Road Cycling - Good, inexpensive bike suggestions?

I'm new to road bikes but I've been an offroad cyclist for many years. Starting to get into triathlons... mostly just for fun though. What are some of the better brands? My budget is under $1000, preferably ~$500 (maybe something used). Also, I'm 5'7", 150 lbs.

Thanks for any helpful input,
Jeremy

E-bay for used.www.qbike.com for new prices.

Fuji and Jamis are bikes where the label costs nothing extra.

If you are wanting to do mainly triathlons then there are a few chpoices.

Look at the Fuji and Felt complete bikes. You get all you will need in a great package.

I have a Fuji Newest got a good deal on an 02 have riden quite a few miles so far and have no problems out of it seems like really good quality

Originally posted by Gatorfreak
I'm new to road bikes but I've been an offroad cyclist for many years. Starting to get into triathlons... mostly just for fun though. What are some of the better brands? My budget is under $1000, preferably ~$500 (maybe something used). Also, I'm 5'7", 150 lbs.

Thanks for any helpful input,
Jeremy

I bought this for $20, from a guy near Wal Mart...
Later saw many more nice used road bikes. Just offer them something, many of the people don't really even care wether it is a roadmaster, or some univega... It has probably been sitting in some garage untouched for many years...

http://www.angelfire.com/al2/misha18male6/mvc/may20_bike_twighlight.jpg

Jamis aurora, sora group, richey wheels, rack, fender and water bottle braze ons, quality tires and saddle. All for under $600.00 and it's ready to tour right out of the box.

Felt F85. It is $599 or $699. I have the F65 which is only $999.

http://www.feltracing.com/F85.html

http://www.feltracing.com/framestart_images/F85_big_03.jpg

Well, from what I understand, you can get an Shimano 105 equipped bike for $1000. You will be getting a rather generic frame. As far as I am concerned, 105 is the sweet spot on the cost/quality curve. 105 gives all the functionality of the more expensive stuff (Dura Ace and Ultegra) and just weighs a little more but that only becomes important on hill climbs or acceleration. Beneath 105, I understand you get into compromises but Tiagra (the group below 105) is ok in a pinch.

Originally posted by Pat
Well, from what I understand, you can get an Shimano 105 equipped bike for $1000. You will be getting a rather generic frame. As far as I am concerned, 105 is the sweet spot on the cost/quality curve. 105 gives all the functionality of the more expensive stuff (Dura Ace and Ultegra) and just weighs a little more but that only becomes important on hill climbs or acceleration. Beneath 105, I understand you get into compromises but Tiagra (the group below 105) is ok in a pinch.

I just bought a Bianchi Vigorelli with full Ultegra, Mavic Cosmos wheels and a Reynolds 631 steel frame for a touch over $1000 ($1068 to be exact). Granted, this was an '02 model, but nonetheless, there are deals out there.

Originally posted by Pat
Well, from what I understand, you can get an Shimano 105 equipped bike for $1000. You will be getting a rather generic frame. As far as I am concerned, 105 is the sweet spot on the cost/quality curve.

I agree that 105 is the best value in Shimano's line. I got my Fuji last November new-in-box off ebay for $700, but I had to "be the bike shop." Which is exactly what I wanted, with a bike I had test ridden and knew fit me, so that's OK.

Still, even the '03 Roubaix (aluminum, triple) and Rubaix Pro (steel, double) are sold in shops for $1000 or so, I believe, and they are very, very nice bikes.

RichC

I have the '02 Fuji Roubaix (aluminum - triple). With tax, it came to $1k.

Originally posted by Gatorfreak
I'm new to road bikes but I've been an offroad cyclist for many years. Starting to get into triathlons... mostly just for fun though. What are some of the better brands? My budget is under $1000, preferably ~$500 (maybe something used). Also, I'm 5'7", 150 lbs.

Thanks for any helpful input,
Jeremy

I stopped in a local shop yesterday that sells Iron Horse & Raleigh. I saw several bikes in there under $1000 that I would buy. One was a total 105 gruppo for $999. I think it was the Iron Horse.

Take a look at the Giant OCR 2. It is a great bicycle for starting out! I believe that you can get it for around $700 - $750. The OCR 3 is $599.

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/catalogue_popup.asp?sPageID=popup&popuptype=zoom&zoomid=10656

Look at the Bianchi Giro 2002 model for about 850 dollars at Supergo.com. Its a good deal, it has 105 and a nice Shimano Wheelset

wouldn't it be cheaper to build your own bike?

You can get good frames(steel, Aluminum) for about $300. The rest you can spend on wheels, etc.

Originally posted by dexmax
wouldn't it be cheaper to build your own bike?

You can get good frames(steel, Aluminum) for about $300. The rest you can spend on wheels, etc.

I just did a check to see what it would cost to build up a frame/fork/headset/seatpost combo into a full bike using a blend of ultegra and 105 parts, from the Nashber catalog. They totaled about $760, using a lot of closeout items and nashbar saddle. Take away 20% for the coupon (but remeber I pay sales tax on their stuff) and it comes to about $610 to build up. Bear in mind that I was looking at the motobecane frameset on ebay, which had the fork, headset, seat tube and seat clamp included. It went for $345, plus $20 shipping, and had some damage. Bikesdirect sells it for $395, with warranty, no damage. It still ends up being a $1000 bike, and I could get a complete ultegra version for not much more, all put together. The biggest issue is the cost and choice of wheelset. I weigh 260, so a lot of the good wheelsets might not be great ideas for me.

If you want Ultegra, supergo has a couple of scattante bikes, and the bianchi vigorelli for about $1000, and performance bikes has a nice 105 bike for $850. bikesdirect has a bunch of options in that range, and so does getawaybikes.com. Bikesdirect inludes shipping and partial assembly and testing, and getway bikes includes partial assembly in their prices.

Buy from your LBS.