Road Cycling - New to Road Biking

I am looking at getting into Road Biking and have narrowed my bike choices down to two Bikes.

Bianchi Vigorelli - Steel

Trek 2200 - Aluminum/Carbon

I have tested both and both feel very similar. Long term plans are to train for a century and help train for mtbing.


I plan on giving these two bikes another test ride. I am lookikng for some advice as two what to look for in the ride/handeling/weight/components ect. that will help me to make my decision.

Thanks for you advice/help.

The best advice, which you'll get over and over on this site, is to go with the one that fits the best. A good fit can be described as the best setup combination (frame and components) that maximize both power and comfort. Some combinations can give you tremendous power but be extremely painful after only a few miles - and vice versa.

Take the time to get properly fitted before you buy and the time to adjust your purchase to your specs after you buy. If you are dealing with an LBS, this can be done in one session. If it turns out they both fit, then start to look at details like handling and component mixes to determine your own personal preferences and make your decision accordingly. Good luck.

55/Rad

That said, if they both fit well, get the Bianchi! :D

Stupid question: What does it mean to be "fitted" by the LBS?

When I've bought bikes before, they said to stand over the bike and lift it to check the clearance. I will probably buy a new bike soon, but the one I'm looking at again they just checked clearance (which I felt was odd, since the bike had a compact frame [sloping top tube]). Do they do fitting after I purchase the bike? What do they change when fitting, just the seat position? (It will be too late to change the frame size, I doubt they'd be willing to swap out the stem.) I don't know how to test the fit myself. I went on a 30 minute ride, the longest they'd let me, and it seemed okay, but in practice I'll be biking much further. This is also my first road bike. I used an online tool (wrenchscience, I think) to get an idea for the bike shape, and the numbers are all in the right ballpark (the store only had the bike in one size, but I also looked up different sizes online, and at least two of them have numbers in the right ballpark, so again I'm not sure what is important here).

I have purchased bikes from two LBSs before, and there was no "fitting." I am looking at two different bike shops now, and it doesn't look like there can be a fitting (not enough selection). Are fittings only for high end bikes ($1500+)? I don't want to spend a lot of money on a bike that fits poorly, but I don't see what I can do to avoid it.

Stand over is only the start. They should make sure the bike's top tube is not to long as well if you have any doubt as to weather you feel to strecht out on the bike I would go with a slightly smaller frame and change the stem, then on that was to long. Look at all the numbers the online calculator gave you IMO the bike you get should have measurments that are less then or equal to the calculator but never greater then.

......the bianchi!!!!