Best bicycle to buy?

Deoxzi
Deoxzi Posts: 26 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
If I wanted to start cycling what kind of bike should I get a "road bike" or a "racing bike"? also what are the most affordable yet durable brands?
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Replies

  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    You will need to give more info than that. Any of the major brands are good. Specialized, Giant, Trek, Cannondale... The list is endless really.

    What are your plans on the bike? And what do you want to spend?

    "Quality" bikes run from 5 or 6 hundo to 10k+ so it's kinda hard to tell you without knowing some details.
  • Deoxzi
    Deoxzi Posts: 26 Member
    Like a 45 min ride every morning and under $1k would be ideal.
  • fishgutzy
    fishgutzy Posts: 2,807 Member
    There are about 1000 different answers to that question.
    I used to use a road bike but switched to a mountain bike and put higher pressure low roll resistance 26x2 tires. Much better for the roads I took and much safer when cars forced me into the soft shoulder.
    I don't ride on the road much at all now.v Too dangerous in my area. Rural roads with 55 mph speed limits and no shoulder.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    edited August 2016
    First off, I start by paying some visits to some LBSs (Local Bike Shops) and start discussing with them your intentions, etc. As brands go, all of the major brands are just fine...really it comes down more to fit and how the bike feels so you'll want to test ride just as you would a car. Even at the same size, different brands are going to feel different and ride different.

    Also, where are you riding? Are you going to always be on the road? Multi terrain? Are you going to commute or otherwise ever need saddle bags, etc? Are you just going to be riding recreationally and at a recreational pace or do you have aspirations to participate in cycling events or race? Do you want or care about being able to go "fast"...how much performance do you want out of your bike...

    If you just want to ride recreationally and cruis about, a comfort bike or hybrid would be find...but you'll likely be unhappy with performance if you ever want to participate in cycling events...and a lot of people I've known who started out with a hybrid type of bike quickly outgrew them and wanted more performance.

    I ride a Specialized Roubaix which is an endurance road bike...geometry and a bit higher head tube make it a great bike to take out for general riding and longer rides...it's great on 1/2 century and century rides and it has enough performance to race, albeit I will never win with it...not that I would anyway. It's full carbon so out of your price range, but Specialized and other brands also make aluminum endurance bikes which may fit better with your budget...you also have to consider the component packages which will range from basic to comp and substantially effect the price.

    If you're going to be doing multi terrain I would opt for an entry level cyclocross bike (I also ride a Giant CX bike) or something like the Specialized Diverge (yes...I am partial to Specialized...but there are many good bikes out there).

    Start doing a lot of research...start visiting your LBSs.
  • sfcrocker
    sfcrocker Posts: 163 Member
    I second @cwolfman13's answer. Go to a good local bike shop, NOT a chain store. You'll know it's good because they will discuss the different types of bikes and riding with you, they will find a bike that fits you properly, and they will let you test ride it. If you're not sure of a road, hybrid, or mountain bike try to test ride all three.

    Another thing to keep in mind is that road bikes are best in suburban and rural areas where there are long stretches of relatively smooth road but are not that great if you live in a city because they can get stuck in light rail vehicle tracks if you're not careful, and also tend to get flats far more easily if, for example, there's broken glass on the street.

    I have a hybrid bike since I do mostly urban riding and trail riding. The trails I ride are hiking/biking/horse trails, so they're in a bit better shape than some mountain biking trails.

    I'll reiterate, if the bike shop just tries to stick you with any old bike go somewhere else. Find a place that will find the right kind of bike for where you want to ride.

    Also, once you start riding, you'll definitely want to learn a) how to change a flat and b) how to inflate the tires properly. These things aren't difficult, and many bike shops have workshops that show you these things.

    Let us know what you ultimately decide!
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    Go test ride a lot of bikes and see what makes you smile.
  • rsclause
    rsclause Posts: 3,103 Member
    I thought about what I wanted to do and where I would do it. I was going to be on road and am going to use it for exercise as well as shopping errands. I selected a Del Sol Campus II. It rides well with straight handlebars and 18 gears. I then put two expandable pannier bags on the back and my favorite, a 64 oz. stainless beer growler mount. I think it cost about $500
  • CincyNeid
    CincyNeid Posts: 1,249 Member
    Just going to Echo what the others have said.

    Couple Questions you need to ask yourself :
    1) What kind of trail/tarmac are you going to be riding. What's the road conditions like?
    2) What do you want to do with the bike? Commute? Race? Fitness?

