fofo

hi to all, i am a runner who got the cycling bug after having to crosstrain for hip reasons!
I am getting to really love cycling in the GG park in San Francisco and i have a $15 bike bought in a garage sale 7 years ago...
I know, not good, so i am searching, researching Ze bike for me...
I adore the look of the bianchi veloce, the celeste one, but that's for the looks.
What is good and cost between $600 and $1000 for a beginner cyclist?
Please HELP, there are so many bikes out there, more than running shoes and i am getting confused....
thanks
Fofo

save10

https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycling/268941-new-improved-under-750-roadbike-thread.html

patentcad

Today I go to my daughter's HS cross country race. I had my Cannondale with the Zipps with me, I brought it to the LBS for a derailleur tweak. As I'm standing there at 6PM today, I look down at my daughter's $59 Aisics running shoes. Then I look up at my car and ponder my $5900 Cdale with Zipps. Then back to my daughter's $59 sneakers, which didn't need a derailleur adjustment today.

Stick with running. The only reason I ride bikes is because of my cartilidge challenged right knee. After two days of 3 mile dog walks I had to take Advil to reduce the swellling. But if I could still run, I'd be out there. Cycling. God help me. But I am addicted to the endorphins. And I must confess, buying bike schwag helps me understand why women shop their way out of minor depressions.

v1k1ng1001

What's wrong with the bianchi? It's about as good of a bike as you can ask for in that price range. I've also seen some Lemond Sarthes going for around $1100.

Tio

If you have the bug, then get the bike you want (I mean really want); otherwise, you will always regret it and you will find yourself soon looking to upgrade. Then again, even if you do buy the one you want -- and if you are like most of the people here (me included) -- it won't be long before you want to upgrade. Its quite dizzying actually... but at least when you have the bike you really love it helps allay some of the frustration.

BTW, just performed a quick scan of ebay & there is some celeste to be found - just a thought.

fofo

Hey thank you very much for these answers guys, it helps me quite a lot to go on the right path if i may say
I am going to try a veloce and a few more tomorrow, i feel like my kid in a candy store...

fofo

Thanks a lot for your thoughts, but how old is your daughter if i may ask? and if she is running some miles everyweek, $59 Asics makes me worry about her joints...you are right, running is such a great outlet for me and i can run with my son but i know now that personally, i have to invest $90 every 4/5 months into a new pair of sneakers to protect my old bones. Something to think about.(i would hate to sound like a know-it-all)

urbanknight

Very well put, but (1) Even I at age 27 cycle because I still want to have functional knees when I am 60, and (2) my bike didn't have to cost $5900 or even $900, and neither did yours. Now get your daughter some racing flats, scrooge.

rickhigbee

Wow, I can't believe nobody has thrown Bikes Direct out there yet. As their newest resident shill and proud owner, may I recommend this fine bike.

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...ane/sprint.htm

Great components, good frame, unbeatable value for the dollar.

v1k1ng1001

You can't miss with the Veloce.

And yeah, go with the celeste!

babydee

Congrats on getting into cycling. I know many people at my hospital (which attracts fitness buffs) who LOVE running, but half of them have already begun their descent into chronic injury. I tried to talk one guy into trying cycling, but he complained of discomfort and didn't want to go through finding the right saddle/getting a pro (or even good) fit/etc.

On one hand, it takes longer to get a good workout on a bike. On the other, it's SO much easier on your feet/ankles/knees, and you can cover so much more ground...helps keep it interesting IMO.

patentcad

She just asked me for racing flats yesterday. You clearly possess telekenetic capabilities, and I thought only Pcad had those powers.

Paul Barnard

Get the Bianchi. If it stirs your soul, there is no reason not to go for it. It is on par with other bikes in its price range as far as quality is concerned. Post photos when you get it.

dcbikeguy

Wow, I'm not.

mcoomer

If the Bianchi is what makes you happy buy it. Look around on Craigslist and EBay for deals, check local shops for consignment sales, and browse local pawn shops but make sure that you know your size so that the frame will fit. Educate yourself on the different makers of components (Campy, SRAM, Shimano, etc) so you'll know what you're getting for your money. Once you find a bike that fits and has the components that you want pull the trigger on it and don't look back. Just make sure that if you do buy a Bianchi that you get Celeste. It's Italian law or something and if you buy some other color the Italian Carbonari come to your house and thump you with batons.

telebianchi

Actually, if you're starting out with a $15 yardsale bike, I think a good, solid intermediate bike is the way to go. There are some tremendous bikes in the price range the OP set. Are they going to win you a ton of races? Probably not. Will they go fast and be comfortable enough to ride centuries? Absolutely.

Ride that first good bike a couple of years and once (A) you know you're sticking with the sport and (B) you have a better of idea of what you need/don't need, like/don't like in bikes then you can go and spend the big bucks if you are so inclined. Or, maybe you'll still really like the first bike and spend the money on a bike trip from Saint Petersburg, Russia to Istanbul, Turkey.

Have fun.

botto 

are there any other Istanbuls?

urbanknight

Yes, I am awesome.

... or maybe I am your daughter posting on the forum to try and convince you.

... or it could be because I raced cross country back in high school, and everybody talked about wanting race flats after their first race. They're lighter. Since I was only on the team to cross train for cycling and didn't finish in the points anyway, I never bought them.

Seriously, though. I'm only telepathic, not telekenetic.

CharlieWoo

Come on Pcad, how could we possibly support and prop up a consumer-based economy if we all spent a piddly $59 for shoes every few months? You need to be more patriotic - we are at war you know.

Now get with it man, and get out there and schwag it up.

alanbikehouston

In your price range, the quality of the shop is far, far more important than the brand of the bike. If you simply look for the cheapest bike, you don't even get a bike, you get a bunch of parts.

A good bike shop makes sure that you are on the right bike for your size, age, physical condition, and intending riding goals. The bike will be properly assembled and tuned, and the wheels will be perfectly true. A good shop will insist you come back in a few weeks to have the bike re-tuned, and have the wheels re-trued, after the cables and spokes get some miles on the road.

The best shop in your neighborhood will be more expensive than discount chains and certainly more expensive than the "Chino-cr@p Direct" sorts of junk dealers. But, a bike that fits you like a glove and that is perfectly assembled and tuned is a joy to ride, both when new, and after a decade of hard riding. "Bargain" bikes are no fun when new, and tend to hanging in the back of the garage very quickly.

Visit three or four shops that are very close to your home. Spend some time asking questions and watch on you and other customers are treated. Buy from the shop that is most serious about customer service. The bike they help you to select will be the "right" bike for you.

fofo

thanks for your thoughts, it's true that it's harder to get a good work out on a bike than running...i rode my bike almost 2 hours yesterday with my son in the back seat (he is 2 years old and with the seat, it adds probably 35lbs on my load) and i didn't feel very tired at all. I was cycling too! not cruising like a tourist! anyway, it feels good but even 45mn of running gets me more tired...i guess maybe my body is telling me something... i feel that the 2 sports are compatible, aren't they? i love running more than anything but why not adding another sport to give my body a more complete work out...

H1449-6

Used bike. Try Craigslist.

fofo

yeah, patriotic except that most of these running shoes out there are made in China...not good for the US economy, not good at all for the environement (shipping by flying/boat/ pollution etc...)

H1449-6

No idea why you wouldn't get a custom bike for that kind of jack, instead of a recycled beer can bike.

dcbikeguy

Sounds like you are already pretty fit - you need to kick it up a little. Find some guys who go FAST, and try and hang for as long as possible - bookin will wear your *ss out. Also, go further, for longer.