Road Cycling - Total beginner questions about 1st bike

Hi all,

I am a total beginner and am looking to buy a
first bike.

Here are my questions:

1. Will I be better off (will I pay less) buying everything separate and then assembling the bike myself?

2. What is a good bike to start off on (cheap but decent)?

I've checked out the local shops and brands I saw were Trek, Giant, Avalanche, Geneses, but most of these are just too expensive for a first bike.

The only bike I have enough money for is an Avalanche Stratus. Is this bike any good, or should I rather save a bit more and get a Trek 1000 or 1200 (which are the next cheapest ones)?

Thanks for any help.

Here are the answers. :)
1. No.
2. I'd go with the low end Trek or Giant.
You might also consider a "good" used bike. Take a knowledgeable cycling friend when you shop for a used bike.

The most important thing to get, whether new or used, is a bike that FITS.

Happy cycling. :thumbup:

Do you want to ride around, commute, tour or do competative racing?
What is your budget ? If it is really tight, then you may be better off getting a good 2nd hand bike.

Besides the big companies, there are some fine smaller outfits who make a lot of bike for the money. KHS, Jamis.

Remember to budget for accessories like helmet, gloves, shirts, some basic tools and spares. For competative racing you will need clipless pedals and shoes, but for leisure riding, you can do without these.


Be careful of buying a bike which doesnt fit you, just becasue its cheap.

RonH: Thanks for the welcome message :)

So how do I know if a bike fits me?
I am roughly 6'0" and weigh 176 pounds.
What size bike should I be looking for? (I told you I was a TOTAL beginner :) )

MichaelW: I want to cycle pretty much every day for exercise and recreation. I don't plan on getting competitive just yet, but I want to train pretty hard.

My budget it quite tight (I'm a student), the only bike I can afford right now is the Avalanche. But the Trek isn't too far off, and I'm sure I can organize some additional cash.

Also, could you guys give me a good reason why I should get the Trek rather than the cheaper options? (I need a good reason here, to be used in my application for additional funding :) )

Thanks for the help...

ok, first of all I'm guessing but you seem to have about $500 or so (American curreny) to spend?

Second if you are trying to figure out which way to go, for one building a bike on this budget wouldn't be efficent. Buying a new bike could work, but you are going to have to choose a bike which is lower grade.
I would say your best bet would be to look for a used bike, for one there is a guy on this forum who got a cannondale road bike used for $700 ;)
Look around, ask around, and see who is selling, it maybe worth the look.

Third, your build is similar to mine (also 6'0") you could probably fit into a 58 cm bike, but maybe want to go 56cm. It really depends on how the bike feels, go to a LBS and test out some bikes and different sizes and see what you like.

Here is a way to find out bike size (maybe it will help) Performancebikes (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/sizecharts/roadsize.cfm)

Last tip I can give you is, not to rush finding the right bike for you. I am currently building my own bike, and had I not researched it before hand, I would guessing at part sizes ;)

VegasCyclist: Thanks for the advice.

I am going to wait till I can get the right bike (thanks to everyone's advice), which is the Trek 1000 or maybe 1200.

There is a cheap (411 USD) Trek 1200 on a local auction site. Looks like a good deal. Might go for that.

Thanks again...

Dont wait till you have enough money for an expensive Trek, get a bike, get out and ride.

Get in contact with a local bike club and ask if anyone has a bike for sale. My brother picked up a nice bike this way. Serious racers are always upgrading their bikes, and like to help out new riders.

I do most of my riding on a good but cheap 2nd hand bike with very old fashioned components. Its still great fun to ride.

When you get an expensive bike, you really need to understand what you are looking for in terms of fit and design. You can only get this information for riding.

A trek 1200 is not a road bike, it is a touring bike.
As far as assembling a bike yourself: Do you posess the needed tools? Do you know how to build a bike?
As far as the $500 cost somebody mentioned: You can not build a decent road bike for $500. Sorry.

