ptempel

Here are a few links that I have come across. Note that all these are online order. So they all assume that you know what size frame that you need. If you don't know this, then its best to go local and try out some bikes at shops and used ones from craigslist.

NEW:
Motobecane Record w/carbon fork and Sora
BikeIsland.com - Bicycle Parts, Accessories and Clothing at Affordable Prices with Free Shipping

Fuji Sportif 2.3
Fuji Sportif 2.3 Road Bike - 2016

Wiggle Road Bike
Wiggle | Wiggle Road Bike | Road Bikes

Vilano Forza
https://www.amazon.com/Vilano-FORZA-...dygear-main-20

Tommaso Imola ($600)
https://giantnerd.com/collections/ro...ommaso-imola-1


USED:
(Assuming that you are close to Baltimore, MD)

Craigslist
https://baltimore.craigslist.org/sea...&sort=priceasc

Ebay
Bicycles | eBay

Maelochs

So ... no one else posted this? https://www.competitivecyclist.com/S...ulatorBike.jsp

Using this, plus a few test-fits on other bikes, I was able to make a simple (childishly simple) mechanical drawing of the frame I was planning to buy, and calculated the fit so the mail-order bike is exactly the size and shape i need, down the stem length and angle.

All it takes is a little math (lots of online calculators for people like me who only have ten fingers) and a protractor and a ruler (get a plastic protractor, ruler and a couple triangles at the dollar store) and some graph paper (for people like me who might find it hard to draw a right angle even using all those above-mentioned tools) and you will be able to figure out your fit on any frame. Most manufacturers/vendors have a geometry graphic or chart (or both) which makes it easy.

This is important, because as others have said, every bike is a different size. There is no industry standard "52 cm" or "53 cm." Each frame is a little different.

Even if you go to the shop and get a "fitting" you are getting a compromise between what the fitter thinks is a good riding position and what feels good to you right then ... which might feel terrible after 30 miles. And probably a lot of fitters are avid cyclists, who think everyone should have slammed stems and flat backs ... as if that is somehow "better" (after all, the Pros do it.)

Further, if you have never ridden a road bike, you will feel weird and awkward immediately. You will likely put too much weight on your hands, and you won't know exactly what fits You because it is not a natural position.

Please also note what mcours2006 says---a Slightly smaller frame will fit with a little more seat post exposed, and a slightly longer stem. A frame which is too large will always be too large.

Stravacyclist79

SALE $499.95 Free Ship no Tax Maryland
Save Up to 60% Off Road Bikes - Motobecane Mirage SLX Carbon Fork Shimano Road Bikes

onroad

Concerned with size, I finally went to a local Trek store. Unfortunately, even the smallest size (52 cm) in stock is too big. They told me I need a 50 cm but they don't have anything in stock to try. So I'll probably just order a 50 cm online. Thanks to all your replies.

onroad

Not my size. Thanks.

To all: the nashbar deal is gone now. Any other recommendations? Please post. Prefer $500-$700.

onroad

How is this one?
//giantnerd.com/collections/road-bikes/products/tommaso-imola-1
please add https. I'm not allowed to post URLs.

a1penguin

Maybe wait for the next Nashbar sale in two week? They have 20%, 25% discounts fairly often. I've seen 30%, too.

The tommaso doesn't look too bad, but it's Claris. I think most people would recommend Sora is going to be better, but at the $500 price point, I'm not sure you'll find Sora. Trying to find a 2016 or 2015 or even 2014 model bike on sale might get you a better bike.

zoom26

they'll have it again tomorrow (nashbar) 5/1-5/2

zoom26

It's back tomorrow 5/1-5/2, if you're stretching your budget to 700, on nashbar consider the cavalo gara, cavalo road bike and cavalo corsa. Gara and the Cavalo road are basically the same except for the internally routed brake cable and pedals included

zoom26

Cavalo Gara Roadbike on Nashbar tomorrow MIGHT be 637 then after shipping around 650-660$. It's a great bike( I have the Cavalo Road Bike version, internal mounted brake cable). Solid deal for an almost full-105 groupset bike! And the Mavic Aksiu wheels have positive feedbacks. Only bad there are the brakes and the saddle

onroad

You are right - Nashbar discounts are back!
After doing some research, I now believe a speed-sought road bike may not be my best choice since I mainly use it for fun and I heard that road bikes are not good for forest trails or gravel roads.
So I'm seriously considering a cyclocross type instead. Below is a Nashbar CX1 and it's well within my budget.

https://www.nashbar.com/webapp/wcs/s...69_-1___204687

Another one on bikedirect:
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...e-roadbike.htm

Any reviews or better recommendations? Thanks!

zoom26

Mongoose Selous Sport Gravel Bike
If you're going for Nashbar, as my initial reccomendation I think I would go for the Mongoose Selous Sport for the same price as the Nashbar brand one. I think the Mongoose would be better choice because of the disc brakes and fatter tires, and more customer feedback on it too.

onroad

That's a good point. I did think about it. From what I learned reading online, road bike and mountain bike are on the two ends of the spectrum and cx, gravel, hybrid are in the middle from the rd end to the mt end (not sure where to position touring bike or city bike). So is gravel bike less efficient or more heavy than cx? Are there any cons that I need to consider besides the pros you mentioned? Thanks!

onroad

Another reason that I feel good about Nashbar cx1:
https://www.bicycleadvisor.com/best-cyclocross-bike/

zoom26

Honestly, I didn't even consider them being different from each other aside from them having different braking systems. Based on the spec sheets, the Cx1 would be "faster" and probably lighter because of the skinnier tires it helps too that the Cx1 has a carbor fork but then the Selous' bigger tires would add up to the cushion. Gearing is better for me on the Selous because of the 50/34 x 11-30 vs the 48/36 x 11-28 on the Cx1. I guess at the end of the day you can just trust your gut and go for whichever you may think is a better option.

gbru316

Have you hit up the local bike shops? They usually have used inventory. Buying used from a shop avoids the unknowns that come with Craigslist/Ebay.

T2theK

I agree. I got my BMC ALR01 that was part of their last years model rental fleet for $800 (normally $1600). I kind of lucked out with the worries of it being a rental as it's a 60cm so it was only rented about 5 times.