[NBjunkie]

as many of you know--or could guess--I am trying to purchase a bike. I am wondering what your opinions are on the 3 bikes I have listed. I only have around $500 so it limits my options.<br><br>
I am going to post a poll (never done it before--so we will see if I know what I am doing????)-----so waaaaaaiiit for it.......<img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[LeftRightRepeat]

I voted "other" 'cuz what I think shouldn't matter. Get the one that fits you best.

 

[jroden]

the one that fits you. In the end, you'll spend $500 more in the firt few months if you are riding for real, it's not a cheap sport.

 

[NBjunkie]

so, are these 3 comparable and, basically the same (in terms of quality)?

 

[itri]

I would stick with the Felt or Giant just because they will be easier to resell down the road.

 

[lbonney]

You might be able to find a good used bike in that range as well. Perhaps a Cervelo One from a few years back. That might be a good tri/road bike combo option.

 

[kristine25]

I am no bike guru here but Felt and Giant make good sold bikes and the companies have a good reputation (I have a Giant OCR1 and love it!!)<br><br>
But they are right in just trying them out. I test road a $2000 bike and hated it. The Giant ($1000) felt like I was riding on a cloud (well not actually but compared to the other one!!)<br><br>
I don't think anyone can have their heart set on a certain bike until they ride it!

 

[bikergirl]

I have a Giant OCR 3 and I LOVE IT!!!!! I plan to put aerobars on it, but that's it.

 

[hobey]

Another vote for other, whichever fits you the best. I ride a Felt S32 and I love her but when I was getting fit prior to looking at bikes, I was pretty surprised that my measurements narrowed me to 2-3 frames.

 

[NBjunkie]

thanks guys so much!!!!!<br><br>
BIKERGIRL--I am leaning towards to giant--it got really good reviews--and plan to put areobars on it also. How tall are you? wondering if it will fit me the same?<br><br>
I am going to go get fitted on Sat at the bike shop---I am really excited--I was leaning towards buying one from the shop--just because I know it will fit--but now you guys have confirmed this for me! thanks <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"><br><br>
Good point about the resale value too--hadnt thought of that--I anticipate that I will be upgrading in a few years --so that makes a difference to me!

 

[MBannon]

If you ride the bike like you should, within a few years the resale value should be approximately $25.

 

[NBjunkie]

MBANNON--really? do they decline in value that fast? yikes!

 

[jroden]

They are all entry level bikes, it looks like the MB has a double crank, while the other two have triples. If you don't need a triple, I'd skip it. Any of the three is fine, I suspect the frames may all even come from the same factory.<br><br>
Be aware, you may end up having to buy additional equipment early on (e.g. shoes, etc.) and may have to purchase items at full retail to make the bike fit (i.e. if you are a female, the saddle may need to be swapped) since you are walking in the shop with a mail order bike, they will sell you stuff at retails and not trade out.<br><br>
None of these bikes is anything exotic, you should be able to get something similar from a dealer in your area, have you tried? I'm not nagging, but hate to see someone get into a sort of compicated sport without a support network.

 

[NBjunkie]

JRODEN---I hear ya on the whole online order thing--thats why I am going to go to a bike shop and buy from them--I really need to get fitted--and need their help--so I am in hopes to find a bike Sat, at the shop (not online)---that way, is anything needs to changed or swapped, they can help me do that......and yes, I have tried my LBS they just dont have anything in my price range--so I am traveling to the next biggest town an hour away where there is plenty of selection?? (I hope) ----wish me luck! -----my purchase on Sat will, hopefully, include a bike, trainer, and a computer (to track speed, distance, etc), and probably a Spinerval tape or two----than I will be really broke!