    As far as branding go. There is little difference between the Bigger Brands. Giant, Specialized, Trek, Surly, Fuji ...... They're all very much the same. Different brands tweak geometry a little differently.

    The reason why we ask about "plans for the bike" and Where you're going to be riding it. All Bike are not created equally. In the "Drop Bar" world you have Performance, Endurance, Gravel, Cyclocross. In Mountain you have Cross Country, All Mountain, Gravity. Then you have Straight Bar "Fitness" bikes, and Beach Cruisers/Comfort Bikes ..... And each of them have different characteristics.

    And I will also echo going to a local bike shop. They will point you in the right direction depending what what you want, and how much you want to spend. And the bikes are far more serviceable than something from Wal-Mart/Target.....
  • goanothermile
    goanothermile Posts: 98 Member
    Visiting some local bike shops is a good idea.

    As others have mentioned, it really depends on where (surface and terrain) and how (distance and speed) you envision riding.

    For an all-around beginner bike, I suggest either a mountain bike or a hybrid bike. Both are somewhat similar, except the hybrid will have thinner tires and lighter wheels. The hybrid is suited for roads, greenways, and sidewalks but not trails. As mentioned above, you can switch tires on the mountain bike to get smoother rolling, easier riding. The mountain bike will be heavier, but also more durable if the riding conditions require.

    You can find some great deals used bikes on craigslist. You just need to know what style of bike you want and the best frame size for your body. A used bike will likely benefit from a tune up at a local bike store, shifter adjustments and possibly tires so factor that into what you spend.

    Getting into a mountain or hybrid bike inexpensively will let you ride enough to decide how much you enjoy it. Even if you decide to upgrade to a better bike later, it is always useful to have a back up bike around to use at times.
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    Different angle: go used, and get the least expensive bike that fits you and does what you want.

    If you like cycling, you're going to want something better than any first bike you'll buy, probably within a year. So you aren't out too much when you decide to upgrade. If you don't love cycling, you aren't out too much.
  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    If you don't buy a Bianchi Specialissima Super Record, there is really no point in buying a bike at all...

    Kidding of course.
  • CincyNeid
    CincyNeid Posts: 1,249 Member
    Hornsby wrote: »
    If you don't buy a Bianchi Specialissima Super Record, there is really no point in buying a bike at all...

    Kidding of course.

    What about the Specialized Venge Vias Di2?
  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    edited August 2016
    13de5805b51691f190a1d346efd0971f.jpg[img][/img]
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    edited August 2016
    NorthCascades wrote: »
    Different angle: go used, and get the least expensive bike that fits you and does what you want.

    If you like cycling, you're going to want something better than any first bike you'll buy, probably within a year. So you aren't out too much when you decide to upgrade. If you don't love cycling, you aren't out too much.

    This is a good idea. My first bike was my Giant CX bike and I bought it new for about $1200 because it seemed to fit best with what I had in my head in terms of the way I thought I would ride...lots of multi-terrain riding and some dabbling in cyclocross and maybe some commuting. Turns out I really love endurance road riding and while my CX bike is a great little bike, it's lacking in performance for what I actually like to do...so I ended up getting my Roubaix about 2 years later (I figured I needed to give it a couple of years to avoid the wrath of my wife).

    8a7791285f705dde8b3f5d0cc49512d3.jpg

    I actually still use my CX bike...I have saddle bags and what not for it so I can commute but life only affords me that opportunity on occasion...I also use it when I'm out for recreational rides with my kids as I don't like hooking up the bike trailer to my road bike...I also dabble in a little cyclocross and do a couple of races every year in the fall...but yeah...I could have gone a cheaper route and been just as happy in the end.

    If you end up enjoying cycling it is highly likely that your first bike is just going to be a stepping stone.

    I'm very much trying to convince my wife that I also need a mountain bike this fall...
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  • sfcrocker
    sfcrocker Posts: 163 Member
    The hybrid is suited for roads, greenways, and sidewalks but not trails.

    A hybrid will do OK on a trail that's also a hiking and/or horse trail, i.e. dirt trail that is fairly packed down without a lot of rocks, but for mountain biking trails you absolutely need a mountain bike.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    I'm not sure I'd recommend going used unless you have a friend who is knowledgeable about bikes who can help out but i do agree with the idea of keeping it fairly affordable as GuitarJerry pointed out your goals could change very quickly.

    I probably ride a road bike 75% of the time but I also have a blast riding my mountain bike. They handle very differently and I suspect a mountain bike or hybrid would be better choices for a new rider (if you're riding on paved you can put a smoother tire on a mountain bike, it'll be more comfortable to ride on, last longer and handle better).

