Assuming it fits, best new or used road bike for <$1000

[Jay Pique]

I've done quite a bit of mountain biking, and have an old aluminum
Trek that I put smooth tires on for the road, but now I'm ready for a
real road bike. I'm looking for a good starter bike - it doesn't have
to weigh 14 pounds...or even 16 or 17 I guess. Is there a good online
resource for information on bikes? I've seen "road bike reviews" dot
com or something, but it looks pretty thin on actual reviews. How
about magazines - which ones would you recommend I scour for old bike
reviews?

My guess is that I'll look for a top pick in a 2003-2005 bike and try
to find one used on eBay or something. I dunno, I'm just starting my
research so any help is appreciated.

JP

[bjw@mambo.ucolick.org]

On Jul 3, 3:24 pm, Jay Pique <JayPi...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> I've done quite a bit of mountain biking, and have an old aluminum
> Trek that I put smooth tires on for the road, but now I'm ready for a
> real road bike. I'm looking for a good starter bike - it doesn't have
> to weigh 14 pounds...or even 16 or 17 I guess. Is there a good online
> resource for information on bikes? I've seen "road bike reviews" dot
> com or something, but it looks pretty thin on actual reviews. How
> about magazines - which ones would you recommend I scour for old bike
> reviews?
>
> My guess is that I'll look for a top pick in a 2003-2005 bike and try
> to find one used on eBay or something. I dunno, I'm just starting my
> research so any help is appreciated.
>
> JP

0. Don't crosspost everywhere.

1. Ask on rec.bicycles.tech.

2. They'll tell you "the one that fits."

3. Past that, they'll tell you the best bike is the
one that the best/most helpful LBS sells.

4. They're right.

5. Bikes, especially at that level of road bike, are pretty
similar in terms of quality. And internet bike reviews are
pretty useless ("this bike climbs like a rocket", etc).
Especially if you want to race, there are things you need
to think about more than the bike brand. You want to race,
right? That's why this was posted to rec.bicycles.racing?

Ben

[Robert Chung]

On Jul 3, 3:24*pm, Jay Pique <JayPi...@hotmail.com> wrote:

> My guess is that I'll look for a top pick in a 2003-2005 bike and try
> to find one used on eBay or something. * I dunno, I'm just starting my
> research so any help is appreciated.

Bianchi. A guy named Justin might be interested in selling his.

[Bret]

On Jul 3, 4:24*pm, Jay Pique <JayPi...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> I've done quite a bit of mountain biking, and have an old aluminum
> Trek that I put smooth tires on for the road, but now I'm ready for a
> real road bike. *I'm looking for a good starter bike - it doesn't have
> to weigh 14 pounds...or even 16 or 17 I guess. *Is there a good online
> resource for information on bikes? *I've seen "road bike reviews" dot
> com or something, but it looks pretty thin on actual reviews. *How
> about magazines - which ones would you recommend I scour for old bike
> reviews?
>
> My guess is that I'll look for a top pick in a 2003-2005 bike and try
> to find one used on eBay or something. * I dunno, I'm just starting my
> research so any help is appreciated.
>
> JP

It's hard to buy a bad bike these days but I think you just might pull
it off.

[Art Harris]

Jay Pique wrote:
> ...I'm ready for a
> real road bike. *I'm looking for a good starter bike - it doesn't have
> to weigh 14 pounds...or even 16 or 17 I guess. *Is there a good online
> resource for information on bikes? *I've seen "road bike reviews" dot
> com or something, but it looks pretty thin on actual reviews. *How
> about magazines - which ones would you recommend I scour for old bike
> reviews?
>

What kind of riding? Short casual rides? Centuries? Fast club rides?
Will you need a triple crankset for steep hills?

An aluminum frame will give you the best bang for the buck, as will a
mid-level component group like Shimano 105.

I wouldn't put much faith in magazine reviews, nor in online reviews
unless there is a large sample size.

If this is your first road bike, make sure you undersatnd how to
select the right frame size, and how to adjust the fit properly. A
good bike shop can help with that.

