Road Cycling - Help choosing my first road bike

I want to start getting into road biking but need some help choosing a bike. I have run a few marathons and now want to add cycling to my workouts, possible doing some triathlons in the future. My budget would be basically as cheap as possible making sure I get a bike that will last me a while and of reasonably good quality. So with that in mind, from what I have seen I am looking at at least $750 -$1500, though $1500 is pushing it for me. So far I have looked at a cannondale R400, R600, and R800. It seems as though the R400 would be ok. Any thoughts on these bikes or other entry level ones that are reasonably priced. Also, when the 2005 bikes start hitting the shelves do most bike stores give big discounts on the 04' models. This might be a good way of shaving a few dollars off. Used is also another option, but I am having trouble finding anything used. and I don't know enough to really know what I am getting when looking at used bikes.

Any help is much appreciated.

I understand it is long winded, i thought supplying as much info would make any responses a little easier.

Thanks

This forum is great!

Tim

I also just noticed Motobecane bikes, they seem pretty well priced. Any thoughts on these?

Thanks

Is your $750-$1500 budget for everything or just the bike? I just got back into cycling and got an '03 Marin Argenta for $700 which seems to have been a very good purchase. This was from my LBS so I get a 10% discount in their shop and several (but not lifetime or a year) free tune-ups.

Yes most shops will have sales this time of year on the '04s and like mine some '03s are still availible. Personally I am not a fan of Canondales but I just don't like the ride...maybe you do...the only way to know is get out to your LBS and try as many bikes as you can.

One thing though is that on top of the bike you will probably want several other items:

Helmet (this one for sure) $50-$180 depending on what you choose. Look for closeouts.
Padded shorts (get a couple pair) $30-$100 per
Water bottles and cages (got to stay hydrated on the ride) or camelbak - $20-$50
Small saddle bag (for patch kit, extra tube, tire irons) - $10
CO2 inflator or small frame pump - $10-$40
Sun glasses (if you don't already have some) - $30-$150
Jersey (this can be optional but they are nice to have) - $25-$80
Gloves (again optional) - $10-$30
Cyclocomputer (optional) - $20-$90
Shoes and pedals (optional but at some point you will want them) - $130-$500


So I spent $700 on the bike and another $500 on kit and I had a helmet, and most of this stuff was basic stuff from Performance with 20% off codes (also got a sweet deal on a pair of Sidi shoes for 40% off at LBS).

If you are not going to (or can't for whatever reason) test ride a bunch of bikes then the bikes performance has aren't bad and with a 20% off code are pretty cheap too - this one (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=18363&subcategory_ID=3040) would be less than $700 before shipping and if you sign up for Team Performance you will get 10% back in store credit too which you can use to get some of the other things as you feel you need them later.

If at all possbile though ride everything in your price range from every LBS in your area...then pick something you like and that fits you properly and you will be happier in the end.

I also just noticed Motobecane bikes, they seem pretty well priced. Any thoughts on these?

Thanks

i was in a similar situation a couple of months ago... running was my thing and i wanted to add cycling particularly road biking into my workout... i'm still a student so my pockets are relatively shallow... to this end, i bought my first road bike now (rather than wait for the presumptive discounts) for the reason that i can bike asap when the summer weather is at its climax... my road bike is a motobecane mirage which fits the bill perfectly (little over 300 bucks)... i've only ridden this for short distances for about a month but i've enjoyed every moment of it... i'm getting the workout and learning a lot from the maintenance jobs i had to teach myself (adjusting brakes and derailleurs, etc.)... in short, i'm having fun and have had no regrets...

other necessary expenses include frame pump, patch kit, an extra tube, and seat bag, which totaled about 50 bucks for me... tho i will be looking into bib shorts shortly... i already had an old helmet that still fits...

i've skipped out on other stuff including gloves, jerseys, shoes, etc... as i'm riding with bare hands, beat up shirt, and running shoes in this season...

hth

If you are going to do triathalons, there are bikes made specifically for that. A regular road bike will be fine for an occaisional tri, but if you are going to do them alot, you may want a tri bike.
I would say that that decision is your first step, getting the right tool for the job.

Proper fit is extremely important. When you get ready to start looking, do this FIRST: http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=FIT_CALCULATOR_INTRO

That way you will be test riding bikes that are at (or very close to) the proper size. Test riding is very important. Two bikes of equal quality and the "same size", can fit you completely differently. A poor fitting bike would be like running a marathon in the wrong size shoes. They might feel good in the store, but not 20 miles down the road.

hi street - i differ with Avalanche - i don't think a tri bike is a good idea because they're not as comfortable or maneuverable. if it wasn't going to be your only road bike then fine - i mean tri bikes are made for tri's but while i'm regurgitating second hand info, the boy i ride with who's done 8 or 9 tri's and few marathons insists that you can ride a tri on anything.

i'm also not a big fan of those low-end Cdale's because i think you'd have a more comfortable experience on a bike that wasn't all alum. i'm a big fan of steel frames after having recently purchased a Viner Competitions from GVHbikes.com (http://www.ghvbikes.com)

The Jamis Quest (http://www.jamisbikes.com/bikes/04_quest.html) is an excelent value if you're not too tall for them (they only go up to 61cm). It's a classic geometry steel frame with Ultegra and a full carbon fork for $1299. There are no other bikes on the market that offer that kind of value. i'd have been looking seriously at that bike except i'm nearly 6'5".

also check out the Fuji Roubaix Pro (http://fujibikes.com/road/bike.asp?category_short_name=road&myArray=87,88,89,90,91,92,93,102,94,95,96,103,97,104,106,99,98,100,105,101,107,108,109,112,110,111,1 13,114&myArrayID=7&yr=2004) for $1095 at Perfomance.

and just so you know - because of my size i was unable to test ride bikes that i actually wanted, but i was still able to ride a few bikes that had similar seat tube and tob tube lengths and use that info to order online from gvhbikes.com and i was very happy with the results. so don't think you have to buy from only what your local store has in stock. just start out by riding whatever you can in your size so you get a feel for sizes and other specs. also be careful to note whether the company measures c-c (center to center) or c-t (center to top).

the Bianchi Imola (http://www.bianchiusa.com/imola.html) would also be a nice choice in a steel bike. they cost $1250 or so, but you're spending money on the Bianchi name that could be going toward the nicer component group and nicer fork on the Jamis. Bianchi's are no longer made in Italy either I don't think, so it's not like you're paying for that old italian craftsmanship either.

good luck!

oh, and there are good used deals to be had too if you want a quality steel frame with good components but don't want to spend over $1000. notably, there's one seller who has a bunch of Bianchi Veloce's (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=7298&item=3697104767&rd=1) for sale with a Buy It Now of $1100, but i've seen them go for under $1000 too.

Thanks for all of the info.

I guess I still have lot's to learn and look at before I make a decision. I was totally sticker shocked when i first saw it cost that much to get an entry road bike. I guess I will just keep running while I continue looking. Used might be what I have to end up doing since I am a student with not much to blow on a bike. I live in Vancouver BC, if anyone has a used road bike they want to sell let me know.

Thanks.