    You can't really go wrong with any of the bigger brands (Giant, Trek, Cannondale, Specialized) Personally I've had a soft spot for Giant bikes the last few years, they're well made and offer good value. Something like the Escape 1 may be a good start for you, it's under $600 in the US and will give you years of service with routine maintenance. If you decide to go with a mountain bike consider a hard tail (no rear suspension - great for riding off road but adds a lot of weight).

    Best bet is to head over to your local bike shop and ride a few, see which one you fall in love with.
  • DresdenSinn
    DresdenSinn Posts: 665 Member
    I ride a couple of $150 20" BMX's, I can go on or off road, I'm only 5'5" but I have extended laid-back seatposts on them so I can get full leg extension on the downstroke. I can go just as fast or faster on them as someone on a 27" mountain/road bike although it requires a little more effort on my part.
  • Timothyh27
    Timothyh27 Posts: 251 Member
    Mountain bikes the way ahead, for the most fun. I have a Giant Hardtail MTB and use it for normal exercise and fitness. It handles on and off road easy.

    Whatever bike you get make sure you get properly measured up for it.
  • CincyNeid
    CincyNeid Posts: 1,249 Member
    DresdenSinn wrote: »
    I ride a couple of $150 20" BMX's, I can go on or off road, I'm only 5'5" but I have extended laid-back seatposts on them so I can get full leg extension on the downstroke. I can go just as fast or faster on them as someone on a 27" mountain/road bike although it requires a little more effort on my part.

    You can maintain 20mph for 35 miles on that?
  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    DresdenSinn wrote: »
    I ride a couple of $150 20" BMX's, I can go on or off road, I'm only 5'5" but I have extended laid-back seatposts on them so I can get full leg extension on the downstroke. I can go just as fast or faster on them as someone on a 27" mountain/road bike although it requires a little more effort on my part.

    No, no you can't. Lol
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    DresdenSinn wrote: »
    I can go just as fast or faster on them as someone on a 27" mountain/road bike although it requires a little more effort on my part.

    Let's do a 50 mile race. I'll take my road bike.
  • AnvilHead
    AnvilHead Posts: 18,343 Member
    edited August 2016
    NorthCascades wrote: »
    DresdenSinn wrote: »
    I can go just as fast or faster on them as someone on a 27" mountain/road bike although it requires a little more effort on my part.

    Let's do a 50 mile race. I'll take my road bike.

    I'll offer him up a 20-mile race and I'll use my full-suspension mountain bike. LOL.
  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    AnvilHead wrote: »
    NorthCascades wrote: »
    DresdenSinn wrote: »
    I can go just as fast or faster on them as someone on a 27" mountain/road bike although it requires a little more effort on my part.

    Let's do a 50 mile race. I'll take my road bike.

    I'll offer him up a 20-mile race and I'll use my full-suspension mountain bike. LOL.

    I'd say that but mine is 29"
  • CincyNeid
    CincyNeid Posts: 1,249 Member
    I'll be fair, I'll use my Aventon and swap over to fixed gear and we'll go out for a time trail ride....
  • AnvilHead
    AnvilHead Posts: 18,343 Member
    Hornsby wrote: »
    AnvilHead wrote: »
    NorthCascades wrote: »
    DresdenSinn wrote: »
    I can go just as fast or faster on them as someone on a 27" mountain/road bike although it requires a little more effort on my part.

    Let's do a 50 mile race. I'll take my road bike.

    I'll offer him up a 20-mile race and I'll use my full-suspension mountain bike. LOL.

    I'd say that but mine is 29"

    So is mine, but I didn't figure he'd consider it relevant. :)
  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    Fixed gear...now we're talkin
  • CincyNeid
    CincyNeid Posts: 1,249 Member
    edited August 2016
    Yea I have a hipster bike, even complete with spoke card. Not very piratical in the city, but it does turn a lot of heads.... But really fun out on the open path. I'm about 30 mins [driving time] from the Loveland-Miami Bike Path. It's a stretch of car free paths from Cleveland Ohio, to Cincinnati Ohio. And I love just getting out on it and going......
    6mege5zboam2.jpeg
  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    I have an 84 Schwinn World Sport I'm building. The plan is to cover it in tootsie pop wrappers and clear coat it somehow. It's been on the back burner for a while though. Wife says I have to many bikes.

    Current. Have some parts I haven't put in yet though. kw6n2lad3xb5.jpeg
  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    Lately I've been spending most of time on the 76 Schwinn Collegiate though.

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