[Golfinc]

Bicycle that is.

Looking to buy a road bike to futher the cardio. Anyone here got any advice on a good beginner bike? I see that most are in the same price range, same components, etc. Is there a better deal out there somewhere? what shoudl I watch out for?

 

[Mesoam]

If you're looking for a mountain bike, let me know. Have one for sale (used to work for a shop so I know what i'm doing)

 

[Euro]

Personaly, I'm a Cannondale freak. Hand Made in USA!!! They can be a little high on price, so they're not exactly the best intro bike. Trek and Specialized make some good intro level road bikes. I've riden the Trek 1000, and I liked it. I've always heard that Specialized gives you a little bit more for your money though? My first mountain bike was a Specialized Hard Rock, base line intro mountain bike for Spec, and it returned good service. Like anything, you get what you pay for. Like motorcycles, I would test ride them all, and see if one fits you well. Also, try to find one in last years model to save money. This is the right time of year to do that.

 

[graciejohn2]

I've been cycling both road & mountain for 15 years.

Specialized and Trek are my favorite bikes to recommend to friends & family that are looking for a decent bike.

Just pick one that you can afford and like the looks of. You can't go wrong.

Don't know what you really want to do with it, but a mountain bike is cool cause you can throw some slicks on it for the road, or put the knobbies back on and blast down some trails. With a road bike, you can only do the pavement. And since you are just looking for Cardio and not to go as fast as possible, that might be the way to go.

Also, check out the Cyclocross bikes........ SWEET!

JOHN

 

[kwajazz]

Me dig bikes (bicycles) too. I recently bought a large Cannondale Bad Boy Ultra and put some drop bars on it. Mountain gearing, cool BBQ black, 700c wheels with Michelin 23mm road tires, disc brakes, Time ATAK pedals, and a fatty headshok. Very hooligan. The pedal equivalent of an S3.

I also like my Santa Cruz Heckler mountain bike and my 2000 model (pre sell out, classic geometry) Schwinn Paramount in Reynolds 853 steel and Dura Ace throughout.

kjazz

 

[Speed3]

Trek or specialized are good makes for a new rider to look at. Bikes in the 750-1000 range will have better components, and get some clipless pedals like Looks.

 

[superduty]

I offer the following advice when purchasing a bicycle

Buy the best frame you can afford. (We could get into a whole nother discussion about frame materials.) The components can be upgraded later if you want.

Make sure you fit on the bike. No sense buying something that looks cool and/or is a deal that you won't use because it's not comfortable.

Be prepared to spend some funds after you get the bike on stuff like a saddle, handle bars, stem, etc. Things that make the bike more comfortable for you.

How do I know this stuff? I've been racing road bikes for over 25 yrs.

 

[Cheapbastard]

Golf, I'm questioning yer motives here. Are you sure you're just want'n to step up the cardio, or are you just want'n to ride around the neighborhood and check out all of the purdy girls? :-D

[ This message was edited by: cheapbastard on 2007-01-10 08:30 ]

 

[dragonrider]

I agree with Superduty, buy the best frame you can afford. Preferably a carbon fiber Trek, like the 5200 or any of the Madone's. You will probably be in the $2000 range. Another bike to check out are the Lemonds. They are owned by Trek and carry the same lifetime warranty on the frame. Their frame geometry is a little different and it might be the one for you. Good Luck!!!

 

[Golfinc]

On 2007-01-10 08:28, cheapbastard wrote:
Golf, I'm questioning yer motives here. Are you sure you're just want'n to step up the cardio, or are you just want'n to ride around the neighborhood and check out all of the purdy girls? :-D

Sorry, homely housewives and pre-teens around here.

If I want to ride a check out chicks, I don the Shoei and cruise through Wake. "CHICKS DIG MOTORCYCLES!" Yeah, baby!

 

[Euro]

I just picked up a Cycleops Magneto trainer last night, and it's great. It may help out your work out in the winter time if you're hurting for fair weather.

