morgman00

Hi everyone, I'm a complete newbie to cycling and am looking for a beginner road bike to train with over the winter to ride with my fiance this coming spring. She has done a good amount of riding including small local races, distance (30-40 miles) rides with her brother and groups, etc. I myself don't have much interest in racing yet since I'm just starting out so I'm really looking for a good road bike for the group rides and rides with her. The little riding I've done was on her dad's Giant bike so my specifications may be a bit high for my price range but I figured I would ask and see what you say.

I'm 6ft and ~200lb and would like the bike to have integrated shifters and the ability to upgrade to pedals for use with biking shoes. Also I think you generally need a quick release rear wheel for use with a trainer? That I'm not sure about. Being a college student my budget is tight, and if possible I'd like the bike to be as far under $500 as possible. Thanks for any help.

morgman00

In my short amount of searching I've come across a few which I'll post links to.
Vilano Shadow:
Amazon.com : Vilano Shadow Road Bike - Shimano STI Integrated Shifters : Road Bicycles : Sports & Outdoors
Motobecane Mirage Sport:
Save Up to 60% Off Road Bikes - 2014 Motobecane Mirage Sport
Windsor Wellington:
Save Up to 60% Off Road Bikes - Windsor Wellington 3.0 Web Sale Prices
Motobecane Mirage S:
Save Up to 60% Off Road Bikes - Motobecane Mirage S

Team Sarcasm

if your budget is 500 i would either:

1. get a used bike

or

2 go with one of the bike direct bikes.

Preferably #1 , but if you want new everything in that price range will be more or less the same. You can probably find some of the bike direct bikes on ebay for a decent deal.

happyscientist

Given your budget, I would buy a used bike and take your girlfriend along to make sure that the bike is mechanically sound and fits you correctly.

BigJeff

Buy new.

Giant Defy 5 for $620
Giant Defy 5 Bike 2015 > Complete Bikes > Road Bikes | Jenson USA - Mobile

this will retain value better than a used bike and you'll be happier with new. I bought my first road bike from Jenson on close out sale for about $650 then sold it 2 years later on eBay for $500. (Size 62cm, big bikes are sometimes premium used due to being less common)

Pedals are included with this one.

The downside to buying this bike is upgrading parts. Shimano Claris is their "entry level" group, while it has an 32-11 cassette, it only has 8 cogs.

The next level of bikes are generally around $900-1200 but go on sale regularly.

BigJeff

Or for 70 more, this is a good deal
GT Bikes GTR Series 2 Bike 2014 > Complete Bikes > Road Bikes | Jenson USA - Mobile

goenrdoug

I'd go used... You might consider talking to the GF's Dad and taking a look at Craigslist together. He will probably be able to make some informed suggestions and assessments of the bikes you see there.

If you tell us your general location, we might be able to pick out some decent deals on your local Craigslist that you could obsess over.

morgman00

I'm currently in Buffalo NY for school but live between Syracuse and Rochester so really anywhere between Buffalo and Syracuse is reachable. Thanks for the input guys, much appreciated.

txags92

I would go used and target a budget of around $300-400 and leave yourself some money to buy other accessories as needed. If your fiancé is racing, get her input and let her and her dad help you figure out which bikes are worth the money.

goenrdoug

grab this immediately and spend $200 on new tires/tubes/shorts/cables/tune up at local bike shop

2006 TREK 1000 SL

a1penguin

Wow, that looks like a garage queen bike! Very few miles. It would be a steal for $120.

goenrdoug

Seriously, go buy that trek rigt now. At worst, you can sell the shifters and wheels on ebay for twice what you pay for the whole bike.

CliffordK

That Trek looks a bit short for a 6 - foot person.
But it is a good deal. $120 ???
Get the serial number and look it up one of the stolen bike registries before you go look at it.

The Trek 1000 is a mediocre line, but as good as the other bikes you're looking at for much more. You could even strip and move the parts over to a larger frame if you desire. I suppose ride it first and see what it feels like.

rms13

It's a 58. If anything it might be a little big. And doubt it's stolen it's an entry level bike that's 9 model years old in Syracuse in the middle of winter. Seller might get a little more for it but not that much

SkyDog75

If I was a few inches taller, I'd be racing you to Syracuse for that Trek. I'm a little over 5'9" and a 58 cm frame is too big for me. It should be in the ballpark for a 6' rider. It's a great starter bike and a steal at $120.

CliffordK

Ahh... yes... the oversized tubes make it look smaller than it is.

Great beginner bike.

goenrdoug

At that price, if it were within75 miles of me, I'd have been driving home with it on the back of my car hours ago...

morgman00

Looks like a great deal, I'm waiting to hear back from the seller now. Thanks so much goenrdoug and everyone else. If it works out I'll let you guys know.

goenrdoug

If your foot is size 11, you might just take care of the shoes and pedals too! It'd be a Christmas miracle!

Here's to hoping it works out for you!

morgman00

Lol it would be, unfortunately I'm a 14. I'd deal with having to buy that though over the entire bike at retail.

RoadGuy

The fit is everything. As everyone has already mentioned, $120 for the Trek is a steal as long as it is not stolen. But, if it doesn't fit you, then it is not meant for you.

Sellers on Craigslist get the frame size on bikes they are selling wrong. If the bike is a 58cm, it will have a standover of about 33". While it is not a hard and fast rule, generally that means that the best fit for the bike would be someone that wears pants with an inseam of about the same to 1-2" larger, say 33" minimum to 35" maximum.

You need to go there and try riding the bike to see if it fits you, you can't go wrong at that price. Work to contact the Seller, don't sit back and wait to hear from him/her, because everybody else will be calling the contact number continuously until they get an answer from the seller.

Have the cash in your pocket, and be ready and able to drive over there immediately, when you get the Seller. Don't try to make an appoint for the weekend or next week. Someone else is going to drive right over there ahead of you. That's how you grab a bargain from under everyone else.