mikehoyle

Hey guys,

I'm a guy who hasn't really owned a bike since childhood and I am interested in getting a road bike. Unfortunately I don't have very much money to spend at the moment, but I want any money I invest in a road bike to not be a waste on something cheap.

I went in to my local bike store inquiring about road bikes and was led to believe that it's not even worth your time and money to buy a road bike cheaper than $1200 dollars. Unfortunately this is out of my price range, and I wouldn't want to spend that much money on a hobby I'm just beginning to express interest in.

This opinion is in huge conflict with a number of online resources showing bikes that, despite some tradeoffs, are supposed to be relatively nice and reliable for prices under $500, like these:

https://www.amazon.com/Schwinn-Mens-P...winn+road+bike

https://www.amazon.com/Vilano-Aluminu...SUBSZSII&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/Giordano-Liber...al-1+road+bike

https://www.amazon.com/Nashbar-AL-1-R...al-1+road+bike

Is it true that getting a road bike so cheap isn't even worth it (despite the generally great user reviews on all these models)? What are the tradeoffs that are made for a bike so cheap, and are those tradeoffs important to someone who just wants to introduce himself?

I would be willing to spend as much as $600 or so on a bike, but it seems like all road bikes are either over $1000, or some introductory release that's just a few hundred. Does anyone have any honest suggestions or opinions no this decision?

bikepro

The old rule about buying a bike: "buy the best bike you can afford" applies here. If you are happy with a $500. bike, why spend more? Just keep in mind that once you buy a $500. bike, it will be worth upgrading should you want something better later on. An alternative is to look at used bikes.

MegaTom

Is there any chance you can stretch your budget to $7-800? You can get a great entry-level ride from a local shop for about that. I don't know why that shop would tell you that one can't be had for under a grand... that's just nonsense. I'd avoid them and check out some other bike shops. Where do you live? Do you have a Performance Bikes nearby? I'm hesitant to suggest internet bikes to newbies as there are sizing considerations to be made and it helps to have someone experienced help you with that the first time. Also, anything you buy online will require some assembly.... not that there's anything wrong with that, just something to think about.

rgwinn

Used may be a good way to go, of course, Craigslist is a hit and miss, lots of dishonest people selling stuff on craigslist.

In my town (Salem OR) there is a small shop that specializes in pre-owned bikes, and have some in that price range.

As you are really just getting started, you may want to see if you could borrow a bike and do some rides to see if this is something you want to invest in.

I can tell you that when you get a bike, and if you do enjoy riding, you will quickly be looking at upgrades, and the dreaded N+1. ;-)

memebag

Maybe think about a hybrid, or a cruiser even. I started on a cruiser. Once I realized I liked riding a lot, I bought a used road bike. Later I replaced the cruiser with a $550 hybrid. I've been riding that a lot lately. Yesterday I did 60 miles on it. The last few weeks I've been going on group rides with roadies. It takes a little extra effort, but I can keep up with them. And I can stop by the store on the way home and pick up groceries.

2 wheeler

I would start looking around on Craigslist. Yea, there are some flakes and some crooks, but you can find a great deal on a good bike if you look around a bit. Lots of people buy bikes and then never ride them. And there serious riders that upgrade to something better. You can find a good deal from these kinds of people.

hybridbkrdr

I don't want to be seen as a shill for the Norco Valence A4 especially because I haven't even bought one yet. But I've been researching road bikes myself because I wasn't satisfied with my speed on a hybrid when I had a lot of errands to do once. Because of all the potholes and hills in my area, I've been looking at bicycles with 28mm tires or 47/57mm reach brakes to accommodate 28mm tires and aluminium frame and fork. And I want an endurance style that has a less aggressive posture to be more comfortable. And bicycles with backrack eyelets.

Some ideas though. If you're in Canada, there may still be some Sora equipped bicycles on sale around $600 at Sports Experts.
If you're in the U.S, there are Sora equipped Diadora bicycles that cost close to $600.

The Norco Valence A4 may cost $750 but the 2013 models may be on sale in some areas for $600. If you wanted to modify/upgrade the bicycle later, you could always do it later.

WestPablo

All ofe those bikes are Xmart type bikes. Buying any one of them would be like buying the Schwinn Varsity from Walmart. You can rest assured that all of their components are crap. If you are good with a wrench, you can eventually build a decent bike with great components.

