whammer33024

i'm looking to get into biking as an exercise option. all of my buddies ride and i'd like to get involved in it myself. i haven't ridden a bike since i was a kid so i don't know much about them. i've tried several times to read the newb stickie at the top of this forum, but my work internet sucks and won't let the pages open, haha. i'm going to try to give you as much information as possible so bear with me.

i've looked around a bit at local shops and i see most of them sell trek, scott or raleigh. i can link the main bike shop around if that would help?

anyway, i'm 6'1, 200 pounds. i have longer arms for my height. don't know my inseam(i see some people post that). my budget is probably a grand, preferrably less.

here's a couple craigslist ads i've found somewhat local to me:

https://desmoines.craigslist.org/bik/3016042504.html

https://masoncity.craigslist.org/bik/2998736840.html

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ra...000594768.html

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/da...000492309.html

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hn...999697890.html

let me know what you guys think or if you want any more information from me. thanks!

dtrain

RE: that first listing -- What 5'8" person is going to fit on a 62cm bike?

These are fair, but I don't see a great deal there. You might look to avoid Sora since you aren't on a super tight budget. You'd benefit from a trip to your LBS. If you go used...could one of your buddies check out a bike or two with you?

vinfix

Before you go shopping, why not ask your buddies for help? I bet they'd be glad to give you advice. I'd also bet they all have more than one bike, see if you can borrow them, see what you like. Budget a couple hundred for accessories, too, like a helmet, gloves, shorts, minimal tools for fixing a flat, water bottles, seat bag- it adds up.

SlimRider

IMO, there's always some risk involved when buying used aluminum or carbon framed bikes, without knowing their histories. With the amount of initial cash that you're willing to shell out, there's no need to take that risk. If I were you I'd buy a new bike!

The following would be my recommendations:

1) The Jamis Satellite Comp ~ $1000
www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/road/satellite/12_satellitecomp.html

2) The Motobecane Ventnoir ~ $800
www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/ventnoir_xii.htm

3) The Motobecane Super Strada ~ $900
www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/super_strada_xii.htm

4) The Schwinn Letour Sport ~ $600
www.bikesdirect.com/products/schwinn/schwinn_letour_sport_xi.htm

5) The Schwinn Letour Legacy ~ $800
www.bikesdirect.com/products/schwinn/schwinn_letour_legacy_xi.htm

Good Luck!

whammer33024

those bikes are all a couple hours away from me so i'd have to do some major sucking up to get them to go. but it sounds like you guys are against any of these so i'm good there.

keep in mind, i live in north iowa so riding is only bearable for about 8 months of the year. my friends are more casual riders, therefore they only have one bike. i asked my closest friend if he would let me take his for a ride, but i forgot he's only 5'7, haha.

thanks for the links slim, i will look around on bikesdirect and see what i can find on there too.

specific things i should be looking for when planning a purchase?

SkyDog75

I'll throw a couple of thoughts/ideas/opinions out there just for the heck of it:

• Get fitted, and I mean more than just standing over the bike and making sure your junk clears the top tube. A bike that doesn't fit will negatively affect performance, comfort, endurance... pretty much everything. It's not much fun. When I was first getting started, not too long ago, I went the DIY route and used Competitive Cyclist's online fit calculator. Now that I've been riding a while, the numbers it generated for me seem to be pretty accurate. Of course, a knowledgeable fitter at a good bike shop can help you with fit, too.
• If you understand fit, feel comfortable with your ability to evaluate a bike for sale, and have the mechanical aptitude (or money) to fix mechanical problems that might crop up on a non-warranteed used bike, then used bikes can be a bargain. If that doesn't sound like you, though, you may want to go with a new bike for the pre-sale advice and post-sale support.
• Ride some bikes before you buy. Try different frames, different brands, different groupsets (brake/shifter/drivetrain components). 'Tis better to find out what you like or dislike before you buy it!

whammer33024

also, would i be better off at 58 or 60?

SlimRider

If ever in doubt, it's always fortuitous to err on the small side...

