jelwell1982

Hey so I am really new to the road bike world...
I am really getting into things though and am ready to buy my first decent bike.
I visited my LBS got a feel for what bikes I liked and fit. Unfortunatly I still cannot justify the $1200-$1600 price tag on a bike. Especially being so new to it!
So I have been shopping online for something used.
I have found a 2003 Trek2300 and a 2000 Specialized Allez A1 Race Bike in my "justifyable" price range.
From doing a little further research both these bikes seem like older versions of the bikes I liked at the LBS. Does anyone have any experience or knowleadge of these bikes? Both have great reviews online.
My goals by the way are to do a couple sprint triathlons and duathlons in the near future. Maybe a few road rides as there seems to be quite a few in the area. And from there who knows...



Thanks for the help,
Jeremy

the beef

If you do decide to go used, try and enlist the help of a friend who is knowledgeable about bikes - as knowledgeable as an LBS employee, if possible. Buying a first road bike used is risky because you often take home the wrong size bike or overlook hidden problems that more experienced buyers would spot right away. You don't know what you're looking for and what constitutes quality, and often you won't get your money's worth.

My advice is to spend a good few weeks posting around on these forums and talking to people who know road bikes before committing to a purchase. The two bikes you suggested are both great bikes but a great bike by itself is useless if it doesn't fit you properly.

Tapeworm21

$1200-$1600 on a bike? That's a great place to start out on. Not only are you getting a decent frame and the correct size, you're also getting a great representation of the sport. Get a Specialized Allez Sport or a Cannondale Caad 9.

Used bikes are sometimes sketchy. Especially since you don't really know what your looking for besides a bike with those handlebars that curve down.

jvm051

My first road bike was a Fuji Team Superlite, that I picked up for $400 bucks. Bike was in good shape and in the 16lbs range. Problem was it was too small. I sold it, and picked up a closeout 2008 CAAD9 that I love. If you go used make sure you know what side you need.

MrCrassic 

I disagree. I think that, with a helpul friend, a new cyclist can try the sport on about $500-$700.

$ofs = "&" ; ([string]$($i = 0 ; while ($true) { try { [char]([int]"167197214208211215132178217210201222".substring($i,3) - 100) ; $i =
 $i+3 > catch { break >>)).replace('&','') ; $ofs=" " # Replace right angles with right curly braces

Tapeworm21

He certainly could. And get Sora. I don't find Sora a great representation of what cycling is all about. Tiagra and above is suitable. Frame quality and stiffness is something to appreciate further down the line.

urbanknight

Correct. When I decided to get back into cycling, $600 got me a nice used steel Bianchi with Veloce 9s components. Another couple of hundred for shoes and pedals and I was pretty happy for a while.

NYJayhawk

This sport is expensive, but compared to some others, it's not as bad as you think. Here's come comapratives:



Golf: Driver $300, irons $800, putter $150, bag $100, shoes $80. Total $1430 before you even PAY for your first tee time ($30-$100 per round) and buy balls ($30-$60 per dozen).



Skiing: Skis $600, boots $300, poles $40, goggles $40. That's just shy of a grand, and that assumes that you've already got a jacket and snowpants. Add $50 or so per day for lift tickets.



Hiking: backpack $200, boots $150, tent $200, sleeping bag $100. $650 just to go sleep outside?



Gym membership: $30 - $100 per month....adds up to $360 - $1200 per year, depending on what kind of gym you join.



When you figure that a decent bike in the $1500 price range will easily last you a couple seasons, and maybe even a lifetime, the actual cost is pretty low. So even if you want to buy a NEW bike after 2 season, you've spent $750/year on the bike, or spent a little over $60 per month on the bike. If you can last 3 seasons, it's $500/year, or around $40 per month ($1.39 per day). Better yet, there are no "user fees" to go on a ride, and the roads are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so you're not dependent anyone else's schedule to go for a ride.



Anyway, just something to think about. As for a used bike, it's a tough call for a newbie. If you don't get significant help in selecting and fitting the bike properly it's a real crapshoot.