Road Cycling - What a newbie can get for 1-1.5k

Howdy,
Long story short.... got in cycling last summer when father gave me his hand-me-down after getting a new bicycle and now this summer I want faster :) Anyhow I have been looking around town at the bike shopes asking what i can get for about 1k in a 56cm frame and am getting kinda confused. They all seem to have different frames, cranks, shifters, wheels, etc. The one thing I am pretty sure of is that I would like an alumanim bicycle (would love carbon fiber but I kinda out of my price range being a student) that i will be able to commute (10 miles) to school on a daily basis but also have something that would allow me to go on, say 40 mile rides? Anyhow I am just looking to get some advice on what i am looking for, what it will cost, why it is I want whatever it is you suggest and such. Thanks for your patients.

Dennis

ps. Plz pardon all the spelling and grammar

You will get bombarded with info Dzink...way too many good choices to list...you are in the sweet spot of the market at that price. Specialized,Trek, C-ddale, and many many others. Try a bike thats steel and also one that has a carbon fork and rear stay before you go with just aluminum. Components can be upgraded as needed later...buy the frame that rides best and that you love to look at....good luck

At up to $1500, you should be able to get a very nice bike. If you're willing to shop for close-out '03 or '02 models, you could get a full-Ultegra group at that price, which is the 2nd-best Shimano group (most here will tell you there's not much difference except price and some minor weight savings - important for racers maybe - between Ultegra and Dura-Ace, the top of the line Shimano components).

There was just a thread here where an '02 LeMond Zurich was available for $1200 - that's a good example of a real deal on an all-Ultegra bike (steel frame, Reynolds 853, which is considered a terrific frame by those who love steel), because it's an older, but still new, year model.

Thats the thing about the steel bike, its currently what I am riding and man.... I love riding my dads aluminum bike. The other thing is that I was told a steel bike of the same quality is going to cost me lot more. Also I was told that its ALOT more expensive to upgrade then to buy something of quality... Is this true? As to the carbon forks, I guess I assumed that is something I would get for the price range.

Dennis

PS. I realy dont mind the stiffer ride, I am only 19 and I can suck it up :)

Thats the thing about the steel bike, its currently what I am riding and man.... I love riding my dads aluminum bike. The other thing is that I was told a steel bike of the same quality is going to cost me lot more. Also I was told that its ALOT more expensive to upgrade then to buy something of quality... Is this true? As to the carbon forks, I guess I assumed that is something I would get for the price range.

Dennis

PS. I realy dont mind the stiffer ride, I am only 19 and I can suck it up :)

I like my aluminum bike as well.

Dig around at bike shops and pawn shops for used bikes, as well. Last year I got a very nice '97 Cannondale R4000 for $750 by doing just that.

If you've got your heart set on a new bike, there are tons of options that will do you well. Check out your bike stores and ebay, and you'll probably do well.

Oh crap, I forgot to ask if frame warrenty is something I should be concerned about.... While looking I found that Cannondale offers a life time on there frame but Giant and Fuji only offer 5 year.... Is this something I should realy care about?

I found the "PERFECT" bike for you.... What else could you ask for? This bike is totally awsome and right at the price range you are looking at :D $1499.00
Its aluminum frame, carbone fork, Full Shimano 105 groupo. What is you may ask? Well , what else could it be? I Bianchi Giro of course :D

Hi,
like the guy said, you are in the sweet spot. Go test ride a bunch of bikes. You will find a couple you like a lot. Tell us what you like. I suggest concentrating on leftover '03 models. There are some wonderful bikes in the $1600-1800 range which on sale would drop into your price range. As was stated earlier, keep an eye open for used bikes. It's not too likely, but it happens..Try a Jamis Quest, Bianchi Vigorelli, a Specialized steel Allez Elite, and several others. The most important thing is fit. Don't worry about components, over a grand they are all good. Keep us informed how the search is going!

FWIW, I would suggest you look at the Rivendell website,
http://www.rivendellbicycles.com

They sell a complete steel lugged model (Romulus) for $1550. The frame is made in Japan with Japanese parts, mostly Shimano 105, but a Sugino crank (48-38-26) which gives a lower gear range than the Shimano (52-40-30).

The frame is Cr-Mo, with double butted tubes in the main triangle. The Nitto stem allows the handlebars to most anywhere since the quill length is 225 mm which gives a maximum of 160 mm of adjustment (65 mm in the head tube).

Their discusion is a good read and very educational. If you want to use it daily and then for long rides, go with their philosophy of the more upright riding position. You can always lower the stem. It is much harder to raise it on other bikes.

John Hawrylak
Woodstown NJ

I would look at used bikes also. Bicycles depreciate a lot and you may be able to find a two year old Trek 5200 or three year old Litespeed for $1500.

Go around to your local bike shops, getting an idea of the people you'll be dealing with. If a particular shop stands out as being very friendly and easy to talk to, buy from them.

Don't worry about particular brands, warantee, etc. Make sure they fit you to the right size frame, and make the necessary adjustments to stem, seat height, and so on. If the shop is friendly, the bike fits, and you choose the best value... you're good to go.

Mike

i dunno if i'd want to spent $1500 on a bike i use both for commuting and recreation. you say you're gonna commute 10 miles a day? where are you gonna keep the bike locked up during the day? i once knew a guy at work who commuted with a giant OCR3... and i thought to myself... that's probably the most expensive bike i'd ever feel comfortable locking up in public view.

The point about commuting with an expensive bike is valid. Use the hand-me-down for commuting and bad weather riding. Check out bikes like Felt and Fuji for good value. Test ride a few, and consider the staff at the bike shop before you make your purchase. You will be spending a lot of money for a bike, and you want a shop that will treat you well. A few more dollars for a bike from a really good shop is worth it.

I was almost in the same position you were, and bought an Allez Sport to for what became racing/training. I spent 900 overall. That said with 1500 I'd go for a 105 bike and spend the rest on wheels-you'll have a solid bike with serious wheels-perfect for speed and something that you can get away with replacing components. As for commuting, get an old steel frame with horizontal drops and build a fixie, you'll build speed in no time

Awsome, got a plan on going around to the shops I checked out perviously and just maken an afternoon of testing riden. Thanks for the suggestions and ill keep ya posted.

Dennis

ps. is there realy much of a difference in the 105 and the ultegra line of compenents?

You might want to check this one out:

http://www.ibexbikes.com/Bikes/2004/VTG-6500-Details.html