Road Cycling - Entry Level Choices

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Comatose51
07-19-06, 09:40 PM
A friend of mine is thinking about getting into cycling and is currently looking for a road bike:

Here are the choices:
http://bikemart.com/itemdetails.cfm?catalogId=39&id=1050
http://planocycling.com/itemdetails.cfm?catalogId=39&id=3757
http://planocycling.com/itemdetails.cfm?catalogId=39&id=3756

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=13175
http://planocycling.com/itemdetails.cfm?catalogId=39&id=3574

He's looking for comfort, not really gearing for a race. Personally I like the LeMond and the Specialized. The two Specialized look very similar. One has a compact geometry and the other one doesn't.

Also, he's thinking about a bike for his wife. Does it make sense to get a "women's" bike like:
http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=13308
In what sense is it design for a woman? I guess the geometry is different.

LordOpie
07-19-06, 10:07 PM
get the cheapest one. Then after friend and friend's wife have some experience (year or two), they'll know more about themselves and what they want and can buy the right bike.

Thing is, they'll probably want a new bike even if they got the most expensive one on that list ($900?)... if they love the sport. If they don't, then they'll be just as happy with a $500 bike as the $900.

What about a flat-bar roadie or a quality hybrid (eg. Trek FX)?