what to look for in a road bike

barry · 11-08-2003, 03:34 AM

im planning on getting one soon, keep in shape over the winter so i can eventually ride to loops inside 2 days.

what should i look for in an entry level roadbike? names i should trust? not trust? obviously id like a light bike. but not race light. just like long expedition light. and is there more advatages to buying used vs buying used mtb? i assume so...

thanks for the input

Zedbra · 11-08-2003, 03:39 AM

Barry - my neighbour bas a near near Bianci he paid over $800 for - rode it for three months - got married, wants to get rid of it for $150.

barry · 11-08-2003, 03:42 AM

see that doesnt do anything for me... i have no clue what a bianci is. this thread is made to enlighten me. but $800 down to $150 does sound good. is it a good bike? shit, for $150 i cant really go wrong, can i. tell him i'll buy it.

btw - how bout we just meet in cheiftan mall at 9 tomorrow. i get off at 8:30 so that would be prime.

Zedbra · 11-08-2003, 04:08 AM

call me in the morning and remind me

white ri0t · 11-08-2003, 04:36 AM

Giant TCR2- 18lbs, lots of carbon, shimano 105. I bought one new last year from BSP for 1800 tax in. a dope bike.

barry · 11-08-2003, 04:45 AM

holy shite.

thats waay outta my league. aim lower man.

does this bike zed speaks of sound like an ok deal?

white ri0t · 11-08-2003, 04:51 AM

It's an older bike, hardly ridden from what he told me. for $150, why not?

barry · 11-08-2003, 04:52 AM

precisely

Zedbra · 11-08-2003, 04:55 AM

Its looks almost new, Barry. The guy waxes the thing twice a year! The top tube is a little too high for me, or it would be in my garage

barry · 11-08-2003, 05:04 AM

i cant drop the cash on it now, im saving for a trip next weekend. think he'll stil have it in a few weeks?

Incorrigible · 11-08-2003, 06:26 AM

i think they're called 10 speeds. and they have 27" wheels that are exceedingly skinny.

Dave K · 11-08-2003, 07:07 AM

Things you should look for. Fender clearance. For riding in the winter, fenders are key to making the ride tolerable. THe current trend is for road bikes to have carbon forks. They're strong and reliable, but somewhat difficult to mount fenders on.

Components: Shimano 105 group is probably your best bet (equivalent to LX). Fairly light and very reliable. I'd generally avoid the campagnolo stuff. Not because it doesn't work, but because only a couple bike shops in Vancouver deal with it.

Frame material: Steel or aluminum. Carbon is pricey and probably difficult to mount fenders and racks on.

Any of the big bike manufacturers make good road bikes. Specialized, Giant, Norco, Trek (they have some good aluminum frames as well as their upper end carbon ones), etc. Really you can't go wrong if you stay fairly mainstream. Bianchi is a good Italian brand that are typically fairly expensive. Excellent bikes though.

Most important thing is fit. If you're going to be putting in a lot of miles on it, the bike needs to be comfortable. Drop by a shop that has some decent experience with road bikes (i.e. On Top may not be the best choice). La Bicicletta, Campionne are probably the two best, but some times they have a bit of an attitude depending on who made the coffee in the morning. There are probably enough old school guys at shops like JH, Cove and Dizzys that could help you out quite well.

barry · 11-08-2003, 07:43 AM

sweet
thanks dave!

sanrensho · 11-08-2003, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Incorrigible
i think they're called 10 speeds. and they have 27" wheels that are exceedingly skinny.

You won't find any 10 speeds, more like 20 with a double on the front. And 27" wheels are history, 700c is standard. But I'm sure you're just joking.

cheaprider · 11-08-2003, 01:00 PM

sounds like the bianchi is a good deal...but have a look at Giant OCR too.....a lot of MBTers seem to like the compact frame geometry (myself included).....i would say avoid Campag cos i dont like the way they shift(agricultural!!) but lots of roadies swear by it so what do i know?
Give it a try,im sure youll love it,just dont go so far to the dark side that you start shaving your legs,and be prepared for a LOT of piss-taking from your MTB mates!!

