Hello Newbie here :) some advice please
 

Well I am just starting to get into the road cycling , and I am looking to get a pretty decent bike and can really use some direction in my decision and I figured I would come to the pro's :) .. SO im looking for a nice road bike my max spending limit is 700$$$ I have found some pretty good deals online and I know one important thing is bike size I am 6ft 228lbs I figured I would go to the bike shop find out my size and then I would be able to get that size online for cheaper ... I have been looking at a few bikes from bikes-direct in the 700 dollar range but I just dont know if this is a good value I have been looking at the following bikes

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...d_record_x.htm

it may be a horrible bike I really dont know much so dont make fun lol im a newbie but really am looking to do some hardcore runs 55- 110 miles I am in really really good shape just need to build up my endurance ... so please guys if you can throw me a bone here :)

thanks a lot in advance
Obi
:)

Hey Obi,
Welcome to Bike Forums! Don't be alarmed at the amount of seemingly hostile responses to threads around here, people are just having a little fun. The bike you posted doesn't look all that bad for $600 new, but I would definitely recommend trying a bike out in person to see if it fits you. The most important (arguably) fit is the reach from the seat to the bars. If it's too long you'll end up with back and shoulder issues, too short and similar. Also, bikes from BikesDirect have to be assembled.

I don't have too much experience with 6 feet people, but you are looking at a larger size than the top of the bell curve, maybe a 58cm? Also never know if your body is going to fit the general description. Some people have really long torsos.

I recommend going down to the local bike shop (LBS) and seeing what you like. You can either buy there or try to find something used on Craigslist. Be sure to have a friend who knows what they're doing inspect it for you, or bring it to a shop before buying to have them check it out.

Be sure to search the forums (by entering site:bikeforums.net .... into google search where the ... is replaced by your search terms. You can find info on fitting, and more importantly: riding posture. During your test rides make sure you aren't locking your elbows.

thank you soo much im sooo lost with all of this I have been trying to do my research im going to try and make it to the local bike shop today and see what kinda action they have over there ... that was my biggest concern was the distance ... SO would you think if I went to the LBS and found out the size I should get would it be the same for every bike ... im sorry probably really stupid questions lol ohh boy and the whole assembly process I guess im pretty much screwed on lol so I guess im going to have to get one at a lbs or chance a 600$ paper weight lol do you know of any other good sites for bikes to buy them at least? are all bikes ordered online have to be but together?

just save a few more pennies and buy something from your local shop. sounds like you need all the help you can get.

Yeah I really can't advocate buying bikes online if you don't know your size, even then I wouldn't because of geometry differences.

Go local, for sure. Either LBS new or like I said, Craigslist used with a knowledgeable supervisor.

I have not seen an internet ordered bike that is shipped fully assembled.
And also, a fitting at your local LBS will cost you a fee. Be aware that that type of service is not free, but most will put that fee towards the purchase of a bike.

Ok guys well I took your advice went to the LBS and it seems that pretty much im a large , the guy at the store really seemed to be pushing the Giant Defy 3 and 2 at me they seemed pretty nice I have done a little research on them and it seems like a pretty decent bike , but I figured I would ask the pros :) price was about 7 and change for the 3 ... So I was really thinking about going back and getting it but not too sure

Obi, buying a bike is a big decision. Are there other LBS you can look at? Take your time and ride every bike that you can in your price range. Just don't ride the ones out of your budget.... The Giant Defy looks like a fine starter bike.. Keep in mind that the components are the lowest at Shimano 2200 (which works perfectly fine). Shimano components rank in order from the lowest of 2200/2300 - Sora - Tiagra - 105 - Ultegra - Dura Ace.

botto and I are so misunderstood.

"Don't be alarmed at the amount of seemingly hostile responses to threads around here, people are just having a little fun."

sure, you'll like it here getting your ass jumped everytime you make a post, but dont worry they are just having fun at your expense. because it would be boring if someone were to just give you a straight up answer and help you out without being a sarcastic boob....

as for the bike...my inexperienced advice would be, for $600 this bike isn't horrible but not a good choice in my opinion if you are looking to get into some distance riding. you say 55-100+ mile rides right? well as far as I could see you have tiagra and sora componants which are basically bottom line. will they work? yes, but they aren't great quality. I would recommend try and find a used bike in good shape with better componants, nothing less than a shimano "105" set up. If you dont want a used bike then I would try and save up to $1200 and get a better entry level bike with better componants (I.E. shifter, derailer, crank etc.) You will be much happier in the end. I think if you go with this bike you will regret it down the road as you become more experienced. You will piss away this $600, 3 months from now realize that the bike is sub par and try to sell it only to get half of what you paid and now your back to looking at square 1 spending $1200+ on a bike that will better suit your needs. Save yourself the time and get a better bike. that's my opinion anyway.

Good luck:thumb:

Tiagra is fine (I regularly do 100+ miles on Tiagra). One problem with Sora is the shifters (with the thumb button) are annoying.

and I said...."will they work? yes, but they aren't great quality" I never said you couldn't do 100 mile rides with them. I said, he would be better off with a bike with better componants. Its definitely ridable otherwise a manufacture wouldn't risk there reputation with putting it on. They put them on their bottom line bikes for a reason, To keep the cost down.

But you are wrong about Tiagra. Again, Tiagra quality is fine. Tiagra is more than just "ridable". It's cheap, reliable, and works well. I regularly do 100+ mile rides with it.

