I know my budget...Now what?
 

I am only 17, i have been a distance runner for about four years, and i now want to get into road biking as an alternative a couple days a week to running (of course i could never give up running). My budget is $750. Can i get a bike AND all of the other equipment i need with this "small" (for a lot of you) supply of cash? or should i wait to save up more? I have a couple of bikes in mind already, but what do you recommend? And also, what else do i really need (like a helmet, shoes, etc.)?

either wait and save some more or buy used

I would say that the necessities are a helmet, a saddlebag for a spare tube, tire levers, patch kit, and a portable pump. You can go cheap on the helmet for approx 40 dollars. I would suggest getting a good pump. A Topeak road morph is highly recommended. That's another 30-35 dollars. A saddlebag can be had for about $15-$20, and the levers and patch kit a few dollars each. Maybe a pair of bike shorts and gloves as well.

Ask the shop to help you out during purchase with a free pair of their lower-priced bottle cages and bottles. A lot of them will do this for you.

Things like clipless pedals, shoes, a jersey, lights (only ride during the daytime until then), etc. are nice to have but can wait a month or two while you save up.

I too was (and still am) a distance runner first and foremost, but I suggest you visit your LBS and see if they have a trade in program in which perhaps a bike from a previous year came in. Chances are you can score a decent bike that was initially out of your range (for the current model year) for somewhere below your targeted budget. Perhaps something like a 2004-2005 Trek 1500 or even something a bit higher in their lineup from 2004 or 2003. Just make sure that the LBS looks over it all and will guarantee that it isn't defective in any way (and that it fits most importantly!). I think you could pick up a pretty nice road bike this way, and possibly still have some cash left to pick up a helmet, spare tubes, pump, waterbottles, pair of shorts, etc... You might even be spared the cost of water bottle cages and a pump if they were left on the old frame.

If you are strapped for cash, check out some stores online (Performancebike.com or Nashbar.com among others...) for the accessories, as many can be found at ridiculously cheap prices there. As much as I like to support the LBS, sometimes it just doesn't make fiscal sense to purchase from them.

The road biking will be a great supplement to your running and you will most likely enjoy it. Best of luck with both and hopefully you'll be getting out on the bike soon.

Used is a great way to go (I used to be a distance runner on a budget too).

Browse your local Craigslist a bit. You can pick up a nice lightweight early-90s steel road bike with STI shifters (as opposed to downtube shifters) for around $300, sometimes less. In my case, I found a beautiful Performance brand road bike in my size, beautiful condition, with full Shimano 105 including STI shifters all for $250. The bike looks modern, feels and rides modern, and really isn't far at all from what you'll find in the bike shop these days.

So $750 - 250.. that leaves you $500. Spend $100 of that on accessories, and pocket the remaining $400.

I think you can get a pretty decent bike and all the necessary components for $750. An entry level road-bike from a LBS can be had for around $600 easily. It will probably be an aluminum frame bike with a carbon fork, which is what I ride and I like it. It won't have the best components, but I doubt you will notice the difference as a beginner. Also, components can be upgraded later; as long as the frame is decent and worthy of upgrading. Then, a decent helmet is around $50, a decent mini-pump is around $20, tire levers are around $5, a multi-tool is around $20, a saddle bag is around $20, and spare tubes are around $5 a piece. Add a pair of biking shorts ($50), and water bottles and cages ($15) and you are good to go. Your total so far: ~$750-$800.

Lot of the items I mentioned can be found cheaper on sales (I got my Tirreno Tora helmet for $25, a decent pair of biking shorts for $25, a mini-pump for $10, a multi-tool for $10, and a saddle bag for $10; all from sales from my local bike store). Some will also say you need shoes and clipless pedals, but you should be OK for a while with the straps and regular shoes. A cyclocomputer also helps, but is not 100% necessary IMO. So you should be able to get going for around $750, especially if you cn bargain for some of these items to come with your bike purchase, or even ask for a discount on the accessories when you are buying the bike.

