bicycle for training - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

jfelco · 01-19-2006, 11:05 PM

im in the market for a entry level road bicycle- 54 cm. i had surgery on my knee last year and was advised to train on a bike, for physical therapy. i have also been interested in completing a sprint triathalon. i went to a shop today and found that these are very expensive. the most economical one i found was $650. does anyone have any input as to what kind of bike i should look for? i looked on craigslist and ebay and found a couple, but dont know the first thing about shopping for one. im basically looking for a good quality bike, within budget, that i can train with weekly, and compete with a few times.

sailor · 01-20-2006, 08:54 AM

Road bikes are expensive. "Entry level" bikes tend to be around $600-$700, and go up from there. Certainly you can find them cheaper than that, but as far as I know, there's no such thing as a cheap road bike. I don't know why that is--my theory is that they never had the popularity boost that mountain bikes did that saturated the market and drove prices down. Dunno.

That said, you can probably find a used one for $300-$400. Also, Giant tends to make affordable bikes, as does a company called Felt.

Whatever you do, make sure to buy from a real bike shop, not a Wal-Mart. The bikes at big-box retailers are universally piles of crap, frequently assembled incorrectly and sold by someone who doesn't know a down tube from a chainstay. Go to several bike shops around, see if they have anything used, and look at their lower end bikes. And make sure it fits. There's nothing more important, especially considering you just had surgery on your knee. An improperly fit bike can destroy a knee just as easily as running.

Things to look for? Ideally a frame made of aluminum, though at that price it may have to be steel--which could be better, as steel, despite weighing more, gives a smoother ride. Make sure it has Shimano or Campagnolo components. It's OK if the cranks and handlebars are some off brand, as they certainly will be at that price point. Just make sure the drivetrain isn't gonna come apart on you--the most important components are the front and rear derailleur. For most of the other components, you're likely to get something made by the manufacturer or an off brand, and that's OK.

The Giant OCR3 would probably be a good entry level choice for you. MSRP $600.

Let me know if there are anymore questions I can answer for you.

EDIT: You said you were planning on eventually racing it. The use of the bike is going to be a big determiner in what you buy. If you want to get somewhat serious and eventually race, make sure to get something that will put up with it, like the Giant above. If you're just looking for something to spin around the block on, it doesn't really matter what you get.

thingstodo · 01-21-2006, 07:31 AM

I still like the Raleigh bikes for price/value. Trek, Giant...there are many solid brands out there. You should be able to get an aluminum mountain/road hybrid for $500 or less. They look like a mountan bike but has smoother tires. You can ride them anywhere; a road bike is only good on SMOOTH roads. Clipless pedals, a better seat, shoes, etc. will add to the cost and you can do some of that later as you build up and decide you want to ride more..

eribrav · 01-21-2006, 09:04 AM

Bikes lose resale value rapidly, so if you look around you should be able to get a good quality used one within your price range. You're in a bicyclists paradise in S.D. Many folks get new bikes every few years, just because they feel like it. The old ones sell for half or less of retail, and are usually just as good as a new one. This is a good time to look, as people will be getting new bikes for spring.

If I were buying used (and I have on several occasions) I would stick with steel/aluminum/titanium. I just don't trust carbon enough to buy it used from someone else.

Two places on the web that might be good for looking are the classified section on the serotta website (it's under the heading message board at serotta.com), and roadbikereview.com . You will also learn a lot about cycling just by browsing those boards.

nitelyfe · 01-22-2006, 01:39 AM

Check out some of the local cycling clubs. Quite often, many of their members have old bikes in the back of their garages that they'd be willing to sell. The good part is that the bikes are usually well-maintained as serious cyclists are very particular about bad things like rust and deterioration. In most cases, the cyclist doesn't have the time to sell it and also doesn't want to just throw it away. You can find some pretty good deals this way. You can also find some riding partners, too.

sailor · 01-22-2006, 02:27 AM

All of those are very good comments. I'd refrain from a hybrid bike if you want to get into racing, though--it won't do well enough to race on either pavement or dirt, so that's out. Definitely a good choice if you just want to cruise though, they generally tend to be a bit more comfortable...

dman2 · 01-22-2006, 08:52 AM

Definitely try to find a used bike. Kind of like a car, the original buyer takes the depreciation.

