Which first road bike?
Discussion
I've been riding for as long as I can remember, but always on Mountain bikes. Current stable includes a Kona Dawg for the bumpy stuff, a Kona Hot for the Singletracks and a custom built Kona single speed for city/urban riding.
Yesterday I completed the 5 Boro Bike Tour in New York which was 42 miles on road through Manhattan, Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island. I did it on the Singlespeed bike and was chuffed that I managed to zoom past a good few people on very expensive looking road bikes on my to the finish.
However, it got me thinking that I wouldnt mind getting a Road Bike for the stable and start to do a few more of these longer distance rides on something a bit more suited.
But I have no idea about road bikes at all.... So over to the PH collective - what is a good starting point and what words of wisdom can you share?
ps - a Kona would be nice!
Yesterday I completed the 5 Boro Bike Tour in New York which was 42 miles on road through Manhattan, Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island. I did it on the Singlespeed bike and was chuffed that I managed to zoom past a good few people on very expensive looking road bikes on my to the finish.
However, it got me thinking that I wouldnt mind getting a Road Bike for the stable and start to do a few more of these longer distance rides on something a bit more suited.
But I have no idea about road bikes at all.... So over to the PH collective - what is a good starting point and what words of wisdom can you share?
ps - a Kona would be nice!
I've been riding mountain bikes for about 19 years now and only bought my first road bike at the beginning of December 2008. I was also very new to them, so much so that I hadn't ever even ridden a road bike before so buying one was a little risky I thought. However, I bought one via the Ride to Work scheme so got a bit of a discount on it.
What you want to do to help your decision making process is firstly decide how much you are likely to be riding it which will then determine how much you can justify spending. It's probably best to over estimate how much use you will get out of it as there's a good chance you'll end up riding it lots like what happened to me. Then, once you have decided on a budget, find all the bikes in that price bracket, select the one you like best or is specced the best and buy it. Simple as that...
Road riding is a lot more fun than it looks which is the reason I've racked up almost 800 miles on mine in only six months. I'm now using it more than the mountain bike but that's mainly because I'm now based in London and I'm limited in my off-road options.
I spent £900 on my first road bike - a Trek 1.7 Via the Ride to Work scheme, that only works out at about £570 though.
What you want to do to help your decision making process is firstly decide how much you are likely to be riding it which will then determine how much you can justify spending. It's probably best to over estimate how much use you will get out of it as there's a good chance you'll end up riding it lots like what happened to me. Then, once you have decided on a budget, find all the bikes in that price bracket, select the one you like best or is specced the best and buy it. Simple as that...
Road riding is a lot more fun than it looks which is the reason I've racked up almost 800 miles on mine in only six months. I'm now using it more than the mountain bike but that's mainly because I'm now based in London and I'm limited in my off-road options.
I spent £900 on my first road bike - a Trek 1.7 Via the Ride to Work scheme, that only works out at about £570 though.
Edited by CC07 PEU on Tuesday 5th May 13:59
I've just bought a road bike after around 20 years of off-roading. This is because I live in the flattest part of the country! I got a 2008 Giant SCR C4 and I'm really impressed with it. Obviously other bikes are just as good/light etc so it's a matter of personal preference.
I'd suggest going for a good groupset and make sure you try the bike for size first. My Giant is a 50cm frame (I'm 5'9") and it fits perfectly. On a Scott I'd have needed a 54cm frame so don't buy something you haven't swung your leg over based on the frame size; different manufacturers vary greatly in their published sizing.
Good luck.
I'd suggest going for a good groupset and make sure you try the bike for size first. My Giant is a 50cm frame (I'm 5'9") and it fits perfectly. On a Scott I'd have needed a 54cm frame so don't buy something you haven't swung your leg over based on the frame size; different manufacturers vary greatly in their published sizing.
Good luck.
Thanks for the words of wisdom guys.
I havent really thought about budget yet, guess I may have to sell off one of the 3 bikes I already have before getting something new. Being based in the US, I'd probably get a better deal on a US bike (Trek, Scott, Specialized, Cannondale, etc.. ) as that is all the shops have over here. I would say my budget is no more than $1000.
Interesting to hear about the different frame sizes - from some reading I did I guessed I would need a 54-55cm (I'm also 5'9"), but from what you say it is essential to try before I buy.
I had seen these two on ebay which looked good
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&...
the second one just looks very cool, but a little too serious perhaps?
I havent really thought about budget yet, guess I may have to sell off one of the 3 bikes I already have before getting something new. Being based in the US, I'd probably get a better deal on a US bike (Trek, Scott, Specialized, Cannondale, etc.. ) as that is all the shops have over here. I would say my budget is no more than $1000.
Interesting to hear about the different frame sizes - from some reading I did I guessed I would need a 54-55cm (I'm also 5'9"), but from what you say it is essential to try before I buy.
I had seen these two on ebay which looked good
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&...
the second one just looks very cool, but a little too serious perhaps?
skibum - let me use a skiing analogy for you.... you are an ok off piste skier and thinking about buying some black country rando skis but unsure which ones and how long they should be!!
unless you really know what you want then i'd steer clear of ebay........ if to get within your budget you have to compromise between frame and chainset/brakes then invest in the frame!!
unless you really know what you want then i'd steer clear of ebay........ if to get within your budget you have to compromise between frame and chainset/brakes then invest in the frame!!
Great - you're speaking my language!
I think that I will try and resist my normal pattern of jumping in feet first and get into this in a much more sensible manor and test the waters slowly.
I'm sure I'll be able to find a LBS here that will let me try a few bikes before I buy and getting the right fit is clearly the main objective. Components can be upgraded/changed over time.
I think that I will try and resist my normal pattern of jumping in feet first and get into this in a much more sensible manor and test the waters slowly.
I'm sure I'll be able to find a LBS here that will let me try a few bikes before I buy and getting the right fit is clearly the main objective. Components can be upgraded/changed over time.
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