Help me buy the right road bike
RoadkingDavid
Posts: 143 Member
The good news is that I lost 120 pounds and can ride again 
The bad news is that I have been sidelined from running by a nerve in my left foot, and sidelined from weight training by tendonitis in my shoulder.
I've been spinning at my gym, and miss my cycling days. Twenty plus years ago I rode a Schwinn Le Tour III extensively. What are your favorite rides that a $2,000 budget can afford? I'm 6'2" and 220 lbs, and My local shop has Bianchi, Blue, Cervelo, Colnago, Fuji, Giant, Look, and Scott.
My amateur eye likes the Bianchi.
Thank you,
Dave
The bad news is that I have been sidelined from running by a nerve in my left foot, and sidelined from weight training by tendonitis in my shoulder.
I've been spinning at my gym, and miss my cycling days. Twenty plus years ago I rode a Schwinn Le Tour III extensively. What are your favorite rides that a $2,000 budget can afford? I'm 6'2" and 220 lbs, and My local shop has Bianchi, Blue, Cervelo, Colnago, Fuji, Giant, Look, and Scott.
My amateur eye likes the Bianchi.
Thank you,
Dave
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Replies
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For 2,000 your best bets will be Giant, Scott, Blue and Bianchi. Without looking at each of their websites, you will probably find better components on an Aluminium frame and a step down in parts if you step up to carbon. And guessing you should be able to find Shimano 105>Ultegra mix on them OR SRAM Rival>Apex.
just my quick 2 cents
edit...shopping around you should be able to find 2012 models on closeout as '13s will be avail in the next month or so.0 -
I bought my first bike (almost 2 years ago) from an online retailer - for budgetary reasons* (i.e. something like bikesdirect.com). I too set my budget at $2000 and found I could get a lot more bang for my buck - carbon frame rather than alloy; ultrega / dura ace or sram red groupo.0
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In that price range, i don't think you'll find a big difference in quality unless you manage to find a last-year's-model on sale in your size.
I've pitched this idea many times before: the frame sizes and default stem/handlebar sizes will all be different. Paying the extra few dollars for a bike fit can save you a lot of time and aggravation later. With that much variety of manufacturers, your shop can then guide you to the one that will fit you the best.
Inevitably the one that fits best will not be the one that looks the best but sometimes that can be fixed with a few replacement parts.0 -
Personally I would get a steel Bianchi. I had an Emola for a while and I LOVED it but it was a smidge too small. It was a nice bike with 105 components and it was a fast feeling bike. I have had aluminum but don't like the stiff ride. My commuter is steel and my roadie is carbon. I fully intend to buy another steel roadie at some point in the next 2 years. There's just something about steel it feels so comfy and responsive. If you are doing long distances I'd go steel or carbon. I did RAIN three times, 168 miles in one day, on my carbon bike and once on my first road bike, which was aluminum. The carbon bike was much more comfortable for those long haul rides.
Definitely get it from a bike shop, the fitting is imperative. No matter how great the components are or how light the frame is, if it doesn't fit, it still sucks.
My two cents.0 -
In that price range, i don't think you'll find a big difference in quality unless you manage to find a last-year's-model on sale in your size.
I've pitched this idea many times before: the frame sizes and default stem/handlebar sizes will all be different. Paying the extra few dollars for a bike fit can save you a lot of time and aggravation later. With that much variety of manufacturers, your shop can then guide you to the one that will fit you the best.
Inevitably the one that fits best will not be the one that looks the best but sometimes that can be fixed with a few replacement parts.
x2. I had a buddy who dropped $10k on a bike without getting fitted. He was selling it a year later.0 -
x2. I had a buddy who dropped $10k on a bike without getting fitted. He was selling it a year later.
ouch....0 -
Thanks, I like the Bianchi so far. The Giant Defy is also interesting. I can't wait to ride again on a real road.0
