Originally Posted by kaimat

I've searched the forums for good threads for beginners but haven't had very good luck, so I'll try to give some information about me and my situation and then including some questions at the end to make for an easy response.

I'm a college student looking to get into road biking; the bikes I'm currently considering are the Cannondale CAAD 9 or 10 and the Trek 1.5 (or possibly the 2 series)--something that will be of sufficient quality but won't break the bank.

I don't have enormous funds, but I'm not opposed to spending around $2,000-$2,500 including any upgrades or accessories that might be needed (new saddle most likely, new brakes if I get the Trek [I've read that their standard breaks are less than ideal], helmet, bike packs, etc.)

Now, I live in Minnesota, which means at least 5 months of the year I will be riding indoors only. (I will be able to get a Kinetic trainer from my parents who have decided that they do not enjoy riding indoors.) I've been looking trainer-only tires that claim to reduce heat and not destroy road tires.

I'm not planning on getting into any races or triathlons right away, mostly looking to just improve my fitness and I hate the impact that comes with running. But before I go out and spend a couple grand, I've been considering buying a less expensive used bike to train with now until April then getting the more expensive one once I know what I need and what to look for in a bike and once MN has lost most of its snow. I've been thinking that I could use this bike then to ride to school (wouldn't want to lock up my better one) and to ride on rainy days if I felt compelled to be outside.

If I ride the bike to school I'll need a lock. U-locks seem to be best, and since I'd have a backpack I could easily put it in that, but if I'm riding either bike without a backpack and decide to relieve myself and need to lock it up for just a minute or two, is a smaller lock ok for this or should I always bring a U-lock with me? I've also considered throwing the seat into my backpack while at school or even bringing the back wheel to class with me (while this would be a little inconvenient I regularly see other people doing it, so I wouldn't be quite as funny looking).

There is a 40-mile path near campus that will allow for sufficient length rides, but the main reason I wanted a road bike was to ride along the long (50+ miles) country, paved roads that we have here in southern MN. However, after reading the A&S board here I have become a little scared of venturing out onto those since it seems ignorant drivers are more common than I had thought. The roads don't have real heavy traffic, my guess from just driving down them would be that you'd be passed by 2-3 cars per mile ridden, but they are two-laned with pretty narrow shoulders and steep ditches at points on both sides. Typical car speed is probably 60-70mph.

My last question for now is on clothing. What is necessary? I have compression shorts, and I think I'd be fine just riding with those and soccer shorts and with a tight fitting shirt to reduce drag (I also own tight thermal wear for chilly days)--is this ok? I don't want to look like a fool, but I also don't want to look like a ******, adorning myself with fake sponsors and colored sunglasses.


The quick questions:

1. Any recommendations for good intro road bikes? (Any problems that have been seen with the Cannondale CAAD 9 or 10 or the Trek 1.5 or Trek 2 series bikes?

2. Would you advise training on a lesser model or used bike first or perhaps always using that as my trainer bike? This bike could also be used on rainy days and to commute to school (versus driving). (The opposing view to this, I assume, would be to buy the main bike and use that for all training and riding, except to school--any money that is used on the lesser bike would then come out of the total funds for the nicer bike.)

For #2, if you have any advice on what to look for in a used bike that would be greatly appreciated.

3. Are trainer-only tires a good idea?

4. Is it too dangerous to ride on two-lane roads with 60-70mph vehicles?

5. What are some must-have accessories and clothing?

6. Where do you stow your lock if you don't have a large bag with you? Also, do you ever take your seat or wheel(s) with you?

Any other advice you may have (such as good websites to find information--I've found Sheldon Brown's site which seems good), or any answers to obvious beginner questions I forgot to ask, will be more than welcomed.