Looking for a road bike

[Smitty]

I'm looking at getting a road bike and with the variety of different types and brands I'm not sure of what to get. I've only dealt with mountain bikes. I will be using the bike for commuting to work, training, and triathlons. If you have any information on these bikes or know of good ones for sale, let me know. Thanks!!!

[asp_125]

Commuting vs training / tri's are two different things. I'd suggest getting two sets of wheels: a nice light skinny set for working out, and a beefier wider set for commuting.

You start getting into good basic framesets and components in new bikes around $1200-1500 and up. But there are plenty of used bikes for cheap, if you know what to look for. Just like with used MTBs, people get into a fitness kick and then decide their expensive road bike isn't being ridden and sell em at big discounts.

[sprtbkbabe]

Commuting vs training / tri's are two different things. I'd suggest getting two sets of wheels: a nice light skinny set for working out, and a beefier wider set for commuting.

You start getting into good basic framesets and components in new bikes around $1200-1500 and up. But there are plenty of used bikes for cheap, if you know what to look for. Just like with used MTBs, people get into a fitness kick and then decide their expensive road bike isn't being ridden and sell em at big discounts.

A crossfit bike and a road bike: would be ideal to have both. If you can spare the cash for a decent set up on both.
Then again, though, I commute on a Bianchi roadbike since my commute is all pavement, paths, and side streets. I have had to do some upgrades to the bike over time, but nothing more than maintenance.


Bicycle Village is having a Tent sale beginning Sat am on Havana/Parker Rd. Get there early Sat am and get a deal. You can stop by beforehand and ask for what you should be looking for.

[Sean]

What kind of price range are you looking at?

[Smitty]

What kind of price range are you looking at?

I was thinking around the $700 range. Even though, as with my mountain bike, the bikes above $1000 are great bikes, but I don't know if I want to invest that much into a road bike.

[asp_125]

I was thinking around the $700 range. Even though, as with my mountain bike, the bikes above $1000 are great bikes, but I don't know if I want to invest that much into a road bike.

Go look at the sale bikes at places like Bicycle Village, REI, Performance Bike, and others. Look for last season's $1000 models marked down to $700. Or look for them used on CL etc.

My current roadie was marked down sub $1K

[asp_125]

Bicycle Village is having a Tent sale beginning Sat am on Havana/Parker Rd. Get there early Sat am and get a deal. You can stop by beforehand and ask for what you should be looking for.

Oooo... bike shopping!

[Sean]

I was thinking around the $700 range. Even though, as with my mountain bike, the bikes above $1000 are great bikes, but I don't know if I want to invest that much into a road bike.

ou can get a lot of bike for that amount of cash. Do you know what size you are?

Personally, I'd shop CL. Especially with spring comming up, there will be lots of bikes available. Both Specialized and Trek make a nice used bike in that price.

[Smitty]

ou can get a lot of bike for that amount of cash. Do you know what size you are?

Personally, I'd shop CL. Especially with spring comming up, there will be lots of bikes available. Both Specialized and Trek make a nice used bike in that price.

I don't know what size road bike I would need. Going to a few places after work today to see what size I need and check their inventory.

[Sean]

If you can, get sized at a shop. How tall are you?

[bodhizafa]

Cyclocross bike might work for you. Good commuter, good for training, but slow tri bike. You could put skinny road tires on or slightly beefier commuter tire, even a knobby. Tougher than regular road bikes too. If I only had one bike, and I was going to commute alot I'd probably get a cyclocross.

[bodhizafa]

http://denver.craigslist.org/bik/2244713489.html

http://denver.craigslist.org/bik/2208419283.html

http://denver.craigslist.org/bik/2200544094.html

http://denver.craigslist.org/bik/2195388918.html

http://denver.craigslist.org/bik/2168993273.html

A few I found on Craigslist. No clue how tall you are but a 56 would fit someone 5'10" or so 58 for someone 6'+ etc.

