Posts
204
Joined
7/16/2018
Location
Canyon Lake, CA
US
Edited Date/Time
9/7/2018 5:38am
I'd like to get into road biking for cross training. Where would I look and how much would I need to spend to get a decent bike out there. I don't have a lot to spend but I also don't want to be the laughing stalk riding around on a hunk of S**T. Who's got the tips?
I have a Marin cx bike that is sweet and retail was like $2500 I think. Carbon bike with disc brakes and 105 components.
The Shop
Be careful buying used carbon unless you have someone to help you look over the bike. I am not saying dont do it, just be cautious.
This spring I went back and bought a full suspension GT Helion mtn bike on a double points weekend and got almost $300 again (I had just missed the triple points weekend a little earlier in the year).
I got a BMC a few years back and I couldn't be happier. The Team machine or Road machine models are great even at the SLR02 and SLR03 models.
And i will echo a few posts above, finding one that is a year old is a good way to great some great pricing on bikes.
https://khsbicycles.com/05_flite_300_07.htm
i think the easiest way to do this is decide what your budget is. i'm a big fan of finding a clean used $2k bike for around a grand.
For a while i rode a KHS Urban Xpress commuter bike. Even though it was a heavy, inefficient pig, i still got great workouts riding it. That being said, my riding has gotten more serious and I'm 20% faster on the Scott Foil according to my Strava times. Its much easier to go longer distances when you have a proper bike.
https://www.strava.com/clubs/vitalmx
Pit Row
Used or new, don't buy the cheapest bike and don't buy a groupset lower than shimano 105. Aluminum bikes will ride harsh even with a carbon fork. In order to get the gains, you'll need to spend some quality time in the saddle. A compliant carbon frame is your friend, as is a good pair of cycling shorts and a comfy saddle.
Take a look at Canyon if you want to buy a bike with the best bang for your buck. A carbon Endurace with 105 and disc brakes is only $1999. The comparable Trek, Specialized, Giant, Cannondale is going to be $500-$1500 more.
https://www.canyon.com/en-us/road/endurace/endurace-cf-sl-disc-7-0
Spend the money on a good saddle. A good saddle is gonna run you between $100-200. Also get a bike fit. Best money you can spend.
Finally, look for an endurance frame not a sport or racing frame. You'll be more upright and the ride will be a little more plush.
If the bike isn't comfortable to ride, you will find every excuse not to ride it.
I usually try to get my mountain bike rides in during the summer when I'm touring the country covering the Nationals. But due to a few different factors conspiring against me (mostly ultra-hot or wet weather and getting the podcasts up and running), I didn't ride nearly as much as in previous years.
I'm paying for it now, but the fitness is coming back and I'm not quite so far behind the pack. This time of year is my boot camp. Meaning I'm booting myself in the butt for not riding enough all summer and eating too much KFC.
In Utah, I did a ride early this summer where and I ran out of water two-and-a-half hours into a four-hour ride...in mid-80s weather. With a mix of heat exhaustion and dehydration, I paid for it for a week or so.
There are times when I wish running and I were compatible. I just get shin splints really bad. It's like the worst case of arm pump ever, just on my shins.
I definitely feel your pain regarding the water bottle deal. That almost happened to me this summer when we hit triple digits. Nothing like drinking hot water when your thirsty mid-ride.
Gonna try to make it to the office sometime after MEC to hit the lunch loop with the old crew...maybe some Newport Coast. haha
I'll hit you up in advance. Just need an excuse to head into the OC.
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