Road Cycling - ANOTHER newbie in the road cycling world, looking for a bike

Well this is my first leap into the road cycling arena. I went out today to look for my first road bike (all my previous bikes were mountain bikes). I must say, there was an incredible difference between my old steel mountain bike and these road bikes. These road bikes were so much peppier and I could see myself having a lot of fun with one. :D I am, however, having trouble finding just the right bike that will suit me. I plan on commuting as well as using it to work out. I've looked at pretty much everything from trek, specialized, giant, and fuji. None of the bikes I looked at or test ridden felt just right (either the fit or the way it looked). I feel like I'm in WAY over my head here. I was looking at the Felt F50 and F60 on their website and it looked like one nifty bike I could see myself riding. I can't seem to find any lbs here in Dallas that carry Felts!! Does anyone know of any shops around Dallas that does? I don't want to make such a large purchase and regret it later on so I'm trying to make sure I have looked at all my possibilities. Does anyone else ever feel this way when choosing a bike or is it just me? :o

http://www.bianchiusa.com
:D

i'm still feeling that way - and i'm too tall to test ride stuff on top of all that.

folks here talk a ton about taking lots of testrides and going for fit. other general advice is to try to shoot for something with at least a shimano 105 component group and (imo) to avoid a straight-up aluminum frame if possible.

that last bit is tricky because most road bikes are alum these days and even some super fancy ones are still alum because they can make them really light that way and racers are very weight conscious.

what my friend just did was to test ride steel bikes at a few LBSs and then he bought an off-brand online from http://www.bikesdirect.com . the idea with that is that while the folks at the LBS were plenty knowledgable they weren't exactly playing Let's Make A Deal. He was looking at what he could get for $1800 or so from the LBS and he got bike that was set up similarly for $1095 shipped from that website. He's super happy and he's commented in the rides he's taken so far that the steel frame was a comfier ride than the alum bikes he test road (although he didn't test ride anything really fancy in alum - just a trek 2300).

good luck with your shopping - folks here are great for opinions on even little stuff.

Pulled from Felts website

• HILL'S SPORT SHOP
4021 MOCKINGBIRD LANE
AMARILLO, TX 79109
806-355-7224

• Buck's Bikes
12530 Research Blvd.
Austin, TX. 78759
512-250-9550

• Ericson Bicycles, Inc.
510 Harwood Rd.
Bedford, TX. 76021
817-268-6572

• Bikes & More
6780 Abrams St Ste #107
Dallas TX 75231
214-341-8921

• Crazy Cat Cyclery
2625 N. Mesa St
El Paso, TX. 79902
915-577-9666

• Westside Cycling, Inc a/k/a Ft. Worth Cycling & Fitness
3315 Cherry Lane
Ft. Worth, TX. 76116
817-244-7911

• Cyclone Cycles
2528 Sheridan St.
Houston, TX. 77030
713-668-2104

• Pro Bike
5603 San Dario Ave.
Laredo, TX. 78041
956-726-3469

• Peyton's Bikes, inc.
4712 N. Midkiff Rd.
Midland, TX. 79705
432-699-1718

• Pearland Cycles
2205A N. Main St.
Pearland, TX. 77581
281-485-6874

• Plano Cycling & Fitness 605 18th St.
Plano, TX. 75074
972-423-4130

• RICHARDS BIKE MART
1451 W. CAMPBELL RD.
RICHARDSON, TX. 75080
972-644-1466

• Bicycle-Heaven, LLC
20323 Huebner Rd. #108
San Antonio, TX. 78258
210-494-0035

• Ride Away Bicycles
8830 Huebner Rd.
San Antonio, TX. 78240
210-696-9925

BTW, I own an F 45 and love it more every day :)

None of the bikes I looked at or test ridden felt just right (either the fit or the way it looked). Without knowing what was wrong with the fit, it's hard to tell you what other bikes you should look at. Based on the manufacturers you mentioned, I think maybe you might want to look at a Lemond bike. A 'cross bike makes a nice compromise between touring and training. You can take 'em off-road as long as it's not too technical.

Cyclone Cycles(Houston) didn't have my size. They said they "custom" order Felts. I guess that means they measure you and order the appropriate size.

Joe

Thank you everyone, for all your suggestions. I went to every one of those shops listed in Felts website, however, I only saw one or two bikes (however, not the ones I was looking for). One shop did say they'd special order them, but I would hate to have them do that only to tell them I changed my mind and didn't want the bike. I guess I'll just keep searching for that elusive perfect bike that doesn't exist just yet. Gosh those Felts sure look sexy though. =)

Unless you are a midget or giant, most stores will not have a problem selling a bike they order for you if you do not like it. Don't feel bad.

Thank you everyone, for all your suggestions. I went to every one of those shops listed in Felts website, however, I only saw one or two bikes (however, not the ones I was looking for). One shop did say they'd special order them, but I would hate to have them do that only to tell them I changed my mind and didn't want the bike. I guess I'll just keep searching for that elusive perfect bike that doesn't exist just yet. Gosh those Felts sure look sexy though. =)

Purchased a Felt SR71 from my LBS (Twin Cities) after I had stopped in and said I was interested in Bianchi which they carried. They said for the money Felt was a better bike. They didn't have my size in the 2 models I was interested in test riding but they had no problem ordering the bikes. The comment was made that if it didn't work out for me they would have no problem selling them. I did end up getting the SR71 and have been pleased with it.

The bike shop that was willing to order the bike for you may also have no problem selling it if you aren't interested in it once you test ride it. You might want to ask directly as I don't think you should feel any obligation to purchase the bike because they special ordered it and you shouldn't overlook a chance to try the Felt if that is what interests you based on that concern.