mccabegc

Greetings everyone,

I am in the market for a new bike. Well, I am in the market for a bike. I haven't owned one in about 10 years. I have started to have serious problems with my knees while running so, I want to pick up cycling to replace my running routine.

I am a complete noob when it comes to riding for sport / exercise. I don't know if a road or hybrid bike would be best for me. I don't know if I should be looking for a 14 speed or if a 24 speed would be better. Honestly, I don't know bikes, I just know that I like to ride and now I want to ride.

All of my riding will be on the road. Asphalt in particular. I am 5'10 185 with a leg length of 32". I'd like to keep the budget around $700 but I would consider stretching the budget a bit if the features were recommended by an experienced rider.


Thank you in advance!!!

George

f4rrest

Since you're a runner and intend to use it on the road, I'd say road bike, because you'll enjoy the faster ride and more flexible hand positions.

What is your budget?

mccabegc

$700 but I could be persuaded to go a tad higher if the features were worth it.

goenrdoug

What is your nearest metro area (craigslist) ?

mccabegc

I live in Southern New Jersey. So Philadelphia I suppose.

Blue Belly

Discuss with your doctor & physical therapist. They really know what's going on in your body & know what will help/hurt it.

f4rrest

Sorry, just noticed that you included the budget already. That would be tough to find a new one from a major brand.

Maybe a Fuji from Performance if there's one nearby.

It's important that you try a few bikes out before anything, even if they're over budget. Just so you get a sense for what you like.

goenrdoug

You'll probably want to look for a 56cm bike.

Ideally, 105 or ultegra components. Dura-ace is 'top of the line' and probably unnecessary/too expensive to mess with for you at this time. Tiagra is next under 105 and is the accepted budget concession, all other stuff being equal. When you get into Sora (and below) you begin to really have to make concessions to functionality/durability that you probably won't want to make.

Here are a few suggestions from a quick look around:

https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/bik/5155254739.html -- needs a new seat, stem, bottle cage. lower level components. leaves budget for shorts and shoes and stuff you'll need.
https://allentown.craigslist.org/bik/5177417896.html -- a bit over-priced, wheels may be a bit light for anyone but the super-skinny folks.
https://southjersey.craigslist.org/bik/5141769305.html -- might be the best of the bunch. Take off the aero bars (or, heck, leave them on) and enjoy. Find out what level of shifters/components it has. If 105, awesome. If Tiagra, okay.
https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/bik/5177740114.html -- a bit over-priced (?). Lower level components, off brand. needs new stem.
https://lancaster.craigslist.org/bik/5162147103.html -- Good bike. A bit flashy, but solid components. Wheels brand questionable (?)

Always look up the bike on Home - Used Bicycles for Sale - BicycleBlueBook.com to get an idea of where it stands and what you might be able to do, haggle-wise.

Finally, keep in mind that you're also going to need shorts with a chamois (the built in pad that you will definitely want) as well as appropriate clothing, shoes with appropriate clips, etc. Much like you wouldn't jog in work attire, proper gear is a must in cycling, so don't forget it when figuring out budget.

mawashi

Best road bikes under $1000
Best road bikes under $1000 - BikeRadar
The Best Road Bikes You Can Buy for Under $1,000 - MensJournal.com
https://www.amazon.com/Vilano-Aluminu...dygearguide-20
The 5 Best Road Bikes Under $1000 Reviewed | Bicycle Touring Guide

bassjones

Now is a great time to buy for those of us in Northern climates. My LBS is running a 40% off sale on all leftover 2015 bikes right now. Unfortunately, you're going to be looking for the most popular size (56 cm), so may be slim pickings. Look for a Cannondale CAAD10-5 or CAAD10-6 because the CAAD12s are starting to come in, so the dealers will be looking to unload them. At 40-50% off MSRP, you can get a $1500 bike and be within budget.

mccabegc

Thank you all for the replies. I don't necessarily have a LBS. Its very odd to say that living in a shore community but the nearest one is 45 minutes away. They sell Trek and Scott. I am going to make some phone calls a little further north tomorrow to see what is available.

I am trying to avoid an online purchase because I really do want to get a feel for the bike before purchase.

roccobike

Smart! Go to a bike shop and try the bike out before you buy. As you are new to cycling and you have the budget, I'd go for a new bike. A used bike may be better for someone who can't afford a new bike or has experience and know what to look for in a used bike. Buying a year end leftover, if it's your size is another smart move. The one feature I like to see on a new, entry level bike is a carbon fork to absorb some of the shock transmitted through the frame to your hands and arms. Paying a little more now, buying a slightly better bike will add to your riding pleasure. You should be able to get a good quality bike with a decent drive train for under $1000. At $700 you will only be able to look at the bottom of the road bike line up.

mccabegc

The more research I do, the more I am willing to adjust my budget. I'm thinking about increasing my budget to the $1500 range. I am think at the 700 mark I will be limiting myself to a bike that I could quickly outgrow which would only result in me buying another bike!

