Shopping for first bike
 

I have been reading all day in particular the sub $700 bike thread. All have been helpful. I have also talked to my LBS. Basically I just want a solid roadbike for working out (instead of running). POssibly commuting to work in warm weather (12-14 miles roundtrip). I am not concerned with having the best and fastest, I will not be racing. I will not put a cap on what I will spend but will say I am really only considering lower end, entry level bikes. A few models that I have found through searching that seem to fit my criteria so far are:

Felt F90
Giant OCR2
Specialized Allez Triple

Basically I am looking for other options and suggesstions on which bikes best fit my needs. I want a solid platform that doesnt need the best components but will be a good base for upgrading should I need to later on without needing an entirely new bike.

I know you probably get 100s of these threads. But bear with this noobie.

Well Dave,

I prefer any bike without a seat. They are really unnecessary and actually take away from the enjoyment of the sport.

Also, ensure your biker shorts match. There is nothing sadder than a man who can't accessorize in style.

Hope this helps and happy cycling.

Love,

Bob

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=156853

Take a look at this thread. might help you out a little

I have a 05' Allez sport, with triple chain ring. Its a good bike, good solid frame. I have had it for over a year and and now upgrading its components (getting more into racing). I feel like it is a good bike for just about anything you would want to do. Make sure you get the right size, and get fitted. When I first got mine, my fitting was a guy "eyeballing" me. But, I didn't know any better. A good bike shop should measure your body and put you on a trainer and look at your pedal stroke ect. Also make sure you have the correct width handle bars. I had 40' or 41' on my bike, and come to find out I need a 44'. It does make a big comfort difference. But I found all this out about 6 mo. later when I acutally got a professional fit. Despite all that I am pleased with my Specialized.

When I was looking, I test rode a Felt F90. It was really really nice, but I didn't really care for the Sora components. I thought they shifted just fine, but I didn't like that you couldn't shift from the drops (which may not bother you at all). I like the F80 a lot, but it was a tad out of my price range. Also, the yellow was absolutely hideous. In fact, even if the price was right, I probably wouldn't have bought it anyway because of the yellow. Didn't try the other 2, can't help you there.

Is there any particular reason you've narrowed it down to those 3? I wouldn't completely rule out other bikes either - I wound up getting a Fuji for dirt-cheap. I hadn't even considered Fuji when I was first looking, but now I love it. Couldn't imagine getting anything else.

Felt90: In my eyes you can't do bad with a Felt, I've never test road the 90, but I rode an '04 80 and it was solid, so I would guess the 90 is too

Giant OCR2: Giant makes a lot of other peoples frames, and make very solid bikes, I was unimpressed why the only OCR2 I've ever seen.

Specialized Allez Triple: Is it the '05 or '06? Either way, you may want to (if you can afford it) getting the Sport Triple. BUT! Only if you plan to ride int he drops a lot, if not then the Triple is fine.

You may also look into a Felt80 along with the Sport triple, but if not, any of the 3 bikes lsited are fine, I'd go specialized, but that what I ride so I'm a bit bias

I havn't ruled out any bikes in the price range those were just some I had seen so far in the price range and liked. I also found the Jamis Ventura Sport. Looks to have good compenents for the price.

I am going to integrate the purchase of this bike into a gift so I am not 100% sure of my range just yet. I just want to know what I am looking for when I go shopping. If funds permit I really like these as well:

Jamis Ventura Comp
Felt F75
Specialized Allez Elite (Double or triple)
Giant OCR1

These all seem very well equipped for being at or just above the $1k mark. THey also may be more than I need at this point since this is a first bike I will use for working out and recreational riding. Not planning on any racing just yet. As said before I jsut want a solid bike that is cheap but good enough base to upgrade later on when the times comes.

Is this your first road bike? If so your legs may need work before you can do big climbs in a double with out hurting, but don't let that stop you, work work work.

Having never seen a Jamis, can't comment.

