Noob recommendation
 

So, I will be purchasing my first road bike within the next few days. At this point, I'm likely going to stick with an REI bike, and the two that caught my eye were the Scott Speedster S50 and the Novara Strada
http://www.rei.com/product/791137
http://www.rei.com/product/797352
The S50 has 2300 with a sora rear deraileur, whereas the strada has 105s with a carbon fork. It's $900 though, whereas the s50s only $610
I realize that the scott has really bad components, but for a first road bike, would it really make that big of a difference if I'm ok with only being able to shift in the hoods?
I would mostly be riding commutes and such at around 10 miles each, with sometimes longer rides, but nothing too extensive.
I could always upgrade the components on the scott if i was really unhappy with them, right? Like the 2300/sora would be compatible with some Tiagra? I just don't want to spend a whole lot more money if I could be fine with the much cheaper bike. The strada is tempting though...
Thanks for the help.

listen guys i really need some help here. this is my first post and i really need some advice. this is alot of money for me and i dont want to make a mistake

Don't sweat the Sora/2300 stuff, it works fine, especially if you are not concerned about shifting from the drops. Both bikes have carbon forks so all things being equal, the framesets are very similar in that respect. The Novara has provisions for racks/fenders, so you might want to decide how important that is to you. If you are on a budget, I would get the Scott, the difference in cost will allow you cash to buy pedals/shoes, a pair of cycling shorts and a jersey to ride in. Either way you will be fine.

The best thing to do is go for a test ride. Just out of curiosity, is there any particular reason you decided to go with REI and not a bike shop? You can sometimes get pretty good deals on closeouts, the service you'll get is far better if the shop is decent, and you're much more likely to have a bike that's properly fitted and adjusted for you.

For the type of riding you're planning on doing, you could ride pretty much anything, and many people are perfectly happy with sora (and frankly, components won't make much practical difference to you at this point). However, if you buy the Speedster, don't plan on upgrading it -- that would be very cost inefficient and your results won't be as good. Rather ride it until you know what you really want, sell it, and buy something better.

If you're not going to riding much, Sora/2300 will be fine. I rode my friend's bike with Sora, and it shifts very well. I can shift under load with no problems.

If you feel like you need it, go with the 105. It's ten speeds, so it'll be a bit easier to upgrade. However, there's a new 105 out which may affect how much you like the older 105.

ok well update for anyone who actually cares..
so I went to REI with my brother to buy the bike, when he sees a 2009 scott cr-1full carbon frame, hundreds of dollars on sale for $1200. Basically the deal we worked out was that I buy that bike with a little help from him and get to ride it for a few weeks, and then he buys me a roughly $800 bike when he gets the cash in like 2 weeks.
So basically I am not restricted to REI anymore (which was because I had the money on REI gift cards).
So I was actually thinking I'd go with bikes direct.. Are their bikes very hard to set up? Quality? It seems like i could get A LOT more bang for my buck, and if so, I'm gonna have to go that route

For a newbie, I would not go BD. Even REI will be better because they are local.

Really? Why not?

Personally I'd buy something from a brick and mortar shop as opposed to a strictly online company. Unless you're the type of person who likes to DIY everything (building the bike, tune-ups, fitting etc).

With BD, you'll get a good deal with regards to components. With a shop, you'll get to test ride bikes and see what you like. They'll fit it to you, assemble it well, and normally include free adjustments for the first year at least. The chances of you getting this stuff right on your own as a new rider are low which will affect your enjoyment, comfort, and speed. There is a reason why even knowledgeable riders with specialized tools typically go to shops.

Well I'm not exactly the kind of person that would be able to assemble it, but my brother and or stepdad would. So if I only took it into a shop for an initial tune-up and to make sure everythings working right, I'd still save alot of money right? Which is really what i'm most interested at this point.
I'll still go into a few shops though and look at their bikes. I've been to one thats mostly a road bike shop and their entry levels had mostly sora for like 750-900 and maybe a carbon fork if i was lucky so i mean.. bikes direct is looking nice at this point.

move along

I disagree. 2200/2300/Sora stuff works very well. It will be pricey to upgrade the bike down the road, especially the shifters. My advice is to get the Scott (that is if you rode it and loved it) and save the extra money on your next bike. I wouldn't bother upgrading the Scott right away. Just ride it and upgrade parts only when things wear out. Then after you have saved for a better bike, the Scott becomes your rain bike.

My LBS is selling Speedsters (comes with carbon fork) for like $670 with lifetime adjustments. How long does Bike Direct provide tune ups for?

Even Performance Bike will have better deals, and maybe similar pricing to BD. They aren't the brightest, but they are at least local. Just don't order a bike from them unless you know exactly what you are getting. Especially if it's a closeout.

What do you mean move along?
And yeah what you guys are saying makes sense. I mean I am a little uncomfortable about them being an online dealer and not getting service but I guess I just thought I could always take it in to a shop.. but I'm not gonna want to be paying out the *** if something goes wrong because it doesn't seem to be too dependable of a site. Do most LBS have that kind of thing? Where you get lifetime service if you buy their bike?