Your current budget ($500) can buy a great performance hybrid or an awesome single speed. It can't buy a decent road bike that's new.

jwalther

What about this? https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...ge_pro_xii.htm

merlinextraligh

Personally, I wouldn't go below the nashbar, or the Motobecane listed above. Also, if you get a bike on line, you need to be able to do your own wrenching to save money, because they"ll need some work out of the box.

If you can't spend $500, plus $100 or so for accessories, I'd definitely looked used. You can find a quality used bike that will give you much longer and better service, than the smart bikes, which are pretty much disposable toys.

Notgrownup

I was in the same boat, bought a hybrid, kept it for 1 month and traded it for a road bike...$625 for a leftover Cannondale CAAD8...It is a sweet ride...If i had to do it again i would probably look for a endurance style road bike instead of performance style...If you could find a deal on a Cannondale Synapse, a Specialized Secteur, Trek has nice ones also and i am missing a lot.. If you are close to a Performance Bike store look at their Fuji and Scattante brands...also you can get a deal online.. see below
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/.../liberty_3.htm
or you can get a deal on a Craigslist...just be sure to get one that is big enough...What i mean by that is get one that fits.

Probably would help if we knoew where you are, what height you are also.

I also was worried about the Shimano 2300 groupset but being out of the cycling scene for over 20 years, this groupset quality was above & beyond what i was used to 25 years ago...Plus i wasn't trying to top off previous quality so ...I am amazed how smoot and quiet this entry level product is, mind you , my next bike will be an upgrade...Maybe Carbon frame with 105 components or something like this...Everytime i get on my CAAD8 i feel good about riding it andconfident that it will get me to the point where i will feel like i am ready to upgrade...Don't let the bikesnobs get you down...LOL...Deep down they only want the best for you and the LBS wants your $$$$$

zrossiter

definitely go used, for $400 you will be able to get something fairly decent (plus $100 for accessories). Get sized up at a shop and then start looking for ones in your size. If you have a cycling friend they can help tell you what is good or not. It is going to be winter soon so you should be able to find some good deals (as well as have a bit more patience due to the cold)

nuke_diver

I'm not new to road bikes but I bought my first new one in 32 years a few weeks ago. If you haven't been riding for a long time I suggest either getting one at a LBS or at least spending some time there (maybe not at the one you went to that suggested <1200 is not worth it ). A good bike shop will be aware of your budget and needs and they can help make sure the bike is comfortable for you. Many shops offer free fitting with a bike purchase around here. The good shops want you to be happy so you will come back for your next purchase.

Used can be cheaper but if you don't know what to get it may not be in the long run (if you buy the wrong bike you'll end up not riding and the cheaper $$ will be wasted). You can buy an inexpensive bike that will likely serve you well for a few years. This board is full of a lot of very dedicated cyclists so their perspective is different than those of a more casual cyclist. After some time you may find you love the sport and want to upgrade but you can go a long time without

Blue Belly

There's likely a quirky bike guy/shop near you. There always seems to be at least one. They'll often build you a vintage parts bike for a decent price. That's where I'd start, to do it over again. For a few hundred dollars, you could have a very nice aluminum or steel bike that will last much longer & operate a lot better than a new $500 bike.

I've owned 8k carbon Rides, $800 steel bikes & just about everything in between. For a $1000 you can build up a damn nice & very weight conscious italian steel racing bike. They only scoff at you until you show them that fitness is more important than the bike.

tvJefe

These are the entry level aluminum road bikes that I recommend. The price range below is for components. For instance, the Jamis Venturas all have the same frame. The Sport ($725) has Shimano 2300 componentry. The Comp ($950) has Shimano Sora. And the Race ($1350) has Shimano Tiagra.


Shimano (most common components) in order of lowest to highest end:


2200 (low end) -> 2300 (entry level) -> Sora (solid) -> Tiagra (better) -> 105 (serious cyclist) -> Ultegra (racer) -> Dura Ace (money to burn/pro)


Jamis Ventura
https://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/road/index.html
$725-1350



Bianchi Via Nirone
https://www.bianchiusa.com/bikes/road/coast-to-coast/
$800-1200



Cannondale CAAD8
https://www.cannondale.com/2013/bikes/road
$830-1450


Specialized Allez
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/road/allez
$770-1700


Felt Z Series
https://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2013/Road/Z-Series.aspx
Starting at $810



Masi Performance Line
https://www.masibikes.com/bikes/performance
$740-1310


Giant Defy
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/...5/11498/55823/
$720-1350

wallrat

I always say you should look at your project before picking your tools. What are your goals for cycling? Do you want to start doing 100 mile rides or are you looking to just ride 10 miles once or twice a week? Are you trying to lose weight? Is it to ride with your friends? What are you goals?