It would be unfortunate for the OP not to ride just because some nut said not to go with Tiagra and go with something that might be more than he can spend.

lol, no I'm not wrong. what I said was correct. Tiagra and sora are the 2 bottom lines that shimano makes. I didn't say it WOULDN'T work for him to start out with, I was suggesting that as he get more into it he MIGHT want a better componant set. I NEVER said you COULDN'T do 100+ mile rides with it. Dont twist my words into something I never said. You are assuming I said they wouldn't work at all. Like I said above, a manufacturer would never risk tarnishing their reputation by puting a "bad" set on their bikes. They DO however put on a cheaper componant set. Why is it cheaper? because it isn't as good.

just to clarify so you dont misunderstand what I am saying....tiagra and sora will get you from point A to B just fine. After getting more miles under you and experience you may want to upgrade (probably sooner than later) to something that is smoother and of better quality. This DOES NOT mean you WILL, but there is a good chance.

Everyone eventually needs a rain bike right? I don't regret the purchase of my Jamis Ventura Sport in all it's 2200/Sora glory for a second.

Here is the problem with being fitted at a bike shop just to buy elsewhere. All bike frames are different and you cannot base your deicision for one frames size off of another, differently branded sized frame. That MotoBecane you linked to is a nice bike for 600 bucks. You are not really gonna find much that compares to it brand new in that price range. I bought my bike off craigslist only used a couple of times. I paid less than 400 for virtually an unused Allez.

Welcome to the bike forums, but I would do some more independent research on what stuff FEELS better to you. Bike shops are a great place to size a bike, if you are going to buy it there. Otherwise, use sizing charts and you will most likely fall into the (Large) frame category on MOST manufacturers.

That's a decent bike. It's got lower level components. The upgraded wheelset is definitely a plus. Just make sure you get the right size. It's more about just measuring your inseam and height. Reach is more important when it comes to fit.

yeah I went there and sat on the bike felt really nice to me but then again im such a newbie that I dont know what the hell its supposed to feel like lolol but it looks like a large is for me ... Im so debating on pulling the trigger on that one though ... and I dont know how hardcore im looking to get ya know but im debating on these 2 bikes right now if someone else could make any suggestions on any other company's or bikes that would be great

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/....3/3882/37101/

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/...le/3882/37100/

That's the thing nobody knows how hardcore you will be. Are you the type to pick up a new hobby very quickly only to abandon it? If that is the case and you cannot afford the Defy2 for quite a while, I'd get the Defy3 to get you going. Now if you see yourself getting into the sport more seriously and you can swing a Defy2, I'd actually get the compact and not the triple. Before you even think of pulling the trigger see and ride every bike that you can. I know others have suggested Bikes direct and used, but in your case I would go NEW because as you have admitted you are still learning. If you buy new only buy from a shop that is willing to give you a full fitting to the bike you are buying. Here are some other bike lines to check out. Trek, Scott, Jamis, Cannondale, Felt, Bianchi and Fuji. Test ride all of the bikes and compare all of the features like wheels, shifters, front derailleur, rear derailleur, cranks. Put all of the bike info into a spreadsheet so you can compare them side to side. Be sure to compare how long of a period each LBS will give you free adjustments. I'll save some work for you...you will get less as far as features for a Trek than you will get for a Jamis. Every bike in your price range is going to have some parts on them that is a compromise and that compromise is many times made in the wheels.

Joe you are the man thank you for all the info , for some reason the LBS in my area must really suck none of them so far have any test bikes that I can ride go figures .. SO im thinking about possibly going into the NJ area myself ... I did sit on a defy 3 and it seemed pretty nice or at least sitting on the damn thing lol ... but Ill give NJ a shot I am looking for something entry level im bad though I will walk into the store and end up getting a 2g bike which I am really trying to avoid !! I just figured if im going to take the plunge do it right the 1st time ya know .. being that you seem to have lots of experence with this what would you recommend as a newbie rider like if it were you what would u go for?

Your post is so hard to read. Please use a little more correct punctuation as well as capital letters for the beginning of sentences!

I wouldn't buy a buy without first being able to ride it for a while. Take a look at these websites and find dealers in your area.

http://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2010-Product-Catalog/Road.aspx
http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/road/index.html
http://www.cannondale.com/usa/usaeng/Products/Bikes/Road/
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/road/
http://www.bianchiusa.com/bikes/
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/
http://www.khsbicycles.com/05_flite_series_a.htm
http://www.fujibikes.com/Road.aspx
http://www.raleighusa.com/bikes/road/
http://www.cervelo.com/en_us/bikes/2010/
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCExperienceGroup.jsp?my=2010&gid=Road&gold_ses=&menuItemId=11532
http://www.konaworld.com/platform.cfm?content=road
http://www.bmc-racing.com/en/us/bikes/road/teammachine/slr01-red/story/
http://www.marinbikes.com/2010/bike_category.php?catcode=ROAD
http://www.scott-sports.com/us_en/category/9091/speedster
http://www.lookcycle.com/en/us/route/velos.html
http://www.kestrelbicycles.com/Road.aspx
http://www.schwinnbike.com/usa/eng/Products/Road/

Always get the more expensive one. (obvious sarcasm) But in this case, if you think you're just going to want to upgrade the other one in a year, get the better one. I love my Giant Bike and have never had a single problem with ANY giant I have ever owned or ridden. I am still partial to Giant now even though I ride My allez on Thursdays/Weekends simply because my local Giant LBS is awesome and and I can not help but say great things about them. The 2 specialized shops on the other hand.....

Go to sleep, buy whichever one you dream about! Enjoy the ride.

Where are you out of? The Local Giant Dealers here in the Lehigh Valley are both great.

I bought the Giant Defy 2 in late april and I absolutly love it.

Listen to the guys here, research, ride and ride some more.