[Sean]

Here are some in the Springs (just regular road bikes).

http://cosprings.craigslist.org/bik/2234823272.html

http://cosprings.craigslist.org/bik/2226651502.html

http://cosprings.craigslist.org/bik/2225888012.html

[asp_125]

Here are some in the Springs (just regular road bikes).

http://cosprings.craigslist.org/bik/2234823272.html

http://cosprings.craigslist.org/bik/2226651502.html

http://cosprings.craigslist.org/bik/2225888012.html

See? Expensive road bikes for cheap.

Ultegra are good mid level components (a step below Dura Ace), so is that Aksium wheelset.

Of course if you are really into training or a masochist, you could go single speed.

[Reyven]

Of course if you are really into training or a masochist, you could go single speed.

Please don't give him ideas Jeff You aren't the one who has to fix him!

[Sean]

Of course if you are really into training or a masochist, you could go single speed.

I still don't understand why people are into those? Maybe for velodrome, but that's it. No thanks.

[asp_125]

I don't either, but then there are those who consider it macho to climb a hill cranking a big gear. Me I need a granny gear to get me up those little inclines on the Santa Fe bike path.

[OUTLAWD]

i like to commute on my single speed...but only take it on short (<30 mile) pleasure rides

[drago52]

I don't know what size road bike I would need. Going to a few places after work today to see what size I need and check their inventory.

when you go looking at bikes, fit is by far the most important thing. If you have to choose between a great deal on a bike that the frame is a little bit too big or small and another bike that fits you perfectly, but isn't as good a deal, take the one that fits better. You can fix a position on a bike that is slightly oversized/undersized by changing the stem length and sliding the saddle fore/aft, but it changes the handling characteristics. When you do end up doing that MS150 or a ride longer than a couple hours, you won't be cursing your bike because your back hurts or neck hurts, or wrists hurt, etc.

Also, each bike type has different characteristics. Cyclocross bikes are a little more upright, less bent over, and more like a mountain bike. Road bikes are designed for a position that provides optimal handling and acceleration performance. Triathlon/TT bikes are designed for pure aerodynamics and will seem super uncomfortable if it's not setup perfectly.

TT position shown below

[FZRguy]

A bike for commuting and tri's are two diff bikes in my book (not that you couldn't commute on a tri bike). I commute on an old Raleigh MTB that I built specifically for commuting. It ain't a single speed but has only one chain ring, and 7 cogs (remember those?). If I ever replace it, I will get a single speed free hub just for simplicity........and to look cool.

[BigE]

Just please don't think all the "vintage road bikes" on CL are worth $250-500. Most, like 99.9%, are 70's or 80's 10 or 12 spds that someone either pulled out of the depths of their basement or most likely picked up at a garage sale for $10, which is about what they are worth.

The two Bianchi's if they fit would definitely be worth checking out. That Scattante CX bike you could probably get new at Performance for less on close-out.

[asp_125]

+1, if the CL bikes have 10 or 12 spds and shifters on the downtube, stay away unless you are looking at a vintage italian Colnago with Campy Record bits and sew up tires. Most of the old jap brands are just junky bikes.

[bodhizafa]

Just please don't think all the "vintage road bikes" on CL are worth $250-500. Most, like 99.9%, are 70's or 80's 10 or 12 spds that someone either pulled out of the depths of their basement or most likely picked up at a garage sale for $10, which is about what they are worth.

The two Bianchi's if they fit would definitely be worth checking out. That Scattante CX bike you could probably get new at Performance for less on close-out.

Ya....people definitely think the bikes are worth more than they are. I just got a Performance sale flyer in the mail. Some good deals on new Scattante and Fuji stuff.

[asp_125]

Whatever you end up getting, take it to a bike shop and get a custom bike fitting if you don't know how to do it yourself. It makes a world of difference to get the correct seat height, stem length, rise, and pedal relationship. Worth taking the time and is the difference between painful knees or back and a comfortable training session.