Road Cycling - Road bike bug

Looking at road bikes and would like some opinions...

First of all I'm 6' tall and I'm wondering about frame size. Would I fit in the 50cm range, give or take? I'm looking on Ebay and online sites right now so I'm just trying to get a range. I'll go out and test a few over the weekend, so I'm window shopping right now to get a feel for how much bike I can get.

Would you all figure this Specialized on Ebay a good/above average ride?

http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1004332820

Just from specs alone, the bike seems to be well equipped, but I'm not familiar with all the different road components that are available (seems to be quite a few). This one lists for $1299.00 at Supergo by the way, so the current price on Ebay looks to be pretty good for the moment... No intention of bidding on this particular one, just trying to get ideas.

My price range is $400.00 to $800.00 new or used.

Please name some frame sets and component groups that are worth a peek.

Thanks

How about this one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1007394667

Hi Mark!

Welcome to the wonderful world of the roadbike!

I think that frame would be a bit on the small size for you. I am 5'9" and depending on the frame geometry, ride either a 54 or 56 cm bike. You can find some sizing information at:

http://www.rivendellbicycles.com

http://www.airborne.net

Both of my roadbikes are used, but they are both excellent machines. The great thing about finding a really good bike shop is they will make sure that your bike fits you correctly. A bike that fits correctly will help you enjoy it for years and years!

As far as components go, one of my bikes has Suntour on it, and the other Shimano Ultegra. The Suntour stuff is not real popular, because they couldn't compete with Shimano, so quit making the groupos. But, my Suntour bike shifted really well, and in over 1000 miles, never gave me a minutes trouble. The Ultegra equipped bike is really excellent, too! It has integrated shifters on it, so the shifters are built into the brake handles, so you don't have to take your hands off the bars to shift.

I guess if it were me, I would find a bike shop I was comfortable with, and let them know what I wanted, and see what they could come up with. They would be a big help, I know mine has been! It is great having someone with more knowledge there to back you up! And, who knows, I think Fuji has a model you could buy brand new in your price range. All 3 of my bikes have steel frames with lugs, and I really like them. Although I have had no experience with them, some folks swear by aluminum frames. I even had a chance to ride a bike with a titanium frame and carbon front fork, and it sure rode nice, but it was worth a lot more $$$ than I had to spend!

Good luck, I am sure you will get more responses with more suggestions! Have fun!

Nice looking bike, but still a little small I would think!

Here's a Fuji that looks pretty sweet.........

http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1006393552

How are Fuji's anyway?

Fujis ar good but are historically a little overpriced- Univega and Bianchi seem to be good bets value wise a lot of people around here have been getting them with Campy stuff for excelent prices
Ride on
Pat

As far as sizing for a bike goes, it has a lot more to do with body proportions than with your height. For example, I have an inseam of 29" and am 6 feet tall!! My bike has to be specially fitted by a really good bike shop, and I chose a LeMond BA because of it relatively longer top tube.

On the other hand, if you are 6' tall with a 34 inch inseam, you would need to configure your bike entirely differently. It is really difficult for most folks to buy a bike on auction without being sure it fits well - and you canonly do that with either a lot of knowledge about fitting yourself, or with the assistance of a really good LBS which specializes in road bikes and has a reputation for good fitting.

You can get some really good new bikes in the 800-1200 range that are fitted exactly to your build.

Good luck.

I don't want to dampen your enthusiasm, but I don't think buying a bike sight unseen is such a good idea. The fit of a bike is more important than the price or components. A poorly fitted bike will spend its life leaning up against the garage wall, no matter if it's a Fuji, Specialized, Pinarello or Colnago.

Go to a bike shop and get fitted properly. Try a bunch of bikes -- take them on test rides -- and pick the one that feels the best to you. Not only are not all six footers not proportioned the same way, not every bike is proportioned the same way. A good bike shop will fit you and then let you come in in the following weeks to fine-tune the fit by swapping out the stem, etc.

See? I knew that you would get some good responses!

Yes, I like the looks of that Fuji! I copied that bike off the Fuji web site, and used it for the wallpaper on my computer for a long time!

As I am sure you can see, fit is vitally important, and the best place to get that is at a bike shop! The shop that I go to has been, and continues to be, an important part of my cycling experience.

Best of luck to you in finding a bike shop and a bike!

Originally posted by *WildHare*
I'm looking on Ebay and online sites right now so I'm just trying to get a range. I'll go out and test a few over the weekend, so I'm window shopping right now to get a feel for how much bike I can get.

Next time I'll leave my size out of the question :D

[QUOTE]Originally posted by *Wildhare*
Please name some frame sets and component groups that are worth a peek. [QUOTE]

So I'll ask again. What are good groupos (?) to look for? Does Specialized, Fuji, Bianchi, etc... make a good quality frame?

Forget I ever mentioned size and just stick to build quality and brands to look at :)

Thanks

Originally posted by *WildHare*
Forget I ever mentioned size and just stick to build quality and brands to look at :)
In a given price range, almost every bike you look at is going to be equipped with the same level of componentry and will have basically the same build quailty -- assuming you buy from a decent bike shop.

You really have to take the things out for a spin to judge for yourself.

Some pointers, though... I prefer steel bikes to aluminum bikes. If you're looking at steel, look for Columbus Zona or Foco or Reynolds 853 in the $1,500+ price point. In the $900-$1,400 range, you'll see Columbus Thron. Good tubes, but a bit heavier -- worth it if the components trade-off well. As for aluminum, I find that all Al bikes from $1,000-$1,700 are basically the same. If you go Al, GET A CARBON FORK. It makes a big difference to the ride quality. In fact, a carbon fork on a steel frame is pretty nice, too.

Components... Most people agree that, at price point, Shimano and Campagnolo components are about equal in quality. I prefer Campagnolo, but that's just me. A good rule of thumb is to avoid getting a bike equipped with anything less that Shimano 105 or Campy Veloce. In fact, you would probably do best to look for Shimano Ultegra or Campy Daytona/Centaur or Campy Chorus... but Shimano 105 is still a perfectly good, raceable group.

Hope that helps.

Originally posted by velocipedio
I don't think buying a bike sight unseen is such a good idea.

Ditto. You can get a d@mn fine "experienced" bike locally. Check bike shops and newspaper classifieds. That way you can test ride, and inspect the bike for wear and damage before investing. Besides, stuff on e-bay tends to wind up over-priced, in my opinion. A very general rule of thumb for a bike in decent shape is 1/2 the original price.

Good luck!