Road bike...

[TN94z]

So I am thinking of getting a road bike for exercise and I know absolutely nothing about them. I have a couple of friends that recently bought them but I'm not so sure they researched anything. I want to make sure that when I go to buy one, I don't just get "sold" something. Any suggestions on a bike for a newbie or just general tips?

My buddy bought a 2015 Defy 5, but it's like 640.00. Is that pretty average on price? Not sure I want to spend that much just yet.

[iacas]

My buddy bought a 2015 Defy 5, but it's like 640.00. Is that pretty average on price? Not sure I want to spend that much just yet.

I think that's actually on the bottom half of the price range. They sell bikes at Dick's that cost that much or more, after all.

[David in FL]

Just like golf. Go to a large specialty bike store that handles multiple brands. They will fit you and talk you through the options. Bikes, like everything are a compromise. Just a few major, quality brands that you might want to consider.... Specialized, Cannondale, Trek, Giant, and Bianchi. @iacas is right, prices of a quality, general use road bike bike will start from around from $700ish and go to stupid . I understand not wanting to over-spend, but as many things, buying cheap is often false economy. The saying is that you can have bike that is light, strong, and inexpensive, but you can only pick 2 of the 3. :-)

[TN94z]

Sounds good. I just wanted to hear from more experienced people that weren't trying to sell my a bike. I don't mind spending money on equipment to get a good setup, I just want to make sure I have some idea before standing in front of a salesman, you know?

I'm going to go to our local bike shop over the weekend and talk with them and go from there.

[David in FL]

Sounds good. I just wanted to hear from more experienced people that weren't trying to sell my a bike. I don't mind spending money on equipment to get a good setup, I just want to make sure I have some idea before standing in front of a salesman, you know? I'm going to go to our local bike shop over the weekend and talk with them and go from there.

Realizing that my opinions are nothing but that, if you have any specific questions after talking to them this weekend, either post here or send a PM. If it helps, I might be able to give some unbiased insight.

[big stoke]

Realizing that my opinions are nothing but that, if you have any specific questions after talking to them this weekend, either post here or send a PM. If it helps, I might be able to give some unbiased insight.

Any opinion on bikesdirect? Ive been looking at a couple of hard tail 29ers but the prices look to good to be true.

[jsgolfer]

I used to bike quite a bit.  I bought my bike through a specialty shop, was a good experience.  bought a trek 1200 many years ago for around $600, but that was definitely on the low end

[David in FL]

Any opinion on bikesdirect? Ive been looking at a couple of hard tail 29ers but the prices look to good to be true.

Sorry, no personal experience with them.

[14ledo81]

I've heard OK things about bikes direct. You probably want to have some mechanical skills because you would have to assemble the bike, and probably adjust brakes and gears. @TN94z , you might want to find a lower cost used bike to try. That way you don't drop a lot of money on something you may not enjoy.

[big stoke]

I've heard OK things about bikes direct. You probably want to have some mechanical skills because you would have to assemble the bike, and probably adjust brakes and gears. @TN94z , you might want to find a lower cost used bike to try. That way you don't drop a lot of money on something you may not enjoy.

I can handle the mechanical aspect. I just cant wrap my head around them selling a bike for $500 that has the same or better components as an $1100 trek.The trek hardtail 29ers I see for $500 come with some pretty basic low end components.

[14ledo81]

[quote name="14ledo81" url="/t/83406/road-bike#post_1174426"]I've heard OK things about bikes direct. You probably want to have some mechanical skills because you would have to assemble the bike, and probably adjust brakes and gears. @TN94z , you might want to find a lower cost used bike to try. That way you don't drop a lot of money on something you may not enjoy.

I can handle the mechanical aspect. I just cant wrap my head around them selling a bike for $500 that has the same or better components as an $1100 trek.The trek hardtail 29ers I see for $500 come with some pretty basic low end components.[/quote] Read some reviews. It's been awhile, but what I remember is they were typically a couple years behind with design. They would not put much into the design, and just copy some of the others. That might not be right, but that's what I seem to recall. Also, it seems like some would buy the bikes just for the components. Check them out on some road bike forums.

[TN94z]

I ended up going with a Felt Z100. It was a trade in. I got the bike, computer, bottle and cage, flat kit, helmet, and shorts for 640.00 which was the price of the new defy before tax. I rode 3 miles this morning and quickly found out it will take me a little bit to build up some stamina. It was fun though

[nevets88]

I ended up going with a Felt Z100. It was a trade in. I got the bike, computer, bottle and cage, flat kit, helmet, and shorts for 640.00 which was the price of the new defy before tax. I rode 3 miles this morning and quickly found out it will take me a little built to build up some stamina. It was fun though

I'm super duper lazy, I just buy a bunch a replacement tubes. I get flats all the time and I just replace the tube, way easier, no looking for leaks, waiting for glue to dry. Imho, I think you'll find it easier that way too. YMMV. I do draw the line at C02 cartridges though.

One must have is a presta valve adapter. Your flat kit hopefully has it.

[TN94z]

Well, I've started off slow to get used to the gears and just slowly building stamina. I rode the same 3 mile loop Sunday and Monday. Sunday I finished at 13.17 with an avg speed of 13.5. Today I finished in 12.45 with an avg speed of 14.1. It's a hilly ride. I know it's slow but I have to start somewhere, right? I'm going to shoot for 6 miles on the next ride

[tnull]

I hope you enjoy it.  Let me know if you have any questions.  I was a bike mechanic, salesperson and store manager.  I used to manage one of the largest shops on the west coast.  That was a while ago, but I know bikes.  Just guided my daughter's boyfriend when he wanted to get into cycling.  I am now getting him into golf....

[isukgolf]

If I am may jump on this thread and ask @tnull for feed back. Looking a beach cruiser type ... love the look of a Tiger Shark 3i by Electra. Any feedback, any thing comparable? [URL=http://www.electrabike.com/bikes/cruiser/tiger-shark-3i?g=mens]http://www.electrabike.com/bikes/cruiser/tiger-shark-3i?g=mens[/URL] Edit: Should add, I am a little older and looking for an easy to ride bike on pavement ...

[Ernest Jones]

If I am may jump on this thread and ask @tnull for feed back. Looking a beach cruiser type ... love the look of a Tiger Shark 3i by Electra. Any feedback, any thing comparable? [URL=http://www.electrabike.com/bikes/cruiser/tiger-shark-3i?g=mens]http://www.electrabike.com/bikes/cruiser/tiger-shark-3i?g=mens[/URL] Edit: Should add, I am a little older and looking for an easy to ride bike on pavement ...

Those are some seriously cool bikes!

[David in FL]

I ended up going with a Felt Z100. It was a trade in. I got the bike, computer, bottle and cage, flat kit, helmet, and shorts for 640.00 which was the price of the new defy before tax. I rode 3 miles this morning and quickly found out it will take me a little bit to build up some stamina. It was fun though

Felt makes a good bike. Nothing flashy, and a little on the heavy side, but the Z100 is a solid workhorse that should serve you well. Have fun! :beer: [quote name="tnull" url="/t/83406/road-bike#post_1175984"] That was a while ago, but I know bikes.  Just guided my daughter's boyfriend when he wanted to get into cycling.  I am now getting him into golf.... [/quote] Bikes and golf..... That's just mean! ;-)