Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Road Cycling
Reload this Page >

Buying first road bike-Need some opinions from the Guru's and Trolls

Search
Notices
Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

Buying first road bike-Need some opinions from the Guru's and Trolls

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 07-18-16, 05:22 PM
  #51  
Senior Member
 
Maelochs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 15,496

Bikes: 2015 Workswell 066, 2017 Workswell 093, 2014 Dawes Sheila, 1983 Cannondale 500, 1984 Raleigh Olympian, 2007 Cannondale Rize 4, 2017 Fuji Sportif 1 LE

Mentioned: 144 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7653 Post(s)
Liked 3,485 Times in 1,840 Posts
Originally Posted by Married4Now2015
This makes perfect f$&cking sense.
Yeah, I wanted to quote it because it is such good advice. After "Buy a bike that fits," I'd say this is the second-best buyer's advice I've heard.
Maelochs is offline  
Old 07-18-16, 05:23 PM
  #52  
Achtung!
 
thin_concrete's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: New England
Posts: 1,673

Bikes: 60.1, Marvel

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 515 Post(s)
Liked 268 Times in 161 Posts
Originally Posted by Married4Now2015
This is exactly my ride habit and the last paragraph is virtually right here my mind is at. I love the idea of hopping on an F8. I normally ride at dusk and LATE night so nobody ever sees me lol, but that's irrelevant, I just want a dope ride to grow with. My worry is that I WOULD be simply burning money. Perhaps the Gan RS is something I should consider.

I see the value in getting one over the other when a discount is in play though, absolutely. I'm between the F8 at 6500 and the RS around 5. What you do man?
After you look at Parlee, take a look at a Pinarello Prince. It's in the middle between the Gan and F8. You'll still have room to upgrade wheels if needed (doubt you'll need to). The Prince has a long history and reputation for being a damn fine bike. I've never rode one though, so can't speak from personal experience.
thin_concrete is offline  
Old 07-18-16, 05:30 PM
  #53  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 52
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 21 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Maelochs
Yeah, I wanted to quote it because it is such good advice. After "Buy a bike that fits," I'd say this is the second-best buyer's advice I've heard.
Agreed. If only I had more space lol. But agreed nonetheless.
Married4Now2015 is offline  
Old 07-18-16, 05:31 PM
  #54  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 52
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 21 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by thin_concrete
After you look at Parlee, take a look at a Pinarello Prince. It's in the middle between the Gan and F8. You'll still have room to upgrade wheels if needed (doubt you'll need to). The Prince has a long history and reputation for being a damn fine bike. I've never rode one though, so can't speak from personal experience.
Ah. I thought it was below the gan line. Will look into today hopefully someone will chime in or troll in.
Married4Now2015 is offline  
Old 07-18-16, 05:34 PM
  #55  
Advocatus Diaboli
 
Sy Reene's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Wherever I am
Posts: 8,641

Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX

Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4739 Post(s)
Liked 1,533 Times in 1,004 Posts
https://22bicycles.com/collections/g...ant=2105597057
Might as well get something that lasts a few years.
Sy Reene is offline  
Old 07-18-16, 05:54 PM
  #56  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 52
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 21 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Sy Reene
https://22bicycles.com/collections/g...ant=2105597057
Might as well get something that lasts a few years.
Never heard of this awful company. Will def look into this week. Thanks!
Married4Now2015 is offline  
Old 07-19-16, 01:18 AM
  #57  
pluralis majestatis
 
redfooj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: you rope
Posts: 4,206

Bikes: a DuhRosa

Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 537 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Gan is such a stupid model name. Almost as bad as Venge
redfooj is offline  
Old 07-19-16, 06:48 AM
  #58  
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Florida
Posts: 11

Bikes: 1986 Peugeot Orient Express

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
If you're in the Bay Area, you might want to check out Rivendell Bicycle Works. They don't do carbon but they make gorgeous steel frame bikes and their Roadeo model might suit you. And if you do get one and then get divorced, let me know—I'm a lawyer and maybe we can barter bike for legal fees.
AnonLawyer is offline  
Old 07-19-16, 07:07 AM
  #59  
Serious Cyclist
 
Dan333SP's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: RVA
Posts: 9,308

Bikes: Emonda SL6

Mentioned: 97 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5721 Post(s)
Liked 261 Times in 99 Posts
Originally Posted by RPK79
I have two options for you.

troll

guru
Well played.