Don't get too hung up on the bike's weight. 16 or 17 pounds seems very
light for a starter bike. Nothing wrong with a bike that's over 20
pounds. It's not going to make much difference unless you're racing,
and even then the difference will be slight. A sturdy frame, aluminum
components, and conventional wheels make a reliable bike.

Craigslist and eBay are good souces of used bikes if you know what you
want, and know how to evaluate a bike's condition.

Art Harris

[landotter]

On Jul 3, 5:24*pm, Jay Pique <JayPi...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> I've done quite a bit of mountain biking, and have an old aluminum
> Trek that I put smooth tires on for the road, but now I'm ready for a
> real road bike. *

What are you going to be doing with it? What are the roads like where
you ride? How tall are you? How much do ya weigh? Do you like to take
along lots of **** in panniers..."road bike" is a broad category as is
the word "real".

[Mike Jacoubowsky]

<bjw@mambo.ucolick.org> wrote in message
news:8cff98c3-5c77-42bf-a8e7-e5feeb75cdc7@34g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...
| On Jul 3, 3:24 pm, Jay Pique <JayPi...@hotmail.com> wrote:
| > I've done quite a bit of mountain biking, and have an old aluminum
| > Trek that I put smooth tires on for the road, but now I'm ready for a
| > real road bike. I'm looking for a good starter bike - it doesn't have
| > to weigh 14 pounds...or even 16 or 17 I guess. Is there a good online
| > resource for information on bikes? I've seen "road bike reviews" dot
| > com or something, but it looks pretty thin on actual reviews. How
| > about magazines - which ones would you recommend I scour for old bike
| > reviews?
| >
| > My guess is that I'll look for a top pick in a 2003-2005 bike and try
| > to find one used on eBay or something. I dunno, I'm just starting my
| > research so any help is appreciated.
| >
| > JP
|
| 0. Don't crosspost everywhere.
|
| 1. Ask on rec.bicycles.tech.
|
| 2. They'll tell you "the one that fits."
|
| 3. Past that, they'll tell you the best bike is the
| one that the best/most helpful LBS sells.
|
| 4. They're right.
|
| 5. Bikes, especially at that level of road bike, are pretty
| similar in terms of quality. And internet bike reviews are
| pretty useless ("this bike climbs like a rocket", etc).
| Especially if you want to race, there are things you need
| to think about more than the bike brand. You want to race,
| right? That's why this was posted to rec.bicycles.racing?
|
| Ben

Yes, that about sums it up. Fit really is the biggest issue, and that's a
big advantage in favor of the best shop, because they'll continue to work
with you long after the purchase.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

[Jay Pique]

On Jul 4, 1:22*am, "b...@mambo.ucolick.org" <b...@mambo.ucolick.org>
wrote:

> 0. Don't crosspost everywhere.

Sorry. I wasn't sure which forum would be most appropriate.
Marketplace b/c I'm in the market, Misc b/c I'm looking for info, and
racing b/c I'll be entering some shorter races/triathlons.

> 1. Ask on rec.bicycles.tech.

Will do.

> 2. They'll tell you "the one that fits."
> 3. Past that, they'll tell you the best bike is the
> * *one that the best/most helpful LBS sells.

That's a bike salesman, right?

> 4. They're right.
>
> 5. Bikes, especially at that level of road bike, are pretty
> * *similar in terms of quality. *And internet bike reviews are
> * *pretty useless ("this bike climbs like a rocket", etc).
> * *Especially if you want to race, there are things you need
> * *to think about more than the bike brand. *You want to race,
> * *right? *That's why this was posted to rec.bicycles.racing?

Yep. Thanks.

JP

[Bill C]

On Jul 4, 2:18*am, Bret <bret.w...@gmail.com> wrote:

>
> It's hard to buy a bad bike these days but I think you just might pull
> it off.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3663046

Bill C

[Jay Pique]

On Jul 4, 2:18*am, Bret <bret.w...@gmail.com> wrote:

> It's hard to buy a bad bike these days but I think you just might pull
> it off.

Why so snotty?