 

[mnrider]

Trek and Specialized are great like everybody has stated. I have a Gary Fisher mountain bike. it works great for me, except I've already broke both of the plastic pedals riding the trails in the woods. gotta upgrade to metal. once it gets above 30F here, I gotta start training for my 150 mile marathon in June.

 

[superduty]

A major advantage of the Lemonds over the Treks it the availability of sizes. The Treks are sized like mtn bikes (S, M, L) while the Lemonds are sized like traditional road bikes (in cm). Therefore the Lemonds have more sizes and will fit riders better.

On 2007-01-10 09:11, dragonrider wrote:
Another bike to check out are the Lemonds. They are owned by Trek and carry the same lifetime warranty on the frame. Their frame geometry is a little different and it might be the one for you.

 

[Speed3]

If you're serious about riding, you want to get a bike that fits you, as stated above. Go to a shop and have them do the Fit Kit measurements, so you will be able to get a bike with the right dimensions for you.

 

[roadkill]

I like bicycles too. Been riding them for a while. Trust, nothing better than riding a bicycle up a mountain all on your own strength. And it keeps you in shape!

I don't like mountain bikes, i bought one and i would like to sell it. Its a giant warp or whatever it is.

I got a derosa road bicycle that is pretty old, but keeps on tickin.

 

[Mesoam]

just FYI, here's the details...

I know its highly unlikely i'll find a buyer in VS but I thought I would give it a shot...

This is a GREAT bike. I just have no time ride anymore so i'm getting rid of my hard tail. Alot of new parts, very clean bike, used 2 seasons and very well taken care of. I used to work in a shop so, I know my stuff.

SPECS:
18'in Azonic DS1 hard tail frame
Shimano XT, shifters, front/rear deraileurs, cassette, bottom bracket (all 9spd)
Shimano LX cranks with bash gaurd in replacement of the big ring, NEW Race Face middle ring
Avid MAG brakes
Azonic 1.5in riser bars, brand new w/ brand new Lizard skins grips
WTB Mutano Raptor tires 2.4's (presta tubes)
Syncros seat post, specialized S-works stem
Custom one off wheels. XTR hubs on Salsa Gordo rims with 14g straight gauge spokes (these are DIESEL wheels!) Fonde De Honte cloth rim tape
Marzocchi Z3 air w/ compression (duh) and rebound adjustments FSA pig headset
All new cables
Lizard skin chain stay protector
Quick adj seat post collar
THE 2 peice front fender

For those who know what that means, its a very nicely equipped rig.

$500


PICS:

 

[STEVOMERCKX]

i have three road bikes.

an 04 trek 1000. with shimano rh550 wheels and calypso tires.

a 05 Lemond Sarthe handmade steel frame campy parts with 290tpi tires.

and then i have an 06 Windsor Hour. its a fixed gear track bike. no brakes, one speed awesome bike.

i recommend a Trek 1000. aluminum frame carbon fork. the the shimano parts are lower end but they work fantastic. it was rated best bike of 05 in bicycle magazine. change the tires and it rides like a bike twice or triple the cost.

 

[jackella]

Just to add my 2 cents worth. I ride a Klein mountain bike which I love but the frame is very very stiff which is great for climbs but is harsh on the butt. My old specialized Stumpjumper had a more forgiving frame. I'm even considering a high end steel frame for my next bike. So a carbon hard tail frame will have a crashing ride on anything less than perfect roads.

Another tip is to buy last years model as you get great discounts at this time of year on last years colours.

 

[Speed3]

Here's a pic of my Fat Chance Titanium. I just got studded tires to ride on the ice, if winter will ever get here!

Here's a pic of my SS Rhygin road bike.

[ This message was edited by: Speed3 on 2007-01-10 18:31 ]

 

[Mesoam]

oh god...get that Mani-poo elastomer fork off that thing

TI bikes ride so smooth