newbie needs help (bike suggestion)
 

hello!

i'm new the to forum. i discovered this place while doing various searches for bikes. i've been looking for a bike and i am overwhelmed!!!! here's the situation: i do not bike...at all. i know nothing about bikes. however, i'd like to start biking. i work out and do lots of endurance training and cardio...and i've recently got it in my head that i want to be in a triathalon. so i need to get a bike...and i have to start riding/training.

but i don't know what to get. i know my budget is $2000. that's $2000 total...tax, shipping (if i get it shipped), any extra bits i need (pedals or whatever).

while doing searches, i found these bikes from bikesdirect.com...motobecane bikes. but the reviews are pretty polarizing so i don't know what to think of them. please suggest some bikes for me!!!!!

thanks!!!!!!

oh, one more thing...how do i size myself for a bike? also...what's the difference between a triathalon bike and a road bike?

Forget ordering. Go to your local bike store and they can make some recommendations to test ride. Buy what fits/feels best. Also, $2,000 is a lot of money for someone who has not ridden. If you end up liking it great, if not that's an expensive lesson. I would think you could get a great first bike for about half that but that's up to you. I'm not trying to discourage you, if I had $2,000 to spend on a bike I would be at the shop right know spending every dollar!!! Good luck!

I second this!
Also you really need to sit down and think about what you want to use the bike for. A road bike would probably suit a beginner the best because you can still do triathlons on it but you can also go on rides with your friends or a cycling group. A tri bike can be very hard to handle if you are not used to riding.

i dropped by the local bikeshop...but their selection of bikes was so paltry compared to what's available online...the prices were RIDICULOUS compared to ordering online...and the customer service there was lacking to say the least.

my buddy also says most of the staff is incompetent...he had to have his lemond bike fixed a last year for something and they scratched the heck out of his frame in the process.

i think it's in my best interest to find help online and buy online...and rely on local biking hobbists for fixing, adjusting the bike (there are some local biking clubs/societies/groups i'd join as soon as i got on my feet a bit as a cyclist).

You are right, unfortunatly these days the bike shops have lost the plot. I do the Ironman and have nearly all my swim/bike/run stuff shipped from overseas. If it was only about 20-50 dollars differance I would not mind helping the shops but it is hundreds of dollars difference. The only major problem you will have will be the bike set up. Trust me if you are in that saddle for 5-6 hours you have to be comfy. You need a bike fit with all the figures before you buy. dont go by just height, some people have longer legs, longer torso etc. Good luck