Looking to buy a road bike, suggestions????

Member

Hi all,

Ok I am looking into buying a road bike for next year (I will put in lay away through the fall and winter). I have just started to look and have only test road 1 bike (Trek 1000). I will give you my reasons and let me know what you all think would be the best route for me to take. I want to keep my budget between $800-900. Iknow we have alot of serious cyclists here to so I really value all your opinions, Thanks

1. I want to start entering dualthons next year, and it just wont cut it with my mountain bike.

2. Also next year a friend of mine and I want to do a 100 mile bike tour/race.

3. I'd like to train more on the bike as where I live they are opening up some very nice asphalt pave bike trails (rails to trails) in the next year or so.

4. I used to be into road bikes in my teens, now that I am older, I am rediscovering how much I love to ride again.

5. I already have a mountain bike, and I want a roadie.

I just rode the 1000 cause they had it in my size at the local bike shop here (58 cm??)

I was looking into the trek 1200 or possible 1500 and the lemond tourmalet (I could get that for around $950 for an '04) Also they had a Felt (dont remember what kind) and a Giant OC2??

Also should I wait a tad longer for the '05's to come out or get a deal on an '04??? Also what important things should I look for and stuff like that.

THanks let me know if you need any more you can always pm me too
Jon

Member

I've got a 2003 Specialized Allez. I got it for a little under $600. At the time, I also tested a Trek and Cannondale of about the same price range. I was much more impressed with the Specialized for the price range I was interested in. It's a little more base-model than what you're talking about, but give Specialized a try, I love mine!

Frightened Inmate #2

Do you want to spend $800-$900 total or just that amount for the bike?

You've probably got a helmet and a pair or two of padded shorts, but what about pedals and shoes?

Member

I bought my Cannondale R500 used and love it. Paid about $500 for the bike and that included everything but the shoes.

The point of my post, is new is not the only way to go. You can check with local clubs and see if any riders are upgrading their bikes. I think that typically, the people that are upgrading have taken care of their current bikes so you shouldn't get a beat up bike that way.

Member

I haven't been the the other bike shop near me that carries specialized, but I will have to stop in.

Yep PH I already got shorts and what not, I will need a new helmet, mines ugly and old. Embarassed

But its not in my bike budget, the '05 Trek 1200 comes with clipless pedals, but I will have to get shoes.

Koby thats a great thought, the metropark I run at on sunday's have alot of cyclists there maybe I' have to start picking their brains for bikes.

I think I may go to the bike shop this afternoon, if I get alittle time and check out some more rides. Speaking of rides I just got back from a 25 mile ride about an hour ago!!!!! Very Happy

Jon

Member

check the 05 allez elite. 999$ at my LBS, I just saw it today. Looks good... Love it!!!Shimano 105 component's and a great frame, fork, post combo. Unbelievable value. Its got hollow arm FSA cranks and is a double too!!!

Member

I bought an '03 Bianchi Veloce in Nov. of '03 and it was on a closeout special. I paid $950 for a $1500 bike. I swear by it. I tested many different bikes and just liked the feel of it. So my expereince is bikes are somewhat like cars, in that they will move out models for the next year but you have to hope they have one in your size.