Some beginner questions?
 

I want to get into actual road riding. as in, on a real road bike, not a xc bike where I lost half my power when I'm climbing. A bike where I can go into the drops, and use clipless pedals. I was just wondering, what's the bare minimum I would need in a bike?

I know generally when getting a bike, I should get the best my budget will allow for. But I'm a little on the broke side right now, and I can't exactly afford a felt or a trek madone. I was gonna go with something used off of probably craigslist. I wanted to get an aluminum frame, carbon forks, and ultegra groupset, but I can't right now. So I'm curious, are the cheaper bikes like the old peugeots or bianchis decent, or would I just be wasting money and time getting one? I know they're most likely going to have down-tube shifters, and they won't be as smooth shifting, or look as nice as the newer stuff, or be as light, but would they be fine for just starting out?


Update: Alright, I have another question. What's a good, cheap cycling computer with cadence? (preferably that fits on back wheel, because I do plan on getting a trainer) I don't care if it's wired or wireless, but considering I haven't seen a wireless one for under 60, I'm gonna most likely go with wired. I've looked at the Cateye cc-rd200 strada, cateye cc-cd200 astrale, and there's a sigma bc1609 I'm looking at on ebay right now that ends tomorrow. I've read some mixed reviews on all of them, but I don't know how reliable amazon reviewers really are. I think asking on a bike forum would yield more accurate results.

Depends on what you plan to do and what you expect. I have two nice bikes, a Rivendell Atlantis and Rambouillet, and I love them-- but my mid-80s Trek, which I bought used 10 years ago for $150, is still fun to ride and still works great.
I'm not particularly an aluminum fan (it's fine, I just like steel better), and REALLY not a fan of low-end or used carbon forks, because you don't know what kind of treatment they've had. Older Peugeots and Bianchis can be fine or junk, depending on what model they are and how they've been treated. My Trek was a terrific buy, and i bought my wife's commuter, a barely-used Bridgestone MB3, for $25 at a yard sale, but I'm a decent mechanic and could spot potential problems.
With a tight budget, I'd look in thrift shops first, but at least around here, you see 20 mountain bikes for every road bike, and most of them are trash. Don't look for a specific brand or components, but for a decent bike that fits you. Craigslist can be great if you get lucky, but don't be tempted into buying something that ALMOST fits, because it won't. You can expect to need tires, maybe brake pads, and eventually a tuneup, which you can learn to do yourself.
It IS possible to find good bikes cheap. My Atlantis and Rambo would cost probably $6500 to replace (I didn't pay nearly that years ago), and while they're definitely better than the Trek, they aren't $6350 better.

Well I eventually want to get in to racing. For now though, just fitness riding and training I suppose. I doubt I'm going to be able to afford a race-ready bike in my price range though, so I'm really just looking for something to start me off on the right path. I'm considering selling my bike (it's an old 1997 diamondback 3.0 ascent, retailed $1000 back in the day) and getting a new bike with whatever I get from that.

Most of the bikes I see in thrift stores are the cheap walmart bikes, but I've been keeping an eye out just in case.
Yeah, I've been really tempted by some of the craigslist bikes that would just almost fit. I've seen a bike on there with a frame just barely too big with full dura-ace components for around $300. I was gonna buy it just for the parts alone, but it was too far away, and it sounded a bit too good to be true. Probably stolen.

There are plenty of craigs list bikes in your area, that's for sure, and some of them will be pretty good too. Unfortunately, people have very misguided opinions on how much their used gems are worth, but sometimes you can get lucky.

You can always pick up something like a last-year's-model Specialized Allez on sale. You're probably looking at just under a grand for something decent new, but you could live with that bike for quite a while. Cannondale CAAD 9 and 10 bikes are always very popular in that price range as well. Both will serve you well if you decide to race.

I started on a Apollo SS, it got me back into the hobby. I can do all my own basic maintenance so I was able to flip it for a profit.
Bought a few MTB, did the same for 3X profit(Lucky to live in an area where we have famous Mountians, & decent roads to ride on), & worked my way up to bikes in the $1500+ range. I now own 3 of these, plus a few others I can easily sell for a profit.
I'm thinking of selling a few of them to get a nice carbon road bike/frame to build up.

Do some research, learn what to look for, & what to stay away from.
Ask what you want/need in this forum, you can learn a lot here.

What is your budget? Used is going to be your best bet. 105 if you can find it, 105 rear/tiagra front will probably be OK. If your budget allows, you could go for a bikesdirect bike: brand name components (mechanical parts are the most important) on run of the mill, no name frame and bits. Those don't matter if you are training. Incremental changes in your riding performance is what matters unless you are actually racing.

My budget will be however much I can make off of selling some stuff I have. Which if it all sells, will be around $800-$900. But I doubt everything will sell, so probably around half that.

Fit is really important, but don't automatically reject a bike you think is barely too big. I rode 62cm frames for 20 years because that's the largest many shops stock and they always told me they'd make it work. I was never really comfortable. Rivendell's guide put me on a 65, which I bought reluctantly after they assured me it would fit. Instantly, on the first ride, I was able to go 50 percent farther befor rigor mortis set in. A lot of people ride bikes that are too small, thinking they'll be lighter or stiffer, but for most of us, comfort is more important than a few ounces of weight.

Well I've been sized in a couple different shops, and the majority had me on a 54. I have a 31" inseam, which should put me at right around a 54-55. The bike I saw was a 58, which I've sat on 58s before and they were too high for me.