Also, remember Shimano's gruppo hierarchy:

Dura Ace > Ultegra > 105 > Tiagra > Sora > 2300 > Hog Snot

* As a beginner, Sora is alright, but Tiagra is much better. 105 is usually the sweet spot. Ultegra means you're startin' to get really serious. Dura Ace means get the hell outta my way rookie!

SkyDog75

Without taking measurements, or at the very least putting you on a bike to eyeball fit, it's just about impossible to say.

Frames are typically measured by their seat tube, which affects standover height. The length of your legs (your inseam) will generally determine what height frame you need to look for.

It can be argued that the top tube length is at least as important. Your torso length and arm measurements will dictate what length top tube you need. If the top tube is too long, you'll have to stretch and lock your elbows to reach the handlebars. Not comfortable and it adds to fatigue. If the top tube is too short, you'll be cramped.

Once you take your measurements, you can compare them to the geometry charts that manufacturers typically post on their web sites for each model. And when looking at those charts, you might notice that there can be a fair amount of size variation from model to model, even within the same brand.

whammer33024

you, sir, completely lost me, lol. can you give me a better explanation on the hierarchy you're talking about? sorry, i'm still trying to learn terms here. i'm looking at the motobecane you posted earlier. i will link it for quick finding
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...strada_xii.htm

dtrain

Shimano (as well as Campy and SRAM) comes in several levels of quality/cost. Dura Ace is the most expensive, lightest, etc. (for Shimano). As you work down the list parts get cheaper, heavier, lack a few features, etc. It's probably worth the extra dough to look for Tiagra or 105 over Sora/2300. However, folks have generally been pleased with SRAM's entry level offering (APEX).

whammer33024

thank you dtrain. i thought he was talking about components, but when i looked at the motobecane i didn't see any of those listed, just the SRAM APEX and got that deer in the headlights look, haha

Ooompa Loompa

You may want to take a look here too https://aabikes.com/buyers-guides/how...-bike-pg74.htm

JustinNY

Lets take it back even one more step

A groupset is the component set that the bike comes with, this includes; front derailleur, rear derailleur, brakes, crankset, cassette, and shift/brake levers. The two major manufacturers of component groups are Shimano and SRAM, with Shimano being more common amongst used bikes (at least in my experience). Shimano makes varying levels of component groups which perform generally inline with their respective pricetag. See the hierarchy described above.

dtrain

Yikes, Campy is not a major group manufacturer?

whammer33024

thanks for the breakdown guys. i'm learning a lot today.

so going by that breakdown, wouldn't this bike: https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...ntnoir_xii.htm

be a better deal than this bike:
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...strada_xii.htm

SkyDog75

The THREE major groupset makers are Shimano, SRAM, and Campagnolo.

Shimano is the leader in the OEM market by a healthy margin, so when looking at bikes with stock componentry, you'll tend to find more Shimano than anything else.

dtrain

Maybe?

APEX is SRAM's most entry-level offering - while the other bike features parts that are slighly up the Shimano food chain.

However, SRAM offers four groups (to Shimano's six), and the price/performance of APEX is higher than SORA and 2300.

I'm not surprised to see those bikes priced the same.

whammer33024

say i buy a bike with SRAM parts on it, can they be upgraded later with shimano parts?

SlimRider

The Ventnoir has a triple crankset more oriented for hills and beginner cyclists who might not be as strong a cyclist who could better handle a double crankset that's on the Super Strada.

Since you're a beginner, it most probably would be more advisable to go with the Ventnoir.

PS.

IMO, the Legacy is a much better deal...It's comes with 105, plus the damned thing will last forever!

MRT2

Why would you want to do that?

whammer33024

lol idk! i'm an idiot is why! i will get this figured out. i do appreciate all the help you guys are giving me. must get old answering the same questions all the time

MRT2

Its all good man. SRAM and Shimano are competitors and, so far as I know, they make comparable quality products. It is really a matter of personal preference, but it would be an expensive proposition to strip down an otherwise functional bike to switch out SRAM for Shimano. If you prefer Shimano, just buy a Shimano equipped bike.

Hunt-man

I'll say it if no one else will: Go to a shop and get some personal help. Buy something from the shop.

SlimRider

+1 ^ This is actually the best advice. I should have suggested this first, of all!