11-08-2003, 03:34 AM	#1
barry bikes Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: rossland Posts: 2,861 Rep Power: 11892	what to look for in a road bike im planning on getting one soon, keep in shape over the winter so i can eventually ride to loops inside 2 days. what should i look for in an entry level roadbike? names i should trust? not trust? obviously id like a light bike. but not race light. just like long expedition light. and is there more advatages to buying used vs buying used mtb? i assume so... thanks for the input __________________

11-08-2003, 03:39 AM	#2
Zedbra Beer Shop Steward Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Squish Posts: 12,594 Rep Power: 21474849	Barry - my neighbour bas a near near Bianci he paid over $800 for - rode it for three months - got married, wants to get rid of it for $150. __________________ Squampton B Team

11-08-2003, 03:42 AM	#3
barry bikes Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: rossland Posts: 2,861 Rep Power: 11892	see that doesnt do anything for me... i have no clue what a bianci is. this thread is made to enlighten me. but $800 down to $150 does sound good. is it a good bike? shit, for $150 i cant really go wrong, can i. tell him i'll buy it. btw - how bout we just meet in cheiftan mall at 9 tomorrow. i get off at 8:30 so that would be prime. __________________

11-08-2003, 04:08 AM	#4
Zedbra Beer Shop Steward Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Squish Posts: 12,594 Rep Power: 21474849	call me in the morning and remind me __________________ Squampton B Team

11-08-2003, 04:36 AM	#5
white ri0t POPPED COLLA GROWLA Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: EVLOC Posts: 14,052 Rep Power: 773185	Giant TCR2- 18lbs, lots of carbon, shimano 105. I bought one new last year from BSP for 1800 tax in. a dope bike. __________________ _0_ \''\ '=o=' .\|!\| .\| \| (\__/) (='.'=) (")_(") Buy My Banshee Scirocco Frame!Price Drop!! $200!!!!

11-08-2003, 04:45 AM	#6
barry bikes Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: rossland Posts: 2,861 Rep Power: 11892	holy shite. thats waay outta my league. aim lower man. does this bike zed speaks of sound like an ok deal? __________________

11-08-2003, 04:51 AM	#7
white ri0t POPPED COLLA GROWLA Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: EVLOC Posts: 14,052 Rep Power: 773185	It's an older bike, hardly ridden from what he told me. for $150, why not? __________________ _0_ \''\ '=o=' .\|!\| .\| \| (\__/) (='.'=) (")_(") Buy My Banshee Scirocco Frame!Price Drop!! $200!!!!

11-08-2003, 04:52 AM	#8
barry bikes Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: rossland Posts: 2,861 Rep Power: 11892	precisely __________________

11-08-2003, 04:55 AM	#9
Zedbra Beer Shop Steward Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Squish Posts: 12,594 Rep Power: 21474849	Its looks almost new, Barry. The guy waxes the thing twice a year! The top tube is a little too high for me, or it would be in my garage __________________ Squampton B Team

11-08-2003, 05:04 AM	#10
barry bikes Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: rossland Posts: 2,861 Rep Power: 11892	i cant drop the cash on it now, im saving for a trip next weekend. think he'll stil have it in a few weeks? __________________

11-08-2003, 06:26 AM	#11
Incorrigible Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Far far away Posts: 1,084 Rep Power: 1048	i think they're called 10 speeds. and they have 27" wheels that are exceedingly skinny. __________________ www.joemamma.ca www.intensecycles.com

11-08-2003, 07:07 AM	#12
Dave K Miserable ovoid creature Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: yonder Posts: 521 Rep Power: 434048	Things you should look for. Fender clearance. For riding in the winter, fenders are key to making the ride tolerable. THe current trend is for road bikes to have carbon forks. They're strong and reliable, but somewhat difficult to mount fenders on. Components: Shimano 105 group is probably your best bet (equivalent to LX). Fairly light and very reliable. I'd generally avoid the campagnolo stuff. Not because it doesn't work, but because only a couple bike shops in Vancouver deal with it. Frame material: Steel or aluminum. Carbon is pricey and probably difficult to mount fenders and racks on. Any of the big bike manufacturers make good road bikes. Specialized, Giant, Norco, Trek (they have some good aluminum frames as well as their upper end carbon ones), etc. Really you can't go wrong if you stay fairly mainstream. Bianchi is a good Italian brand that are typically fairly expensive. Excellent bikes though. Most important thing is fit. If you're going to be putting in a lot of miles on it, the bike needs to be comfortable. Drop by a shop that has some decent experience with road bikes (i.e. On Top may not be the best choice). La Bicicletta, Campionne are probably the two best, but some times they have a bit of an attitude depending on who made the coffee in the morning. There are probably enough old school guys at shops like JH, Cove and Dizzys that could help you out quite well.

11-08-2003, 07:43 AM	#13
barry bikes Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: rossland Posts: 2,861 Rep Power: 11892	sweet thanks dave! __________________

11-08-2003, 01:00 PM	#15
cheaprider Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Hitchin,Herts.,UK Posts: 113 Rep Power: 10	sounds like the bianchi is a good deal...but have a look at Giant OCR too.....a lot of MBTers seem to like the compact frame geometry (myself included).....i would say avoid Campag cos i dont like the way they shift(agricultural!!) but lots of roadies swear by it so what do i know? Give it a try,im sure youll love it,just dont go so far to the dark side that you start shaving your legs,and be prepared for a LOT of piss-taking from your MTB mates!! __________________ I can handle bars and cycle-paths, but i cant handle cars and psychopaths..

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