 

[MBannon]

I meant you should be riding hard and riding lots. Ride that thing into the ground. But yes, they decline in value fairly rapidly, although maybe not so fast as my tongue-in-cheek response implied. Have you looked around on Craigslist for similar bikes to get a feel for used prices?<br><br>
Or put another way, if someone was selling you a well-used bike that originally cost $500, how much would <i>you</i> be willing to pay? Probably not more than $100, right?<br><br>
Don't count on reselling your bike. Not just because of the price depreciation, but because you'll soon discover that one bike is not enough. After a season of riding this one, you'll be eyeing that one, usually for a different type of riding (mountain, time trial, touring, etc etc etc)

 

[jroden]

Just so you know, when I go buy a bike, I expect the shop to work with me and swap parts needed for fit (stem, bars, saddle) either for free or for a fair price if the new ones are better, and change out other parts (i.e. on my Cervelo, I had then change the aero bars and crankset out of preferance) for the difference between the value of the parts. Consider seriously swapping out the OEM crap wheels for a reliable, sturdy set of wheels you can train on. If the tires are trashy, consider some sturdy training tires to get you that first 1000 miles.<br><br>
junk you need purchase to start:<br><br>
stuff to fix a flat tire (tube, pump, levers, little seat bag)<br>
bottles and cages<br>
some sort of shoes or pedals with straps to use w/ running shoes<br>
helmet<br>
padded shorts are nice<br><br>
Ask them to give you all the instructions that come with your bike and computer and such. Also, ask them to show you how to adjust the barrel on the rear derailer, after a week the gears will need a slight adjustment as the cable stretches.<br><br>
Once you get the bike, people on this board can help you maintain it properly. if you don't have metric allen wrenches, pick up some, or at least a 5mm to get you started. I can point you to a lot of online resources for learning to fix stuff once you start breaking it.

 

[Boyerdavea]

Can you point us to the online resources? I need to start maintaining my bike better. I have had it about 3 months now.

 

[jroden]

two best ones I know of:<br><br><a href="http://www.parktool.com/repair/" target="_blank">http://www.parktool.com/repair/</a><br><br><a href="http://www.sheldonbrown.com/" target="_blank">http://www.sheldonbrown.com/</a><br><br>
I ask questions here when I get stuck:<br><br><a href="http://forums.roadbikereview.com/forumdisplay.php?f=46" target="_blank">http://forums.roadbikereview.com/forumdisplay.php?f=46</a>

 

[Cashmason]

Other random thoughts.<br><br>
Most road bikes don't come with pedals. You need to buy them, and match them to your new bike shoes.<br><br>
Get a bike computer with cadence. ( how many times per minute your pedal goes around) Many training plans will have you pedaling at 90 cadence, and without that on the computer its hard to tell if you are pedaling at 82 or 90. Its not much more expensive than just the speed and distance computer. I think Cat Eye Astrale is a common brand/model. But lots of them out there.<br><br>
Consider swapping out the seat. Many factory seats are " ass hatchets" meaning they hurt. The first 10 rides you are gonna hurt anyway getting used to riding, but no use making it worse.<br><br>
Many women like the Terry Butterfly saddles.<br><br>
Expect to spend 200 -300 dollars on extras like helmet, bike shorts with padded butt,shoes, pedals, computer, patch kit, pump, spare tire, etc. Yes this the expensive part of the sport. You can also get a bike jersey, but don't need it. Your running shirt will work ok, but the pockets in the back of the bike jersey are nice to carry food or ID.<br><br><br>
Look at bikes that have better components. Most components are made by Shimano. But the Ultegra and 105 are way better than Sora components. Sometimes similarly priced bikes may have different components.<br><br>
The Sora's have a thumb switch for the gears, and it does not shift as nicely as the 105 and Ultegra's that have two sets of levers where the brakes are.

 

[NBjunkie]

JRODEN--thank you so much--I really need you to go bike shopping with me---LOL--I have looked on craigslist--daily--but nothing in my price range. I will keep in mind about swapping out parts--the problem is I dont know enough to know what to swap--what are good wheels?<br><br>
CASH--yes, I have heard lots of women say the butterfly seat is nice--I wrote it down to tell them about it. thanks for the computer tip---do you have one that you use with your trainer (if you ride on a trainer)? I am trying to find one that attaches to the rear wheel so I can use it on the trainer too (and outside)<br><br><br>
I have added the repair kit to my list (I already have a helmet and shorts)--the two bikes come with toe cages (cant afford clipless pedals right now)--so I am good there....