xplatboarder669

well i did a search and looked through most of the stickies and coudlnt find the answers im looking for. im new to this road bike stuff and am quite clueless to be honest. im going to be using the bike for some cardio conditioning and maybe get into racing in the future. im not looking to spend a huge fortune on some carbon fiber half pound bike that is completely useless for im looking to do. im 6ft tall and weigh 165 lbs. what size bike would fit me best? also any advice/tips on what to look for? any other helpful info and advice is greatly appreciated.

big john

There are several on-line fit calculators such as Wrench Science that will get you close. The best way is to be fitted by a professional.

How much do you want to spend for a bike? That could be your atarting point.

pdedes

so true.

xplatboarder669

id like to spend under 600

10 Wheels

a 58cm to 60cm might fit best. 6ft here I ride 60cm
This might help:
https://www.veloweb.ca/bikefit.html

xplatboarder669

thanks man that link really helped

big john

Well, some might say you can't get a lot for 600, but you can get started. All the major manufacturers have bikes in the low priced ranges, and you can probably find something to fit your needs, at least for a while.

xplatboarder669

im open to options that just seemed like a good starting point for me. it will mainly be used for cardio conditioning and maybe in the future i might grab another bike for racing.

big john

How about something like this? You could probably cut the steer tube. Maybe you could find something used, as well.

https://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebik...litesport.html

A little more dough.

https://www.cannondale.com/usa/usaeng...A88T-CAAD8-S-8

And there's Bikes Direct, but you should have someone help if you go that route.

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/road_bikes.htm

xplatboarder669

thanks man. why would i cut the steer tube? and i might just end up forking out the extra cash for the cannondale lots of people seem to like those

big john

The bars are very high which would be fine if you want an upright position or have back issues, etc., but most people would run the bars lower on a road bike.
This is why it would be good if you could try some different bikes and figure out your fit. A lot of new riders like to buy cheaper bikes to start and then figure things out before they spend more on the next bike. A cheap bike may be all you need to have fun, however.

xplatboarder669

thanks man. what main differences besides weight would i be noticing with going to a cheaper bike?

xplatboarder669

well the cannondale is a little out of my budget so it looks like im going to order one from bikes direct. what should i be aware of and what would i need help with if buying from them? i was looking at the sora/acera and tiagra

big john

Cheaper parts, durability maybe. You can always upgrade stuff as it wears out.

Well, the fit thing is hard to do if you don't know the dimensions that work for you. I can look at a geometry chart and get a pretty good idea if a bike will work for me. You may not have a problem, some people just pick a size that's close and they're happy.

The other thing about mail-order bikes is you should go over it and check the fasteners, adjustments, and wheels, etc. I have not bought from BD but a lot of forum members have, and a friend who puts in a lot of miles has a Motobecane and he's happy with it.

bikeybikebike

find someone willing to help you out, and look for a used bike.

elemental

I think Cannondale makes great bikes, but looking at the specs on that CAAD 8 I am not impressed for $899. Cannondales tend to sell for a little more than their competitors' offerings, and while the CAAD frames are likely the nicest aluminum frames money can buy, those 2300 drivetrain components are bottom of the barrel for a serious road bike. I didn't even bother to look at the wheels.

Bikes Direct is a good idea and a great value, but it would really help to have some wrenching ability. Many shops would be tempted to rake you over the coals if you brought a BD bike in partially assembled and asked for help, and they certainly wouldn't be willing to throw in any discounts for all the accessories you'll be needing or any maintenance service down the line. If you can operate more or less without a shop, BD can save you some money, but if not, it might even out in the long run.

The merits of various groupsets (2300, Sora, Tiagra, etc.) are a subject of much debate here. Many swear their Sora components shift as well as pricey Dura Ace pieces that cost ten times more, while other turn their nose up at anything less than Ultegra. Sora is a serviceable group that, when properly set up and maintained, will shift fine. Tiagra is a step up, with the same second lever shifting style of the pricier groups (Sora has a little thumb button). To be honest, they'll both shift fine if you maintain them, and any weight savings or additional lifespan will be pretty marginal. Wheels will make a much bigger performance difference, especially on sub-$600 bikes. A lighter rider like yourself could get some very light and fairly inexpensive wheels and notice a much bigger difference than you would moving from Sora to Tiagra (unless you're like me and hate the button shifters on Sora stuff).

One thing I would add is to stay away from "triples," or bikes with three chainrings ("three gears in the front") if at all possible. Because of the way they are set up, it is much harder to keep a Sora triple shifting smoothly and running quietly. BD doesn't have any Sora doubles, and I'm not sure if they even exist, but Tiagra bikes with doubles do (they would be 18 speeds rather than 27).

A used bike is a good idea as well, just get a friend to help out as someone recommended.


I hope this advice is useful- it has become a bit rambly.

rhinot

I might get yelled at for suggesting Road Bikes Direct, but you can get a decent bike with okay components for around 600. And yes, I do have one of these bikes. Honestly, they aren't that bad RBD haters.

dmp

in the long run you will be better off trying your local shop rather than mail order. You noted that you have little or no experience- who is going to make all of adjustments on that mail order bike for you (and for free??)? Who will confirm that you are buying the right size- and who is going to exchange the stem so you get the right reach? And if you have a problem, it will be a lot easier to go to the shop than trying to deal with warranty stuff via email (and pay for shipping back and forth). You will probably get a test ride, too. In the current economy you can probably cut a deal with them as well- maybe they have something from last year hanging around that they want to unload. I am sure there is someone here who can recommend a good local shop for you. I would hold off on the mail order route until you have some mechanical and riding experience.

xplatboarder669

thanks for all the responses guys you have all been a great help especially you elemental. i have an automotive degree and work on my motorcycle myself so im sure i will have no problem assembling and maintaining my own bike. i really appreciate everything guys hopefully ill be out riding soon