Originally Posted by
TrojanHorse
I wasn't trying to insult your budget, sorry if I did. I just think a supportive shop will be very beneficial for you at that price point. Happy shopping!
No worries. To be quite honest, I tend to take more of a purist approach to my various interests and hobbies, so I could appreciate where you're coming from if you were.
I agree with you, though. I'm trying really hard to find the right bike for me at PB, as I would much prefer having the benefit of a qualified guiding hand in the process. Plus, developing a good relationship with a dedicated bike shop could only be a good thing.
Originally Posted by
seymour1910
a lot of good info here. one thing to add, they only have that Fuji in 58 and at your height a 58 will be on the big side honestly. at 5'10" I would suggest looking at 56cm bikes. I know more goes into it than just height, but 58 is a pretty big frame. Stay within youe budget, you will find something
last year I got my first bike and my budget was low as well, I went used and got a bike off CL because there was nothing in any bike shop less than $800 and I just didn't have it. Performance can provide the same support as any other shop, and their prices are hard to pass on. If you can find a nice used 56 that wouldn't be a bad thing. where are you located? some of us don't mind helping you look.
I've been looking at CL, but the thought of spending several hundred bucks on a bike without the benefit of professional guidance is a bit intimidating. I really don't know what I'm looking at in most cases.
I stopped in PB again at lunch. Talked to the same salesman as last time. Really nice guy and was not bothered at all to answer all my questions and provide some valuable advice. I sat on both the Diamondback and Fuji, and it turns out the best size for me is about 52cm. My budget does limit my options quite a bit, but I those two bikes seem like pretty good options. I actually liked the feel of the Diamondback better - can't really point to any particular reason, as the Fuji seemed more along the lines of what I am looking for from a features standpoint (I know, they're almost identical in that regard, but the Fuji has little things I'm interested in like braze-ons for a rear rack and 50/34 crankset for example).
One thing was abundantly clear, though. Padded, snug-fitting bike shorts will be a must. I was wearing jeans at the time, and...well, let's just say the giblets were crying foul. Maybe that's more a problem for us older fellas.
On a related note, the salesman told me that Diamondback used to have a negative reputation for road bikes, so they replaced their design team, including bringing in a lead designer known for quality bikes, and that the Podium series is one of the first lines designed by the new team. Anyone have any further info on that?