Kertrek

I found this website, from a local bike shop and the prices look affordable.

Plenty of Bikes - Road Bikes

I want something that will last, even if it's not the best out there. I make $70 a week donating plasma, and that's all going toward cycling. Not bad, but I can't afford anything vastly expensive. That money adds up though.

12strings

I would say you can do better at bikesdirect.com...they have some bikes under $500 that have real modern-style (2 levers, no thumb buttons) brifters.

Kertrek

Thing is, I want to get fitted and make sure it feels good, which I can't do if I order online.

12strings

I apologize, I didn't realize this was an actual bike shop...I thought it was just an online thing...I was in your shoes recently, hoping for a sub 500 road bike... I rode at a few shops to find my size, then considered bikes direct and Craig's list, but finally decided I wanted modern brifters, test riding before buying, and a few other things that led me to up my price range to 900....HOWEVER, if you can be happy with the microshift thumb button, you can save money...but I wouldn't get anything with stem shifters.

Kertrek

I'm hoping for integrated shifters. Maybe spend a little more. I'm making $280 a month doing the plasma thing, but since I'm not touching my paycheck for my cycling, I can spend the money guilt-free.

link0

Those bikes are pretty terrible for their money. I'd look for a used bike on craigslist or new on BD if you really insist on new.

trainsktg

A new Giant Defy 5 at around $600 offers great value. You can probably find a used one on Craigslist for a few hundred less.

keith

bassjones

Fuji Sportif are pretty decent bikes. Get at least Sora ($689) or above. Once you know your size though, I'd look used. Should be able to get a used bike with 10-speed 105 for sub-$700.

scottyk27

I just bought the Mercier Galaxy SC2 from Bikes Direct and love it. Great entry level bike for 350.00. Only needed minor adjustments out of the box, nothing you can't learn on youtube. My friends who are big into cycling ($2,000 bikes, century rides etc.) are even impressed with the quality for the price. (I've been reading this forum for a couple weeks but it's my first post, no, I don't work for BD lol)

vangoes

I just bought a new Ridely Fenix Al2 Tiagra 7500 from Performance Bicycle for $699. They had another one on the floor for that after I bought mine. I don't know if there is a performance near you, but it's a heck of a bike for the money. The one I posted below doesn't appear to still be on sale, but it's the one I got for $699.

Product: Ridley Fenix AL2 Tiagra 7005 Road Bike - 2014 Performance Exclusive

RoadGuy

You can get all kinds of bikes with brifters out of the LA or Orange County Craigslist Ads for under $400.

But if you want a bike that will last without a lot of maintenance, you DO NOT WANT BRIFTERS or 9, 10, 11 speeds on the rear, because bikes with brifters require maintenance and replacement of the cables, housings, and the brifters themselves. The 9, 10, 11 speed chains are thinner and will not last as long as 7-8 speed chains. If you want a low cost high quality bike that is going to last, look for a 80s or 90s steel or aluminum frame bike with downtube shifters and not more than 8-speeds in the rear.`

Kertrek

Since I'm planning on getting a road style touring bike, probably with brifters, would it be worth getting a road bike as well. Touring bikes seem like no-frills, built-for-function bikes. But road bikes seem more fun for the local bike paths, since they're lighter, a little more nimble, and often have integrated shifters. Or they're not different enough to make it worth getting both?

NormanF

Get a gravel road/adventure bike.

You can ride where the mood takes you.

sltintexas

I am new to cycling. I bought a sportif 3.0 LE and wife got a 2.5. My 3.0 was $599 and wifes was about $450 on sale. I know there are way better bikes out there, but it was what we could afford. We are having fun riding together with these and they've been good bikes so far. I'm riding 3 days a week 15-25 miles per day depending on my schedule. I bought mine on triple points at performance bikes and I got wife's on double points which helped with all the accessories.

RoadGuy

Why don't you concentrate on getting a first road bike that fits you and explore riding to see what you like to do on the bike? If it turns out that you do enjoy riding a road bike, then you can worry about getting your next bike while you ride your first one and find out what it's lacking, or that you would like to try next.

Are you in Long beach, CA? How tall are you, and what's your pant inseam or bike inseam length? Do you have normal length legs, or longer or shorter than average legs. People on here will look on the Local Craigslist for you and make recommendations if they know enough about you. then all you need to do is grab some cash, and find a friend who knows bikes better than you to go with you to test ride bikes. Being in Long Beach there are probably dozens of bikes within a short drive of your location that you might like riding. $400-$500 will buy you a bike that's anywhere between one year old and twenty years old that originally cost $700- almost $3000. And all of them will be better than a $700 bikes direct bike or a big box store bike.