Road Cycling - biking a road bike for the first time

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newrider
08-02-04, 06:08 PM
I am looking at buying a road bike for the first time. I don't know that much about the bikes so i was wondering if i could get some help. I've been looking at the Trek 1200, the Giant OCR2, Bianchi Brava, Specialized Sport, and the LeMond Nevada City. I need help narrowing down my list. All of the bikes are around the same price and i do not really know which one whould suite me best.

Addicted2cyclin
08-02-04, 07:33 PM
trek baby
LordOpie
08-02-04, 08:48 PM
I say buy from a quality local shop and let them help you. I'm real happy with my steel Fuji.

annemarie9
08-17-04, 06:58 PM
I just bought my first road bike on sunday. i had always ridden mountain bikes.. except for the "15-speed" bike I had when I was 12. ;) I got the OCR2 after much deliberation over the Specialized Allez Sport and the Trek 1200. It was close and in the end I went with the cheaper one because the component set is pretty similar. They all pretty much have Shimano Tiagra components. Check out Shimano's site to see the heirarchy of Shimano components (Sora -> Tiagra -> 105 -> Ultegra). In my town I was able to buy the OCR2 for $720 and the others were more expensive. However, the others did have a carbon seatpost (supposed to absorb more shock). But I will probably upgrade that later. I LOVE the bike and am amazed how smooth the ride is compared to mountain biking. I've heard that Giant will always edge out the others in price b/c all their frames are made en masse in Asia. Whereas the others may be made in USA or other more expensive place. My best recommendation is to ride them all and see which feels better but make sure you're fitted correctly on the bikes before riding because this can affect your decision. ENJOY!
Zin
08-17-04, 07:07 PM
Actually, Giant makes many of the frames for many of the major brands sold in the U.S. At least this is what on LBS told me. That is why the Giant has a better price point. They make their own frames vs. paying someone else to do it.
breggurns
08-17-04, 08:24 PM
Specializes are good and they are backed by a good company who will take care of you if there any problems with their products. I dont like Giant's much...personal opinion.