JP

[Tom Sherman]

Bill C wrote:
> On Jul 4, 2:18 am, Bret <bret.w...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> It's hard to buy a bad bike these days but I think you just might pull
>> it off.
>
> http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3663046
>
I see that they can still not spell "denial" properly. ;)

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
The weather is here, wish you were beautiful

[Rodney Dunning]

On Jul 4, 6:50*am, Bill C <tritonri...@verizon.net> wrote:
> On Jul 4, 2:18*am, Bret <bret.w...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> > It's hard to buy a bad bike these days but I think you just might pull
> > it off.
>
> http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3663046
>
> Bill C

21 speeds? Does it have two chain rings and 10.5 cogs?

--
Rodney Dunning

[Tom Sherman]

Jay Pique wrote:
> On Jul 4, 2:18 am, Bret <bret.w...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> It's hard to buy a bad bike these days but I think you just might pull
>> it off.
>
> Why so snotty?
>
rec.bicycles.racing is a tough crowd. The regulars at rec.bicycle.misc
are generally more friendly (off-topic socio-political discussions
excluded).

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
The weather is here, wish you were beautiful

[alanstew@sbcglobal.net]

On Jul 4, 7:16*am, Jay Pique <JayPi...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> On Jul 4, 2:18*am, Bret <bret.w...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > It's hard to buy a bad bike these days but I think you just might pull
> > it off.
>
> Why so snotty?
>
> JP

Hey JP, are you familiar with the concept of scoring coups?
Native Americans used to do it to fur trappers...ride up, smack them
with a big stick and ride away, heap big man.
Lots of heap big men in RBR.
Kind of makes you want to beat them in a bike race, doesn't it?

Bike, bike, bike, meow,
ABS

[Mike Jacoubowsky]

> It's hard to buy a bad bike these days but I think you just might pull
> it off.

>>Why so snotty?

It probably wasn't the cross-posting as much as asking a question that comes
up repeatedly. That's not a crime in most circles, but, as someone else
pointed out, rec.bicycles.racing is *not* the place for doing so. It's a
flame-fest over there, with prizes going to top flame-thrower, and a regular
cast of characters with well-burned suits that people keep trying to finish
off but they just keep coming back for more.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

[Kerry Montgomery]

"Rodney Dunning" <dunningrb@longwood.edu> wrote in message
news:5b51baf9-551c-4dde-9b47-fda70025453c@e53g2000hsa.googlegroups.com...
On Jul 4, 6:50 am, Bill C <tritonri...@verizon.net> wrote:
> On Jul 4, 2:18 am, Bret <bret.w...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> > It's hard to buy a bad bike these days but I think you just might pull
> > it off.
>
> http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3663046
>
> Bill C

21 speeds? Does it have two chain rings and 10.5 cogs?

--
Rodney Dunning

Rodney,
It most likely has three chain rings and 7 cogs.
Kerry

[Jay Pique]

On Jul 4, 4:33*pm, alans...@sbcglobal.net wrote:
> On Jul 4, 7:16*am, Jay Pique <JayPi...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> > On Jul 4, 2:18*am, Bret <bret.w...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > > It's hard to buy a bad bike these days but I think you just might pull
> > > it off.
>
> > Why so snotty?
>
> > JP
>
> Hey JP, are you familiar with the concept of scoring coups?
> Native Americans used to do it to fur trappers...ride up, smack them
> with a big stick and ride away, heap big man.
> Lots of heap big men in RBR.
> Kind of makes you want to beat them in a bike race, doesn't it?

Yeah! I'm used to aggressive usenet environments, having spent a long
time over at rec.skiing.alpine. I was just unclear as to what I had
done to provoke that type of response. In retrospect, I wouldn't have
crossposted - I'd have posted the message individually to each of the
three groups.

JP

[Bret]

On Jul 4, 2:33*pm, alans...@sbcglobal.net wrote:

> Kind of makes you want to beat them in a bike race, doesn't it?

I think it's a serious mistake to race with a focus on beating any
individual. Try to win or improve your results overall and leave it at
that.