The other 3:

I'd go with the felt...already comes with clipless pedals (you'll need to buy special shoes remember that) the '06 is a 105/ultgera 10 speed combo *wipes away drool*

Felts are great, I'm actully looking for a felt tri bike to test

44' handlebars?
:eek:

You might want to look at a Lemond Reno, wizzman. I just got one and like it a lot. $800, but you might be able to do better, or find a discounted '05, or even a Tourmalet, which is a step up from the Reno. My 2¢.

Cheers.

The Felt 75 is very very nice. I test rode the Jamis Satellite when I was looking too (also Sora components), and I love it except for the Sora. I loved the ride of the steel, it rode like a dream, but I wound up not getting it because of the Sora and because the handlebars were a little too wide for me. Still loved it though. However, I don't think that the Ventura Sport is steel - I think it's aluminum (not sure though). You'll get a harsher ride with aluminum, but it'll still be a good bike. What about the Quest? It's steel with a 105 drivetrain and is also really nice. I think it won last year's Bicycling Magazine's Editors Choice thingamijigger.

I have a bias against giant bikes...I really do not like them. Every one I have ridden did not feel comfortable but its like a running shoe what fits one guy may be great for him and bad for another. I was really close to buying a felt f90 but ended up with a Masi Alare. I love my masi. It is a beautiful and I thought the saddle was the most comfortable of all the entry level bikes I rode. Specialized makes a really nice bike but I have long legs and a short torso so anything they made that fit my legs was really long and not comfortable for me. I would recomend you look into a Masi, Felt F90, LeMond Etape, Trek 1000 (even though Im not a trek fan), or specialized. I think that Felt makes the best bike for the money. On the other hand, you are going to be getting around the same quality bike regardless of what you get at the entry level. And as far as not being able to shift sora from the drops, I dont know where people get that from...I have small hands and can reach that little button with ease.
~Nick

My first road bike ever was an old schwinn with a double and i rode it to the point at which im absolutely comfortable.
Basically all im saying is that don't be scared of a double in case you find a nice bike with a double on sale. It will just make you a stronger rider because you will simply be forced to go up the hill with whatever you have.

Bike wise i think you should go with 105 (ultegra rear on the felt is good). That is if you can't find a good discount on an 05, then don't concentrate too much on brands. Difference between Sora and a 105 (would be even better on a discounted one!) is 200-300 bucks but you would most likely be getting a better set of wheels as well.
It is all about diminishing returns in buying a bike, reap the better money-to-gear ratios at the lower price ranges and go with 105s, will probably last longer too.

Good luck

Have you actually tried riding your list of bikes? Or are your picks just based on specs? Go test ride the bikes, and that should help you decide what you really want.

I agree. I personally don't think that 105 is essential, I think that Tiagra is ok too. But if someone else was paying....well, then it's a different story. :p I also agree that you should look at the Treks - the 1000 is nice. I tested the 1200 too, and it was even better. In fact, I totally fell head-over-heels for it, but it was a little out of my price range at the time and the handlebars were too wide for me. But it's a fancy-schmancy bike, and I think now they're on sale. IMHO, Felts are nicer, but you'll find more middle-of-the-road bikes with Trek. I noticed that the Felt models jump from all Sora to 105/Tiagra, without a mid-range Tiagra model. Trek doesn't do that - they have more mid-range options (if I'm making any sense). I think they appeal to a wider public that way. Plus having Lance riding your product for 7 years doesn't hurt either. ;)

The Sora only has the thumb shifters - I thought you could only shift from the hoods. I could be wrong though. My friend has a Masai and she loves it. Go out and test ride these - that's the only to tell if it's for you or not. Looking and comparing - that's all prep-work. The test-ride is where the rubber meets the road.

+1

That's what did it for me.

Hey, I like your bok-choy! :D

I'll second that. I have Ultegra on my first bike (because I tried 105 and Ultegra and much preferred Ultegra), but on my new bike, a Specialized Allez Sport, I have Tiagra, with a 105 RD. (This is a bike for commuting, so I wanted it to be relatively non-flashy.) The shifting and braking requires more finger effort, but the shifts occur cleanly and smoothly, and the braking was confident and easily modulated. I would never put Tiagra components on my nicer bike, but they work just fine.