bmorebent

Hi everyone. I'm new to cycling and am wanting to get into road cycling. I have friends that I can go with, some of which who have great bikes (Litespeed, carbon, etc.) and skill and experience and routinely do long rides. Then I have a girlfriend (and a few others) who has a typical hybrid and wants me to go with her as she does short rides in the park or around the Nation's Capital or on various local paved trails. Right now the only bike I have is a decade old (or more) Specialized Rockhopper. Read: clunkola. My dilemma is that I am tempted to get a nice (for me and for a novice) lower level carbon bike like the Fuji Silhouette (C-4 carbon and will cost me $1700) or the Fuji Finest 1.0 (aluminum and about $1200). When I rode, I liked them both, but the Silhouette really put a smile on my face (fell in lust/crush) and felt/fit best and looked the badest @ss to me! As a novice, I'm not totally sure what type of riding will draw me most and how I will feel about it all, but I am really drawn to doing real cycling on a road bike and, as I rode the Silhouette, I was having visions of really getting into doing frequent rides and long distance rides and really enjoying the fast and quality bike that it was.

My nerves in getting it: Do I really need that nice of a bike? What if I don't like it as much as I am thinking/hoping? Can I only take the bike on very limited types of rides since it is so nice? Requiring me to use my mountain bike or purchase a 2nd cross bike to go with my girlfriend who likes parks and tooling around trails and the city? I'm sort of nervous having something that costs $1700 and wondering how careful and restricted I need to be with it.

Pros towarded splurging: I have the money. Maybe it'll be true that the nicer the bike is and rides and the more comfortable I am on and with the bike, the more likely it'll be that I'll ride it and really get into and enjoy cycling. Also won't have the urge to upgrade anytime soon because I went up instead of conservative with my choice. And can keep up with my experienced friends and their bikes.

I would love to hear your thoughts!! Give 'em to me!

sp00ki

If you can afford it, buy it. $2,000 to one guy is like $8,000 to another (and $500 to someone else). don't don't let it collect dust and you'll be fine.

Though it should be said that pretty much everyone i see who buys a bike for the first time rides like it twice a year-- the local MS 150 ride, and the local MS 150 practice ride.
Feel free to be that guy, but make sure it's really extra money if you don't know how you're going to like it. The percentage of riders who buy a bike and actually ride it are surprisingly few. Expect that you will be one of the masses.

ettsn

Buy a bike that inspires you to ride. Don't let anyone make you feel like you haven't "earned" the right to own a kickass carbon roadie. If it's what you want, get it.

ridethecliche

If you like it, get it. You'll be craving the 3-4 hour weekend rides in no time. Maybe your girl will want one too

Go for it!

yogi13

No, you don't need that nice of a bike...but you want it, and it feels better, so you'll be more likely to ride it. Go for it.

I wouldn't worry so much about any "limitations" of riding a nice road bike. Given that you are on a road of some type, even gravel or cobblestones, any road bike will ride OK. The main thing a not-so-nice bike buys you is some peace of mind if you are riding in winter muck, or leaving it parked in a rack.

Beaker

If I understand your post, you're pretty much committed to getting a road bike, just don't know whether to justify the carbon frame? I'd just go for it, if you spend $1200 on the Newest 1.0 and really enjoy riding, you'll doubtless end up spending a lot of "what if" time. If you spend $1200 and don't get into cycling, that's still $1200 bucks.

Spend the extra $500 and enjoy!

frank828

i got scared of falling/crashing a carbon frame so i went with a titanium frame.

RoboCheme

If you're near a Performance store, they have a really good sale going on, which ends Sunday. They may have your Newest. If you join their club, you get 10% back in store coupons.

nickthaquick1

i bought a Fuji Newest as my first bike about 2 months ago. i got it and a cyclometer with HRM for $860 at the LBS.

the bike is great to me, i feel that i paid a good amount and got a decent bike in return. id recommend you start at a lower level bike for a few reasons. first if you dont like cycling, your not down a lot and dont have an expensive bike sitting around (you'd feel like an idiot everytime you see it). next i think in order to really appreciate i good bike you have to ride a base level bike first. example being i am so used to my bike and i think its good for what i use it for....however if i ride on my friends carbon bike with all upgraded components it feels like riding on a feather. when i buy a bike like that in the future the first few months will be awesome getting used to it

thirtyminbreak

My first and current bike was $100 that I bought at a Goodwill. Yes, a Goodwill. I have been beating and surpassing my farthest lengths each time i get on that bike. I love my bike as much as anyone on this does. I love this new sport as anyone else here as well. I basically get finished riding and already looking forward to my next ride before I even get off the bike. (Results not typical of "crap" bikes.) The bike should not inspire you. You should inspire others.

