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Road Bikes

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Trek makes several excellent entry-level road bikes that are reasonably priced. While you may be "paying for the name", it's worth it. My first road bike was a Trek 1000 that I got around 2003. A little on the heavy side, but a solid entry-level bike nonetheless.

As for used bikes, never buy one unless you know the individual and/or can see the bike in person.
 
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In spite of AKAK's contempt for Giant :tongue2: it should be pointed out that Giant has as much experience making carbon fiber bikes as anyone(more than most) and has made numerous innovations in the technology. They make a very good carbon bike.
 
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I've been cycling regularly since 1999 and have ridden Specialized bikes the entire time. My first was a hybrid but it became apparent I prefer street riding so I purchased a titanium racing model a few years ago and enjoy it as long as the weather permits. I just did 30 miles on it yesterday.
 
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My serious riding days are in the past but I have always preferred a hybrid. Did the TOSRV and a couple of centuries on one. It is much less efficient than a road bike, but I like the stability. Fewer flats and fewer accidents (although I have survived getting hit by a truck). And it is versatile enough to do some easy off road stuff.

If you are not doing any serious distances I see no reason to lock onto a road bike.

My old bike was a Trek that I rode for about 12 years - then backed into a telephone poll and totaled both it and the car it was mounted on.

So I picked up a Bianchi on craigslist for under $200 and it works just fine. The great thing about used bikes is that you can make a mistake, throw it away, make another mistake, throw it away, get a bike that works and still break even. Except you don't have to throw them away - just resell them for pretty much what you paid.
 
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I was looking to get into biking last summer for the exercise and because I thought it was something I would enjoy doing. I didn't want to drop much money not knowing how much I'd use it, so I went over to Performance Bike on Sawmill and picked up a pretty cheap mountain bike ($350ish, marked down to around $250ish). I wanted something that would stand up to some off-road use and something that I didn't have to worry about hitting the occasional curb, bump, or pothole with. The fact that it's less efficient on pavement than a road or hybrid was perfectly fine with me; I wasn't using it to commute or race, I was looking for as much exercise as possible.

It's now been about 13-14 months later, and I've put about 900 miles on the bike. Should hit the 1000-mile mark sometime this month. It's held up awesome and I'm pretty much addicted. I'm out on the Heritage Trail in Hilliard almost everyday if it isn't raining. I've also found some nice trails around Ohio and am planning on exploring some more.

I can honestly say that it's the first true exercise that I really look forward to. An hour of vigorous biking can burn 7-800 calories.

So I guess my point is that you really don't need to drop $1000 on your first bike. You can always trade up if it's something you really enjoy. I've more than gotten my money out of my cheap entry-level bike and it's showing no real signs of wear after a year of pretty heavy use.
 
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Like much on BP it comes down to a philosophy. Biking can be lots of fun if your comfortable and have access to a safe area. And you don't need to exercise by yourself. You don't need to spend lots of money to have fun and exercise but it sometimes comes down to a matter of pride in your new toy. Carbon fiber bikes are very cool and that's a big factor for many.
But the price of entry into carbon fiber is relatively high($1600). Test the waters first with something less expensive then when your ready step up to a better bike. There is a big difference in performance between an entry level bike and something at the next level.
I got back into bicycling because of back issues and it was a big help in my rehab. ymmv.
 
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I'll chime in with another thumbs up for Roll, though I usually go to the Easton store. There's certainly a mix of knowledge levels there among employees, but some of them know their stuff, and they haven't nickle and dimed me for little things.

MaxBuck mentioned Cervelo, which is what I ride as well. I've ridden their aluminum P2-SL for the last 3 years, and have been nothing but happy with it. And like him, I was fortunate enough to get one at the end of the model year on a good discount. :)
 
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Many of the newer road bikes are a combination of Aluminum and Carbon fiber. My bike has Carbon forks and I added an carbon seat post but the frame is steel. It can be done for less than 1500. I like the fitting system they have at Roll where they will electronically measure you, but as AKAK said it really depends on who your sales person is on how much they actually know about fitment. I bought my most recent bike at the Performance Bike shop on Sawmill and they have a couple guys in there who are very knowledgeable on fitment (some that are not too). I have owned Trek, Scattante and now a Fuji and they all have different strengths. I only ride a couple days a week now if I am lucky and my Fuji is the perfect blend of performance, comfort and durability. The nice thing about Performance is they have a rewards program that pays you points for money you spend. if you drop 1200 or so on a bike you will get enough points to buy many of the accessories you need for nothing. and they also offer free adjustments as long as you own the bike. Go on a Tuesday during lunch and they will take off an extra %10.

typo up above: I have the Fuji Roubaix Pro which is aluminum (not steel AKAK) with Carbon forks and seat post.

JO: not sure what kind of bikes you are looking at but I think Fuji makes some of the largest frames out there for tall guys.

Now is a great time to buy a bike as they are deeply discounted for end of season.
 
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jimotis4heisman;1741048; said:
i have never cycled before, i am considering buying a bike. road bike i guess, someone here has to ride and have some knowledge. id be a casual type rider, couple of times a week id guess, id like a bike that could handle that but i could potentially grow into with ability to ride in some distance events. i am tall, 6-7 so that might be ab issue. any suggestions, recommendations?
Click to expand...

Find a bike yet?
 
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Taosman said:
In spite of AKAK's contempt for Giant :tongue2: it should be pointed out that Giant has as much experience making carbon fiber bikes as anyone(more than most) and has made numerous innovations in the technology. They make a very good carbon bike.
Click to expand...


Hmmm... almost 4 years and my disdain for Giant hasnt' waned.

(Bump for @THEWOOD )
 
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Thanks @AKAK

Posting this here in hopes of getting more comments/conversation..


Probably not a Tri bike, since I will want to use it for family rides.

Would really like to keep it under 2k. If after this year, this is something I get really serious about then I can pop for something on the upper end.

5'10 and 31ish I would guess.
 
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