Getting a new Road Bike
 

Hi!

I started cycling to work 2 years ago. Started with a motor bicycle, then a vintage Moulton, and now i've evolved. 3 months ago i built up a 1986 tommaso road bike (alan frame), this was a fun build and well worth the effort. Since then ive been riding to work, and on weekends a friend an i ride a least 50 miles.

I'm felling so great riding distances! So Im going to pull the trigger and buy a nice road bike. right now im looking at 3 choices

motobecane (aluminum frame, Sram rival) 999
motobecane (carbon monocoque frame, ultegra/105) 1295
motobecane (carbon monocoque frame, sram rival)1495

im almost convinced about buying the carbon/rival one...but it does go over my budget... heres a link to it..... http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...p_cf_rival.htm

any thought or recomendations?

also, im not really sure what size i am on CM....im 5'8"

it seems this bike has it all...for what seems like a GREAT price.

I'm not a big fan of Motobecane frames, so I can't help you there!
re: size, a 51cm, 52cm maybe a 53cm. a 54cm would be too big, IMHO of course!

any particular reason? my LBS sells specialized, and they are dreamy! but carbon frame bikes start around 2,000+ and the 1200 range is all aluminum with 105 or less components..so im like weighting pros and cons....

are there any other stores like bikedirect?

Your LBS. They sell nice well put together bikes fitted to you at a very reasonable price. And they come with true wheels. You might do some shopping for last years model (at your price you're getting 5-10 years ago technology anyway -- not that it matters) which will be discounted about 10-20%.

If you do buy online: When guessing sizes remember that newer bikes with compact geometry may size differently than old bikes with flat top tubes.

Your Tomasso is probably a nice bike. Maybe ride it a bit longer and save up for the nice ride next year. Maybe treat yourself to pedals and shoes this year to distract yourself from your upgrade need.

Since you are considering BikesDirect you might want to check out the Bottecchias on Ebay, another of their brands. I've had one of their aluminum bikes for 3 years. It was an excellent deal.

http://cgi.ebay.com/2010-BOTTECCHIA-...item27b30e3c1a
http://cgi.ebay.com/BOTTECCHIA-CARBO...item2c55789ef5

Take a look at these let me know what you think. I am looking at them myself. I really want a Cannondale with Ultegra but...
Well $$$
http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/191...-Road-Bike.htm

Just an FYI,,,I've used Bikes Direct on two purchases. The first was a Moto starter bike and more recently a Kestral 800 ti with full Dura Ace and they are easy to work with and, believe me, you can't beat the price. I would recommend that unless you're comfortable putting the bike together ....you let your LBS do that work.

I dont want to make rash desicions with the little money i have destined for this... and bikes direct confuses me with their prices!!!!

i need to take it easy and clear my mind.

this "buy a new bike" fever got started when a good cycling friend showed me a pic of a FELT z85 that looks SO BADA$$!~!!

There are pros and cons to bikesdirect. You may wish to search (use google rather than the crappy search function here) as it has been discussed to death.

Good luck with whatever bike you choose!

I got into cycling and triathlon a little over a year ago. I spent hours reading reviews and checking prices...All the information available online and in magazines can be overwhelming. The last time I bought a bike I had a paper route and saved my money for a Schwinn Stingray. Prices have gone up :) I bought a Giant Defy 105 group from my LBS after seeing a great review in Bicycling Magazine. I love that bike but unfortunately I got hit by a truck and it's toast. I've ridden a Ultegra group and didn't notice any difference in performance from my 105's. Just to try something different I'm ordering a Sram Rival carbon bike from Valdora for the same price I paid for my Giant. I would suggest going to the Competitive Cyclist website and filling out their size help form. They have some great prices on bikes and I may get the BMC Roadracer too. Good luck!
/Users/michaelmcdonald/Pictures/iPhoto Library/Modified/2009/Jun 18, 2009/Defy-1-Charcoal_Silver_Black.jpg

you are size 52, buy the BikesDirect :)

nothing in particular, just not my first choice I guess!

im 5'8 and ride a 54cm. definitely not too big.

Do some more research online. Go to Bicycling magazine website and read articles and test rides to learn more. http://www.bicycling.com/



Don't get swept up in the hype about Carbon Fiber being the ONLY frame that is good. Many experienced bikers agree, as well as many magazine testers, the really good CF frames are well above the $2k range. Anything around there is entry level and not as good as the top notch aluminum frames from the major manufacturers. Yes CF can be both foregiving and stiff at the same time yet very lightweight efficient. But not all that at the entry level price range of $2k. Top notch bikes with really good components (full Shimano 105 and above) can be had with aluminum frames fitted with some CF for $2k or less.



I like using the CAAD 9 4 as an example because it is a very good example of affordability with really good, complete component group, fitted to an aluminum frame that is lighter than most any entry level CF framed bikes. The CAAD 9 4 weighs in at 17 lbs. and uses a full on SRAM Rival component group and MSRP's at $1800. Another really good aluminum framed bike is the Felt 75--it has CF fork and seat stays to dampen the ride but it is around 19 lbs., and is very stiff and efficient with a full Shimano 105 group for less than $1500. There are more but you get my drift.



Don't discount Aluminum frame, top line road bikes.