am I getting over my head or these bikes good
 

I went to a LBS to see what this shop has to offer with around 1000 budget. They have a bunch of stuff in that price range. I would like to buy a little bit better now and would save me from buying upgrades in the near feature. Can everyone tell me what they think and if these bikes are too much for me. I plan on using this as an everyday rider, do some long long rides but alot of it will be getting around the city.
It was raining today so tomorrow I am going in to try bikes out. Here is what I am trying out:
Orbea Mitis (with Ultegra parts) on sale for 1499
Then I am trying a much of frames to see how they feel:
Lemond
Cannondale (reg and synapse)
Specialized Allez
and maybe a Bianchi

I guess my main question is, is the orbea way over my head for what I want to do with it.

thanks everyone
-rich

I just went bike shopping with a friend and he got a Trek 1500. Ultegra levers and rear derailleur, 105 brakes, crank, front derailleur. Bont select wheels, carbon seatpost. Not bad for $1k. Generic pedal cages.

if you want to not have to worry about upgrades, then yes, get the Orbea, because unless you get into serious racing in the future, you will never NEED to upgrade (although you might want to eventually). Ultegra is very, very good.

BUT- i would say Ultegra is a little overkill for someone's first roadie. thats not to say however that i havent seen noobs starting with that or Dura Ace.

in short, go for what you like the best.

If you're just starting road biking and just think it's kind of cool, don't expect that you'll like it 3 months down the line. Everyone's different, and you may hate it. For that, I'd advise you to start conservative (105/Ultegra level), something that'll keep you going. If somewhere down the line you discover that road cycling really is the thing for you, get the Orbea and use the first road bike as a rain bike or commuter.

I just went back and re-read your post. An Orbea might be a sort of bad idea to use as an everyday, around the city rider. You'd need a massive lock for that baby.

If you like the Orbea get the Obrea. We all go though this buying bikes. I know I did a few months back, it gets fusterating becuase you dont want to make the wrong choice. Its alot of money. once you get the bike things will change and you will see the other side like we have. I hope you are happy with your purchase most of all not happy whats on it. you see what I am saying? its still early..hehe

Buying a more expensive bike will make you want to ride it more (cause you will feel quilty about it just laying there) and as your skills progress you will surpass you are going to want a more expenisve bike..... and instead of 1500USD you now spent over 2500! with two bikes.

I personally went with a nice, expensive frame with good components..... but with room to upgrade components later. The fit is key though, even if the orbea is a lot niceer if it doesn't feel right then you are not going to want to ride it.

I'd say, look for something in the $1000 range. If money's not a huge deal for you, then get the $1500 Orbea, but I would say that 'can' be overkill.

I've seen people buy their first roadie and drop a ridiculous amount of money on the bike, only to find out 2 months and 50 miles later that cycling just isn't for them - and the bike sits in the garage collecting dust.

Personally, I'd recommend looking for something around $1000 with 105 componentry. That's a solid bike, and if you were to get into racing in a year or so, it would still suit you well. Then if you decide cycling really isn't for you, or you just like using the bike for some light recreational riding, you're not out as much money as you would be had you bought something more expensive.

I own two bikes. One is a 27 year old road bike (with decent components). The other is a new one, equiped with Ultegra. The old bike has a more comfortable geometry and I even put on larger tires for more comfort. I use it for everything around town. I wouldn't even think of taking the new one out for anything other than a training ride. If your not racing, weight means almost nothing. When you purchase high end frames and high end components, you're buying low weight items that are still strong. I doubt the new bike would gain me more than a minute in a 50 mile race, over the old one.

Spending $1000 extra, so you can average .25 mph faster is not going to make much sense to most commuters or for those looking for an around-town bike. Most would say that shimano 105 works just as well , but weighs a bit more. Lighter frames may actually be weaker and far more expensive. In fact, 105 may be overkill for your uses.

Of course, if you have the money and you like nice things, buy whatever. However, if you want value for your money, then Ultegra is overkill for your use. You can get a very nice ride for a lot less. If you want to put your money in a good place, make sure you have good wheels on it. For a do-everything bike, you want strong wheels that will stay tuned. You may want to get some heavier custom wheels made. They can be had for a very reasonable price. You can sell whatever comes with the bike, on Ebay.

Upgrading a lower end bike is generally cost prohibitive. Everybody (myself included) starts with a nice 1000 dollar bike and immediately starts planning upgrades. The best plan for a new rider is to find the bike that fits you best in your price range and ride it for a couple of years. Then you will know what type of rider you are and will be able to make an intelligent and informed decision on the purchase of you next bike.

+1 - I started with a Trek 1000C two years ago and upgraded to a Lemond Sarthe this spring.

Thanks for all the feed back! I am going this afternoon to try the bikes out.

beef- you are right, I would get this super light bike and then need a 20 lb lock for it. I need something that i would not be scared of leaving it on the street for a hour or so and be there when I get back!

