Great Lakes - just getting into cycling

i am a college student from minnesota and i always like to do the spinning classes and work out on bikes for aerobic trainning. I have grown tired of working out and not going anywhere and not seeing anything and am very interested an serious about starting to road bike. I was wondering what i need, any recommendations on bikes and other accessories. any help is greatly appreciated

First of all welcome.

Thats an incredibly open ended question. We will need a lot more information. Specifics should include your budget, any bikes you have been looking at and want to know more about (if any), how much and how far you want to ride, and which seasons you will be riding in.

Like Michigander noted there are a lot of variables. Give us more of an idea of what you are looking to do, how often, how far, how fast(ish), etc....

Example: I'd like to spin leisurely on a comfortable bike on only clear days when the temp is above 72...

or

I want to work so hard that I puke my guts out while riding every day as fast and as far as I can go. I plan on riding in rain, sleet, snow, etc. Oh and I want to race crits, and think that road rash helps me pick up chicks.....

Different plans will call for different needs. ;)

sorry, about that, but ya i am a college athlete so can ride at a reasonable pace, i would ride unless there is snow or ice on the ground. This would not be cross training though i would be commited to cycling as often as i could And would probably try and bike everyday and as far as i need to go to get a really tough workout in, not quite puking though! Being a college student, my budget is limited, i would probably have to go for a used bike somewhere between $400-550 not including accessories.

That's a tight budget, but it can be done. What you lack in financial backing you must make up in effort. You will need to scour craigslist and e-bay. Look for a solid used bike. I will recommend a solid Steel or Aluminum frame from a known cycling pedigree. Specialized, Cannondale, :eek: Trek, etc. Look for something 3-5 years old. Nine speed drivetrain will work great for you for many reasons...

1. Still easy to find parts.
2. Parts are much cheaper than 10spd equivalents.
3. Many think that 10spd is like an amplifier that "goes to 11."

Get the following:
-Helmet (#1 priority) ($40-$180) NEW a must
-Clipless pedals ($30-$$$$$$) look into SPD for an inexpensive system that will get you through
-shoes/cleats ($30-$$$$$$) if you go with SPD on the pedals then you can find a lot of inexpensive shoes

**BTW SPD is the same system used in many spin classes so you would be able to bring in your shoes to the classes

-Shorts/bibs ($30-$$$$) Check out Performance for good deals on solid house brand clothing
-Gloves ($15-$40) Performance again for a good deal

-Pump -solid floor unit ($20-$40)
-Saddle bag with replacement tubes, CO2, tire levers, multi tool. ($40-$60)

I am sure I am missing something. Your budget is tight, but it can be done. Don't skimp on the helmet, and really look for a good deal on the bike. A good bike might already have pedals, and shoes might be found on clearance, etc. You can make it without the shoes, pedals, shorts, but view the gloves and helmet, and saddle bag with tubes as necessary safety gear.

Have fun, and post back....

To add to what Psimet said, another good bike to look for is a Schwinn Paramount or the cheaper Asian made Peleton which is the same except no lugs. I have a Peleton. You can pick one of either up fairly cheaply from ebay if you look around. There are a ton of good options and thats just another couple.

One other thing you must get is proper tools and lubricant. I reccomend the Topeak Alien for a tool, and White Lightning wax lubricant for all weather use.

Start with a hat and gloves!
Kenal0 :)

masore01,

You couldn't have landed in a better place to start cycling. The bike trails around here are the best in the country. Here's a (rather long) link to a page of maps to the trails around Hennepin County.

http://wwwa.co.hennepin.mn.us/portal/site/HCInternet/menuitem.3f94db53874f9b6f68ce1e10b1466498/?vgnextoid=6e0907df789fc010VgnVCM1000000f094689RCRD&vgnextfmt=default

Heck, I live in Hopkins and can ride from my house all the way to the U solely on off-road bike paths.

If I were you, I'd hit Craig's list and buy an 80's or 90's bike. You should be able to find a great road bike for under $150. I bought a Fuji for $75 that I rode all summer.

masore01,
If I were you, I'd hit Craig's list and buy an 80's or 90's bike. You should be able to find a great road bike for under $150. I bought a Fuji for $75 that I rode all summer.

+1

Just get out there on a good bike and work your way up to all the gear that Psimet listed. It is a very thorough reference list that you can purchase as you go. In addition to the essentials he mentioned I would suggest a good pump for the bike rather than just any pump--I have Topeak Morph Road pump that straps easily to the bike, it also will inflate to +120psi=$40. You could skimp on a cheep pump but you will end up replacing it sooner than later. (gas stations round here are charging $.50 for air! :mad: bastards.)

And dont forget LIGHTS: front/rear!!!!

I got into cycling last year by converting an old Miyata 110 (FREE!) into a fixed gear; now I am pinching for a nice geared road bike. In the course of a year I have poured about $400-500 into cycling related stuff for the Miyata. Ultimately the thing to remember is to
1. get a nice bike you are comfortable on and
2. earn the rest of the stuff through your sweat

happy riding.

cheep
cheap
hea...:rolleyes:

where do you go to school?