Originally Posted by Married4Now2015
I run a really low cog and it always keeps me working. I guess my preference is to keep it as is because I don't want it to get "easier" for when I'm not in the hills. It's all relative but I want a bike made for the hills is where I'm finding my thoughts recently.
Having multiple gears doesn't mean it gets easier. You can make any ride as hard as you want, you can just spin at an optimal cadence regardless of speed with a multi-speed bike rather than grinding along on a fixie and wrecking your knees. Brakes are nice to have, too.

Originally Posted by Married4Now2015
Can you tell me about your riding? Like are you a serious rider? Or just an avid 200+ a week dude?
Lol. How do you (as an admitted relative n00b in the road bike world) define a "serious rider"?

Originally Posted by Married4Now2015
Bro I hate Sagan >:T
Ok, it's fine to tell us you hate your wife and have a girlfriend, but now you've crossed a line. Reported.
Dan333SP is offline  
Old 07-19-16, 08:22 AM
  #60  
Senior Member
 
bmthom.gis's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Columbia, SC
Posts: 2,977

Bikes: 2014 Cannondale Synapse Carbon 4 Rival; 2014 Cannondale Trail 7 29; 1972 Schwinn Suburban, 1996 Proflex 756, 1987(?) Peugeot, Dahon Speed P8; 1979 Raleigh Competition GS; 1995 Stumpjumper M2 FS, 1978 Raleigh Sports, Schwinn Prologue

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 213 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts
You can hate Sagan and still try and ride as hard as him, since you go BALLS DEEP.

Custom bikes are cool and all, but there will be a wait time. Vanilla is a few years, unless you get their Speedvagen model. I've never felt like I got ripped from a LBS. If you don't like the brands at "x" shop, go to "y" shop instead. Shops stock what they can sell, which comes down to what they can get from the distributor, and how they can stand out from the competition. Some brands, like Trek, impose how much percentage of retail stock one of their dealers have to carry, or something like that, and that's why you see a lot of shops that sell Trek only selling Trek and maybe a boutique brand or two.
bmthom.gis is offline  
Old 07-19-16, 10:03 AM
  #61  
Senior Member
 
WhyFi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: TC, MN
Posts: 39,520

Bikes: R3 Disc, Haanjo

Mentioned: 354 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20810 Post(s)
Liked 9,456 Times in 4,672 Posts
Originally Posted by Married4Now2015
Side note: does anyone feel like they're getting ripped buying from LBS cuz they are just trying to sell a specific brand to the cities surrounding "market?"
No, because other than personal aesthetic considerations, I think that most brands are pretty competitive at a given price point. I would primarily recommend that a n00b feel out LBSs and buy from the one that they feel is going to listen to and take care of them. Still undecided on whether or not telling them that you intend to go balls deep is the best way to initiate the relationship, though...
WhyFi is offline  
Old 07-19-16, 10:05 AM
  #62  
Serious Cyclist
 
Dan333SP's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: RVA
Posts: 9,308

Bikes: Emonda SL6

Mentioned: 97 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5721 Post(s)
Liked 261 Times in 99 Posts
Originally Posted by WhyFi
Still undecided on whether or not telling them that you intend to go balls deep is the best way to initiate the relationship, though...
He apparently tried the same line with his wife, and now regrets it.
Dan333SP is offline  
Old 07-19-16, 10:21 AM
  #63  
Senior Member
 
SpeshulEd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 8,088
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 686 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times in 5 Posts
How deep is balls deep? What ball are we talking about....basketball, baseball, football, boccie ball?
__________________
Hey guys, lets go play bikes! Strava

SpeshulEd is offline  
Old 07-19-16, 03:33 PM
  #64  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 52
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 21 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by WhyFi
No, because other than personal aesthetic considerations, I think that most brands are pretty competitive at a given price point. I would primarily recommend that a n00b feel out LBSs and buy from the one that they feel is going to listen to and take care of them. Still undecided on whether or not telling them that you intend to go balls deep is the best way to initiate the relationship, though...
First sentence makes an excellent point. I have to keep that at the forefront of my decision making.

I always go balls deep. Non negotiable.
Married4Now2015 is offline  
Old 07-19-16, 03:36 PM
  #65  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 52
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 21 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Dan333SP
Well played.



Having multiple gears doesn't mean it gets easier. You can make any ride as hard as you want, you can just spin at an optimal cadence regardless of speed with a multi-speed bike rather than grinding along on a fixie and wrecking your knees. Brakes are nice to have, too.



Lol. How do you (as an admitted relative n00b in the road bike world) define a "serious rider"?



