I've searched the forums for good threads for beginners but haven't had very good luck, so I'll try to give some information about me and my situation and then including some questions at the end to make for an easy response.

I'm a college student looking to get into road biking; the bikes I'm currently considering are the Cannondale CAAD 9 or 10 and the Trek 1.5 (or possibly the 2 series)--something that will be of sufficient quality but won't break the bank.

I don't have enormous funds, but I'm not opposed to spending around $2,000-$2,500 including any upgrades or accessories that might be needed (new saddle most likely, new brakes if I get the Trek [I've read that their standard breaks are less than ideal], helmet, bike packs, etc.)

Now, I live in Minnesota, which means at least 5 months of the year I will be riding indoors only. (I will be able to get a Kinetic trainer from my parents who have decided that they do not enjoy riding indoors.) I've been looking trainer-only tires that claim to reduce heat and not destroy road tires.

I'm not planning on getting into any races or triathlons right away, mostly looking to just improve my fitness and I hate the impact that comes with running. But before I go out and spend a couple grand, I've been considering buying a less expensive used bike to train with now until April then getting the more expensive one once I know what I need and what to look for in a bike and once MN has lost most of its snow. I've been thinking that I could use this bike then to ride to school (wouldn't want to lock up my better one) and to ride on rainy days if I felt compelled to be outside.

If I ride the bike to school I'll need a lock. U-locks seem to be best, and since I'd have a backpack I could easily put it in that, but if I'm riding either bike without a backpack and decide to relieve myself and need to lock it up for just a minute or two, is a smaller lock ok for this or should I always bring a U-lock with me? I've also considered throwing the seat into my backpack while at school or even bringing the back wheel to class with me (while this would be a little inconvenient I regularly see other people doing it, so I wouldn't be quite as funny looking).

There is a 40-mile path near campus that will allow for sufficient length rides, but the main reason I wanted a road bike was to ride along the long (50+ miles) country, paved roads that we have here in southern MN. However, after reading the A&S board here I have become a little scared of venturing out onto those since it seems ignorant drivers are more common than I had thought. The roads don't have real heavy traffic, my guess from just driving down them would be that you'd be passed by 2-3 cars per mile ridden, but they are two-laned with pretty narrow shoulders and steep ditches at points on both sides. Typical car speed is probably 60-70mph.

My last question for now is on clothing. What is necessary? I have compression shorts, and I think I'd be fine just riding with those and soccer shorts and with a tight fitting shirt to reduce drag (I also own tight thermal wear for chilly days)--is this ok? I don't want to look like a fool, but I also don't want to look like a ******, adorning myself with fake sponsors and colored sunglasses.


The quick questions:

1. Any recommendations for good intro road bikes? (Any problems that have been seen with the Cannondale CAAD 9 or 10 or the Trek 1.5 or Trek 2 series bikes?

2. Would you advise training on a lesser model or used bike first or perhaps always using that as my trainer bike? This bike could also be used on rainy days and to commute to school (versus driving). (The opposing view to this, I assume, would be to buy the main bike and use that for all training and riding, except to school--any money that is used on the lesser bike would then come out of the total funds for the nicer bike.)

For #2, if you have any advice on what to look for in a used bike that would be greatly appreciated.

3. Are trainer-only tires a good idea?

4. Is it too dangerous to ride on two-lane roads with 60-70mph vehicles?

5. What are some must-have accessories and clothing?

6. Where do you stow your lock if you don't have a large bag with you? Also, do you ever take your seat or wheel(s) with you?

Any other advice you may have (such as good websites to find information--I've found Sheldon Brown's site which seems good), or any answers to obvious beginner questions I forgot to ask, will be more than welcomed.