D*Alex: No, I know nothing about cycling. I just wanted to know whether it would be cheaper to build a bike myself. Then I would have asked further questions or learnt what I needed to learn.

As for the 1200, if it is a touring bike, how come it's under the 'performance' section on the Trek site, and not under the 'loaded touring' section?

Plus, what is the difference between a road and touring bike? How are you supposed to tell the difference if you don't know much (like me) if they don't tell you?

Which of the Treks are road bikes then?

Thanks for the help...

Ayon,
Howzit Boet? :D
couple of things here:
The 1200 is according to Trek part of their Road competition
series. Uses the same frame as the 2000, 2200 etc. The only
difference that I can see are in the components (shimano Tiagra
vs 105 or ultegra for the higher dollar (or rand as the case
may be) bikes.
Speaking of Rand, you're going to be at a disadvantage
due to the rand/dollar rates.
Building your own will work out significantly more than
buying complete bike. Manufactures can get components
at much lower cost.
You might look into used, but be sure that the frame
fits before you buy. I'd suggest that you go get fitted
by LBS. Alot of shops have used bikes also.
Check with Van Heerden up in Jo'burg. they sell some
pretty expensive stuff but also have had entry level
racers for good price.

Marty

lotek: :p You an ex-South African?

Thanks for the tips, I'll check them out.

:)

ayon,


lotek: You an ex-South African?
what makes you say that? hehe.
No, not an emigre but I lived in RSA for 5 years.
to be honest, I miss it. but not living in Jo'burg.
Pick up a copy of SA specific biking magazine, preferably
road mag (sacycling?) check the adverts for shops.
I'd stay away from the low end stuff. It just won't give you
the service you want.
My best advice is find a shop you can trust, one that will
sell you what you want, not what they think you need.
As above, check out local sales. Try the daily trader
ask local clubs. There are ALWAYS bikes out there just
collecting dust.
The other thing I'd suggest is read up as much as you can
on bikes/components. The more you know the better armed
you'll be when it comest time to buy.

Now, if you could send me some baie lekker Driwors or Biltong....
Don't get too Gotvol, its not worth it.....hehe
Marty

Originally posted by lotek
ayon,

to be honest, I miss it. but not living in Jo'burg.



Hehe, yep joburg is not the place for you if you are not too enthusiastic about getting hijacked or shot.

Thanks for the additional tips.

So what do you guys think about 412 USD for an "almost new" Trek 1200 with extras?
Should I take it?

It is by far the best deal I've seen, it is at least 700 USD for a new one in the shops.

Ayon,

If it fits its a good deal.
what extras?

Marty

Originally posted by lotek
Ayon,

If it fits its a good deal.
what extras?

Marty

Here is the description itself:

Almost brand (200km) new Trek 1200 with Look pedals a 2001 Model, Water bottel, Back pack with full spares, If wanted brand new helmet wotrh R900(included).

OK
What size is it, and what size are you? Without that, I haven't got a clue if it is even close to fitting you.

D'Alex

Previous post by Ayon stated he was roughly 6'0 (remember he is used to metric so I guess thats why the "roughly".
I'm thinking 56 or 58cm frame? not sure since I'm 5'8 ride 53cm.

Ayon,
what size is the Trek frame ?
If it doesn't fit, as previously stated, even for R50 it isn't a good deal, you'll be Very unhappy with it.
Here's what you need to do (IMHO)
go to a bike shop, and figure out what size frame fits you.
I'd suggest strongly you try on some
Trek frames to get the size, then and only then if the used trek
is size that fits consider it. The extras are ok, you'll need a helmet and some kind of pedals so that works,
the backpack waterbottle etc. are not as important
(I'd buy my own new water bottles).
hope this helps.
Are you at university? Matric?

Marty

lotek: Yeah, someone else suggested 56/58 size frame, too. The bike in question is also that size (the guy said "56 or 58"; he wasn't very clear in his explanation, but I am waiting on him to clarify).

Plus I am at university (UCT to be exact), third year, getting my degree this year hopefully :) .