BearsPaw

I read the under $700 roadbike thread, but this is a slightly different question. If you are just starting out, how important is the bike?

I am planning to join my university's cycling team this coming season. In the past I've mainly been interested in commuting and touring, so I have a lot of time on the bike, but no racing experience. At my level, it seems like the "engine" is more important than the vehicle. However, I'm not sure how much different levels of quality would affect someone at an entry level. Compare:

1) An old school bike. ~$100 Example:
https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll..._promot_widget

2) An 10-15 year old bike. ~$250-400 Example:
https://cgi.ebay.com/Cannondale-3-0-A...QQcmdZViewItem

3) A new bike with Sora or Tiagra components from a certain online store that I dare not mention, lest I be called a shill. ~$500-600

I am a grad student, work part time, and don't have a lot of money. I have about $600 saved up for "bike stuff." I could use that money for something else though, so less I spend, the better. I'm not sure how much of a difference these three levels of bicycles would make in my performance. Any suggestions?

I am somewhat mechanically inclined, and I am confident that I could figure out how to do most things I might need to do with a bike, so a warranty is not an issue.

domestique

Any rich kids on the team that may have an extra race bike for you to borrow (to see if you really want to get into racing)?

In collegiate racing you will see kids on very old bikes the whole way up to $4,000 + bikes...... I have also seen people win races with those very old bikes and the kids on their "daddy's paycheck" bike get dropped after the first lap.

considering you are more into touring and communting I wouldn't drop a lot of money until you fully want to get into racing. (hence the borrowing a club mate's bike)

Also, you will have to consider race fee's, race liscense, etc. etc. It all adds up.

edit: are you racing in the ECCC?

munkyv22

If you buy a bike from the un-named on-line store, I will personally hunt you down and mock you.

BearsPaw

Well, let's be honest, anyone who regularly reads this site probably could never have enough bikes. That is a good idea though, I'll ask around. I'm shorter than many of the people on the team though, so I'm not sure how well that would work.

Yeah.

domestique

That's cool, so am I. Prolly doing Rutgers, Army, Bucknell, Princeton, Philly, and you gotta do Beanpot! Only the biggest Collegiate Race in the U.S (last three years they've had over 450 racers!)

Turboem1

For a first bike I personally think you should get whatever brand you want with atleast tiagra. That way all the models up are the same working. In a first bike youll always have some changes you would like to see so dont get a $2000 bike.

bdcheung

Your first bike won't fit you perfectly so get a cheap one. My Felt cost around $750, and I'm glad I didn't spring for a more expensive frame because, as a beginner, I simply had no idea what a "good" fit was. Now, having ridden the Felt for almost 1000 miles, I know how I like to be positioned on the bike, I know what geometry I like, and I can apply this knowledge to my next build. Simply put, buy cheap the first time around because it will be a learning bike. Once you know what works for you, then you can spend the big bucks.

Edit: For a more detailed list of things I learned from my first bike:
1) Though I'm the right size for a 56cm, I much prefer a smaller frame with longer stem.
2) I like a steeper seattube angle.
3) Compact crank.
4) Paint will get chipped. Accept it.