What road bike to buy
 

I have been a mountain biker for a long time and I am familiar with the parts and all for mountain bikes, but I am lost when it comes to road bikes. I don't ride trails much anymore so I want a road bike. I am 6' 225 and want something that has a lot of potential in the range of $500. Please help me in my quest to find a good road bike. Thanks guys.

There's this!

http://cgi.ebay.com/BIANCHI-VELOCE-R...QQcmdZViewItem

Nice bike, Tom. However, it says it has a standover height of 33 inches, which would make this a 59cm Veloce, which is probably a tad tall for a 6.0" Clyde. I'm 6-1" and ride a 57cm Bianchi with a standover of 31.0 inches. But I got my bike off of ebay, and as long as you are buying from a reputable seller, you can get a nice bike for a nice price.

That's actually the point I was trying to make as well as suggesting a line of bike. He is a mountainbiker, so should understand fit geometry already. :D

Road bike.
Potential.
$500 price.

Pick two.

A typical LBS road bike price range starts at around $500-$550. Lowest priced bikes on the floor of my two closests LBSs are $525 & $550.

So the options are department store bike, something from Bikesdirect, used, or slight bump up to bottom of line LBS bike.

I've seen a Schwinn LeTour down in the $575 range. And the Fuji Newest 4.0 for under $500, but that's a pretty striped down bike. The 3.0 is better but up around $600. Then there is the Trek 1000 that lists for $700, but my LBS sells it for $650.

If you know what size best fits you, and you can make your own fit adjustments, then I'd go used as $500 will get you a nice used bike.

At $500 I would look for a used bike locally on CL or in the classifieds.

Last month this ebay seller was listing a NOS LeMond Reno, Reynolds 525, at $450 BIN. In addition to this 57cm they had a 59cm. Nothing listed now, but they relist every so often. fwiw.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Lemond-Reno-NEW-...QQcmdZViewItem

It's true that you aren't going to get a great new bike for $500 but there are some deals around. If you have a Performance nearby, they have an Iron Horse Triumph for $450. It's Sora level which isn't bad for less than $500. REI has the Novara Divano Bike for $630 with Tiagra components. If you have a Fuji dealer near, the Fuji Finest series are a fairly good value. The Finest 4.0 is around $500. The LeMond Etape looks pretty good for near $700.

Just look around and ride everything you can sit on.

Not trying to hijack the thread, but I've been looking for info on the finest 4.0.
Last year's model had the down tube shifters but I can get it for around 350 for the LBS (which is the same price as the mtb i need to give back), I was just wondering what you thought of downtube shifters and the 2200 shimano drivetrain parts and derailleurs.

Thanks!

I actually prefer the DT shifters, but I'm a retrogrouch. I don't even use indexed shifting. I ride old lugged steel and love it. :D

Finest 4.0 is a sweet ride though and if I were looking at a new bike, that would be right there in the list I was looking at.:D

If you are going to go for downtube shifters, I would buy a used bike from the period where that technology was at its height. 2200 is sub Sora level. You may be able to get a good used bike with a better quality frame and Camy or Sun Tour gear for similar (or better) price.

http://djforum.free.fr/smileysmileys...ley.com.54.gifAgreed, that's why I ride vintage steel! Simplicity and function with a touch of elegance in the metalworking!