And joe yea that really appeals to me cuz i want to be able to have a bike that I can lock up at school/frisbee golf park and such and not be REALLY worried about it getting stolen, or breaking etc.

I think what I'll do is recheck all the stores around me and weigh my options and only go with bikes direct if it seems idiotic to not.

Mail order is for experienced cyclists who already know exactly what they want. End of story.

REI is for people who are not willing to obtain expert help and don't really care what they end up with. There are some very nice and/or intelligent people at REI, but largely it's a wasteland of mediocracy.

Go to an LBS, tell them what you want, give them a chance to earn the extra margin in their prices.

+1, find a local shop that treats you well, and buy a good entry level bike from them that fits you. The Sora/Tiagra level components work fine, and will last plenty long enough to give you time to figure out what you want from your next bike. Plus most bikes from the LBS have at least 1 year of maintenance included, and when I bought mine, swaps on stems, etc for fit for the first 60 days with no extra charge. BD will get you more bike for your money, but not necessarily the best bike for you as a new person to the sport.

Well I've been to all 3 of the bike shops around me. One has 1 road bike under $1k, one has 2 Giants under a thousand that are worse deals than the s50, and the other I think i've found a bike I like. However, at that shop, the guy seemed like I knew more about the components than he did (he told me Tiagra was basically the same as Sora), and they also told me I get 1 free tune up and from then on tune-ups are $50 a pop... so same as REI.
Here's the bike they had in my size that I liked for $770
http://www.bicycling.com/gear/detail...2826-0,00.html
it weighed in at 24 lbs in the shop... and it also had microshift shifters, not shimano...
Would this really be a better deal than the S50? It seems to be not much better if at all.

I was looking at Trek bikes and the 1.2 has all Sora with a Tiagra rear derailleur for $750. Am I missing something, or is that a much better deal?
Sorry for all the questions and such I just really hope to make a good choice...

Good questions... potential new road bike buyer myself, in a similar (financial) boat as you... interested to read the outcome.

I was buying my first bike a few months ago, so my experience is fresh. Kinda from one noob to another one.

I would highly recommend LBS for the first bike. First, you learn what bike size you do need. Then, you can try as many bikes as you want and feel them. Buy the one you fell in love. ))) (and can afford)))))

The LBS will help you to fit the bike which is important too. Also, some of LBS will do some adjustments, services for free, and you need them.

The components are irrelevant until you know how much you actually will ride. From what you told, some commutes plus some longer rides, it is going to be 100-150 miles a week, correct? For this mileage, any components are fine. I wouldn't buy anything with thumb shifters, they are just not comfortable for any kind of ride. But the Sora on other components is fine.

I don't think components upgrade is very wise, because it can easily reach the half of the initial bike cost or more. Replace them only if they brake. Save it better for the next bike.

Don't forget to leave room in your budget for pedals, clothes, bottles, computer etc. It all adds up quickly.

Yeah this bike has sora with microshift shifters, so you can shift from the drops as well. And it comes with pedals but they're the cage kind... I think I'm gonna go with the Felt. I would go with bikes direct but right now I'm in a growing spurt so fit would be very difficult, whereas the felt is a little to big for me but has a sloping top tube so it will work great.
and yeah me too duc I wish I knew the outcome lol... I've been researching and looking for weeks now

I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss REI. Right now they have some good closeout deals on bikes. Also, their return policy is spectacular.

Most of my experience w/REI has been really good; I've never bought a bike there but the folks I know who have are happy.

I think you're definitely missing something. You seem to be focusing on the components that are on the bike when, as a brand new rider, the value of such a thing is nearly nill. The #1 absolute criteria should be fit and comfort on the bike. You need to be test-riding bikes. Back to back whenever possible. Go to the bikeshop in shorts and tennis shoes (or bike shoes if you have them) and let them know you're serious about finding the bike that is right for you. Do NOT get hung up on one bike because it seems like a better value with the parts it has bolted on it. A bike that doesn't fit you is a terrible value and nearly every part on the bike is a wear item.

To the OP from a relative Noob as well.
 

I used to ride a fair amount on a 30 year old road bike. Got back into biking this summer after a 6 year hiatus.
I was definitely new to all the new technology like indexed shifting for example.:lol:

At any rate I had the same dilemma as you when deciding on a new bike. LBS and lesser bike or BikesDirect and hope for the best.

Iwent to a few LBS and learned all I could from them and the internet.

I decided on BD for the simple reason of cost. I got a $900 bike equipped with Ultegra, Carbon Fork, and basically everything else I could imagine possible at that price.

I can say I am VERY happy with my choice. I did all my own setup and have made a few adjustments since. I have always been a DIY kinda guy.
You can always pay a LBS to setup your BD bike for $50 or so if your not comfortable with the idea.

If you know the size frame you need, you'll be fine with the BD bike.

I'm putting 150-200 miles a week on my bike, (mostly commuting), haven't even had it a month yet.

At the price you are looking at why get Sora that you can get from a department store bike when you can have Ultegra**********