Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.desertred
09-03-04, 08:49 AM
Ok, I've been mtn biking for a while now and have been looking to get a road bike for fitness and training purposes. I know that I need to look at frame quality 1st and rotational mass 2nd, but I'm getting overwhelmed with the number of frame choices via the LBS or internet for my particular budget (+ $1200 for total bike). Steel, aluminum, carbon, or combos are all possibilities in that price range. One LBS was comparing a $1300 Trek vs. similar priced Lemond he sold and discussing the better frame on the Trek vs. the better component group on the Lemond. I've read that riders weight (I'm 175) may be a concern with carbon frames. Steel and Aluminum frame weights can vary widely in this price range as well. I'm not worried over ounces, but I've seen bikes in this price range vary between 17 and 23 lbs - a pretty big difference. So, how can one tell that the frame on a bike (for a particular price range) is top notch? What manufacturers are known for quality frames, or they all pretty similar?