dman2 · 01-22-2006, 10:22 AM

Definitely try to find a used bike. Kind of like a car, the original buyer takes the depreciation.

jfelco · 01-23-2006, 05:19 PM

thanks for all the input. ive been shopping around, i have a few people im meeting with to see what condition the bike is in, from craigslist.

i found this bike . whaddaya think? im not fond of the straight bar but am willing to switch out.

i did notice that some bikes do not come with pedals. is there a significant difference between pedals with 'cages' and those that 'clip' into specific shoes?

the_tyipist · 01-24-2006, 07:38 PM

Start with the Cages, get used to having your feet lightly locked on, and practice stopping. Eventually you will want to upgrade to clipless pedals (the ones that 'clip' in). You will get much more power with clipless, but there is a learning curve. I use cages on the bike I commute on (so I don't have to change shoes), and I use clipless pedals on my 'fun' bikes

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfelco

thanks for all the input. ive been shopping around, i have a few people im meeting with to see what condition the bike is in, from craigslist.

i found this bike . whaddaya think? im not fond of the straight bar but am willing to switch out.

i did notice that some bikes do not come with pedals. is there a significant difference between pedals with 'cages' and those that 'clip' into specific shoes?

the_tyipist · 01-24-2006, 07:45 PM

I looked at that bike, and there was a link to another 05 model that is about $500 dollars off. http://www.performancebike.com/shop/....cfm?SKU=21254
It already has drop bars. It says they have a 54 in stock.

The problem with a flat bar is you will have to upgrade the brake levers and shifters to upgrade it to drop bars. That is expensive.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfelco

thanks for all the input. ive been shopping around, i have a few people im meeting with to see what condition the bike is in, from craigslist.

i found this bike . whaddaya think? im not fond of the straight bar but am willing to switch out.

jfelco · 01-26-2006, 02:50 PM

thanks tyipist, keeping that bike in mind.

its still abit out of my budget so, im still looking in the san diego/los angeles area if anyone knows of anything.

sailor · 01-30-2006, 02:36 AM

I too have heard good things about the Scattante line of Performance brand bikes. I've never seen one with my own eyes though, so I can't really comment on them too much--but that one that typist linked to looked like an excellent bike for the money.

01-19-2006, 11:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
jfelco Crazy Location: north america	bicycle for training im in the market for a entry level road bicycle- 54 cm. i had surgery on my knee last year and was advised to train on a bike, for physical therapy. i have also been interested in completing a sprint triathalon. i went to a shop today and found that these are very expensive. the most economical one i found was $650. does anyone have any input as to what kind of bike i should look for? i looked on craigslist and ebay and found a couple, but dont know the first thing about shopping for one. im basically looking for a good quality bike, within budget, that i can train with weekly, and compete with a few times.

01-20-2006, 08:54 AM	#2 (permalink)
sailor beauty in the breakdown Location: Chapel Hill, NC	Road bikes are expensive. "Entry level" bikes tend to be around $600-$700, and go up from there. Certainly you can find them cheaper than that, but as far as I know, there's no such thing as a cheap road bike. I don't know why that is--my theory is that they never had the popularity boost that mountain bikes did that saturated the market and drove prices down. Dunno. That said, you can probably find a used one for $300-$400. Also, Giant tends to make affordable bikes, as does a company called Felt. Whatever you do, make sure to buy from a real bike shop, not a Wal-Mart. The bikes at big-box retailers are universally piles of crap, frequently assembled incorrectly and sold by someone who doesn't know a down tube from a chainstay. Go to several bike shops around, see if they have anything used, and look at their lower end bikes. And make sure it fits. There's nothing more important, especially considering you just had surgery on your knee. An improperly fit bike can destroy a knee just as easily as running. Things to look for? Ideally a frame made of aluminum, though at that price it may have to be steel--which could be better, as steel, despite weighing more, gives a smoother ride. Make sure it has Shimano or Campagnolo components. It's OK if the cranks and handlebars are some off brand, as they certainly will be at that price point. Just make sure the drivetrain isn't gonna come apart on you--the most important components are the front and rear derailleur. For most of the other components, you're likely to get something made by the manufacturer or an off brand, and that's OK. The Giant OCR3 would probably be a good entry level choice for you. MSRP $600. Let me know if there are anymore questions I can answer for you. EDIT: You said you were planning on eventually racing it. The use of the bike is going to be a big determiner in what you buy. If you want to get somewhat serious and eventually race, make sure to get something that will put up with it, like the Giant above. If you're just looking for something to spin around the block on, it doesn't really matter what you get. __________________ "Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws." --Plato Last edited by sailor; 01-20-2006 at 08:59 AM..

