AnthonyMcEwen

Can't help on the bike front, but if your new to the scene, deffo think about joining a local club, most will let you attend for a month or two before asking for Amy membership fees so if you have more than one try both and see which you prefers, as all have a different astmosphere/feel, my club is £10/year best value for money thing I ever did, it could be that mounth and I'd still psy it happly, free advice/group rides, make new friends see all types of bikes experience different types of ridding and everyone has there own views etc, and this cost even includes weekly turbo sessions and races, from roads bikeing to MTB to cyclocross and TTing so to get as diverse an experience of the bikeing world deffo John a club. You even get a matching kit! Well that extra but still awsome!

NoviceJohn

As a newbie myself (bought my first road bike two months ago), I really enjoy my bike. Although it's only the Specialized Allez (base model), it satisfied what I intended to use it for and that's for exercising and enjoying the outdoors. It's a great entry level bike and I ride it every time I have the time. When I was riding my big box store hybrid, I was riding 30-50 miles a week. Once I transitioned to the Allez, I ride 80-100 miles a week now. I probably do more later once I build my endurance up. Remember, buy what you're intended to use it for and make sure it fits you. If you're like me, don't buy a bike with a tiagra group set (or better) because as a beginner, you probably not notice the difference between the 2300 group set vs. the 105 set. I believe tiagra sets and above are for people who enters races. Anyway, mine cost 750 USD (incl tax). Don't let any LBS talk you into buying an expensive bike when you don't really need one. Sure, it's going to feel better during your ride but as a beginner, you won't notice the difference until you start riding and the different factors that are involved. In addition, you're probably going to spend another 150-200 on accessories. Water bottles, cages, saddle bag (with tire levers, extra tube and pump), jersey (you may able to avoid buying one), cycling shorts (have to have one or your non-cycling shorts will get caught on the bottle of the saddle) and possibly clipless pedals and shoes (I'm still thinking if I should get them or not). So there. You know my experience as a beginner roadie. Good luck with your experience.

99Klein 

Local Fuji dealer? We don't have a real Fuji LBS Scheels is our dealer. They have several Tiagra equipped aluminum comfort road bikes in the 4-500 range. Unfortunately I agree with your locale advice (sales and close outs aside) suggested retail really needs to be at least 1000 IMO.

Notgrownup

So Mike Hoyle.... have you bought anything yet?

aaronmcd

It's been said above, but be sure to factor in accessories. I am still surprised at the cost. Helmet, pedals/shoes, lights for night riding, good lock, floor pump, frame pump, seat pack, tire levers, multitool, bike shorts/jersey, bottle cages, bottles, bike computer is nice to have also but not necessary. I buy fairly inexpensive yet nice stuff and all that ran me about $600 over time. If you skip the clipless, skip lights, skip lock, skip a jersey and skip the computer and buy ultra cheap it'll still be close to $200. It's insane!

mlander

The Bikes Direct option worked for me. $500 for the Mirage Pro. I've put over 2500 miles on it. It's held up very well with the exception of the rear wheel. I needed more spokes because I'm over 200 lbs. After I dropped $250 on a new back wheel, the BD advantage became questionable (I guess I could have built a cheaper one, but I wanted one to last all eternity). Also, I love the sport. In my personal case I should have just splurged on a nicer bike from the beginning. I am shopping for one now, so the Motobecane is largely a sunk cost. Not going to be able to sell it for much.

I bought the Motobecane after I inquried after budget bikes in the LBS. The lady showed my a $1500 bike and I asked if there was anything cheaper. She gave me a flyer for a local bicycle charity and walked away like I was a pariah.

mikehoyle

Thanks everyone for your advice. I made a purchase a few weeks ago and so far I've been very happy with it. I went with the Motobecane Fantom CX3, given it's entry-level price, and it's versatility given it's made for Cyclocross. I need to take it in somewhere to have a few adjustments made, but other than that so far so good. Thoughts anyone?

link: https://www.motobecane.com/cross/fcx3.html

Notgrownup

That is a nice solid looking bike...I hope you have good rides with it...hell of a price on bikesdirest...

aaronmcd

I've also noticed shops often don't take it well when I ask for cheaper stuff. It's like you aren't worth their time unless you are currently spending a bunch of money.
I rode a triple for years. On flat ground, you will likely stay in the 39 (center) chainring, but if you do a lot of climbing/descending the other rings are nice to have (especially as a beginner you will need the lower gears).

WestPablo

Until you honestly decide that cycling is really for you, just get a hybrid. Hybrid bikes are usually less expensive than the standard decent road bike. Research the KHS XCape and the KHS Xpress.

illdthedj

i think you made a good choice for an entry level "road" bike...even though its a cyclocross bike...which honestly i think is a good choice for a first time bike.
more or less road geometry with a bit more forgiving ride/comfort of bigger tires that come on a cyclocross bike.