wheels!!!

FOG

Don't forget to get appropriate gears. Getting gears, such as a 53/42 front and 11/23 rear may make you look like Lance, but unless you can pedal like him, get something more realistic, at leat 52/39 with a 12/27 in back, or better yet, get a triple.

ahuman

Get the klein its a great bike. I'm sure you will enjoy the ride.
I own a klein and it improved my ride. the most improtant thing is to have a good fitting bike that you love to ride and the Klein will do it for you!
GO FOR IT....

Ajay213

Unless you buy something in the $500 range, or ride some 5,000+ hard miles a year you aren't going to have to replace stuff in a year (and even then I doubt you're going to wear out much more than a chain/cassette and tires). I certainly don't have issues with people spending money, but I think you should start off with something a little cheaper until you decide you are going to like road-riding, something in the $800-1000 range would suit you just fine for a year or two, then you will be in a much better position to decide what you want.

Andrew

Yogu

i am planning to buy a new road-bike too...

3 bikes are available at dealers near me:

The Wilier Escape 105, the Stevens San Remo with 105 components and the Giant OCR 1T. All would cost me about 1200 €.

Any opinions on them?? I personally like the Wilier very much, think its a beautiful bike?? But are there disadvantages? Let me know

Klaver

I plan on getting that Klein q-carbon team. I believe the componets are Tiagra. Nobody really said anything about it. Are they better or worse than DA?

lotek 

Klaver,

Tiagra is a much lower gruppo than Dura-Ace (top of the
line).
If you're going to blow lots of cash on your ride you might
want to look into Campagnolo gruppo's, they tend to
last a bit longer and you can service them
do a search on Campy vs Shimano here, there
are lots of threads.

Marty

Klaver

Hey thanks. Once i get enought $$ to get this particular bike, i'll have it out-fitted with dura-ace componets.