Ok, it's fine to tell us you hate your wife and have a girlfriend, but now you've crossed a line. Reported.
Ah, it's the threads first "arguement guy!" Yes!
Married4Now2015 is offline  
Old 07-19-16, 03:39 PM
  #66  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 52
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 21 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by AnonLawyer
If you're in the Bay Area, you might want to check out Rivendell Bicycle Works. They don't do carbon but they make gorgeous steel frame bikes and their Roadeo model might suit you. And if you do get one and then get divorced, let me know—I'm a lawyer and maybe we can barter bike for legal fees.
Will check them out. I have looked at about 90% of all suggestions thus far so thanks for the tip.

Lol I'll never get divorced sadly But love the proposition!
Married4Now2015 is offline  
Old 07-19-16, 03:44 PM
  #67  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 52
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 21 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by bmthom.gis
You can hate Sagan and still try and ride as hard as him, since you go BALLS DEEP.

Custom bikes are cool and all, but there will be a wait time. Vanilla is a few years, unless you get their Speedvagen model. I've never felt like I got ripped from a LBS. If you don't like the brands at "x" shop, go to "y" shop instead. Shops stock what they can sell, which comes down to what they can get from the distributor, and how they can stand out from the competition. Some brands, like Trek, impose how much percentage of retail stock one of their dealers have to carry, or something like that, and that's why you see a lot of shops that sell Trek only selling Trek and maybe a boutique brand or two.
Thank you for offering some insight into this.

I have talked to at least 9 bike shops and at about half the shops, the mechanics themselves say they carry bikes that sell. And by that they means bikes without wonderful components. Look shiny and relevant but the buyers don't know that they could be getting better for X y or z. So that's why I asked that question originally.

The other half just "sell sell sell" so they are definitely drinking the kool aid but that's not to say they have bad bikes or anything. It's just hard to get an honest non sales driven opinion out of them at times, if that makes sense :T
Married4Now2015 is offline  
Old 07-19-16, 04:22 PM
  #68  
Serious Cyclist
 
Dan333SP's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: RVA
Posts: 9,308

Bikes: Emonda SL6

Mentioned: 97 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5721 Post(s)
Liked 261 Times in 99 Posts
Originally Posted by Married4Now2015
Ah, it's the threads first "arguement guy!" Yes!
No.
Dan333SP is offline  
Old 07-19-16, 04:37 PM
  #69  
Senior Member
 
Jarrett2's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: DFW
Posts: 4,126

Bikes: Steel 1x's

Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 632 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
There's really no recommendation process for balls deep impulse buying.

Just walk into a local store, tell them you have $6500 to spend on a gnarly bike that grinds tasty hills, bend over and they will handle the rest.
Jarrett2 is offline  
Old 07-19-16, 04:45 PM
  #70  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 52
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 21 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Dan333SP
No.
Confirmed!
Married4Now2015 is offline  
Old 07-19-16, 04:50 PM
  #71  
Serious Cyclist
 
Dan333SP's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: RVA
Posts: 9,308

Bikes: Emonda SL6

Mentioned: 97 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5721 Post(s)
Liked 261 Times in 99 Posts
Originally Posted by Married4Now2015
Confirmed!
Denied.
Dan333SP is offline  
Old 07-19-16, 05:04 PM
  #72  
Serious Cyclist
 
Dan333SP's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: RVA
Posts: 9,308

Bikes: Emonda SL6

Mentioned: 97 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5721 Post(s)
Liked 261 Times in 99 Posts
Originally Posted by Married4Now2015
Confirmed!
Look, I'm not ready to go Balls Deep on this argument, so I'll concede the point even though I'm not sure what it is.
Dan333SP is offline  
Old 07-19-16, 07:27 PM
  #73  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 52
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 21 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Dan333SP
Look, I'm not ready to go Balls Deep on this argument, so I'll concede the point even though I'm not sure what it is.
Lmao. Ok buddy. Truce. And I like your style.
Married4Now2015 is offline  
Old 07-19-16, 08:20 PM
  #74  
got the climbing bug
 
jsigone's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Diego
Posts: 10,208

Bikes: one for everything

Mentioned: 82 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 633 Post(s)
Liked 914 Times in 276 Posts
F8 with 3k enve wheel -> end thread
__________________
Rule #10 // It never gets easier, you just go faster.
jsigone is offline  
Old 07-19-16, 09:00 PM
  #75  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 83
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Crumpton, Pegoretti.
Preferably both.
Taqi is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.