Need help picking out first bike?
06-08-17, 02:10 PM
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Need help picking out first bike?
So I've decided to get my first road bike so I can ride with my wife on the weekends. We won't be doing heavy riding, maybe 40 miles a week. I definitely can't drop $700+ for a bike I might rarely ride. Near me for sale is a 2005 Specialized Roubaix for $300, a 2005 Trek XO1 Cyclocross for around $300, and a 2008 Flet Z90 which I think I could pick up for under $200. Are any of these keepers?
06-08-17, 02:13 PM
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Bikes are like shoes.
Get the one that fits you well and you will ride far.
Get the one that fits you well and you will ride far.
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Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
06-08-17, 02:16 PM
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06-08-17, 02:28 PM
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No one can provide an informed response based on the scant information provided.
06-08-17, 02:30 PM
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"Near me for sale is a 2005 Specialized Roubaix for $300, a 2005 Trek XO1 Cyclocross for around $300, and a 2008 Flet Z90 which I think I could pick up for under $200" is 2 hours away?
Most bike riding is 10% The Bike
90% the Rider.
Most bike riding is 10% The Bike
90% the Rider.
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Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
06-08-17, 02:51 PM
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Two hours away must be close by WY standards. Ain't much out there. 
06-08-17, 05:41 PM
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They're all good bikes and brands. Do you have size info on the bikes? Are any the correct size for you?
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The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
06-09-17, 06:09 AM
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2 hours is a bit of a hike. I drove across WY once and I know it's a long drive; heck it's 40 minutes for me to hit Walmart or the mall, from where I live.
Anyhow... sorry, I feel lazy and won't look up those rides. I'd go Tiagra or better, but that's me: for a newbie rider Sora oughta get the job done.
I'd do some reading on bike fit, looking at calculators that tell you what size you should ride. I wouldn't take them as gospel; but in lieu of having a shop fit you or your good buddy, it's a place to start. Figure out roughly what size you need, then bike shop. Then you can look into particular bikes and see if they have the components you want. Or not.
Anyhow... sorry, I feel lazy and won't look up those rides. I'd go Tiagra or better, but that's me: for a newbie rider Sora oughta get the job done.
I'd do some reading on bike fit, looking at calculators that tell you what size you should ride. I wouldn't take them as gospel; but in lieu of having a shop fit you or your good buddy, it's a place to start. Figure out roughly what size you need, then bike shop. Then you can look into particular bikes and see if they have the components you want. Or not.
06-09-17, 06:55 AM
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So I've decided to get my first road bike so I can ride with my wife on the weekends. We won't be doing heavy riding, maybe 40 miles a week. I definitely can't drop $700+ for a bike I might rarely ride. Near me for sale is a 2005 Specialized Roubaix for $300, a 2005 Trek XO1 Cyclocross for around $300, and a 2008 Flet Z90 which I think I could pick up for under $200. Are any of these keepers?
find out seat tube length(bike size) and standover height for each bike. Also find out what you will generally need to ride. If any of the possible bikes are too big or small, you have just narrowed down your choices.
next, get some pictures of the components. is the bar tape ratty?...thatll cost $15. Are the tires shot?...thatll cost $60+. Are cables rusty?...thatll cost $20.
If all bikes fit you and the detailed pictures of components and frame show the bikes are all in good condition- you cant go wrong with any of them.
With that said, I would go with...
- Specialized is nicest- 105 shifters, quality steel tube frame, carbon fork, triple crank
- Felt is next- Lower end shifters, but they are still perfectly fine if in good mechanical condition. Carbon fork and triple crank.
- Trek is next- aluminum fork is a negative in my book. the crank's chainring choices are...unique for a beginner's roadbike. The gearing(chainrings and cassette combined) is not ideal for a beginner. The 105 shifting is nice though.
06-09-17, 07:06 AM
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Use this (https://www.competitivecyclist.com/S...ulatorBike.jsp) then get geometry charts for each bike and try to figure out what might or might not fit.
Thing is, most people can fit on two or three sizes depending on how the bikes are adjusted---but only might be comfortable on one ... and it might be different than the one the next guy lies, even though both of you are exactly the same size.
You can at least get a rough idea .... say 56 and 58-cm frames, for most bikes---and thus limit the number of bikes you have to consider.
After that, you actually have to go look---and the seller might have written down the size wrong, or not known how to measure it ... or the bike might be trashed ... or have been trashed a painted and polished and still have deep damage, or might not have been ridden three time in three years.
I suggest going to YouTube and searching "How to buy a used bicycle."
You simply won't ride a bike that isn't enjoyable to ride. So getting a bike which fits is paramount
Thing is, most people can fit on two or three sizes depending on how the bikes are adjusted---but only might be comfortable on one ... and it might be different than the one the next guy lies, even though both of you are exactly the same size.
You can at least get a rough idea .... say 56 and 58-cm frames, for most bikes---and thus limit the number of bikes you have to consider.
After that, you actually have to go look---and the seller might have written down the size wrong, or not known how to measure it ... or the bike might be trashed ... or have been trashed a painted and polished and still have deep damage, or might not have been ridden three time in three years.
I suggest going to YouTube and searching "How to buy a used bicycle."
You simply won't ride a bike that isn't enjoyable to ride. So getting a bike which fits is paramount
06-09-17, 07:17 AM
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Assuming they fit, I'd say any of those three would be okay. I'd probably pick the Trek XO 1 because of the greater tire clearance. Sounds like you may be in a rural area and if there's gravel you might end up wanting to ride, wider tires makes that more enjoyable.