Sorry for double post
how would something like this be?
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac...173380475.html
iirc, the shimano 600 was replaced by ultegra, so the components should be decent
I would most likely switch out the seat, ditch that god awful kickstand, change out the tyres, and get some shimano spd pedals.

Hi Dynikus!

The absolute best deal on the planet for a road bike is this one right here:

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

That LeTour is so nice.

Oh man
if everything sells, that's probably what I'll get. I think I saw an ultegra bike on there though for just 200 more.

You don't really need Ultegra... Especially on a tight budget!

Most dedicated roadies find 105's to be quite fine.

Would the old road bike I linked to on craigslist be decent for a first bike? Well, as long as it was maintained well anyway.

I know a few buddies who race on 105 & do just fine, they're older guys not looking to win, but just finish race that are 180km or longer.
The shop I like to go to says I wouldn't notice a difference in performance unless I was CAT2, I'm no where near CAT2 but went with Dura Ace because i got a deal on NOS I couldn't refuse.

Absolutely Yes! If that bike fits, grab it! :thumb:

updated with a new question. reliable, cheap bike computer w/ cadence?

I have a cateye strata double and a vetta vl110, both wireless w/cadence. I prefer the vetta but its probably harder to find these days. your budget is 8-900. can you assemble and tune a bike out of a box? if not your lbs will do for about $100. these are plenty of bike to get started.

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...ntnoir_xii.htm
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/gt/gtr_series2.htm
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...strada_xii.htm
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...rvus_al_xi.htm
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/fens_xi.htm
http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...98_-1___202339

Are you considering buying the pedals($100), shoes($100), bike pump($50+), shorts($100+ each), jersey($50+ each) spare tubes($6ish each), patch kit(~$5), frame pump($20-50+), under saddle bag($30), glasses($40+), helmet($40+), tire($40+), bike lube (~$8), bottles(~$15 for 2), bottle cages($8-20+ each), tire levers($3ish), $20 in your saddle bag for emergencies($20), bike lock($45+) etc in your purchase price and budget?

Super response. You forget about these things, but they add up. This is extremely true, and if you get into cycling you will likely end up buying all these things (saddle bag is the only thing that is optional here). You may want to postpone buying them, but you try and see how long you last without a floorpump with pressure meter, lube, or spare tubes. These are all basic necessities.

well I have most of that. The only things I need to buy aside from the bike are pedals, shoes, tubes, and tyres. And depending on the bike, also a seat. I have 6 or 7 jerseys, 1 winter jersey, 2 or 3 shorts and a pair of pants, 2 polar bottles as well as many other (although not insulated) bottles, etc etc.
A performance opened near me when I first started and had a grand opening sale, so I was able to get my hands on quite a bit of stuff for cheap. And someone on cl was selling all his old jerseys for 10-15 each. (some good stuff, pearl izumi, trek, cannondale, sugoi, and 2 more I don't remember)
I had all this initially in my first post but edited it out when I asked my 2nd question. I started about 2 years ago and I thought I wanted a full suspension bike. then I quickly realised that road riding was much more interesting to me. But I already bought a bike, so it was too late. So I rode a 30lb full suspension xc bike as if it were a road bike for months.
I eventually faded on cycling (largely due to my bike). Then a few weeks ago I realised how much I missed it, so I'm getting back into it. But I'm really trying to get an actual road bike this time around. Climbing, or even just peddling, I lose so much power due to the suspension. plus the weight is killing me, and a lack of drop bars doesn't help either.

I've been looking at the bikes on bikesdirect, and if I can save up enough for the windsor fens, I'll probably buy that. Or if I get too impatient, that cl bike with the 600 groupset is still available.

I tried typing this out before but I guess it didn't get submitted? oh well
Update on the bike and computer situation:

Finally found (what I think) was a very good deal. A 2009 Felt f85 for $500 on craigslist. I met the guy today (about 50 miles or so away from my house, but worth it) and inspected the bike a bit. The wheel's slightly out of true, but other than that it seems to be in pristine condition. shifted smoothly, silent, well oiled chain, brakes worked great. full 105 groupset
I was able to haggle the guy down a little, so I was able to get the bike for $475. after a long drive back home, I fixed the wheels, and it runs beautifully. It has flat pedals on it, but I was able to score sidi genius shoes with look cleats and pedals on ebay for $65, so that's no problem. I also got a sigma bc 1609 computer that I was able to mount after about 45 minutes (had to run to the dollar store and get more zip ties).
Just placed an order on amazon for a new avenir seat bag, carbon water cage, another polar bottle (you can never have enough, right? :P) and a frame pump.

One question I do have though, what are the pros/cons of mounting aerobars to it? I wanted to get some and put them on, but I'm not sure if that's a good idea or not.

oh, and of course, pics! (feel free to ignore the random stuff in the back ground)
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=268726http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=268727http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=268728

nice score. usually when we post bike pics on here its facing the other way so we can see the drivetrain. I hate the color of the seat and bars but I think you did pretty well.

I dont use aero bars so my thoughts on them are negligible. I think for road riding, up and down hills, your not gaining anything other than another position for your hands that keeps your elbows in (looks uncomfortable). Maybe in race situation where 3/10s of second matters they would be worth the cost and weight.

ah, I'll keep that in mind with the pics next time.
I agree with you on the seat and bars. But I can always buy a new seat, and get new bar tape. :)

And well there's someone on craigslist selling some for $20. I've ridden using imaginary aerobars before (as in I just wrested my forearm/elbow area on the handlebars) and I liked it, but it hurts after a few minutes do to the lack of padding. I'm probably going to get them and try them out for a few rides. at $20 I'm not out much if I don't like them.