Buying used is also a great idea, but make sure you do your homework on frame-sizing before you get a used bike. A wrong-sized frame can make riding very uncomfortable, and sometimes short test-rides aren't enough to determine if a frame fits properly or not. So make sure you have a good idea what size frame will work for someone your size before you get a used bike. Another good thing with used bikes will be that you can save a lot of money in most cases, and that means you won't be out of too much money if you find out biking is not for you. Good luck.

Used is a great suggestion. I'd think about your timeframe for being on your new bike and consider building one up. It would help if you had some experience with bikes or know someone that could help with the fine tunning. But you can certainly stretch you dollars further if you buy a piece here and there on sale or ebay. I built a bike on the base Allez frameset with 105 black and Ritchey parts for $635. Your biggest 3 expeses will be the frame, the wheels, and your shifters. But getting Keo pedals from probikekit for $34 to the door, helps stretch your budget. It really helps to know someone that has some shop experience that can help and offer advice. Good luck, and let us know what you do.

Well I will second or third or whatever that you should look into used. That said if you are buying EVERYTHING from ground zero I would try to expand your budget. Start out by getting a helmet and the other gear you must have (saddle bag, patch kit, multi tool etc, lights if you plan on night riding, some shorts) and then turn your attention to the bike. You will burn a few hundred dollars ($100-$300 depending on what you buy) on the ancilary items so by adding that much or a little less to your budget it will get you much farther. Then find a used gem on eBay, at a local shop or yardsale and have at it.

+1 used. Find an old good bike for $400-$500. Learn to work on it yourself. You can get used clothes at a bike swap, or just get the cheap Nashbar shorts (they're fine -- I have $120 shorts and $20 Nashbar shorts and don't prefer one over the other for any reason). Get a couple out-of season clearance jerseys. Find old used Sidis on ebay or craigslist (try on locally at a shop for size), as good shoes last 10 years or more.

Ask around a local club (maybe join up for ~$40 annually) and ask if anyone has old helmets and gear they'd sell to you for cheap. I still have my last three helmets, and they just need pads (use weather stripping from Home Depot). Get the $12 Performance gloves, they're the most comfortable I've ever worn, and have tons of terry on them for sweat wiping. Get cheap socks at target (short and thin). Pedros water bottle and "Milk-cage" combos are awesome (~$6, and it's one of the lightest cages made -- from recycled milk jugs -- mine have lasted me 6 years so far).

I buy used and am able to ride VERY nice bikes (IMO) as a result that I could not otherwise even look at. Let someone take that first 2-4 years worth of depreciation.

Regarding the accessories: I think they are way overrated. This is riding, not posing we are talking about. Get the right bike first. Suffer through a couple of months with a thrift store helmet, pick up a sette pump for $8.00 at pricepoint. Get a $5 allen key set and a $3.00 set of aftermarket tire levers and patch kit. Then get out a ride that nice bike. That is what it is about. I have never heard of someone saying that they wish they had spent less on their bike and more on their accessories.

Older 105 equipped bikes with down tube shifters can be had for under $250 and are still very fast. Remember, STI does not make the bike fast.

Not sure about you guys but I don't wanna go to cheap when buying a Brain Guard (Helmet).

Helmets are all subjected to the same testing whether they are 10 dollars or 200 dollars. They all have to pass the same safety tests to gain certification. I'd even think some of the lesser expensive helmets with less vents would be more protective as there is more between your head and the road with them. As long as the helmet has the certifications, its just as good as a helmet that is more expensive in my opinion (protectionwise that is... perhaps not the case for ventilation)

get a trek 1000. since your 17 get a size slightly bigger so you can grow into it a little. find a shop that give you free gear. i know the lbs i go to gave me a free locking system and all the water bottles i need. if you can get the bike for around 650-700 with a free helmet. then get gloves 10-20 bucks, and some bibs 30-70 bucks, and a little saddlebag for under the seat 10-20 bucks, no need for jerseys. and if you need tubes to replace flats the lbs would probably give you some free ones when you buy the bike. and pay cash my lbs likes that.

Thanks a lot everyone. :) I am going to try to find a bike shop near me. Closest one is probably an hour away. I can't wait to test ride my first bike :D (Well, first road bike anyways....used to be big into bmx). If you have any more advice please don't hesitate to post.