golfer007

I have dealed with vintage and single speed bikes for some time now and I am semi-versed in road cycling as well. I am looking for a very basic (but reliable) road bike. Today I rode a 2011 Trek 1.2 with entry carbon fork in 60cm (I am 6.3" with a 34" inseem and longer legs than torso as I wear medium shirts). I must say it rode nicely but for $910 out the door, I feel as if there are better deals out there.

I am not looking to do anything crazy and will not ride more than a few times a week. Probably will start with 6 or 7 mile rides and then build up from there. I have searched LBS's as well as www.bikesdirect.com and although they are not name brand such as Trek, Giant, Specialized etc., they have some nice options for well under $800.

Please point me in the right direction so I can find a nice entry level road bike that will last and be reliable.

Thanks,
Sean

SlimRider

The most durable, reliable, and well-equipped road bikes that come to mind are the following:

The Schwinn LeTour Legacy ~ $800
www.bikesdirect.com/products/schwinn/schwinn_letour_legacy_xi.htm

The Jamis Satellite Sport ~ $700
www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/road/satellite/12_satellitesport_rd.html
(Click on the cool grey color)


Either one of these will last you a lifetime, if well-maintained.

Good Luck!

- Slim

golfer007

Those look nice but what about this one from BD? It actually has a few better parts than the Trek 1.2. In fact, the BD add claims its the same bike but with better components. What do you think?

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...e_record_x.htm

canam73

You haven't mentioned whether you are good with being your own mechanic. With BD bikes you need to do some initial assembly and tuning. With a bike from a bike shop they do that and will also throw in maintenance for the first year and possibly some free or discounted accessories. Whether the BD bike is worth the discount comes down to what your interest is in wrenching and what your time is worth.

golfer007

I have a Park stand along with all the tools nec. to service a VINTAGE bike, not newer road. However, with instructions I could indefinitely put it together with no issues. I have a lot of universal tools as well. I would absolutely love to get a Trek or something, but I am tight on cash.

Does anyone know how comparable this Motobecane really is to the Trek 1.2? I like the 2011 1.2 they have but I don't have $900 laying around to buy it.

How much better with the Schwinn Legacy than the Moto I mentioned? I feel like Schwinn is going down hill...Costco, Kmart? Common, really? I know this has 105 stuff which is very nice, but how good is it comparatively speaking to the Moto Record?

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/..._legacy_xi.htm

ColinL

I guess if you've owned/flipped/whatever vintage and fixed gear bikes you can definitely assemble and tune your own bikesdirect bike. So obviously that's going to be your best deal. It is not hard at all to tune a new derailleur compared to old.

There are perks to using a LBS, many of them, but you just won't get the components of the same grade as BD without spending quite a bit more.


BTW the 6'3" 34" inseam and size medium shirts blows me away. I'm 6'0" with 33" pants inseam (35" cycling, which is higher, due to measuring all the way up to your sitbones) and I wear large shirts most of the time, sometimes xl, and never medium.

golfer007

Wait a second Colin, are you saying BD, such as the Moto Record I am referring to, will be a better option than the Trek 1.2 because the components are better? Yes, I am 24 years old, 6'3" tall, typically Medium shirts because I am pretty slender but definitely not a twig by any means...athletic looking. Wear a 32-34" jeans and dress pants.

I guess I am really concerned that the Moto Record I am specifically referring to will not be a quality as the Trek 1.2 for "name-brand" sake if you follow my drift. What would I be responsible for putting together with the BD bike exactly, does anyone know?

SlimRider

That looks great! I'm pretty sure it's reliable, but is it as durable?

ColinL

install stem, handlebars, seatpost, completed wheel onto bike, done.

this BD bike on sale right now has the best stuff for the money: https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/gravity/comp_x.htm


regarding frames, the trek 1.2 frame is nothing special. it may be marginally better than a BD cheap aluminum bike (motobecane or gravity), but as long as you get a bike that fits you, it won't be anything you will notice.

golfer007

That's easy, I could do those things in full-****** mode. That Gravity look great with the Sram components. But Colin, is that bike really worth the extra $300 and some odd dollars over the Motobecane Record for me? I have never owned a road bike so just looking for something to get started with and keep in nice condition.

Slim, good question, not really sure hence why I posted here haha!!