RJ77

Look into renting a bike for a week or so and ride it as much as possible during that time to make sure that you're even going to enjoy riding again. Since you haven't ridden since childhood, you may or may not decide to stick with it, so it would be foolish to shell out $700 or $800+ on something that may end up collecting dust. If you end up enjoying your time on the rental bike and think that you want to start riding regularly, then start looking into spending money on a good entry level bike.

cyclezen

a search on BF, road forum woul dhave brought up this thread:
The Under $700 Roadbike Thread
started in '04 with posts thru May '13
comments over the past 2 yrs would still be quite valid today...

a thread worth bumping...

or MODS - maybe making it a stickie? as a service to both NEWB BF'rs as well as those in some standing...
...just sayin

mprelaw

A GT or a Fuji with a Sora (or mostly Sora) group should be somewhere in the $700-$800 range. Microshift is OK, too, for a group, if that helps keep the price within your budget. I actually preferred 8 speed Microshift to 2300.

TexMac

This is very true but try to get Sora as compared to shimano 2300. Six months ago i got my specialized secteur with 2300 shimano's and the bike frame was awesome except those shimano's droped the chain every other ride or would stop shifting for no reason. Luckily my lbs were quick to fix these issues but i got tired of going back to the shop every week! 6 months later ive gone through Carbon bikes.. Felt f5 with Sram apex, Giant propel advanced with shimano 105 and Cannondale supersix with electronic shifters. Lesson? Get the best you can for now and save upgrading. You should be able to get an aluminium frame bike with sora for that price range.

milkbaby

First of all, don't believe the user reviews on Amazon or other big box stores. Most of them are either people who've ridden the bike a couple of times or people that had a negative experience. They either love or hate the bike. These reviews are of negligible value.

IMHO, you probably will need to spend about $600 on a new bike. $500 for a Nashbar or BikesDirect bike online then about $100 for assembly and pedals (if needed). If you can stretch your budget to $700 to $800, there are some perfectly fine bikes available at retail, you just got to find the right store that isn't trying to sell above your pricepoint. Most recreational cyclists have bikes that are much nicer than required to get the exercise and the rides in that they enjoy.

My one issue about buying used is that if you know nothing about bicycles, then you are vulnerable to being fleeced. I'm not sure about your area, but where I live the pricing asked on craigslist for used bikes is criminal. You can buy much better NEW bikes at the prices that some people are asking for their old bikes, AND you have no guarantee their old bike is any good.

If you are going to ride 10 miles 3 times a week, then maybe you will be okay with a $300 bike. But if you end up riding more then it may not hold up as well.

gsa103

First, you need to answer some questions:

1) Do you have friend's who are cyclists?
2) Are you mechanically inclined?

If you answered yes to both questions, then a used bike is potentially a good deal. If you're not mechanically inclined but have a knowledgeable friend willing to help, buying a new bike online is reasonable. If you answered, no to both questions, you should buy a bike at a local shop.

Working on bicycles is roughly on par with changing the oil in your car. If you're comfortable with that, and have a basic set of metric allen wrenches you can handle most routine maintenance.

The most important thing is getting a bike to fit properly. Buying a bike you don't ride is far more costly than a bike you do ride.

Keep in mind that buying a bike has a TON of hidden costs, especially buying a bike online. A basic tune-up is typically ~$50. Many shops include them with the purchase of a bike.

dalameda

Given that this is your first bike, you really should try and purchase it at a place you can test ride it first. Depending on where you are at, there are more and more used bike shops and community bike shops where you might get a good deal on a second hand bike. If you have a chain retailer, like performance bike in your area, keep an eye out for sales or year end close outs for a good deal

unionmade

Is there a NOS retailer near you? Got a Jamis Satellite for my daughter for $340 last year. 4130 steel frame and entry level components, nice...

if you buy online (and bike assembly isn't rocket science, use the fit calculator at www.comprtitivecyclist.com for size), go directly to websites, I.e. Nashbar (frequent 20% off) or www.bikesdirect.com.

and you should absolutely spend some time educating yourself then watching local Craigslist, there are sweet deals for the educated, patient shopper.

pvillemasher

There is a long thread on this forum you may want to check out

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...-Thread/page60