General Cycling Discussion - just started out

im just starting to get into cycling and i was wondering if anyone had suggestions as to what kind of road bike would be good

A good reply to all good bikers, I could sit here all day and reccomend good bikes but that would take too long, really the choice is up to the rider and what they are comfortable with. I would suggest and anyone else to go to your Local Bike Shop (LBS) and test ride anything that interests you, and of course don't shop in one place, go to a few shops and find what you like. To name a few brands that I have ridden are Cannondale, Fuji, Trek, Lemond, GT, Specialized, Audaux but those are just a few of the many brands. Good luck on your search, and remember you don't have to pay a fortune to get a good quality bike, some LBS's may try rip you off, I know personally, but overall I have had a good experience in puchasing my bike.

thanks for the suggestion, a few of my friends ride cervelo, which from what i understand is a good bike even for the high price of some of the bikes, but i will take your advice and go to my LBS....what would suggest for a price

Hmm prices are hard to estimate, you can get a good quality bike from anywhere between a rough estimate of $400 to if you want a really good touring bike if thats what you looking for up to $700-$900, I bought a used bike for $450, orginally priced at $1300, and the bike is in very good shape, all depends on what you are willing to spend, what is your current budget that you are willing to spend?

But when purchasing the bike you want to look and test the durability and the features, ask for warrantys and adjustments, most shops have a 90 day or even up to a year of free adjustments or anything. Test ride the bike and see if it feels good, many people at your LBS will tell you that steel is better in the way of comfort while biking because everything is absorbed into the steel instead of you in a aluminum bike, but thats up to the rider as well.

im looking to spend at most $1300, i guess im not sure as to what i want as far as steel or aluminum or whatever, im lucky enough to have a roommate who worked as a bike mechanic for 6 years.....the problem is he never rode road bikes, he did ride bmx, but that doesnt really matter i suppose, but he does know a lot about the subject, i just wanted to hear from people with riding experience

Im quite new myself, but with $1300 you can get a very nice bike, carbon fiber if you want.

are there any good online places to find used bikes

how tall are you?

http://tri-itbicycleshop.com/site/itemdetails.cfm?ID=708&Catalog=39

im 5 foot 9 inches