Are there any other options you all can think of in the $400-$800 range? I wonder how long that Gravity will be on sale for..does anyone know anything about the Gravity cycles? This is the first time I have heard anything about them. They're prices (per class, i.e. Good, Better, Best) on BD are far cheaper than similar brands if you look....hmmmm......?

ColinL

Yes, the Gravity X has SRAM Rival and the cheaper Motobecane linked has Shimano 2200 with a Tiagra rear derailleur.

Here's what the Shimano road components are, in order of crap to pro grade:
2200/2300, Sora, Tiagra, 105, (none), Ultegra, Dura Ace

SRAM in that same order:
none, none, none, Apex, Rival, Force, Red

SRAM doesn't have anything as basic as 2300, or even Tiagra, and Shimano doesn't make anything that really matches up with Rival. So literally, you're getting the bottom of the barrel on the Motobecane and an amateur racing-capable component group on the Gravity X.\

Edit: it also comes with lighter wheels.

golfer007

OK, I sort of already knew the pecking order of Shimano but I literally know nothing about SRAM aside from the fact that it is generally reserved for higher-end road bikes because it's better unless you get to the Ultegra stuff. SO basically, the Gravity is a much better option than that Motobecane because of frame and overall quality of components.

evan938

i just picked up a 2011 Cannondale CAAD8.6 (Tiagra) for $890+tax and LOVE it. i was coming off a 60cm jamis ventura i bought used to get into cycling, and the new bike is a 56cm (size i really need). its a very good bike for an "entry level" bike.

ColinL

You got it. Frame is probably slightly better-- looks more modern for sure, but I wouldn't guarantee it rides better as you can't tell that over the web... Components and wheels, unquestionably better. That's where your extra money goes.

golfer007

There are 2 versions of the Gravity. The 20 and the 30. This is referring to gearing supposedly. How do I know if I need/want the 20 or 30 spd version?

20
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...omp20_gold.htm

30
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...p30_silver.htm

golfer007

Nice where did you pick it up? I don't know man, if I could get the Gravity for $799 shipped to my front door with far better components than Tiagra, why not right? I honestly have never really liked Cannondale design features....

golfer007

Yeah exactly. I wish I knew someone who had experience with this brand. Maybe I will do a search for it. Keep it coming Colin!

ColinL

the 30 has shimano 105 with a triple chainring. some people in really hilly / mountainous areas love their triples. me, in Kansas, I'd literally never use the granny ring.

the 20 has shimano 105 with a double crankset instead. the gravity X that I linked has a sram double-- they don't make triples.

TrekmanDan

Do you have a Performance Bike near you? They've got some pretty decent entry level bikes. My buddy actually just bought a Fuji Roubaix 3.0 and it's not too bad. It rides and shifts smoothly and it has a pretty relaxed geometry, similar to my 2011 1.2... And he got it for a few hundred dollars less. Plus, the components are similar with the exception of the rear derailleur...


https://www.performancebike.com/bikes...4#ReviewHeader

golfer007

That seems like a nice deal as well man. Although the Gravity has better components.

golfer007

Alright....this? Gravity Pro20
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...omp20_gold.htm

Or this? Gravity Comp X
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/gravity/comp_x.htm

Forgive me laziness and ignorance, but what is the difference? Which is a better deal?

Debusama

That Schwinn looks nice. I hadn't seen that bike before.

TrekmanDan

Very true. But let me ask you this... have you ridden the gravity? It's $200 more expensive and it does have better components, but what if it just doesn't feel right? I think finding the right bike that fits you is more important than the components. The least I would do is check the bike out at Performance Bike, because like I said, it's rides really smoothly. If you're happy with the way it feels, shifts, rides, etc, you can save $200 which you can put towards some other bike stuff. Plus, you won't have to worry about assembling it...

Sherblock

Gravity Comp X. Better components, better wheels, cheaper, less bad color scheme. Buy it and be done with it.

golfer007

Valid point nonetheless Dan. However, I am really into the Gravity. I still have some researching to do as well as some saving to be completely honest. I may even go with the Moto Record I originally posted, not sure. Budget is very important to me but I have as much time as I need to save the required amount for a good road bike. So far, the mind is telling me to lean towards the Gravity w/SRAM Rival. However, the bike you posted does look nice. Decisions....