Road Cycling - New. Need a bike. Have 500$. What do I buy ?

Here is my situation...

I am a personal trainer, I am in the best shape of my life. I want to start cycling in the mornings and go about 30-50 miles round trip, 5 days a week. I am looking for a starter bike, but I am by no means a beginner, just new to the sport. I am currently riding a Raleigh mountain bike 20 miles daily, but I am tired of seeing all the guys on road bikes passing me up while I pedal much harder. I want to increase my distance and maximize on all my pedaling. So, knowing my budget, which is 500 dollars, what can you guys reccomend me, or better yet, who has a used bike ? I found at the local shop a Specialized Allez for 529 bucks, is that a good deal ? Sorry, too many questions...

Let me clear up what I would like ...

Advice on a good bike for me, what brand, what model, etc... Keep in mind, $500 Bucks!

Thanks Again,

Abel M.


P.s. Once I get my bike I would like to get group rides going with other riders in the OC area here in Ca, I take the Coyote Creek trail every day. Email me with any suggestions please Folks... FitAbel24Hr@aol.com

fuji finest $400

THanks ... what you think about this one ?

Trek 1000 (http://twowheelsoneplanet.com/site/itemdetails.cfm?ID=826&Catalog=1&sort=Price%20desc)

I don't like aluminum

You a big Fuji man Opie?

It's $100 less than that Trek!

http://feltracing.com/2004_bikes/images/f90_02.jpg

If you want steel SIERRATRADINGPOST.COM has a nice Marin for $499. They also have a internet coupon for free ground shipping.

I was under the impression the finest had downtube shifters.

Heh thats true, I am a Fuji man myself, I just recently got my Used 2002 Fuji Roubaix, can't say anything more about that.

I was under the impression the finest had downtube shifters.
no


Heh thats true, I am a Fuji man myself, I just recently got my Used 2002 Fuji Roubaix, can't say anything more about that.
Great bike!

I should've gotten the Roubaix Pro, but didn't know I was gonna love cycling as much as I do.

I have a 2003 Finest with a bunch of upgrades...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v148/lordopie/082104d.jpg

LordOpie, where are you seeing a Finest for $400? Are you sure you're not thinking of the League (which does have downtube shifters)? My FBS carries Fujis and I've ridden the Finest. To the original poster, If you want steel then it's one of the better bargains out there. I've seen them for around the low-to-mid $500s. Other bikes in that price range include the Giant OCR3, Trek 1000, Specialized Allez Triple, Ibex Vantage 4400, Felt F90, K2 Mach 1.0. Of the aforementioned, I'd be inclined to go with the Ibex Vantage 4400 for $569. However, that price is through them directly which means you won't be able to testride the bike to see if it fits so it's a bit risky. The main reason I'd choose the Ibex is because it has a step up in componentry (Tiagra) over the others and I really dislike Sora shifters because I can't shift from the drops with them.

Another option is to buy used or clearance. Some shops may be deep-discounting leftover 2002/2003 stock and you might be able to pick up a bike that was selling in the $800 range for around $500. Also, visit some shops which are multisport such as the ones that sell skis in the off-season. They're usually trying to move bike stock around this time as the ski season starts ramping up.

If your looking at the Fuji League, look at a Raleigh Sport. It's about $100 more, but you get STI shifters, and overall better components. Only advantage I saw on the Fuji was it's frame had a cro-moly mian triangle, and the stays were hi-ten, while the entre frame of the Sport is hi-ten (both have cro-moly forks).

people people, I own a Finest (see the pic above for my good friend), so I'm not gonna mistake it for anything else :)

Bicycle Village in the greater Denver area, yes my area, no, not your area (necessarily) had the bike on sale a few weeks back for $399. Performance Bikes -- and there's a ton of 'em -- matches competitor's prices, so if there's a Performance near you, then you're in luck.

Is the bike still on sale, yeah, dunno, don't care. However, if someone was 100% certain they were going to buy the Finest, I'd find the newspaper ad and send it to you.