I would budget about $1500 for the bike and $1000 for everything else. I'm a college student too and he's what I've got recently:

2008 Tarmac Comp on sale for $1450 (MSRP $1950)
Various cages, pump, tubes, U-lock, water bottles, gloves, cycling computer $150 - $200 depending on what you get
Jerseys and 2 bibs $250
Helmet $40
Used Trainer + trainer tire $100 (oh, I just saw you're getting on for free, I got my tire from Performance for $30)(I would say this is necessary, its cheap and will last wayyyy longer on the trainer)
Pedals + Shoes $160 - $300 depending on what you get
Various tools that you may or may not want to get $40

As you can see, the other stuff you need adds up quickly. Some of this stuff I already had previously, but my point is, that you should save some cash for stuff other than the bike

Since you mention commuting and going to school with it, I would say get a used bike, it will be a lot cheaper and you won't be as disappointed when it gets stolen. There's no chance in the world I would leave my Tarmac locked outside at my university. Just search craigslist for some good deals, then in 6 months or so when you save a little more money, get a better bike and keep the used one as the commuter.

There's always a risk with riding on roads, but its not like you're going to get hit every months or even once a year. The bike path would be much safer, and 40-mile rides is substantial for a beginner. I ride on country roads with no shoulder, and there are times when I worry, but I realize there's always that risk, and if I wanted safety I would just stay inside.

What are in minnesota? would help to search Craigslist.

$2500 is a good budget to get into cycling. You'll find alot on cold weather riding in that forum. Those guys can help you get stuff to ride in.

Dont rule out ebay....I saw a nice 2010 Orbea with 105 components going for $800, but I dont know what size you need.......
If you are only interested in the Trek vs. Cannondale I would go with the TREK 2 series...I have never been a cannondale fan.

Since you do not know what you really want in a bike, I would spend as little as possible right now. You will not know if you want a more race oriented or relaxed geometry until you put some miles in.

1.) there are other bike makers that offer more bang for the buck . See Felt and Jamis.
3.) no, just use some Vittoria Zaffiro's and call it a day.
4.) depends...
5.) helmet, cycling shorts, sunglasses, padded gloves, pump, patch kit, chain tool, spoke wrench etc
6.) I have yet to have had to lock my bike up.

I'm new-ish to road biking and my advice is this:

1) Bibs are the best. They may seem expensive, but just get a pair or two.
2) Shop around now and see if you can get last year's model or even one that may be laying around from 2009. Just like a new, older model car, you can save an insane amount of money but still get a new car. Don't be in a rush and you will get the best deal. We did this for my wife, and she got a $3000 bike for $1400.
3) If not new, get a really good USED bike. That's what I did, and I don't regret it at all. Very very expensive bike for very very cheap. I can imagine that there are a LOT of beautiful bikes that don't get used where you live. Take advantage if you can.
4) Get the ****tiest beater bike you can for school and don't worry about it. No one will steal it if no one wants it. Don't ever take a good bike & lock it up. It's just a matter of time before it gets stolen.
5) Budget for good shoes/pedals.

MUCH more advice on this forum if you look around, but getting your bike is the first step...

I'm thinking about going with the Vilano TUONO RS. It's had some so-so reviews, pretty much you get what you pay for, but it seems like a good intro bike and also will double as a good crappy school commute bike once the weather improves. Here is a link: https://www.roadbikeoutlet.com/road-b...road-bike.html

Thoughts on this? The bike will be used almost exclusively indoors on a trainer (in a few months once it gets warmer I'll likely buy another one) going maybe 1,000 miles before the new one and then just used to go to and from class.

Also, do most cyclists shave their legs?

that'd be cyclists.

and it's not mandatory. racers do it for these reasons: easy to clean out road rash wounds, feels better when getting a massage from your soigneur, everybody else in the peloton does it, the girls they like, like shaved legs.

Have you test ridden this bike? Do you know exactly which frame size will fit you? Do you know to assemble a bike and adjust derailleurs and true wheels?

I was just about to ask how hard it is to put a bike together.

I have not ridden this bike, my plan was to go to the LBS and find out what size I needed. My intention here was just to get some feedback on that specific model since it is nice and cheap.

If you have to ask, chances are you are going to have some issues and an LBS is going to have to bail you out costing you $$$. You cannot take the sizing from one bike to another bike... I'd go with a used bike that you can test ride.