What is a good road bike for me to buy?
Saturday, November 29th, 2008 at
5:02 pm
J-Con asked:
I'd like to get a road bike, nothing too high tech, but something I can do a triathlon if I want, or go on an occasional long ride (50 plus miles) with some friends. So I guess something with race type quality but not real expensive.
Gee, thanks for telling me to go to a bike shop. Nice answer, guess that's why you have so many points.
I'd like to get a road bike, nothing too high tech, but something I can do a triathlon if I want, or go on an occasional long ride (50 plus miles) with some friends. So I guess something with race type quality but not real expensive.
Gee, thanks for telling me to go to a bike shop. Nice answer, guess that's why you have so many points.
Tagged with: Bike Shop • Road Bike • Triathlon
Filed under: How to...
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Check out the local bike shops.
edit: Well Jason you wont find one at Walmart and it’s hard to find a triathlon bike on Craig’s list or Ebay. If you are serous about competing in a triathlon you need to do more then an occasional ride with you friends. Most competitor’s train on a road bike and use the tri bike in the races, that’s what they are designed for. Going to a shop and talking with them you will lean a lot more then asking a half hearted question like you just did.
Do you even know what size frame you need ?
4.5 Madone. its all carbon fiber so it will definetly help you out, especially if you are doing 50+ mile bike rides
You can do casual riding on just about any decent bike. The expensive high-end bikes (more than $1000) are lighter, more aerodynamic, and higher quality. These become more important if you are into serious competition, where you are pushing the limits of your physical potential, every second counts, and you need the bike to hold up during long and grueling race seasons.
Something like a Trek 1.2 might be good for a serious beginner’s bike. It should be available for about $600-700. I have a similar Trek with about 12,000 training miles, two double centuries, a bunch of triathlons, and it has never let me down. I’m not fast, but that’s not the bike’s fault. I would be just as slow on a $5000 bike. So why waste the money? There should be tons of great bikes to choose from in the $500-$1000 price range. Go to a bike shop and check them out.
I’ve seen people spend hundreds of dollars for an “entry level” road bike, ride it a few times, then let it collect dust in the garage. You might want to consider going to Walmart and picking up a Chinese road bike for about $200. Serious cyclists may sneer at it, but so what? With the money you save you can get other gear you need, like a good helmet, cycling shoes, bike computer, tools, tire pump, spare tires and tubes, etc. Also get a wetsuit and good running shoes for your triathlons. It will allow you to get introduced to the sport, and it will get you from point A to point B. At least until it breaks. Ride the cheap bike into the ground, and get a better bike if and when you are ready.