Road Cycling - Very new to this.

Hi! My name is Justin, I'm 22 and from Columbus, Ohio (boy do I sound like an AA guy or something). I have rode bikes for awhile now but never road bikes (say this to yourself a few times, com'on its funny). I am trying to get into it with my gf.

Currently I have been using a specialized rockhopper mountain bike. Last year we did a 200 mile trek from Columbus to Cleveland. Good time, and were looking to do about three this year. This is why we are looking for road bikes. Okay. Here's my problems. 1. I don't know what to look for/get. 2. I'm poor, which doesn't go well with this hobby as I am finding out. Basically I am looking for a good starter bike that is going to last on trips of about 200 miles. I've been trying to get ahold of a Trek recreational 1500. But I keep losing on eBay :P Honestly I only have about 400 dollars to spend on a bike right now. All I have found is Tommaso and Iron horse. Are either of these any good? Would they be a decent starting bike? If you answer yes could you tell me which brand? Or even throw me in the right direction? I've been told that since I am 5' 10" I need a 58cm? My GF is 5'9" so would she need a 56?

Thank you for any information you have.

Here are the facts because people are going to chime in all over the map on this:

1.PURPOSE: 2-300 mile treks with the g/f
2. BUDGET: approx $400
3.Size: 5'10, g/f is 5'9

My opinion:
First, congrats on the trek with the g/f. That sounds awesome.

Second, you will need to supply both your inseams. Fitting is complicated, you can do a search to read up.

You could be a 56-58cm frame and your g/f could be a 53-56cm range. It depends on your body types. Women tend to have longer legs and shorter torsos

Ebay would be a good place to look, keep trying!
Used is your best bet in that price range. Check your local bike shops but first check your local bike clubs. Alot of people sell their bikes fairly cheap.

Good luck, I'm sure more people will give you tons of help

Thanks for shortening up my long email ;) (It was 3am when I wrote that)

Good idea about the bike clubs, never thought about that.

Have you ever used an Iron horse or Tommaso? Or are these generic brands?

My girlfriends inseam is 33 inches, mine is 32.


Thanks again for any information!

The Fuji League is a cro-moly steel frame road bike with Shimano Sora 24 spd drivetrain. The suggested retail is 370 USD. This is a legitimate entry level road bike made by a manufacturer noted for excellent value (they also manufacture top-end bikes). My wife has ridden many years with a Sora gruppo with no problems; it's not intended for racing, but if you become that ambitious you probably will upgrade to a higher level bike anyway.

local dealer:
HANDY BIKES USA, LLC
1055 W FIFTH AVE.
COLUMBUS, OH43212

info on Fuji League:
http://www.fujibikes.com/road/bike.asp?category_short_name=road&myArray=87,88,89,90,91,92,93,102,94,95,96,103,97,104,106,99,98,100,105,101,107,108,109,112,110,111,1 13,114&myArrayID=13&yr=2004

One more option: the Raleigh Road Sport. Another steel bike with Sora components. The MSRP is 450.

http://www.raleighusa.com/items.asp?deptid=5&itemid=161&va=0

Perhaps someone out there can suggest bikes with the equivalent Campy entry-level drivetrain.
Good luck!

I'm 5'10" and ride a 54, and a 56 was obviously too big. Make sure you know what you need (size wise) before you bid.

Some people use this place for entry level:

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/road_bikes.htm

I'm glad to assume you liked Cleveland so much you are coming back, thanks!

Good Luck,

ehenz

you can try wrenchscience.com and go to their fit section to figure out the size you need.

Hi,
consider used. There are lots of used bikes that haven't been ridden much; and can be picked up cheap. You'll need to learn about what's out there. Sheldon Brown's website has some info on that.
Most areas have bike swaps, these are like huge garage sales that have just bike stuff. After you get it, have a bike shop give it a tune up. I'd thrown on really good tires at the same time.

Do you need a bike for overnight tours, or riding on wet roads. If you are not going to race, then a sport touring bike may be more useful than a pure competition raceing bike.
You est of correct bike size sounds a bit large. You need about 1-3" of clearance when you straddle a std design bike (more for MTB styled compact frame).
Measure the length of your current setup (saddle to pedals) and use this as a guide. Do you want to be any more stretched out?

Both Iron Horse and Tommaso are very good brands. Like 95% of the bikes including Trek, they are manufactured overseas. I keep hearing everyone complian about these bikes not being made in Italy, but the fact is most Americans wouldn't be able to enjoy them. I think we should priase a company like Tommaso that puts out a quality product that we can all afford. Yes, I too like Colnago, but while you are all dreaming of buying one I am out iding on my beutiful Tommaso. Lets be thankful there is a company out there that caters the to consumers and NOT to the over priced dealer market.