admiera22

I need some advice on an entry level road bike. I'm getting back into riding after a decade of not riding. I miss it and need to be back on a bike. Unfortunately, budget is my main concern right now. I am considering the Dawes Sheila. I dont care much for the colors the bike comes in, however I do like the fact that it has the brake levers on the flat portion of the handlebars for added comfort. Does anyone have any experience or knowledge on this bike? I am looking to stay under $500 but don't want to compromise quality. If anyone knows of a road bike that may be better that would be a big help!

Thanks!

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/dawes/sheila.htm

CNY James

buy used.

/thread.

fishymamba

My friend has this bike: https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...rage_pro_x.htm

And I have to say that I was impressed with it for how little it cost.

noise boy

This, especially if your sizing falls within the average range (54-58cm frame).

canam73

I would only recommend buying a bikes direct bike if you or somebody you know is a decent bike mechanic. They require partial assembly and a tune up to get going. Also, the cheapest that I would be interested in is this one: https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/dawes/lt2300_x.htm. You're in Florida so you probably don't need a triple crankset. The carbon fork and tiagra shifters are the other big upgrades. But short of that, I'm with CNY James: go used.

bengreen79

The $595 Mercier Elle is well equipped for the price if you can come up with the extra $100 if you're looking for a women's specific design like the Shiela.

3373jones

look for a lightly used steel or aluminum bike with 9 speed ultegra on it for ~$500. great stuff. if you get one that wasn't abused/has low miles, it will be the best ~$500 you can spend.

pgjackson

Fuji Newest 3.0. Best sub $500 bike on the market. On sale now for $450. The add only has a few sizes, but PB honors any internet price in the store. If you can find your size in the store they will give it to you for this price.

https://www.performancebike.com/bikes...-cpc-_-product

mazdaspeed

Used

rothenfield1

For this price point, I'd have to agree that used is the way to go. Even if you have never wrenched on a bike, find something you like on craigslist and have the seller meet you at a LBS you feel comfortable with. Any good bike shop will probably give the bike a good once over for free and give you an idea of the cost of replacing any parts that need it.

Brazos

I agree with those that suggest used for your price range. It's something I did not consider when I bought my first bike but have since looked around on craigslist for my area (DFW) and you can find some like new bike for good deals. For example last night I saw a late model Specialized Allez for $500. Looking at the pictures and description it was appearant this bike was like brand new. It had a 9 speed Tiagra drivetrain so it was probably a $1K bike new. It also came with Look pedals. Combine that with no tax it all adds up to a much better deal than trying to find a new bike for $500 that with be worth a flip.

SushiJoe

This. ^^

zlr101

Yes buy used this time of year is the best... never mind your from Florida any time is good.

datlas 

Any chance you could extend your budget to say $800-900?? Then you can get a decent entry level bike, properly sized/fitted at a local bike shop.

If you really can't spend more than 500 bucks you should go for used. Bikesdirect only if you really really know what you are doing with respect to sizing and wrenching, which (nothing personal) I doubt is true.

datlas 

PS I just looked at the BD site and just HAD to copy/paste this from their ad copy:

Shimano 2200 gives you some of the cutting edge tech of the diva-level Ultegra and Dura Ace

Puh-lease. No wonder there are so many BD haters here. I am not a hater but their advertising is misleading to say the least.

Mr Sinister

Maybe you can get lucky like me, and find one out in the middle of the highway. I took it down had it looked at, and it only needed a new rear wheel, (2)tubes/tires and a seat. The front wheel also needed to be trued. I was surprised the carbon forks were still good. everything else was still in good working order. It cost me all of $120 to fix it up. Best $120 I've spent in a long time, cause I road it most of last summer . Oh and it was the right size for me too. When I was looking at it, at first I thought it was too small, and the frame was bent. I was wrong on both counts, all because the rear tire was like Mark Cavendish's wheel.
https://4.bp.blogspot.com/_V54WWNeyyp...ndishbild1.jpg

But buy used, and look around before you make a rush decision.

jswilson64

What's wrong with that ad copy? Key words are "some of" - as in, all the bits work pretty much the same way - levers, cables, derailleurs, chain, sprockets.

/tongue-in-cheek