cocopuffs809

Hi, i am getting into cycling and I have a hard time choosing a bike. I have around $500 to spend, it all depends on how long I want to save up. Well i went to a several bike shops and one offered a Giant OCR 3 for $470 another offered a Trek 1000 for about $600 i believe or was it $550.. an Specialized Allez Base Model for $659/ old Allez for $450 or I know someone that is willing to sell me a specialized foco Steel frame with a headset? for $250..he said that the headset? alone is worth $200. the reason he is selling it is because it is too strong for him and he keeps bending it, so he has to part with it.

So.. which bike should I get.. should I spend a little more for the better model or should I try and build one from scratch with the foco steel frame? He said he will help me build it. THe specialized frame is 56 cm and I am 5-8 140 lbs. I am new to cycling at 17 years age but I run cross-country, track, and canoe paddle.
If i Build a custom bike, how much would you think it would cost? and is it worth it? THank you for your time!!

I have spent a lot of time reseaching on the net about cycling and am having a hard time deciding what bike to get. I guess it just grown on me because at first I was going to spend around $200 for a bike..used maybe? but after all this...my dream bike is just getting expensiver and more nice looking.

And one last question... what are cannondale CAAD 5's something, i see it mentioned a lot.

simplyred

Get a brand new bike...
Building up takes waaay too much time - don't do it for your first..

At the +500 level; almost any road bike is a damn good bike...
I'd say just get the cheapest of the three - Giant, Specialized, TREK..

I'm privy to the TREK because it's freaking light... I picked up the 1000 and thought it was a CF bike... hahaha

Cannondale CAAD - Computer Aided Assisted Design; is an acrynom to describe the design the their frames; which btw are the best aluminum bikes IMO...

Get the bike that will get you on it...

Happy Riding
-Peter

Crayon

I'd avoid your friends bike because:

1) Probably isn't going to be a good fit.
2) He's bent it
3) It's going to cost more to build it up.
4) It's going to take too long to build it.

Get a bike fit and a new ride.

Delta

I tired out those same 3 bikes you mentioned and I decided to go with the Trek 1000. I love it.

operator

If you want a bike everyone else has go buy the non custom bikes.
If you want something that you personally have built yourself and would like the satisfaction of knowing you have your built your own "personal" bike, get the custom bike.

dutret

Building the bike is going to cost far far more then 500. Why wait when you could buy something now and sell it later if you want a new bike

cslone

I'd personally buy one of the three built bikes. Then, in a few years when you know what you want from a bike, buy a custom if you can afford it. If you build this custom up and don't like it, you'll have a hard time selling it. The other three can be sold fairly easily.

mrog71

If you can get the OCR3 for $470, I'd get it! (Assuming you've ridden it and like it of course... )

I got an OCR3 a couple of weeks ago and I love it! It's been solid and the Sora has been working great. Just make sure you swap out the pedals for some clipless.

sydney

total nonsense and BS. Besides, if he has really been bendng the frame,you don't want it.

ChavoCheque

Ditto what others have said about not building uo a bike your first time, and it costing more than $500.

10 months ago I had narrowed my choice of first road bike down to the Trek 1000 and the Giant OCR3. I went with the Giant (though it cost a bit more) because there were intangible ways in which it just felt slightly better than the Trek). Test ride them both: go up some hills, ride in traffic, etc. If one feels better, get it. If they feel the same (which is likely- I also agree with the post that all entry-level bikes are going to feel sweet if you're new to it), get the cheaper one.

I got the Giant but would be happy on the Trek, no doubt. Have fun!

cocopuffs809

lol thanks guys...I think I've made up my mind with a Cannondale r500 triple $730 LBS, who knows I might be offered 20% off that bike too..

MrCjolsen

It is absolutely imperative that you get the bike that fits you best and is the most comfortable to ride.