The Weak Link

My 17 y/o son, who is a pretty decent mountain biker, is thinking about getting into road cycling. Sure, I'd love to buy him a Trek Modone or something, but I can't afford that kind of stuff. What would be a good bike ($1000-1500) for a gent his age? I personally favor full carbon (I have a Lemond Buenos Aires), but I suspect his youthful joints wouldn't mind something with a stiffer ride.

grafsk8er

i ride a systemsix with full ultegra. it's a full carbon front end, and an aluminum rear triangle. absolutely sick. but it's above your price range. check out a cannondale caad9 r6. i believe they run like 1200 with tiagra, and 105 mixed.

10 Wheels

Have put 5000 miles on my Felt since March 20.
Your son would like this one.
https://websterbicycle.com/itemdetails.cfm?id=2366
or
https://websterbicycle.com/itemdetails.cfm?id=2121

biker128pedal

+1 Look for an '07 or '08. Good warranty and when he gets old and worn he will appreciate a CF frame.

CaboWabo

I'm 23 riding a CAAD9...it's my first road bike so I can't compare it to anything, but mtn bikes, which is worthless, lol. It's not carbon, but it is a great frame. It's also the last aluminum bike C-dale is making, which I think is crazy b/c I love this thing.

Any ways, it comes with a carbon fork which seems to suck up a lot of the rougher roads. It also comes with a carbon seat post, but I had to get fitted with a different post and they didn't have them in carbon so I can't comment on that. The seat is, meh, I'm getting a Toupe as soon as I have the money.

I have the compact with Tiagra group set and it works great. I know it's a low end set, but I just make adjustments as necessary before every ride and have had no problems. I don'nt really have anything bad to say about it. You might want some faster rolling tires as it comes with low end and tready Vittorias, but coming from a mtn bike (like me) he won't notice...he will think he's doing mach1 all day long .

I guess the best thing to do is just go test ride bikes and see what he likes...but I gotta give a big thumbs up for the CAAD9.

palu

Starting riding bikes when I was 18. I started on an aluminum frame bike, and thought it wasn't stiff at all. I'm 30 now, and still don't think aluminum is that stiff.

Personally, I would go with a used bike for cheap (I'm talking $2-400). That way, if he doesn't like it, you're not out a lot of money. And if he does like it, you/he can then spend more money for something he will use.

astonmartinag

I'm 15 and been riding on a bike from www.bikesdirect.com. Cheap bikes, and does the job. He won't need anything fancy, until he really gets in to it. Plus you don't know if he'll like road cycling yet. So spend $400-$800. Either bikesdirect or used bike on craigslist.

bryceepoo

What brand is the mountain bike? Does he like mainstream stuff or would he prefer something "different?"

BananaTugger

Get him a CAAD9.

If he complains about "comfort", tell him to use the mountain rig on the road instead.

frankum

Would you mind talking to my father about buying me a bike too?

CaboWabo

I did that...managed 23mph for about 40 minutes in a pace line...the next week I got a CAAD9, lol.

kevbo

Whatever he chooses and can earn the money for and buy himself. Nobody ever appreciated anything given them for free.

waterrockets 

I just bought a used Madone for $1600...

artifice

I'm not a teenager, but I'll give you my input anyway
At 24, I bought my first bike this year - a trek 1600. Its aluminum, I'm fine with it and have done several 50-75 mile rides on it. You're probably correct in assuming he also will be fine on something stiffer than full carbon, I am.

From there, I think the "how much to spend?" question would be best answered by "what are his goals?"

dmb2786

I totally agree. Also, I'm a teenager, I ride an Al bike and I don't have issues with comfort. I think that your son should be happy with your decision regardless of what you choose. If he doesn't like what you get him, tell him to get a job. He's lucky he doesn't have to buy his own bike.

marengo

Why don't you ask him?

kergin

Firstly, you're an awesome parent for taking interest and encouraging your son in this sport. For $1k to $1.5K most bikes out there are pretty plain-jane frame-wise, with the notable exception of the CAAD9. Yeah, just get 'em the CAAD9...

Geoff326

I'd also recommend the CAAD9. very race worthy frame for a great value. I race with a CAAD7 that I bought 3 years ago and would definitely consider a CAAD9 if I needed a new frame.

bmcginn

I started riding at 17 on a trek 1500 with 105 components. since then ive had a chance to ride a madone and a lemound tete de something it was like 8 grand, but the 1500 has served me well. Im just now gettign some mavic es wheels. to me aluminum is good enough. there is no need ot start on a cf bike

Nd2PdlFstr

09 CAAD9 with Tiagra is $999.

Awesome starter-bike with the potential for endless upgrades as his interest dictates.

j_amie_

wow, Now i want a caad9

daddyto3

Check out these two bikes...they have come a long way and are making great bikes!

https://www.fezzari.com/products/index/Foré_CR2/6/19
https://www.fezzari.com/products/inde...ia_Triple/7/19

cwilliams

Definitely keep a lookout for closeout deals on "older" bikes. One of the LBS here has a dozen or more 2007 bikes still on the racks they are starting to heavily discount. Sadly I don't think this shop sells a lot of road bikes considering the same bikes I demo'd a few months ago are still there. They had a lot of people in the shop today though I wish them the best since they carry some quality products.

Oh and I'm 23 and I bought myself an 09 Orbea Onix for my first road bike

bjlswim

I agree with the previous post. My first bike was the Caad 8. I wrecked it in a nasty fall, but loved the bike so much I got the Caad 9. I rode the Caad 9 in several races, and eventually got a nicer and much more expensive race bike, but the Caad 9 will be my training bike probably until I wreck it. $1200 sounds about right.

julz

Im 17 and first started road riding on an old steel road bike, it was uncomfortable painful and noisy. After about 6 months of riding it i could stand it no more and spent my savings on a full carbon bike. Now im racing C grade.