MS_AEB

The original thread is located in the "General Discussion" section. And it has a list (with URL links) to 17 different bikes that I have found to be possbile choices. Obviously, I need some major advice/help!

Click HERE to go to it!

Thanks a lot!
MS_AEB

intence

What's your budget?
What are you looking for, something purely race oriented, more upright?
How many miles are you planning on riding per week?
I think once you figure those out, the choice gets easier.

Also, what does your local store carry, just test ride a few bikes and start by choosing the bikes that feel comfortable to you.

Keep SA Lame

We're gonna need you to be a little more vague and random if we're to be of any help at all.

Velo Gator

Overload.

rdl456

Get the best bike you can afford and ride it. Go to a bike shop and test ride something in your size. Since you don't really know what your looking for (17 bikes) you shouldn't be buying bicycles online. There's plenty of sub $600 bikes to choose from at your LBS.

jrobe

Best advice yet. They very first thing that will happen with your internet bike is that it won't shift right and you won't have a clue how to adjust it properly. You would be much better off buying even a used bike from a good LBS.

colombo357

Yea, don't buy online. You don't know what you're doing and you may end up in hospital before the bike even ships out.

tagaproject6

Three words - Local Bike Shop - . Find out what is available in your area to narrow down your choices.

csimons

Although I've vouched for my positive "internet bike" experience, I do agree that for people buying a bike for the first time, they will be better off and more likely to get a better fit by buying a bicycle they can touch, feel, and test-ride.

I will play devil's advocate for a moment and note that when one purchases a bike online, they are required to read up on bicycle maintenance (at least assembly) to put the bike together and be able to ride it in the first place.

In this instance, if a person assembled their own bike and then experienced a shifting problem on the road, I would argue they would know how to fix it better than if they just purchased one from a shop and rode off; the new rider in this latter case would need to haul the bike back to the shop to have them explain the problem and fix it.

I think the above statement applies to Walmart bikes, but not likewise to mail-order bikes.

jonathanrules

lol wow, textbook overthinker. i'm all for the LBS idea; i think it would be the best bet and you'd get the most out of it

ptle

Don't buy a department store bike. They're not worth the cost. I don't think I would pay more than $25 for a Denali.

Seems like you're wanting to buy online.. and new. However, I recommend Craigslist since you're on a tight budget.

jrobe

I bet $10 this will be your next thread here (with a youtube video).

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...shifting-issue!

LOL

ciocc_cat

Very good advice!

MS_AEB

I've been by a couple of LBSs in my Little Rock and haven't found anything, new or used, less than $600. Maybe it's a bad time in the season to be buying used?

MS_AEB

What? How would buying a bike online cause me to end up in the hospital before it even ships out? You can buy Treks, Cannondales, Raleighs, etc online and have them shipped...

If I buy online, I am including in my budget the cost (at least $100) of taking the bike to an LBS to have it put together, adjusted correctly, and fitted to me.

Is this what you meant?

NathanC

Why start a new thread?

500 US is probably too little for even an entry level LBS brand road bike.

MS_AEB

MS_AEB

lechwe

Wait till the end of January and get one this years models. I saved a grand on my Allez that way.

You need to ride some bike to decide. I spent tons of time riding different bikes before I decided. Had I gone with what I thought I wanted before riding I would have made a huge mistake.

good luck.

MS_AEB

Really? Did you click on the link? It'll take you to the original thread. D-bag

MS_AEB

Good points, both of you! I've checked out a couple of the LBSs in Little Rock and they either 1) don't have used road bike <$7-800 or 2) don't have used at all or 3) start at $600 for new ones.

If I buy one online, I am budgeting at least $100 to take it to the shop, have them build it, adjust is, and fit it to me... Would this work? Or better still to buy at a shop?

Velo Gator

That will work. Like everyone says, it's hard to get a good feel for a bike without riding it first. But, if you don't like the options you have locally, then you can certainly buy online. Do you know what size you need?

LesterOfPuppets

If you or a friend is not a semi-skilled bike mechanic, then proper setup of a mail order bike can be tough. Budget $50-120 for that. I like getting bikes I can ride for a little while before purchase. I've even owned a handful of bikes and am kinda hesitant about what to get online, primarily because road bike fit has changed a lot since 1990 (the newest road bike I've spent a lot of time on) but I'm gonna get one soon, if I ever stop hemmin' and hawin'.

Disc brake road bikes are still a niche market. It may be a while (if ever) before you see any in your budget range.

roadbikeoutlet.com is another place with cheep-o road bikes.

NathanC

What's wrong with this option? It will be new. It will have warranty. It will be given to you service and maybe with a bit of a fit. You have someone to go back to if something goes wrong.

rdl456

I know what your thinking. " I can save money buying used" " I can save money if I buy online" "I can put it together myself". Your going to need that bike shop come delivery time. It is in your best interest to work with the bike shop in getting a bike to fit your budget and needs. You can buy the upgrades yourself later on if you feel comfortable installing them. I've been there, I know how you feel. Buy your second or third bike online. Not your first. Been there, done that. I ended up going to the bike shop for assistance, and I am very mechanically inclined. Difference is, is they have the knowledge, tools, and time to do it right. Gave em $60 just to get my bike torqued, trued, and tuned properly. Add that to your budget. My tune ups arent free either. Whatever you think your saving, is gonna cost you.