I say get whatever, go used though, and if shipping price to bike value is good than hit up ebay for a good first. If you end up loving just the bike or the idea of riding a bike, as some people say on here, and not the sport, it's novelty will wear fast.

Again, my bike is as cheap as they come and I do not feel I am missing out on ****. Actually, a few days ago I passed up a guy wearing a full kit and what I could gather a colnago(sp?) and never saw him again.
good luck

Beaker

I tend to agree with your logic. I rode my hybrid a while before buying my first road bike. The OP seemed to be locked into spending $1200 as a minimum though.

BTW -- I'm confused. The Silhouette is a women's frame whereas the Newest is a regular (male) design. If the OP is female, it looks like a good deal for the Silhouette as the web site lists MSRP as $2220, the Newest 1.0 has an MSRP of $1050, so why would you pay $1200 for a non-women's specific bike? If you're male....oops!

https://fujibikes.com/2008/bikes.asp?id=407

https://fujibikes.com/2008/bikes.asp?id=425

stapfam

Thing to remember is that your first road bike is only an indicator of what your next bike is going to be. Get one that you like riding on the test ride- and is adequate- but don't go over the top on cost.

thirtyminbreak

Oh also on getting a cheaper bike is that it is a good way to test this out without dropping illegally bought baby worth of money in something you have not really experienced.
I don't know how people can just wake up and think "I want to drop $2,ooo on a bike today." That is like going out and buying golf clubs, balls, putter, golf membership and driveway tokens because people have told them golf can be hard at times or relaxing and fun at others.

Again, I AM proof you do not need to spend a **** load of cash to enjoy this. Think wisely before you end up on craigslist not to buy a bike but to sell one.

pharding

Buy the finest bike that you can afford. It does not matter what others think.

patentcad

You don't really have to start wringing your hands over the cost of a bicycle until you're north of $10,000 in this neighborhood. Even then you mostly just get Poseur Points for having the balls to spend that much.

bmorebent

Thanks for the advice everyone! I'm a female, hence the Silhouette and Finest choices. I actually dropped some good cash on golf clubs as a total newbie and that purchase has done me quite well. While I only go two to three times a year and still qualify as a beginner (but a good one), I totally enjoy that 3 times a year and the clubs will keep doing that with me for a lifetime without the need to trade up. I didn't go hog wild - just some Lady Cobras - but maybe they are the equivalent to the $1600 bike.

Any thoughts on how limited I will be with a carbon road bike? Would that just be a bike for long rides on very good ground or could I take it out on crowded paved paths around the DC area?

Also now I'm second guessing the Fuji part of it. I have a Saab and I am wondering if it is the Saab to the Cannondale BMW etc. Meaning, great discounting pricing and it is comfortable and drives reasonably well and is tempting because it is just as well equipped, but reality is that the Beemer has the far better engine/car (equivalent to frame in this case maybe) and you make up for the initial Saab discounting on resale (if it comes to that) because of the desirability factor and it's just a better car in people's mind and in reality. Is Fuji my Saab? Inferior to the BMWs?

I'm surprised to hear everyone talk about "it will just be my first bike." Maybe I am wrong but I thought if you go somewhat reasonably pricey/quality, then you would just tweak the bike you have to get it where you want it to be, as opposed to buying a whole new bike???

BarracksSi

Nobody "needs" a nice bike.

Buy it and ride the hell out of it. Don't look back until you've got ten times as many miles as dollars in its price tag.

maddyfish

I never understand this statement. What if she can afford anything, does a new lady really want to get a $20,000 custom bike to ride around the park? Or would a $4000 be just as great to her?

Edit- changed to female pronouns

BarracksSi

Carbon vs. aluminum is one of the perpetual, nobody-is-right debates here on BF.

In a practical sense, though, I'm wary of riding a carbon frame, falling or crashing, and being unlucky enough to crack it just the wrong way. Carbon is, however, really darn strong (another BF member took a spare frame at his shop and tried to destroy it), and it can be repaired (aluminum really can't), but it can also suffer damage with very little visual evidence.

I'd still probably say to just get what you want. You'll enjoy it more, so you'll ride more.

Szczuldo

Fixed the bold.

