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Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

Im new to this

Old 12-01-10, 03:54 PM
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Im new to this

Alright heres the deal. Im a highschool runner but I have always been interested in cycling. I think this winter is my time to start so im getting my first road bike. Do any of you guys have any suggestions for my first road bike. Im looking for something that will get me through an hour-to-two hour long rides. What should i look for in a bike? I began searching and so far Trek 1.1 '11 has really caught my eye. Does this look/sound like a good first bike. Help if you can. THANKS!!!!
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Old 12-01-10, 03:58 PM
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The most important thing you need is a bike that fits you well, regardless of the brand. If you're buying the bike new, the shop should be able to fit you to it.
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Old 12-01-10, 03:58 PM
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I started in May so I am a noob too but was in your position. I scoured Craigslist and ended up with a Cannondale CAAD2. Look for something that isn't going to break your bank and make sure you get a bike that is the right sizer. Smaller is ok but bigger is not. That is the most important thing I have found right off the bat.

The rest will come with experience. Yes the Trek is a good starter bike.
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Old 12-01-10, 03:59 PM
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If you've been shopping through bike shops, the Trek 1.1 would be a great first bike for anybody wanting to ride for 1-2 hours. You'll need to provide a few more details for what your goals are. Do you plan to race, ride long distance, club rides, slow leisure rides, budget? etc..
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Old 12-01-10, 04:09 PM
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RacerOne, i would like to race at somepoint. Of course, it wouldnt be till later on though so i would be in good enough shape to post a decent time. Also, i think riding long distance would deffinately be nice however i don't see me doing anything over 50 miles for one ride. (Maybe someday..Haha is 50 miles even considered a long ride?!) anyway, i dont think i would join a club or go on slow leisurely rides that much considering my position and the time i have to bike. The budget is probably around 500-700 dollars too.
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Old 12-01-10, 04:17 PM
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I started on the road when I was 16. I bought a specialized allez new for around $1200. At this price range all the companies deliver pretty much the same product (tiagra mixed with some 105 components and some basic wheels). Ride a few and see what feels right. Make sure to get a good fit. A bad fit ruins the experience and potentially your body.

As a past tracky/xc runner in high school I can say with certainty once you start racing a bike you'll never go back
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Old 12-01-10, 04:21 PM
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Originally Posted by RacerOne
...the Trek 1.1 would be a great first bike for anybody wanting to ride for 1-2 hours.
what happens after 1 to 2 hours? i'm also interested in the trek 1 series. i'm not interested in any races, but i am interested in some longer distances rides (up to and including 100 mi...once i get there...). is the trek 1 series not capable of that kind of cycling?
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Old 12-01-10, 04:32 PM
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Originally Posted by Seattle Forrest
The most important thing you need is a bike that fits you well, regardless of the brand. If you're buying the bike new, the shop should be able to fit you to it.
This. I am sure you will do fine with the Trek you mentioned. Be prepared, though....if you catch the bug you will want a newer and better bike in a year or two....
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Old 12-01-10, 04:32 PM
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Originally Posted by rlevine
what happens after 1 to 2 hours? i'm also interested in the trek 1 series. i'm not interested in any races, but i am interested in some longer distances rides (up to and including 100 mi...once i get there...). is the trek 1 series not capable of that kind of cycling?
It certainly is.
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Old 12-01-10, 04:48 PM
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Originally Posted by rlevine
what happens after 1 to 2 hours? i'm also interested in the trek 1 series. i'm not interested in any races, but i am interested in some longer distances rides (up to and including 100 mi...once i get there...). is the trek 1 series not capable of that kind of cycling?
Not at all, the 1.1 will take anybody and everybody as far and as long as they'd like to go. As has been said time and again, it's not about the bike (mostly). It really just starts coming down to the niceties. Things like more gears, stiffer, more comfortable frames, better sadles and the holy grail of cycling.. lighter weight. When it comes to these things, more money gets you better stuff to a point. The sweet spot on value is about $1200-1800 dollars, anything more and the returns start diminishing rapidly, anything less down to about $600-700 will absolutely still get the job done. I wouldn't got below that however if you're buying new or have found a great deal.

Mattdog2:
If your plans are to race, that bike would still be fine. It's got the same geometry as the high end Trek Madones, just made out of aluminum. Spending more will get you some more options (more gears, possibly better / faster shifting) but if maintained properly, it all works just fine at this level. If you really get into cycling, 50 miles isn't far at all some, for others it's their goal for the season.. like everything it just depends on what you put into it.

That being said, I'd hit a couple other shops with different brands (Specialized, Giant, Cannondale, etc) and ride a couple or three. Then choose the one from the shop you liked the best and had the best riding bike.
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Old 12-01-10, 05:08 PM
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Originally Posted by mattdog02
Also, i think riding long distance would deffinately be nice however i don't see me doing anything over 50 miles for one ride.
you might be surprised how quickly the miles add up. once i started cycling regularly i hit 40, 50 miles no problem.

Originally Posted by RacerOne
Not at all, the 1.1 will take anybody and everybody as far and as long as they'd like to go. As has been said time and again, it's not about the bike (mostly). It really just starts coming down to the niceties. Things like more gears, stiffer, more comfortable frames, better sadles and the holy grail of cycling.. lighter weight. When it comes to these things, more money gets you better stuff to a point. The sweet spot on value is about $1200-1800 dollars, anything more and the returns start diminishing rapidly, anything less down to about $600-700 will absolutely still get the job done. I wouldn't got below that however if you're buying new or have found a great deal.
that's pretty much the response i expected. thanks for clarifying.
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Old 12-01-10, 05:18 PM
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I got the Fuji Newest 3.0 for a lot less than a Trek or pretty much all other name brands. Basic entry-level bike that will do more than you need. Shop around a lot and don't get caught up in the idea that you have to spend $1000+ to get a decent bike. I had a lot of people tell me that. Decided if cycling is something you really enjoy before spending a ton of cash.
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Old 12-01-10, 05:23 PM
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Originally Posted by RacerOne
That being said, I'd hit a couple other shops with different brands (Specialized, Giant, Cannondale, etc) and ride a couple or three. Then choose the one from the shop you liked the best and had the best riding bike.
This. Definitely ride several different bikes. I just bought my first road bike and rode 4-5 different ones. Probably should have ridden a few more. I didn't check out Giant or Felt, for example, but I sort of found the "right one" after riding a few and couldn't focus on anything else. I still rode a couple more for good measure to make sure. I've bought a lot of Treks over the year and started there when looking for a road bike as it never occurred to me that other companies made good bikes (yeah, typical noob), but after riding a few other brands I realized there is a lot more out there that is worthy of consideration. Doesn't mean Trek is bad, just that a lot of other stuff is good too and what fits you best is what's most important. If it ain't fun and fit well you won't ride it.
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Old 12-01-10, 06:04 PM
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That bike will be all you will ever need. It's over 98% rider once you're in the road bike category (not comparing mtn bikes to road bikes, etc.)

Don't sweat not having top-notch components, either. The intro spec component technology today works excellently as long it's adjusted (doesn't take much effort) correctly.

You will be able to race this bike, even at very high levels, no problem.

The only warning about buying such a bike is that "bike lust" may settle in. It has nothing to do with performance, and everything to do with trying the next latest and greatest. Everyone gets it at some point, if not continuously, and it's why intro-level road bikes are as inexpensive as they are relative to the upper bikes - they're trying to hook you in.
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Old 12-01-10, 06:57 PM
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My friend has a Trek 1.1 and I think it's a great bike. Make sure the bike fits you.
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