01-21-2006, 07:31 AM	#3 (permalink)
thingstodo A Storm Is Coming Location: The Great White North	I still like the Raleigh bikes for price/value. Trek, Giant...there are many solid brands out there. You should be able to get an aluminum mountain/road hybrid for $500 or less. They look like a mountan bike but has smoother tires. You can ride them anywhere; a road bike is only good on SMOOTH roads. Clipless pedals, a better seat, shoes, etc. will add to the cost and you can do some of that later as you build up and decide you want to ride more.. __________________ If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves. Stangers have the best candy.

01-22-2006, 02:27 AM	#6 (permalink)
sailor beauty in the breakdown Location: Chapel Hill, NC	All of those are very good comments. I'd refrain from a hybrid bike if you want to get into racing, though--it won't do well enough to race on either pavement or dirt, so that's out. Definitely a good choice if you just want to cruise though, they generally tend to be a bit more comfortable... __________________ "Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws." --Plato

01-22-2006, 08:52 AM	#7 (permalink)
dman2 Insane Location: Georgia	Definitely try to find a used bike. Kind of like a car, the original buyer takes the depreciation. __________________ I have to exercise in the morning before my brain figures out what I'm doing. ~Marsha Doble

01-21-2006, 09:04 AM	#4 (permalink)
eribrav Junkie Location: upstate NY	Bikes lose resale value rapidly, so if you look around you should be able to get a good quality used one within your price range. You're in a bicyclists paradise in S.D. Many folks get new bikes every few years, just because they feel like it. The old ones sell for half or less of retail, and are usually just as good as a new one. This is a good time to look, as people will be getting new bikes for spring. If I were buying used (and I have on several occasions) I would stick with steel/aluminum/titanium. I just don't trust carbon enough to buy it used from someone else. Two places on the web that might be good for looking are the classified section on the serotta website (it's under the heading message board at serotta.com), and roadbikereview.com . You will also learn a lot about cycling just by browsing those boards.

01-22-2006, 01:39 AM	#5 (permalink)
nitelyfe Upright Location: Long Beach, CA	Check out some of the local cycling clubs. Quite often, many of their members have old bikes in the back of their garages that they'd be willing to sell. The good part is that the bikes are usually well-maintained as serious cyclists are very particular about bad things like rust and deterioration. In most cases, the cyclist doesn't have the time to sell it and also doesn't want to just throw it away. You can find some pretty good deals this way. You can also find some riding partners, too.

01-22-2006, 10:22 AM	#8 (permalink)
dman2 Insane Location: Georgia	Definitely try to find a used bike. Kind of like a car, the original buyer takes the depreciation. __________________ I have to exercise in the morning before my brain figures out what I'm doing. ~Marsha Doble

01-23-2006, 05:19 PM	#9 (permalink)
jfelco Crazy Location: north america	thanks for all the input. ive been shopping around, i have a few people im meeting with to see what condition the bike is in, from craigslist. i found this bike . whaddaya think? im not fond of the straight bar but am willing to switch out. i did notice that some bikes do not come with pedals. is there a significant difference between pedals with 'cages' and those that 'clip' into specific shoes? Last edited by jfelco; 01-23-2006 at 05:25 PM..

01-26-2006, 02:50 PM	#12 (permalink)
jfelco Crazy Location: north america	thanks tyipist, keeping that bike in mind. its still abit out of my budget so, im still looking in the san diego/los angeles area if anyone knows of anything.

01-30-2006, 02:36 AM	#13 (permalink)
sailor beauty in the breakdown Location: Chapel Hill, NC	I too have heard good things about the Scattante line of Performance brand bikes. I've never seen one with my own eyes though, so I can't really comment on them too much--but that one that typist linked to looked like an excellent bike for the money. __________________ "Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws." --Plato