moosrider

My dad is thinking he might finally make the move from hybrid to road bike...so I was thinking since he's over 50, and not a terribly intense rider (we are training to do a century, but still nothing hardcore), he might do well with steel. i think he would appreciate the smooth ride. am i on the right track here?

What is the cheapest steel bike around... the cheapest I've seen is Lemond...anything else?

thanks, sam.

el twe

Try for some used Bianchi or similar stuff. The Lemond would be awesome, but maybe a little pricey. Don't know what kind of budget you have...

moosrider

Well, my dad's budget is about as high as he'd like it would be, money really isn't an issue in this case. BUT I know that when I gets down to it, he won't want to spend a lot of money on a bike. Under a 1000 would be awsome, but i don't know if it exists in steel.

steve_wmn

Look at Jamis too. I think a Jamis Satellite should sell for less than a Lemond. Also see if you can get a local shop to build up a Surly for your dad.

suntreader

The Raleigh Sport is around $350 to $400 with mostly Shimano Sora STI hardware. I've ridden one and thought it was a pretty good bike for the money.

https://www.raleighusa.com/items.asp?...temid=231&va=0

moosrider

ugh...i dislike sora. sorry if i get shot down for this, but it doesn't hold up terrible well, and i don't know about you guys, but i like to shift gears when i'm in the drops.

ivan_yulaev

I don't think his dad will be doing intensive riding in the drops, being over 50 and looking for "not a terribly intense" ride.

Sora is fine. I have sora on my commuter (trek 1000). What can I say, it shifts. Haven't had a mis-shift since I tuned it 2 weeks after I bought the bike.

ultra-g

Bianchi Brava!

gmason

I have Centaur and Chorus on my bikes, and shift in the drops all the time. Is Sora that different? I thought it was the same (ergonomically).

berny

Motobecane Legacy Pro
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...cy_pro_big.jpg

Frame Reynolds 853 double-butted chromoly
Fork Reynolds Ouzo Comp Carbon Fiber
Crankset Shimano Ultegra Octalink Splined Triple 52/42/30
Bottom Bracket Shimano Ultegra Octalink Splined Triple
Pedals None
Front Derailleur Shimano Ultegra for Triple
Rear Derailleur Shimano Ultegra for Triple
Shifters Shimano Ultegra STI (Flight Deck Compatible)
Cassette/Freewheel Shimano Ultegra 12-25T
Chain Z-9000 9 Speed
Hubs Ritchey Pro Aero Black anodized, sealed precision bearings
Spokes Stainless
Rims Ritchey OCR Aero Pro, black anodized with machined braking surface
Tires Kenda Racing 700x23c
Brakes Shimano Ultegra
Brake Levers Shimano Ultegra STI
Handlebar Ritchey Ergo Butted Aluminum 6061
Stem Ritchey
Tape/Grip Deluxe Cork
Saddle Turbo Style Racing
Seat Post Ritchey
Seat Clamp Motobecane SL Machined Aluminum
Sizes 49cm, 52cm, 54cm, 56cm, 58cm, 61cm
Colors BurgundyRed

gcasillo

Can be had for a song.

berny

Available at;
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/.../legacypro.htm

moosrider

does chromoly=steel?

gmason

Yes: chromoly = CrMo = chrome molybdenum = a type of steel

vpascal

This one is only available (at this time) in a 49cm. Probably too small.

jlin453

I really liked the LeMond Nevada City and Jamis Satellite for the under $700 range.

moosrider

thanks a ton guys.

i don't know if they've updated sora, but when i was test riding bikes, you couldn't shift in the drops with sora.

operator

So what, replace the shifters. This doesn't mean the entire groupset sucks.

Patriot

Honestly, I think for one of the nicest steel bikes around, the LeMond Croix de Fer is really a best bet for that price range. They run about $1200. Shimano 105 throughout, steel frame, and comes in a nice conservative color. The are also a very plush ride, from everyone I have talked to who has one.

If he has the money is and really dying for something smooth and plush, the Klein bikes have the new suspension.

And of course, if he just wants to spend money, which apparently he doesn't, Vanilla.

john5211

The Sora shifters have those thumb buttons that are easiest to use from the hoods. For me at least, I found that it wasn't that hard to shift from the drops by rotating my hand forward and then reaching up and pressing the button with my thumb.

Oh, and once I got everything set up properly I haven't had to make any drastic adjustments (or really any minor ones ... I tinker with it sometimes but I think that's more about me than anything to do with the drivetrain going out of tune ).

John

Marlin523

I bought a used Bianchi some years ago on eBay and paid $400.00. The bike has Campy, looks good, rides great. You may have to spend a little extra at your LBS to get eveything the way you want it, but it's much less expensive than a new bike.