Lycose

Hey guys, I've been only owned mountain bikes for my whole life, and now that I have to commute to work (Not much, just 7 miles), I'm looking for something less sluggish. I'm looking for a good, entry level, nimble road bike. I don't need anything fancy, but I'm trying to find something cheap but good. I was taking a look at the Felt F95, but it's a bit on the expensive side. Most people tell me that 800 is what I'll need to pay, and I'll pay that if I have to, but do you guys have some other suggestions which are less?

ptle

If you want a road bike for less than $800, you may want to get something used.

Also a road bike is not necessary to commute 7 miles.

Lycose

Yes, I understand that it's not necessary for that, but I'm sailing for 4 hours straight at work and I'm pretty drained after that so I would like something a less bulky when biking home. I know it's not a necessity, but I've been wanting a road bike for a while and this seems to be a decent excuse to shelve out the money for one, hehe.

Lycose

Bump.

Unagidon

Find last year's models. You might be able to find some $1300 bikes clearing out for $800. Maybe consider a cross bike too - like a Tricross or I'm quite intrigued by the new Gary Fisher cross bikes. Cross bikes are tougher built, so commuting (pot holes, curbs, etc.) on them might be more ideal.

noise boy

$800 is right around entry level for all of the manufacturers. They will have some variation on 2200/Sora/Tiagra drivetrains, so in the end the real difference between them all is how the ride and geometry work out for you. I would go around to the local LBS's and try bikes in and around your price point to see what you like.

tardman91

I have a 2010 Raleigh Sport. It retails for $629, but I was able to get mine for $550. It's nothing too fancy, but I love it. I think it's a great entry-level road bike. I figure it will last me a few years and then I'll upgrade to something "fancier".

ciocc_cat

For entry-level, the Giant Defy 2, Cannondale CAAD8 S6 and Trek 1.5 all got good reviews in the June 2010 issue of Bicycling magazine. More reviews of entry level bikes can be found HERE.

FlatSix911

Don't listen to the naysayers ... you can find a new bike online for 50% of the retail price at bike shops ...

Take a look at these road bikes for a good value with no tax and free shipping:

Shimano 2200/Sora 24 Spd Road Bike 2010 Motobecane Record $549
24Spd DRIVETRAIN, Double Butted AL Frame, Carbon Fork, AeroRim Wheels
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...e_record_x.htm



Shimano Tiagra/Sora, 18 Speed Cross Bike 2010 Motobecane Fantom CX $499
Aluminum Frame+Rear Rack mounts, Ritchey Bar, Stem, R500 Wheels
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/..._cross_cx2.htm

Lycose

Not to be rude but you seem a lot like an advertiser judging by your other posts.

I considered before ordering from BD but the lack of being able to test ride the bike keeps me away from it.

Unagidon

Lycose - if you know what size you need, Bikesdirect isn't a bad place. Here's another website with cheap bikes. https://www.rscycle.com/ But only if you know what size you're looking for...

ciocc_cat

Uh, huh. Just make sure you order the correct frame size and possess the tools and the know-how to complete the assembly when your partially-assembled bike arrives. Otherwise, you've just wasted $500.

Lycose

Okay, so I've kind of dismissed BD and I'm pretty interested in the Felts. I have my eyes on the F95 and Z100 which are the same price- which would you choose between the two?

zstjohn

If you want a lighter bike the F95 is lighter. The Z100 is more suited for racing i'd also go as far to say its probably alot easier on hills with the triple ring crank.

I would go for the z100 If i were you but again i'm just going off what i see on the website i've never ridden either bike.

Lycose

Why exactly would the Z100 be more of a racing bike? I've been biking my whole life but I've never taken the time to learn what factors in terms of dimensions, parts and measures affect a bike's riding style.

agarose2000

I'm riding a Giant Defy 3 which I bought last year for $695 at an LBS - it retailed for $750 with everything sans pedals. I think the Specialized Secteur and most other major brands have similar offerings in this intro-level price range. Today's intro bikes are awesome. Even though my Giant Defy 3 has Shimano 2200 / Sora, which is considered the lowest-end new Shimano components, even after regular hard riding on it with competitive roadies, it's functioning perfectly, with excellent shifting and no special maintenance. Most of the guys I ride with are on $3k-$5k bikes, but there's certainly nothing about this bike that I feel is holding me back. Sure, it's not a weight weenie bike, and the shifting isn't as buttery smooth as a hi-end gruppo, but this bike will definitely get the job done and more so. It's not a pure racing bike, and has a more relaxed geometry, but I actually prefer it.

I also noticed that the Defy3 also has rear rack mounting eyelets (!). Which means that should you decide that you suddenly NEED a $$$$ upgrade, you can make this bike a touring/commuter/errand bike.

I don't own a BikesDirect bike, but I've been following them for years now online, and have seem quite a few up close on rides, and the bikes and company do seem excellent as of late. Albeit with minimal hand-holding, so make sure you're ready to tinker with your bike a bit. You don't need to be a bike tech or anything like that, but you'll have to do basic assembly and troubleshooting, or take it to an LBS and pay $100ish for them to do it. Still, for the money, by far best bang for buck for new bikes.

Used bikes are awesome if you find one that fits and works, but I've found that the task of finding a good deal on Ebay or Craigslist is WAY more trouble than its worth. If you've been around bikes for years, and know exactly how much some of the bikes are/were worth, it's probably ok, but as a newb, you'll have to do a ridiculous amount of research to get a sense of what you're paying for. Most stuff on Craigslist LA is horribly overpriced and poorly maintained - I know because I watched it closely for 2 years (in disgust). Total waste of my time for a newb, IMO.

There are 2 "catches" with intro-bikes that you need to be cautious about, though:

1) If you already like looking at the latest and greatest hot bikes, you are nearly definitely going to get "upgraditis" even if your intro bike rides like a dream. Everyone I know who has admired bikes in the glossys of magazines and bought an intro bike, got upgraditis very quickly after realizing they'd be riding more than casually. In that case, there's a very good argument for getting as good (and pricey) a bike as you can get right away.

2) The bike purchase itself, while seeming pricey, won't be the end of it. These ESSENTIAL purchases that I absolutely cannot live without, and the prices I'm quoting are pretty much as low as you can reasonably get for new stuff:
- Shoes $50
- Helmet $40
- Shorts / bibs - $100; even with $50 bibs, you'll need at least 2, and most shorts/bibs are $75+
- Bike jerseys/jackets - $100
- Clipless Pedals - $50
- Extra inner tubes - $20
- Floor pump - $20
- Flat kit / CO2 or minipump - $20 (yes, you definitely NEED this - not optional)

In reality, you'll have to pay nearly double what I've listed above for quality stuff. Getting started in cycling does take a significant outlay, but on the bright side, doesn't take much after that once you're off and running.

noise boy

Felt's F Series bikes are the race geometry longer top tube, shorter head tube. The Z series bikes are more the comfort bikes, slightly shorter top tube, taller head tube, slightly more relaxed geometry. The wife has a Z-85 that we bought her this spring and really enjoys it. I think that the Felts are a great value, the bikes are very well turned out, with lots of attention to detail. I would ride both and buy the one that speaks to you.