Road Cycling - Advices needed on entry-level road bikes

After a month of unsuccessfully searching for a used road bike, I've decided to buy an entry-level road bike to replace my stolen hybrid, looking for something that I can commute on and do longer (>50-mile) rides on as well. I have been looking at the following bikes:

Giant OCR3
Trek 1000
GT ZR5000 (2000 model)
Fuji Ace
Bianchi Brava

They all have Shimano Sora. The Ace and Brava are steel, and the other three aluminimum. I think the Brava is slightly too pricy for my budget as I need to save some money for shoes and other accessories. I test rode all of them but didn't feel any difference because I'm a total newbie and the rides weren't that long anyway.

Has any of you had any experience with any of the above bikes? Would you recommend (cheap) steel over aluminum? Are these bikes appropriate for commuting in the urban jungle of Boston? Any input would be greatly appreciated!!!

I may be biased, but I would go with Trek. From a corporate stand poitn they are one of the healthier companies still around and in turn their products and customer service is very friendly and helpful. With the Trek you mentioned I can see no reason why you wouldn't be happy with it... UNLESS you get the upgrade bug like so many of us have after getting that "Entry level" ride.

You are on the right track. All these bikes are of a similar quality, and are strong enough for commuting.

A triple chainset, fender eyelets, and as much tyre clearance as you can get are useful options. I prefer 28mm tyres and fenders for my commuter bike, and I am not alone. They are rugged enough for night-time winter riding in the wet, but modern caliper brakes and frames are too tight for this clearance (I use older Shimano 105 brakes).

For luggage, a 3-point fixing rack like the Tubus Fly is good. Much better than those seat-post mounted racks that roadies use. ,4 point fixing onto frame-eyelets (like your old hybrid) is better, but 3 is good enough for light loads.

Also check out
http://www.jamisbikes.com/bikes/spec&geo/ventura_spec01.html
(Whilst you are there, look at the Aurora as well)

Compare the geometries at a chosen frame size. Look for differences in top-tube lenth and stem length. This can help chose a bike the correct length. Commuting bikes may need a slightly shorter reach than racing bikes.

Look for good wheelbuild. With 32 spokes you need a tight build. Do they use double-butted spokes? 36 spokes at the rear would probably stand up better, but you dont find that very often in these bikes.

Since you are in MA, check out http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/
He specialises in this kind of machine.

All are good bikes. My only suggestion would be to try to scrape up enough to get a bike with 105 components. If you get at all interested in riding start doing some reading you will quickly learn that there is a significant leap in quality from the Sora/Tiagra level to 105. From 105 up the differences are mostly material changes (steel to aluminum to titanium) in certain components to save weight. You could be very happy with a 105-equipped bike for many years while a Sora or Tiagra group will start calling out to you to upgrade. Not that there is anything wrong with Sora; it will work for years also. 105 is a little smoother and just FEELS better. Then again, maybe it's just me. :D

Here is a suggestion on a GREAT deal on some Shimano road shoes. Sierratradingpost.com has some $90 Shimano shoes for $32.95!! Will accept SPD or Look-compatible cleats. These are GOOD shoes. I actually bought a pair of the black/red ones at my LBS a few months, paying $90. I do not regret giving them business. However, I bought a pair of the silver/black from STP when they reduced them to $49.95. At $32.95 I am tempted to buy another pair! The silver/black are really good looking shoes, too. The comments on sizing are true, they run quite large. I take a size 12. The 46 is too small and the 47 is a smidge large but not enough to be a problem. 47 is generally considered 11.5.
Check this link:

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/product.asp?base_no=60967&mscssid=QKLF46E2ADSR2GGA0G0KN0SFN113ACW5
For anyone who needs any, Performancebike.com has Look cleats, red or black, for $9.95 right now.

Rainman,

I whole-heartedly agree with you on the 105 thing. The shifting is much smoother with 105. Of course Ultegra is even smoother than 105.

cdc28p, disregard the Ultegra comment. ;)

And a BIG thanks for the info on the shoes at STP. :beer:
I saw that price last night but as usual forgot to look at the color selections. The picture showed black which I didn't want. I just ordered the silver.

Ron

Thanks for the link, Rainman! I love that site! :thumbup: I wish they had my size for the Shimano shoes--they were out when I checked. Darn! Anyway, they had the Reebok ones that were on sale for $9.95...

Reebok Cycling Shoes (http://www.sierratradingpost.com/product.asp?base%5Fno=60980)

I don't know if these were any good, but they are SPD compatible. I'm hoping that this can be used for Look cleats, too, right?

Originally posted by technogirl
Thanks for the link, Rainman! I love that site! :thumbup: I wish they had my size for the Shimano shoes--they were out when I checked. Darn! Anyway, they had the Reebok ones that were on sale for $9.95...

Reebok Cycling Shoes (http://www.sierratradingpost.com/product.asp?base%5Fno=60980)

I don't know if these were any good, but they are SPD compatible. I'm hoping that this can be used for Look cleats, too, right?
Technogirl,
That is a nice shoes, but I think it won't be interchangeable to Look Cleats, although I may be wrong, but for the price its a nice Bike shoes, I have read in one website, that there is an adaptor for SPD Cleats to Look Cleats, I just forgot which Company is selling the said adaptor..

Hi, Oscar! Thanks for the info! I think Rainman had mentioned that there were some adapters on Performance in an earlier post for under $10...so that's a good reminder for me that this should work. I got the ATB ones last time at SierraTrading, but I didn't know any better...not that has changed, mind you... ;)

I can always wait for the Shimano ones to come back. I asked Customer Service at SierraTrading.com about the Shimano shoes, and they said they might get some in my size, and to check back. Of course, whether or not that's the case is a different story... ;)

In that I have an OCR1, that's what I recommend, especialy since it is 105 throughout. Looking at the differences between the Shimano components (Sora vs. 105 vs. Dura-Ace) was all I needed. Dunno what your price range is, however, keep in mind that the frame fit shold be first, second and last in the decision process. Also, buying a bike with an acceptible frame at $600 then spending $300+/- to upgrade basic components to 105 might not be the smartest way to go when your can get the OCR1 at that cost.

Enjoy the ride!!

I have had an OCR-3 for about 4 months and love it. You'll get LOTS of compliments on your bike if you go with this one. However, the Sora components suck. I had lots of shifting problems and pitched such a fit at the LBS where I bought it (including the threat of wanting my money back) that they gave me a FREE upgrade to Ultegra components!!! In essence, I wound up with an $800 or $900 bike for a little over $500! Good luck with whatever bike you end up with.

My first road bike is a Specialized Allez. I didn't set out to buy a Specialized, but it has 105s and the price was excellent. The only weakness I see is the occasional tendency to have broken spokes. Perhaps that is more a sign of my wheels screaming for me to lose weight.