VolFan24

Howdy all!

I've recently decided to get into road biking. My roommate is big into it and after discussing it with him and looking into the sport, i'm hooked! I am having trouble deciding which bike I should buy. My budget is around 3500, but could go more if it was a fantastic bike and deal. Right now, there are a few bikes i'm looking at that i've narrowed my choices down to and was hoping some of ya'll could give me some insight on.

Oh, and just so FYI, im 6'2" 220lbs.

The first is the Trek Madone. I'm looking at both the 5.2 and 5.5. So far as i can tell, the only big difference in the two is the wheels. the 5.2 uses ultegra and the 5.5 uses sram force, but from what i've read those are pretty comprable and thus really a non issue. However, is there a huge difference in the bontrager race wheels on the 5.2 vs the Bontrager Race Lites on the 5.5? I really like the madones for their bigger bottom bracket, which i was told adds stiffness to the bike and could be beneficial since i'm a bigger rider.

The other two bikes i'm looking at are Felts. I really like the F3 and the AR4. The F3 comes with SRAM Red and the AR4 comes with ultegra. i dont know a whole lot about felt, but a guy i spoke to who has raced both felt and trek in the past said felt's were not as smooth.

So those are them. those are the 4 that i'm really looking at and i'm pretty sure my first real road bike will come from these. Does anybody have any suggestions on these particular bikes or maybe some others that i could look at? i've gone through and looked at specialized, cannondale and some others but these seem like they are some of the best bikes for the buck. any assistance would be GREATLY appreciated.

Oh, and one last question. I'm trying to figure out if i would need to get different wheels because of my size. i'm in the process of dropping weight and hope to get down to 185lbs when i start to hit the bike. i've read on different forums that guys my size need at least 32 spokes, but i've also seen where guys my size or bigger use 18/20 or 20/24s and are fine. I have thought about upgrading to some mavic ksyrium elites or SLs, but if the wheels that come stock on these bikes are fine to start with, then i probably wont do it.

again, any help you guys could give would be awesome. thanks alot!

Carbon Unit

It depends on what you want from your bike. I would test ride as many bikes as you can and buy the one that calls your name. Out of the ones you mentioned, I rode a Madone and I think I tried a Felt also. I ended up with a Calfee and am very happy with it. Calfee has a very lively ride something that a lot of people say carbon bikes don't have. Calfee is also a very comfortable bike for long rides.

But, the most important thing about a bike is that it fits. For example, I need a bike with at least 20cm head tube. If the bike has a 18CM head tube, it isn't going to fit me. Calfee, can make you a custom bike and can increase the stiffness in the bottom bracket as much as you want. Few carbon builders can do this.

I am about your size. I am between 6'2 and 6'3 and weighed 232 when I started riding. I am about 210 now on my way to 190.

Here is a test ride on an entry level Calfee

https://www.testrider.com/fly.aspx?la...xid=81&cid=120

Good luck with your decision.

By the way, did you look at a Specialized Roubix? They seem to be good deal. A friend has one and really likes it.

f4rrest

$3500 seems like alot to drop on your first bike after discussing and looking into it. Have you done some rides ?

pandabear

agreed. i would not go all out (although maybe this isn't all out for you) and get something more conservatively priced so you can get a more precise feel of what you want. i have a 5.2 madone; it's a great bike. i don't think there's a huge difference in the wheels. i have race lites on mine, but i also have a rxl rim which i just weighed at 482g, which isn't that light even for an alloy rim.

colombo357

You can't go wrong in the $3K range. Ride a bunch of bikes from all brands and make sure you get fitted by the shop.

For those who are saying you shouldn't spend "so much" on a first bike, two words - low income. Sorry, it's true.

Besides, this is a cycling forum, not a Suze Orman plan your future forum.

wrr1020

I don't think it's a matter of low income its a matter of handling your money right. If the guy hasn't ridden a road bike consistently or any bike for that matter and drops over $3k on a bike and ends up putting only 100 miles on it for the year that's a complete waste of money. Doesn't matter if you have the money or not, if you don't use it, it's a waste of money. How many times have you seen craigslist posts selling a Cervelo S2 or something similar saying in the description "i didn't get into the sport like i thought i did". I've seen it many times.

Fastway

I couldn't agree more I find myself in the same boat. I'm getting back into cycling after being out for years, previously riding a mountain bike for recreation and earlier BMX bikes, never a road bike. I just ordered a BMC SL01 Road Racer from CC for a total cost of $1445 shipped ! I know I will spend another (at minimum) $400-500 on some equipment and getting the bike fit (unless I can find some free help locally) I know me and I would feel much better with myself knowing I can always spend more down the road if I go hardcore. I dip your foot in to see how you like it and use the rest to pay off debt. Just my .02

Randy!

This.

It's exactly what I did 7 months ago, when it was time to ditch the $900 Felt I'd been beating up since college. My budget was $5K, but I also needed shoes, a helmet and, oh, what the hell, a wired PowerTap, too.

mmmdonuts

BigSean

Beware of the Bontrager wheels. they dont seem real durable for heavier riders. I had a Madone 5.2 for a couple years. Ive since been riding a Specialized Tarmac Expert and been much happier. Same price range. Dont think ya need 32 spokes, but a stronger wheel is advised. My Fulcrum 5's have been very durable for me. Mavics are also real durable.

ptle

You wouldn't happen to be from Knoxville?

Anyways, any bike in your price range is going to be good. Get whichever bike you like the most and is the most comfortable for you.

BigSean

The same can be said for upgrading after a couple months because you didnt buy what ya really wanted. I know Ive done it way too many times.

marcosbullock

Ditto...my first bike was a $1000 Giant Defy 2 and was more than enough bike for me. If you're set on spending $3500 then I would buy a $2700 bike and plan on spending the rest of the money on gear. You'll be wanting jerseys, bibs, helmet(s), sunglasses with different lenses for different conditions, shoes and pedals, good gloves, extra layers for cooler weather, bike computer with HRM or Powermeter, and all sorts of other odds and ends. I promise you though...as a beginning rider you'll get more satisfaction from a $175 set of bibs than a $3000 bike.

VolFan24

This is the reason that i am looking where I am. I've been doing MTB for a while now and was going to spend that on a new MTB. however, i'm currently stationed in San Antonio and i can't justify buying a new MTB for the trails (or lack there of) in my area. i'm currently in Afghanistan and when i get back i'll be able to get a nicer bike. I love to MTB and i love being outside, so i'm pretty sure i'll enjoy road biking. i understand that there is the chance that i do it for a season and decide i don't want to do it, but it's a chance i'm willing to take. hopefully, i'll be able to get a 2010 model at a reduced price in a few months. My roommate is big into road biking and is helping me out with this, but i was also wanting to get a wider view of these particular bikes and others in the same price range. My biggest worry right now is how they'll hold up because of my size. I'm hoping to be down to around 200lbs when i leave Afghanistan in 6 months.

oh, and my roommate does have an extra bike, but it's the one he was riding when he got hit by a car last october, so it's basically just a frame right now :-/ .

oh, and ptle, i'm from murfreesboro, but currently living in san antonio, tx.