Road bike for training buying guide help

duckonquack
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duckonquack
Edited Date/Time 6/3/2015 8:26pm
Looking for a road bike that i can use for training. I will be using it strictly on the the road so it dosent need suspension or any thing fancy. I also do not need a top end road bike as i will only use it for traning and not competitively. just by taking a glance at some specialized bikes and seeing that they cost $2000 my eyes bulged a bit. I ride bmx and have a 1100 dollar bike so i have enough experience to know that they arent cheap. What is a good price point for me. And things to avoid when buying. I might search craigslist also for a used bike, if i do this what should i look for to make sure it is still in good condition? I cant believe that a road bike takes that much abuse if it has only been ridden on the road. unless some water has gotten inside of the hubs or cranks. Any input is helpful as I only have a little bit of experience with bikes and not much at all with strictly rode bikes. Thanks!
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duckonquack
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duckonquack 6/2/2015 9:43pm
6/2/2015 9:43pm
Triple Tree wrote:
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/road/secteur/secteur-elite-double#specs
Wow didnt see that one. like i said i took a quick glance. that seems a lot more reasonable, do you know how many years it has been produced so maybe i could get last years or two years ago model. it also dosent have to be specialized i just know that is a popular brand
KTMShane699
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KTMShane699 6/2/2015 11:19pm
6/2/2015 11:19pm
Whatever bike you decide on, plan some money to get fit by your local bike shop. They make all the adjustments to help make sure you're pedaling efficiently, but more importantly it helps to eliminate injury and aches and pains. There is a science to it. It's money well spent. I get my fit tweaked every year as things change with fitness, strength, etc.

Shane
TailSoHard
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TailSoHard 6/3/2015 6:57am
6/3/2015 6:57am
I used to be a pro bike mechanic and the best advice I can give you is to not go all-out into the road-bike industry on your first bike. I'd recommend getting something that has a little more relaxed geometry and a softer ride, like a Cannondale Synapse, so that you can try it out before you get something crazy. You'll find that road bikes are actually pretty harsh (especially if they're super light and stiff), so something with a little bit of give will make you have a better experience with the bike. Plus, if you don't fall in love with it, you'll have better luck selling a bike like a Synapse than a bike like a 10lb EVO. They range in price from around $1200-$4000. Get something with at least Shimano Tiagra or SRAM Apex componentry (second step from the bottom of their componentry hierarchy) and you'll be good to go!

I also agree with getting the bike fitted for you. Even if it's just having an expert set your saddle height and stem length, it's worth every penny. Ask the shop if they can swap the stock stem for one they have off another bike. Most places have an inventory of stems that they can just swap out at no cost to you.

Also make sure you know how to change a tire and bring the tools with you when you ride, it's a lot easier to get a flat on a road bike than on your BMX bike.

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seth505
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seth505 6/3/2015 7:44am
6/3/2015 7:44am
I only mtb but from what I know and friends suggestions, Whether the frame is carbon/alum/whatever, don't get a bike with components below shimano 105 group.
TailSoHard
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TailSoHard 6/3/2015 8:19am
6/3/2015 8:19am
seth505 wrote:
I only mtb but from what I know and friends suggestions, Whether the frame is carbon/alum/whatever, don't get a bike with components below shimano 105 group.
Yeah, the 105 stuff is usually my baseline for components, but you're talking about like abother $300-$400 for the upgrade. It just depends on how much you want to spend. Luckily, Shimano uses a lot of trickle-down technology, so the Tiagra stuff for this year is like the 105 stuff from a couple years ago. As long as you maintain the stuff, they'll all work great
Shiftfaced
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Shiftfaced 6/3/2015 8:31am
6/3/2015 8:31am Edited Date/Time 6/3/2015 8:35am
As you are getting this for "training", I would not worry about it so much. The heavier, and less efficient the bike, the better the work out.

Personally, I would be scouring Craigslist, and looking to pick up a well maintained bike for as little as possible.