The other thing is, if BV -- which only has five stores -- can sell is for $399, then anyone interested should keep an eye out for sales in your area.

Schwinn Fastback is the best I've seen in that categorie. Double pass welds!!! And components that don't completely suck!!!

Components are what exactly ?
What are tube shifters ?
What is a double/triple ?

What the hell in general ?

Thanks

Abel

p.s. Is steel really feel or weigh that much different than aluminum ? and what is chromoly exactly ?

downtube shifters are mounted on the tube that slopes upward from the pedals to the headtube. Components are the parts put on the bike like crankset, shifters, derailleurs, etc, double vs. triple is the number of gears you have up front. Less is better :-D

downtube shifters are mounted on the tube that slopes upward from the pedals to the headtube. Components are the parts put on the bike like crankset, shifters, derailleurs, etc, double vs. triple is the number of gears you have up front. Less is better :-D

And hence, this is the ultimate ride... :D

http://store.semcycle.com/images/UW.jpg

I'm new to road, and just got a Lemond Nevada City (http://www.lemondbikes.com/2004_bikes/nevada_city.jsp) and I friggin LOVE it. Compare the price ($550) and components to the Trek, Specialized(both $700) and you'll see the Lemond has got the goods. Tiagra rear derailer, 6061 frame, carbon fork. Yeah it's stripped down in comparison, but do you want to spend an extra $200-300 for an adjustable head/top brakes/weight? Plus it's STI...I really like the bike, and for a 1st road, it's a deal. Even my cycle coach likes it!
http://www.lemondbikes.com/images/2004_bikes/medium/nevadacity.jpg

Felt Has a great low end bike. Looks and rides good.

Components are what exactly ?
What are tube shifters ?
What is a double/triple ?

What the hell in general ?

Thanks

Abel

p.s. Is steel really feel or weigh that much different than aluminum ? and what is chromoly exactly ?

Cycleman22:

You are really a newbe. I would NOT order online and go to a local bike shop for a fitting. Since you know little about bikes, you're better off putting yourself in the hands of a professional. The bike you buy online will not fit and will more than likely be very uncomfortable. It will cost more to buy from a local bike shop but it will be money well spent.

On a separate issue, I would look for a steel bike because you are NOT racing and next to fit, comfort is everything for the non-racer.

Components are what exactly ?
What are tube shifters ?
What is a double/triple ?

What the hell in general ?

Thanks

Abel

p.s. Is steel really feel or weigh that much different than aluminum ? and what is chromoly exactly ?

components are those things on the bike that isn't the frame or the wheels. so brakes, brake levers, shifters,the drivetrain, etc. downtube shifters are shifters located on the downtube. do a google for bike parts.

chromoly IS steel. steel tends to be a little heavier than alum, but these days the diff is small. $500 for a spec allez is an OK price. in september bikes are cheaper (end of season). if u feel confident, 0get a used bike. save tons of dough that way.

sd

Cycleman22:

You are really a newbe. I would NOT order online and go to a local bike shop for a fitting. Since you know little about bikes, you're better off putting yourself in the hands of a professional. The bike you buy online will not fit and will more than likely be very uncomfortable. It will cost more to buy from a local bike shop but it will be money well spent.
ditto!

And go to a bike shop, not a sporting goods store.

Second that!! Or third that rather. Gotta go with a bike shop. They are pros, know their stuff for sure. I like my steel frame...she's a bit heavy but I'm comfortable with that. I'm not out to break records, I like to go for distance so the weight isn't an issue for me. I like the Trek personally, but more for looks than anything else, I don't know how they ride. Look at a lower end Bianchi...they are affordable and I LOVE my Volpe.

....if you can...save $300 more and get a bike with more robust components

Second that!! Or third that rather. Gotta go with a bike shop. They are pros, know their stuff for sure.

well, gotta disagree here. bike shop might know more than the original poster, but they're rarely pros of any kind; as noticed here there are constant remarks about "finding the best LBS", because it's _hard_ to find a good bike shop. if cycleman22 does his research on the net he should be able to accumulate enough info to go out on his own, imho...

sd