My father owns a fuji aloha. Bought it just for commuting between his home and work and anywhere else he might be going. It is an alluminium bike and because the frame is huge it is quite heavy. I'm used to the shifting of ancient ultegra and his bike has Tiagra/105. My 15 some year old Ultegra still felt better shifting than his does. My point is, if you get a good used bike you will be just as happy if you get a good new bike. The only difference would be how much you pay, i paid 400 for a model 4 years old (at the time) and new it was well over 1200. You just need to take care of your bike and it'll last forever.

If you think you will actually stick with this sport and will ride enough that your bike will pay for itself then by all means get whichever bike appeals to you look wise and feels well. When I bought my bike the shop let me take it for a weekend as they held my card, i'm sure shops still do that. You want to make sure the bike you buy fits you well and at the same time has room for improving fit (headset spacers are actually good for slowly getting you used to the positions and just remove them as necessary).

Whatever you choose to do, hope you enjoy your decision for years to come.

EDIT: You can upgrade components on any quality bike you buy, yet another reason why you shouldn't feel bad not spending a lot of money off the bat. Make sure you like the sport before you spend a lot of money, I've made those mistakes plenty of times.

BarracksSi

I've got a different question --

How much of a "novice" are you -- really? Was that Rockhopper your very first bike, or were you like most of us and started riding before you were ten years old?

Once you start riding again, you might remember why you nearly stopped cycling before. Or, you might think back to why you stopped, and start thinking instead, "This is so much better than I remember!" Or, you might get flashbacks to your childhood and remember how much fun you had on your bike when you were eight years old.

Maybe you should pull out that Rockhopper some more. Clean it up and get it lubed, then go ride. If you still like riding after a few weeks, but wish you had one of those Fujis, then get the new bike.

nickthaquick1

just to add to my post.... if your looking to get in shape and have fun riding your bike zero to fifty miles then a normal frame with a carbon fork to dampen some shock will be fine. if your trying to get in shape you dont need the lightest, fastest bike because you'd work just as hard if not harder keeping up to people in a less costly bike.

if your doing races and time trials then i guess carbon is the way to go...



as a beginner i bought the cheapest road bike my LBS sells (i had limited money to work with before i start my career in a week) the fuji newest for 860 and since then i have been upgrading the components of it every month. this month i bought clipless pedals and shoes, next month maybe a carbon stem (even tho it might not make much a difference)

that way when winter rolls around and this years bikes get marked down i can buy them, trade my fuji in, and keep all the upgraded parts i bought so i have that much of a better bike when i get a new one!

sp00ki

I'm really confused as to why you keep saying this. You realize they make mountain bikes out of carbon, right? And airplanes? And vehicles of war?
Listen, you can take carbon fiber bikes on anything from a wooden track surface to a gravel toe path and everything in between. there's nothing limited about carbon fiber bikes.
To be more specific, road bikes-- carbon included-- were designed for riding on paved surfaces such as the one you mentioned.

I'm not sure where your apprehension is coming from... can you explain?

Beaker

OK, my bad -- should've read your post more closely.

I think that Carbon is a lot stronger than most people give it credit for, and will not typically explode in the wet (counter to opinions you'll read here). I ride a CF frame, have had a couple of falls but am still going strong. Other factors like wheels/tires will probably be more important if you're not riding on pristine roads.

To me, part of the name/brand thing comes down to style/name recognition. The other though will be how the bike feels to you and responds to your riding style/uses. Until you've been riding a while, my guess is that it would be tough to really understand what subtle differences in bike frames will be important to you. Will you like relaxed touring, long miles, or shorter more intense rides? That's where most of the "first bike" posts/comments are coming from. Component group, saddles, wheels will also make a significant difference in the feel of your ride.

StephenH

Buy what seems good to you and don't worry about it. A beginner on a high-dollar bike will look a bit silly. But then again, a beginner on a $50 bike will look a bit silly, too, so there's no real cure there.

I do notice a lot of people here go through multiple bikes just because they find something else they like better. If buying a really high-dollar bike limits your choices later on, that might be a consideration.

If you look at automobiles, you'll find the really expensive cars are expensive either because they are very high performance or because they are very luxurious (or to some extent a combination of the two). But with bikes, you don't have much in the way of "luxurious", so the high-dollar bikes are intended to be high-performance. Which means, they may not be the most comfortable things to ride around the park. If you're not racing, it may be pointless to pay a gob of money to take a few ounces off a bike.