Road Cycling - buying advice?

I am training for a triathlon and just getting into road biking. Have been using my mountain bike with slicks so far and its not cutting it. Would like to find a good road bike suitable for a beginner for around $500, but would pay up to $1000. Some models that have been recommended include the KHS Flite 500, Jamis Ventura/Quest, Trek 1200, but I will consider anything comparable. I thought used bikes would be the way to go but would I be better off taking the plunge and getting a new one? I am hoping to get alot of use out of the bike in the future...any recommendations or advice would be wecome! Thanks!

You can get twice the bang for your buck buying used,but you have to know what you are doing.You don't sound like you know.

Even if you end up buying a used bike, I recommend you take a look at what your LBS has to offer. Fit is critical and often a problem when buying inexpensive gear or used.

For what it's worth, I just bought a Giant OCR 1 for about $1000 including, tire pump, computer, seat bag, bottle & holder, and front and rear lights. I did get a discount from the LBS too.

For an extra $200 he would have upgraded me to paired-spoke wheels.

The OCR 1 has Simano 105 components throughout. Not the "top" of the line, but not too shabby.

Good luck with the hunt. I was astounded by how much more I could gt done on the road than I could ever do withthe confort hybrid. I expect you'll see the difference right away.

Bye the way, my LBS let me take it home for a few hours so I could test it on my normal bike route. Maybe yours will let you test extensively too.

But plese, pay more attention to fit than price if you can and try several bikes.

Carl

Dear Halfmoon,

Even if you know what you are doing, buying used can be riskier than buying new. My advice is to go to the LBS with the best reputation, and try out all the bikes they recommend between $500 and $1500, a minimum of 3 different bikes. If possible, don't look at the prices before riding the various bikes. Make sure the seat and stem have been adjusted before you ride. Pay special attention to the all important "subjectives," for example 'does it feel fast/slow' 'does it feel stable/twitchy' 'Am I comfortable on this rig?' Realize that by mentally noting ride characteristics, you are essentially evaluating the bike frame (okay, and maybe the wheels). This is critical, because the dopest frames aren't always the most expensive (remember Bridgestone?). All other parts can usually be swapped at the store or upgraded later. Once you have ranked each bike on subjective criteria, all you have left to do is to pick the highest ranking machine in your price range (discipline!). Now if the winning bike is not perfect, work with the LBS to make it so - ask for swaps (stems, pedals, seats should all be no problem), upgrades you can afford, etc. When the dust settles, ask yourself if there is any reason why you and that bike should not go out the door with each other. If the answer is no, congratulate yourself on a flawless, guilt free, and well informed bike purchase.

I learned this method from a grizzled LBS owner in San Francisco. He even encouraged us to go and try out other brands at other stores (he sold Konas and was confident we'd be back). Without coming out and saying so, he stressed what was important about a bike purchase: fit and frame personality. Frames are weird - materials are only half the story. You need to ride them to judge their merit.

Good luck!

BK

Halfmoon,
To start let me say WELCOME to Forums. It really is a
nice place to hang out, Not everyone is rude, ok?
The first thing you want to do is set a limit. Its really easy
to get swept up in components, frame material etc.
and end up paying way more than you wanted, and
getting something you really don't need (did I just say that?).
The next thing and the Most important is FIT. no matter what
bike you buy, if it doesn't fit you won't ride it, and won't enjoy
it. I'd suggest go to a few bike shops, be honest and tell them
what you want. They should do at least a rudimentary fitting.
A full fitting costs anywhere between $50 and $150 (some
more, depending on the fitter), but by the end you know
every little measurement that will make the perfect bike
for you. Try lots of bikes, then as Buddah nuckle says, ask
the little questions.
Another suggestion is read all you can about fit, etc.
suggest you try Sheldon Brown's web page
Beginners (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/beginners/index.html)
Good luck and hope you stick around,
Marty

Hi- Thanks so much to those of you who took the time to give detailed advice. I found this really helpful, and am going to do some test runs this afternoon....will let y'all know what I decide.:)

have you tried any FELT bikes?

Well, after some extensive research and shopping, I have narrowed my choices down to the Jamis Quest and the Lemond Alpe D'Huez. Both of which I can get for about $1000, with all the sales going on at this time of year.

Hoping maybe there are some objective opinions out there in general about either or both choices. Also have a couple more specific questions:

The Lemond is 853 steel "select", which is a an alloy of the Reynolds 853 and 535? Would this still be better than the 631? (lighter or longer lasting?)

Both bikes are all 105s, however I have heard better things about the Jamis's wheelset. Seems other parts might still be better on the Jamis as well, though I barely noticed a difference myself. Both rode beautifully and seem to fit what I am looking for.

Help making this decision would be appreciated! thanks in advance!

The reynolds Web site is down, so I'm working from memory here.

Reynolds 853 select only uses 853 in the main triable, the chainstay and seatstay tubing is 525 [at least that's how I understand it].

853 and 631 are actually made of the same steel alloy, except that 853 is heat treated and 631 isn't. This allows for 853 tubes to be drawn with thinner walls, so it is [some would say marginally] lighter. The ride quality of both tubesets is generally well thought of, with 631 being described as "livelier."

525 is a yet-slightly heavier cromoly steel tubing, which isn't drawn as thin as eithr 853 or 631. It should be somewhat stiffer.

So, I think what you have here is a six-of-one half-dozen-of-the-other thing. I suspect an 853 Select frame will weigh in at pretty much the same weight as a 631 frame. The Select frame will probably be stiffer in the stays, while the 631 will be more compliant. A large frame [58 cm +] might be a bit whippier in 631 than Select, but you'd have to try them out.

I'd say the Jamis definitely has better wheels... and they'll proably save you a half-pound on the weight of the bike... at the right place.