As for what to look for, go to a bike shop and get a chain measuring tool. That will tell you if you are looking at a bike with a stretched chain. If you put the chain measuring tool on the chain, and it is measuring .75 or even worse, 1.0, move on. When you find a bike that looks clean, shifts through all gears smoothly, and has a non-stretched chain, then you know the cassette and crank gears are also still good. That is a bike worth considering.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6160/6135527325_dc75b132c2.jpg
seth505
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seth505 6/3/2015 9:09am
6/3/2015 9:09am
seth505 wrote:
I only mtb but from what I know and friends suggestions, Whether the frame is carbon/alum/whatever, don't get a bike with components below shimano 105 group.
TailSoHard wrote:
Yeah, the 105 stuff is usually my baseline for components, but you're talking about like abother $300-$400 for the upgrade. It just depends on how much...
Yeah, the 105 stuff is usually my baseline for components, but you're talking about like abother $300-$400 for the upgrade. It just depends on how much you want to spend. Luckily, Shimano uses a lot of trickle-down technology, so the Tiagra stuff for this year is like the 105 stuff from a couple years ago. As long as you maintain the stuff, they'll all work great
Right on. I'd also scour used like mentioned above, and look at retailers selling bikes that are leftovers. I just helped a buddy at work find a road bike and he got a 14 or 13 model year left over brand new (carbon bike with 105 components) for 1500 or so.
Sir Roostsalot 6/3/2015 9:10am
6/3/2015 9:10am
KTMShane699 wrote:
Whatever bike you decide on, plan some money to get fit by your local bike shop. They make all the adjustments to help make sure you're...
Whatever bike you decide on, plan some money to get fit by your local bike shop. They make all the adjustments to help make sure you're pedaling efficiently, but more importantly it helps to eliminate injury and aches and pains. There is a science to it. It's money well spent. I get my fit tweaked every year as things change with fitness, strength, etc.

Shane
Shane is ABSOLUTELY correct on this one. GET FIT for your bike, especially for a road bike. I bought a single speed 29er MTB and paid the price of not being fit to it. Spent 2 years with the worst case of hip/quad/hamstring tendinitis. It's all about mechanics and the stain of road cycling can be severe.
Dtat720
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Dtat720 6/3/2015 9:17am
6/3/2015 9:17am
KHS makes great alloy road bikes and carbon for later on. I was a KHS, Fuji, Scott dealer. KHS is known more for MTB especially DH and DJ, but they have high quality, very affordable road bikes. And pay the 250 to get properly fitted, shoes and bike.
IWreckALot
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IWreckALot 6/3/2015 10:58am
6/3/2015 10:58am
My LBS said that the sweet spot is $1,400 to $1,600. I believe that was for a carbon bike which I'm not sure I really need. I've been saying for the last couple of years that I'm going to get a road bike but I just haven't pulled the trigger. Maybe this year. My mountain bike does all I need it to for now. I'd just like to be able to go faster down the trail at some point. Kinda like what Shiftfaced said, if it's for fitness, no need to waste a lot of money on real high end stuff. Just stuff that's reliable.
FOSSILMOTO
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FOSSILMOTO 6/3/2015 11:52am
6/3/2015 11:52am
http://bikesdirect.com/

If you can work on a dirt bike, bicycles are simple. I got a nice bike here for $1000. All Ultegra, carbon forks , carbon stays,
carbon cranks, American Classic wheels, 18Lbs. Had it for 7 years , 8000 miles and still perfect. Park tools website has videos showing how to do any repair or adjustment. PS... frames are made by Kinesis.....they supply frames for almost all the major brands.
Nighttrain
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Nighttrain 6/3/2015 8:26pm
6/3/2015 8:26pm
Good stuff tailsohard. Did you wrench for a continental team? I'd go with an aluminum frame and try to find one with shimano 105 derailleurs and shifters. Save $ with tiagra brake sets if needed. Be weary of any used boutique carbon frame. I've seen a couple unravel with one seatstay tube failure in a crit race. Ugly that one.

Good luck finding a deal duckonquack. Don't skimp on cycling shorts. High quality ones are money well spent.

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