The next couple days will be spent on the phone and traveling to a few shops. I found a "specialized" dealer close by. There is also a cannondale dealer about a hour away that I located. So within an hour of my house I have a trek, scott, cannondale, and specialized dealer.

seymour1910

Those are all good shops, you should find a bike you like after riding a few of those. They will all have something at or under $1500. I would honestly go for an Allez or CAAD10 if I was spending that amount.

Specialized Bicycle Components

CAAD10 105 5 - CAAD10 - ELITE ROAD - ROAD - BIKES - 2015

another good option is Emonda ALR

Émonda ALR 5 - Trek Bicycle

bassjones

At $1500, you should be into 105, maybe 105/Ultegra mix or Rival on the SRAM side. In my opinion, that's kind of the sweet spot for aluminum bikes. CAAD10/4(Rival) or 5(105) should be in that range. Trek Emonda ALR, Specialized Allez, Scott. All have aluminum 105/Rival bikes around $1500 with carbon fork. Be sure to budget for pedals/shoes, shorts, maybe a saddle if the stock one doesn't work for you, bottles and cages...

Shuffleman

Your budget is something that only you has to contend with. I'm not sure where you are doing your research but you can get a nice bike for under $1k. As a first time buyer, I would buy new so you make sure you get the proper size and fit. This is the most important part of the purchase. You will not be held back by the bike or more specifically the groupset. I would recommend staying under $1k for your first bike. Your first bike is a learning tool. You learn how to ride and even if you like to ride. If you like riding you will learn more about what type of bike you like, if you even like the sport. Typically, after about two years you will have those answers. That is when you should up your budget and spend more. Is ultegra better than 105? Yes. Is 105 better than tiagra? Yes. There is some minute shift quality but most of the price difference is for weight. I don't have facts and I doubt they exist to say 1 level of groupset is more reliable than another. Check out bikes with entry level products with sora or tiagra. They are fine and will not hold you back. Save your money for the second bike. Also, if you dont like the sport it is a less expensive endeavor.
You mentioned that you had a trek and Scott dealer around. They are both good bikes with multiple choices to enter the sport.

roccobike

+1, those are good recommendations. If those prices are too high, lower models of those brands should be well within a $1500 budget. I'd add Giant to the mix and you have all four of the big bike brands. Try out several brands, one of the bikes you try will speak to you, that will be the one.

ColaJacket

Good advice here. All the major brands (e.g. Trek, Scott, Specialized, Cannondale, Giant, Fuji, Felt, etc.) make quality intro road bikes with both racing and endurance geometries. There are small differences in the groupsets from Claris up to 105 (with Ultegra/Dura-Ace being more for either racers or people putting thousands of miles on their bike each year). I have heard bad things about Tourney quality groupsets. But anything Claris or above shouldn't hold you back. I did pay $50 more for Tiagra over Sora on my bike, but I chose not to pay the extra $200 for 105.

If you're willing to travel to Philadelphia or Newark, DE, there are Performance Bike stores there. They are normally a good store for beginners, because they normally have a little lower prices on their main line of bikes (Fuji) than other dealers. They also have a pretty good deal on their Team Performance where you normally get 10% back on purchase to spend on more purchases. And with a ~$1000 bike, that is a good deal. And they often have sales weekends where you get 20% back. And once a year, they have a triple points weekend, where you get 30% back.

The best suggestion is to go out and road test as many different brands/geometries of bikes as you can. Then you can figure out which bike is the best bike for you, which is the bike that fits you best, and makes you want to get out and ride.

GH

Shuffleman

I think that he is right about Performance. It is a great place for a beginner. There pricing is really good and they constantly have sales. The %10 back is great, especially if you buy a big ticket item like a bike as you can use that to buy pedals or a helmet. If you do not have one close that most LBS have what you seek as well. As Cola mentioned most major brands have not only entry level bikes but race and relaxed geometry bikes. You will hear a lot of personal preferences on this board and there is nothing wrong with that. Just keep in mind that it is pretty much selective and not gospel. Trek, Giant, GT, Fuji, Cannondale, Felt, Scott, Specialized and a few others are all excellent bikes. If you have a Scott/Trek dealer near you as you stated, than try those first. They are both great bikes. If you like the shop and they have a model that you like in your range than go for it.

ColaJacket

Agree, except I always tell people to road test bikes at, at least 2 LBSs. Just to make sure that one LBS isn't trying to sell you a bike that is a close fit, but they want to move it, over a bike that is a great fit. A really good shop will tell you that they don't have anything that is a great fit, but they can order you one. And let you road test some bikes that are OK fits in the mean time. And if the LBS is a great shop, by road testing at other shops, you can probably confirm this.

GH