Road Cycling - Looking to buy first bike.

Hi, I am Tyson, and I am new to all of this!

3 Years ago i was in a bad jet skiing accident, since then i have had 4 surgeries on my leg and my doctors have told me that i can do no contact sports, run, or even rollerblade. They recomended that any try swimming or biking. Last year I decided that i would love to start biking, and road biking sounded most exciting out of all of the different kinds of biking.

I am pretty out of shape right now, 5'11" 150LBS, very little muscle. I need some advice on what kind of bike i should get to start out. I don't want to break my pocket getting into something like this, without knowing that i will continue to do it for a while. I would just like advice on what i should look for when buying a starter bike, how much i should look to spend, ect.

Also if some people could give me some advice on some starter programs to get in shape for this sport, it would be GREAT!

Thanks for all of your help,

Tyson Smith

i started cycling lastyear and are also fairly new to the sport.i started with a basic saracen road bike and have now upgraded to a trek 1500 with an ultegra groupset. i have had no problems with the bike and would recommend it to anyone. hope this gives you abit of help.

Get a road bike with a triple chainring. You will be able to develop you muscles by riding in a low gear.
Make sure it fits well, that you are not too stretched out. Racing athletes prefere a very low aerodynamic position, but endurance and touring cyclists ride with their back at a more upright angle. Whatever feels comfortable.


Names to look out for good value entry level road bikes are Jamis, Fuji, Felt.
eg
http://www.fujibikes.com/road/bike.asp?category_short_name=road&myArray=1,2,3,4,5,19,6,7,8,18,16,9,10,20,11,12,13,17,15,14,54,55,56,57&myArrayID=15

I would say $500-$600 for the bike, about $150 for the accessories, shorts helmet, gloves, and a few repair tools. Like MichaelW said a triple would be a nice starting point, you can always lost it or upgrade latter. I would suggest that you get your first bike for the local bike shop. They should fit you, and give some type of shop warranty for adjustments and tune-ups.
As far as the starter program. I would work on your abs, and lower back. These muscles work almost as hard as you legs. I would as so add some upper body strength training. Start slow and stay with in your limits, you have nothing to prove at point in time. Setting goals will help you make progress. One of the best ways to thing going in the right direction is to find a local club and join.