recommendation for an intermediate rider

[roniea]

I am shopping for a new road bike.. I don't ride often. Really, the only time I ride outside is for longer charity rides about 5-8 times a year. Do you have any recommendations on brand / model of bike for me ? I have been using a Schwinn Cross Cut, and really want something lighter.

Thanks!

[Pugslyyy]

1. How much money is in the budget? A good entry level road bike (105) is maybe $1200, so $2000-$2500 should get you in Ultegra territory? You can get some good prices on 2008 models before the 2009s come in, maybe find a 2007 even. Everybody I have talked to has said that there are going to be significant across the board price increases on the 2009 models.
2. The Crosscut was a hybrid not a road bike. Pretty much any modern road bike is going to be significantly lighter.
3. What kind of frame geometry / seating position are you looking for?

[roniea]

I know the Schwinn is a hybrid...which is why I am looking for a road bike. I have never owned a road bike, so I am not sure what exactly I am looking for. I need to test a few out before deciding at a shop. I am looking to spend no more than $800. Any suggestions on reliable brands in that mid price range?

[Zonda]

Welcome to Triangle Cycling!

[BetsyW]

I have a Trek Pilot and my husband has a Trek 1000 (the Ford Taurus of bikes as MikeD says). They are not fancy, and we hope to upgrade as soon as we can afford it, but they have been good bikes for us and were in the $600-$800 range when we bought them 2 years ago. I went from a hybrid to a road bike and chose the Pilot because it is more similar in body position to a hybrid. I know when we bought ours Trek had a 12 month 0% financing option that allowed us to break the payments down over a year and not get charged extra for that. You may be able to find an offer similar to that so you could make a little bit more expensive bike more affordable. It is most important that you go to a bike shop and make sure they fit you properly for your bike, no matter how much you spend.

[kcarmack]

I know the Schwinn is a hybrid...which is why I am looking for a road bike. I have never owned a road bike, so I am not sure what exactly I am looking for. I need to test a few out before deciding at a shop. I am looking to spend no more than $800. Any suggestions on reliable brands in that mid price range?

Have you looked on Craigslist? That's a great place to find a deal on a good quality bike. Plus, by buying locally you can test ride the bike and walk away if it doesn't work for you.

[TracyW]

I was at Performance Bike earlier today and they had almost all of their road bikes on sale. I think the latest bicycle boom (being form gas price) is leaning toward hybrids and MTB's (supprising enough).

On the flip side, if you see something on CL, just find a shop that carries the brand and take a look.

[sportingfool]

I know the Schwinn is a hybrid...which is why I am looking for a road bike. I have never owned a road bike, so I am not sure what exactly I am looking for. I need to test a few out before deciding at a shop. I am looking to spend no more than $800. Any suggestions on reliable brands in that mid price range?

I have been very happy with the LeMond etape, which I bought at Cycling Spoken Here in January 2007. Link to the LeMond website: http://www.lemondbikes.com/bikes/road_racing/performance_aluminum/etape.php

[Jeremy]

Giant makes good midrange bikes.

[TomG]

I am shopping for a new road bike.. I don't ride often. Really, the only time I ride outside is for longer charity rides about 5-8 times a year. Do you have any recommendations on brand / model of bike for me ? I have been using a Schwinn Cross Cut, and really want something lighter.

Thanks!

Get fitted. $800 is about entry level but it's still a lot of money so make sure the bike fits you well otherwise you won't be happy. Spend the money on that first and get all your numbers down. Do not feel pressured to buy a bike from the shop that fits you either. Tell them up front that you only want to be fitted.

Fuji makes decent bikes. I would look at those. If you are only going to do the charity rides and train for them then I would not spend money on a carbon frame. Spending it on better wheels/tires/saddle/shorts would be a better investment.

[craigw]

I'm new to road biking as well, I had (still have) a roughly 7 year old Schwinn Searcher hybrid. I just bought the Giant FCR1 last month. The cost was around $850 new. I love it, but then again I'm new to road biking and don't really know what I'm talking about. Good Luck!

[gary smith]

The bikes that REI can offer are a good value also go on ebay and be patient.The main points you want to focus on is 1. Affordable 2. Fit you properly 3.Works properly 4. Sexy. Coming very soon the end of season sales will be on as well as people either upgrading or getting out of cycling and the will be a good selection up until Thanksgiving. After Thanksgiving it will be the Christmas season. Still good deals but not as good as earlier in the year. I am moving to Raleigh in 2 months and will be opening a bicycle store at that point. My store right now is in the Dallas area and it is TLC for Bikes (www.tlcforbikes.com).

[Pugslyyy]

The bikes that REI can offer are a good value

I'm not so enthusiastic about REI, maybe because there are so many options in there area. I would recommend going to an LBS that only does bikes, or a retail outlet like Performance that only does bikes. REI = Performance quality at LBS prices.

[gary smith]

Most $800 are made somewhere in Asia and with similiar performance components. Most of the differance between these bikes is in the color and the extra time put in assembly. If you get one from any shop that will take the time to fit you -- you will have a nice ride. The shop that only sells bikes has some advantage over someplaces like REI but not all bike shop are a pleasure to go to. If you do not need one real soon you can also go on line and get a used bike. A used bike usually only gets 1/3 to at most 1/2 of original value.

[RickF]

I will echo that fit is the most important thing. If the bike does not fit, it will not be fun to ride.

Entry level frames now days are almost always aluminum and the quality is good across the board. For riders above about 170 pounds, these are a great buy. For lighter riders, an all aluminum frame can give a harsh ride. Steel is a little heavier, and is becoming very difficult to find in an entry level road bike, but it is a much more comfortable ride, especially for light weight riders. Aluminum frames with carbon fiber seat stays and seat posts are only slightly more expensive than an all aluminum frame, and they are somewhat more comfortable than an all aluminum frame.

Most entry level bikes have Shimano drivetrains. Going from least expensive to most expensive, the Shimano series are 2200, Sora, Tiagra, 105, Ultegra, and Dura Ace. IMO, up to the 105 level, the increase in performance and reliability might be worth the increase in price. Above the 105 level, what you are paying for primarily is a decrease in weight. Unless you are racing, it is not worth the price to go above the 105 level. In the sub $1000 range, most bikes will be Sora or Tiagra, but you might find some 105s. The 2007 and later Sora and Tiagra level components are superior to the best components of 15 years ago, so quality is relative. There is a trickle down effect, where this year's Sora is last years Tiagra, this year's Tiagra is last year's 105, this year's 105 is last year's Ultegra, etc.

Visit several bike shops and try all of the models in your price range. Bikes from Cannondale, Felt, Fuji, Giant, LeMond, Raleigh, Scott, Specialized, and Trek at comparable price points are going to be comparable in quality, so you cannot go wrong with any of these. Buy what fits you and from a shop that is going to give you good service after the sale.