I Need Help With Buying A Bike
10-15-12, 08:30 AM
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I Need Help With Buying A Bike
Hi guys. I am very new to the road bike culture, but this does not mean I am not a good rider. I know very little about road bikes and racing and such and i need help as to where to start. I am a college student and I want to buy a road bike that is affordable but one that I will be able to keep for many years. My dream is to race in very competitive levels and maybe one day race in the Tour. As for now, I ride a 10-15 year old cannondale rSomething. I am looking for a carbon fiber bike (I think), but I don't really know anything else. If you have any suggestions on where I can started, what to look for in a bike, where to buy a bike, or a certain bike that I should I buy, I would love your help.
You can look me up on Strava: https://app.strava.com/athletes/406600 (I do not ride during the school year because I do not have a bike at school).
Thank you
-Michael
You can look me up on Strava: https://app.strava.com/athletes/406600 (I do not ride during the school year because I do not have a bike at school).
Thank you
-Michael
10-15-12, 08:33 AM
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Start at your local bike shop.
10-15-12, 09:20 AM
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I'd recommend either the Cannondale Synapse 6, currently being sold at REI for about $880, or the Jamis Satellite Sport for just about $1000.
The Synapse is made of an aluminum alloy, while the Satellite Sport is made of chromoly steel. They both should last the duration of your road bike interests.
If you're really serious about racing, just forget about the bike lasting for a really long time. Instead, just focus upon increasing your riding skills, and getting a really light bike (CF), with great componentry.
Go no lower than Tiagra...
Dura Ace > Ultegra > 105 > Tiagra > Sora
The Synapse is made of an aluminum alloy, while the Satellite Sport is made of chromoly steel. They both should last the duration of your road bike interests.
If you're really serious about racing, just forget about the bike lasting for a really long time. Instead, just focus upon increasing your riding skills, and getting a really light bike (CF), with great componentry.
Go no lower than Tiagra...
Dura Ace > Ultegra > 105 > Tiagra > Sora
Last edited by SlimRider; 10-15-12 at 09:28 AM.
10-15-12, 09:43 AM
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Originally Posted by mikeandike93
Hi guys. I am very new to the road bike culture, but this does not mean I am not a good rider. I know very little about road bikes and racing and such and i need help as to where to start. I am a college student and I want to buy a road bike that is affordable but one that I will be able to keep for many years. My dream is to race in very competitive levels and maybe one day race in the Tour. As for now, I ride a 10-15 year old cannondale rSomething. I am looking for a carbon fiber bike (I think), but I don't really know anything else. If you have any suggestions on where I can started, what to look for in a bike, where to buy a bike, or a certain bike that I should I buy, I would love your help.
You can look me up on Strava: https://app.strava.com/athletes/406600 (I do not ride during the school year because I do not have a bike at school).
Thank you
-Michael
You can look me up on Strava: https://app.strava.com/athletes/406600 (I do not ride during the school year because I do not have a bike at school).
Thank you
-Michael
What is your budget. I guess if you have the money then might as well, but there is no need to buy a carbon bike. Many alloy bikes are very well suited to racing - the cannondale caad10 being one of them as well as the specialized allez. There are others. You should be able to find a caad10 with 105 under $1500 depending on the end of year deal you can find. Would be a very nice bike to get started on.
+1 to comments above about going to a shop. Best place to get started. Ask some questions, ride some bikes, go from there.
10-17-12, 03:05 AM
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many colleges have teams nowadays...a good bike is the bike you have. hopefully something that fits. if you're not sure what you want, no one can tell you...everyone likes different things and the different things work for different people. some like the seat higher, longer stem, look pedals or speedplay? ride a bunch of different bikes and see what you like and buy what you can afford.
peace.
peace.
