Road Cycling - Newbie First Road Bike

Im trying to decide what road bike to get, Im ready to take the plunge but as per usual money is a restriction. The local bike shop has a website that has at the moment only a few of their bikes on it, but does this look pretty decent?

http://www.touringcyclist.com/bikes/model_12014.html

The price is within my range, what im asking though is if its reasonable and if it looks like its a decent product. In the age old delema I want the best bang for the buck, and the buck is limited to <500$ ( which for me is a very very big investment- but lusting over a road bike and knowing If i drop the money there is noway I can turn my back on it after the novelty period wears off!).


Thanks in advanced

I'm new to this scene and I found some reviews about cheap entry level Trek's being nice. I got into this very cheap, hooked up a old cannondale from the early 80's used at a LBS. Rough bike though, damn aluminum!

Is $400 the max you want to spend on a bike? If so, here is my opinion:

The bike you linked is fine for an entry level inexpensive bike. It's a basic aluminum frame and steel fork combo with a Sora drivetrain and generic components. Depending on the type of riding you do, it will either serve you well or you'll end up hating it and dropping cycling altogether.

Another route to consider is going used. For the same $400, you could find a little used 1 or 2 year old bike in near perfect condition that orignally sold for $800-$1000 and has a better mix of frame and parts.

Has you test ridden anything? What fits?

55/Rad

Fuji Finest (steel, not aluminum). IF you really think you're gonna ride it on a regularly basis, then find a way to buy a steel bike with the Shimano 105 or Campy Veloce group... ~$900.

If you're not sure, then the Finest (or similar from another manufacturer) should serve you well and become a decent back-up bike in the future.

Seems to be a perfectly rideable bike, well specced for a beginner and at a decent price. I think it can take a luggage rack and fenders, so may be suitable for commuting and foul weather riding. A lot of these no-name bikes are badged Taiwanese frames of good-enough quality, so the brand means very little.
How is the service and support from the store. Will they fit you properly?

I still dont understand what the difference in componets gets me, the bike is on backorder, so im toying with the idea of getting the fuji finest, but again I dont really know what the difference in price gets me :(

I still dont understand what the difference in componets gets me, the bike is on backorder, so im toying with the idea of getting the fuji finest, but again I dont really know what the difference in price gets me :(

This is a problem many newbies have. My suggestion to newbies who are trying out bikes is to always include a testride on a bike well beyond their budget. This allows them to calibrate their senses for the quality of frames, forks, wheels, components, etc. Sometimes they can't tell the difference and other times they will get an idea of particular qualities of a bike that is important to them which will help them choose "in the now". They may or may not up their budget to that of the ultra-highend but they will develop a better sense for the spectrum of quality. Usuaully they end up with something in between. As their riding progresses, they can build upon that knowledge so that subequent bike purchases will be more informed and educated and their senses will be more refined.

So my suggestion to you would be to try out all different types of bikes even if you don't think you'd ever want to buy it or even if you think you won't be able to afford it. The experience you gain will help you focus on the bikes that are within your current selection scope. Good luck.

Fuji Finest (steel, not aluminum). IF you really think you're gonna ride it on a regularly basis, then find a way to buy a steel bike with the Shimano 105 or Campy Veloce group... ~$900.

If you're not sure, then the Finest (or similar from another manufacturer) should serve you well and become a decent back-up bike in the future.

Amen about the steel bike. Bicycleblowout.com has steel bikes for sale under $500.00 so it's possible. A used touring bike on Ebay would be much better than those hard alu bikes any day of the week.

find out what size you are and then i can show you some ebay options to consider that would be a way cooler way to spend $500 - just like 55/rad said.

also, khuon makes an excellent point: all the component groups (sora, tiagra, 105, ultegra, and dura-ace) look pretty much the same to novice. similarly, frames made of very different materials also just look like a bike.

test ride a $500, $1000, and $1500 bike - you can end up getting something that rides and performs as well as each for about half that on ebay, but then you'll know what size you are and what frame/components are worth paying for.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=7298&item=3693958765&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=7298&item=3694433751&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=7298&item=3694406134&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=7298&item=3694151378&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=7298&item=3694607293&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=7298&item=3694496946&rd=1

St. Louis area rider? If so, cool :)