hey! ok so i just joing the forum! and ur post is right smack dab @ the forefront and it looks like its been a while since you posted, how did everything turn out? what did you learn and what would you recommend for a new rider like you were?? starter bike etc... thanks :)

Hey guys just joined and I'm a total newbie! I was looking for a road bike for me and my dad to ride daily. I'm 5'9 175 and he is 6'0 260 so I need a bigger bike for him. We looked around and saw a couple of bikes. Hes kinda bent towards the cheaper costco and walmart bikes like the gmc denali 700c which was about 160 bucks. I went to a bike shop out here in central california which had raleigh rush hour bikes for 500. Im not sure what to get since Im a total noob but any imput would be appreciated. I dont want to spend too much but if I have to I would say 600 is max because I have to think about other things like helmets and gear. So what would be my best bet??

could i switch my mavic kysrium shimano freehub to a campy freehub? thanks in advance

You might try posting this question in the Bicycle Mechanics forum. You will get more responses in there.

You can do a search in the Road forum for "What bike should I get" or something similar. You will find all sorts of threads on the subject.

For your dad, you might check out the Clydesdale/Athena forum. They have lots of information on bikes for bigger guys like your dad.

Hello all!

I just bought my first road bike to use for some cross training this swim season. The bike is a Viscount. Here are a few pics. She is a bit dirty and needs a little bit of work. So far I had a tune up done, new bar tape, new brake levers/brake lines.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4107/...9ca6f8e4_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4092/...a805e820_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4149/...6d1f203d_z.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4133/...9894081814.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4151/...b85e400167.jpg


Now I was riding her today going around a corner a popped a front tire...Can someone recommend some quality tires for the road that aren't really expensive?

Also to note I am pretty sure I need to put a new crankset and gearset on because often when I pedal hard there is a loud clicking noise that comes from the crankset and I can see the gearset rotate forward slighty. So I am assuming what ever the mechanism that allows the pedals the not move with the bike is in motion is faulty?

Any help with this would be greatly appreciated! I am pretty handy, I am in the process of building a car, and I am an engineer, so doing the work myself shouldn't be a problem.

thanks!

Need advice for road bike
 

I'm 6'1", 185-190 lbs. just getting back to biking, I would prefer comfort, less weight if possible, and some durability. Likely will ride the bike only once a week except during winter season. Trying to keep it below $1000 (I've shopped around and the least expensive full carbon frame I've found in one shop is $1500). There are some good cycle shops in the city I live in and I know they'll work with me on a good fit. Just need some advice on what frame ( alum vs. steel vs. carbon) to finally decide on as I would prefer to use the bike for several years. Thanks.

Specialized Roubaix or Secteur, or a Felt Z series would be my first two suggestions when looking for a road bike that is more comfort oriented. I would also go Aluminum or Carbon. Not a big fan of steel but it has its purposes.

Looks like the current Roubaix models start at $2k, unless I'm overlooking a cheaper model on their website. But, last years models were great as well. It's worth it to see if any of your shops have the previous years models in stock in your size.

As far as felt goes, I'd check out the Z 85, MSRP is $1149, but most shops will come down AT LEAST $100 dollars off that. Comes with new 105 components and a solid frame.

Thanks. What do you think about the brands Jamis, Scott, Giant, Trek and Cannondale? They seem to offer more choices on starter bikes. However I've read how some riders felt they shouldn't have bought starter bikes because they soon want the better ones once they find they love to ride.

Any Feedback on the Brand BLUE for Road Bikes. I heard that it's quite popular among triathletes. Is it a comfortable ride?

I raced a Blue a few years ago, great bike. I am actually looking at the AC1 and the AC1sl now. I don't think you will be dissapointed with them.

Hey Tom, congratulations on your new look ... much younger ... :thumb:

http://www.bikeforums.net/image.php?...ine=1288293495

Here's an updated link for the handlebar-taping guide:

http://stupidhurts.org/?p=141

yes. new freehub should be ~$60

Hi this is my first post and I am new to this website. I have a road bike, a Trek 7.3 FX, to be exact and I'm wondering, can I switch my flat normal handlebars to bullhorns without needing to buy new brakes/gears and keep my old ones. My bike is still all stock.
If this is possible, could you bike guru's give me a quote on how much it will cost?
Also what do you guys think about Aerospoke wheels?

Thanks,
H Kuang

Hi... I just joined, after looking over this site for a little bit. I have just started road biking as of last summer. I was more of a trail rider, and amateur (skills) mountain biker. I have found out I really missed riding these bikes, as I haven't been on one since I was about 20 years old. I have been able to get the speed up to just over 35 MPH (down a small hill), and 25 MPH on flat ground. This of course was after a few months of riding. I am also weighing in at about 205 pounds, down almost 70 pounds from when I started.

I hope to learn more from this site. :D

Are local Performance Bike stores or REI stores considered LBSs or chains?

no

They are a chain store that masquerades as a LBS. Some of there locations are mediocre and most not that good.

Hello guys, I've just gotten into cycling and am loving it so far. I have a hybrid Specialized Sirrus Elite, but I feel I want a road bike now. I was researching and a local LBS has a 2009 Specialized Roubaix S Works for 2500 (in my size, 56!) What do you think of this?

Here's the manufacturer page.
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...?sid=09Roubaix

Give it a test ride and go from there.

Had a question about derailleurs....everyone here has mentioned upgrading from Sora (to about anything else). I test rode a Trek 1.2 which has Sora on the front and Tiagra on the rear.

The Tiagra shifted very smoothly but the Sora on the front took some nudging to shift. Is that common with Sora and what everyone is talking about OR could it be a matter of needing adjustment?

I understand it might need adjusting, but even after adjusting, will it still be reluctant to shift?

Both Sora and Tiagra should shift smoothly once correctly adjusted. They may never be as snappy as a higher range bit but that's about it

...not to mention it isn't really fair to compare front and rear shifting.

Which bike? Limit of $1000. For ~100 miles per week (road) at 20 miles per day and ~1000ft elevation change per day. Basically I'm commuting to work 10 or so miles each way and I live 1000 ft higher than I work (Idaho mountains) but I like to push it sometimes and want a bike that I'll enjoy riding and pushing myself on. May do some longer rides (20-30 miles) on weekends sometimes. Performance has both of these bikes for $999 and I don't have the expertise to know if there is any significant difference: 2010 Fuji Roubaix ACR 3.0 (I'd have to add pedals) vs. 2010 Scattante R-570. Any feedback would be very helpful. Many thanks in advance!