Bret

[Tom Sherman]

Kerry Montgomery wrote:
> "Rodney Dunning" <dunningrb@longwood.edu> wrote in message
> news:5b51baf9-551c-4dde-9b47-fda70025453c@e53g2000hsa.googlegroups.com...
> On Jul 4, 6:50 am, Bill C <tritonri...@verizon.net> wrote:
>> On Jul 4, 2:18 am, Bret <bret.w...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>> It's hard to buy a bad bike these days but I think you just might pull
>>> it off.
>> http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3663046
>>
>> Bill C
>
> 21 speeds? Does it have two chain rings and 10.5 cogs?
>
> --
> Rodney Dunning
>
> Rodney,
> It most likely has three chain rings and 7 cogs.
>
RBR regulars must prefer to ignore the existence of such Fredly things
as triple chain wheels.

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
The weather is here, wish you were beautiful

[Ted van de Weteringe]

Jay Pique schreef:
> In retrospect, I wouldn't have
> crossposted - I'd have posted the message individually to each of the
> three groups.

That is definitely bad form. Crossposting to a limited set of groups
isn't, if it is clear or you make it clear that the message belongs in
all groups. And set and announce a follow-up group.

T.
-flup2 misc

[Bret]

On Jul 4, 3:26*pm, Jay Pique <JayPi...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> On Jul 4, 4:33*pm, alans...@sbcglobal.net wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Jul 4, 7:16*am, Jay Pique <JayPi...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> > > On Jul 4, 2:18*am, Bret <bret.w...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > > > It's hard to buy a bad bike these days but I think you just might pull
> > > > it off.
>
> > > Why so snotty?
>
> > > JP
>
> > Hey JP, are you familiar with the concept of scoring coups?
> > Native Americans used to do it to fur trappers...ride up, smack them
> > with a big stick and ride away, heap big man.
> > Lots of heap big men in RBR.
> > Kind of makes you want to beat them in a bike race, doesn't it?
>
> Yeah! *I'm used to aggressive usenet environments, having spent a long
> time over at rec.skiing.alpine. *I was just unclear as to what I had
> done to provoke that type of response. *In retrospect, I wouldn't have
> crossposted - I'd have posted the message individually to each of the
> three groups.
>
> JP

That was just my shorthand way of saying you were on the wrong track.
Definitely wasn't up to rec.skiing.alpine standards which is
unreadable. For your first road bike purchase you need to get some
expert advice, test rides and fitting help. Buying a used bike on the
internet based on the advice of the hacks around here is not going to
cut it.

Bret

Bret

[Donald Munro]

Mike Jacoubowsky wrote:
> It probably wasn't the cross-posting as much as asking a question that
> comes up repeatedly. That's not a crime in most circles, but, as someone
> else pointed out, rec.bicycles.racing is *not* the place for doing so.
> It's a flame-fest over there, with prizes going to top flame-thrower, and
> a regular cast of characters with well-burned suits that people keep
> trying to finish off but they just keep coming back for more.

Luckily we don't use the deficient personal armour the Pentagon
put on their soldiers.

Follow the seagulls to get the sardines.

[Donald Munro]

Tom Sherman wrote:
> RBR regulars must prefer to ignore the existence of such Fredly things as
> triple chain wheels.

Compacts with lots of carbon are much cooler.

[Tom Kunich]

"Bret" <bret.wade@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:4c9ab138-b9bb-4f98-a89b-86f09a738923@l42g2000hsc.googlegroups.com...
>
> That was just my shorthand way of saying you were on the wrong track.
> Definitely wasn't up to rec.skiing.alpine standards which is
> unreadable. For your first road bike purchase you need to get some
> expert advice, test rides and fitting help. Buying a used bike on the
> internet based on the advice of the hacks around here is not going to
> cut it.

I agree completely.

[Donald Munro]

Bret wrote:
> I think it's a serious mistake to race with a focus on beating any
> individual. Try to win or improve your results overall and leave it at
> that.

Or chase down the break of an individual you don't like.

[Tom Sherman]

Donald Munro wrote:
> Bret wrote:
>> I think it's a serious mistake to race with a focus on beating any
>> individual. Try to win or improve your results overall and leave it at
>> that.
>
> Or chase down the break of an individual you don't like.

Even if you are from Texas?

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
The weather is here, wish you were beautiful