I would highly recommend not getting anything even around $1000 and using it for riding around the city and locking it up. These bikes are mainly training bikes, not commuters. Perhaps consider getting yourself something in the $800-$900 range, and then check craigslist or some other means for older used bikes which you can use for commuting (even consider a fixie). I don't think I know anyone who locks up their nice bikes.

+100 !!! If you want a nice $1000 to $1500 bike ... great!! Get it ... but I wouldn't recommend EVER using it in such a way as to trust it being locked or secured outdoors in such a way as you describe.

So, get a used bike or lower-end bike for say ... $500 and use for what you describe in your original post. But, get another bike for $1000 or so and ride on regular rides where you can keep it in your home or keep it safe.

Just my .002

I have been looking at criagslist for about 6 months, I need a 50 or 51 cm frame and it seems like no one around here has one that is under 1500 on criagslist. I thought about fixed but I do not think I would want one of these now.
from what I am sounding like it that if i want to use this as a everyday bike then try to find a cheap one that no one wants to steal.
I have a 1960s or 70s road bike that I like alot and plan on keeping it around to ride too. But I would like to use this bike I would pick up to ride around the city and do what I need to do and then when I have time, do a longer ride.
It just seems like I thought I knew what I wanted but the more and more I think and read I am more and more unsure. At one point I thought about ungrading my current bike, I guess now it is not out of the question of doing.

Go for the budget bike
 

I started on an old Schwinn Super le Tour tha I bought from a public auction real cheap just to see if I was going to like this sport or if it would be like the drum kit my dad bought my kid brother that just collected dust. Once I figured out that I really love it, I did some shopping around and found a really nice used Trek with lots of upgrades already in place and the price was right as well. If you have the patience and are willing to wait, I'd look for a used bike. It'll save you tons a dough that you can use for accessories like shorts, jersies etc...

I bought a 1200 about a year ago for my first road bike. I like it, but if I was going to do it again I would go with the Orbea. That being said, I would not leave it out and try to lock it up on the street. Thats what old MTB's are for :)

Then use the older bike you have for errands around the city. If you want, buy a roadie, but it wouldn't be prudent to lock it up anywhere, so just use it for longer training rides.

Get a really nice bike(Orbea) for training and then get a cheaper bike(Motobecane from you know who) or the equivilant for your commuting or other needs. Maybe it will be a folder or a hybrid or single speed.
Kenal0

You ain't kidding here. I don't EVER lock up my nice road bike. If I can't bring it into a place with me, I either don't go there or I ride my beater. I was talking to a guy yesterday down at our local park and he asked me why he never sees a lock on my bike. I told him I never leave it out of arm's reach. He asked me this while I was sitting on a bench reading, with my bike leaning on the bench right next to me. I never leave my road bike unattended.
, in fact I don't even own a lock...but I am getting one.

Cheers,

Brian

From what I have read so far, I need to think about where I am going to ride and if I am going to ever lock it up outside. I could use the bike i have now as the ever day rider and use this bike when i want to just ride and nothing else. Thanks for all the input! Now I just have to think about it and go from there

mac3r3y3u7,

I had a similar decision to make a few years ago - I had a $1000 budget, but I began looking at $1500 bikes with some Ultegra components. I weighed saving $500 vs getting better components.

After a lot of thought, I bought the $1000 bike - a Trek 1500. After riding it for several years, I still think that it is the sweetest bike, it has never given me any trouble and I have never had the need to upgrade anything but the brakes (and I did that only because the price was right). I never once thought that I should have spent the extra money.

If you are a regular recreational rider a $1000 105 equipped bike will be more than adequate.

I just got back from test riding a few bikes. I jumped on the Orbea and that was a nice nice ride. tryed a few others out that did not few as good.
after talking to the sales person in what I want to do with the bike and where I plan on riding. I have decided to ride it for the long rides and the times when I know I do not have to lock it up any place and use my other bike as the everyday when I have to lock it up for hours on end. She said that I should look at the specialized allez elite and I just jumped on it fast ride around the block. Took the other ones out for a longer ride. I like the specialized so much more then the other bikes I tryed even the orbea believe it or not!
I still have to think about it a little bit more, but I think I am going to get the allez elite in black.

You should spend less than $1000. You should be researching the style of bike you want - road racing, time trial, sport touring, cyclocross. Then when you have experience you can spend more money on a second bike.

I was in the same boat when I started a few months back. I wanted to spend $1000 and that will get you in 105 pretty much which is good for what a new rider will do. However I fell into an Ironhorse Victory Race with full Ultegra and the LBS messed up the price ($999) so I took it on the spot. Sure, I was/am a new rider with full ultegra but hey....how can you pass it up?

If you ask me, just get what you feel comfortable with and you will be happy.