Tehnation Posted July 2, 2020 Share Posted July 2, 2020 I'm looking for a road bike, skinny tire, lance armstrong type. Simple, durable, has some gears. I don't know anything about brands, haven't cared about cycling for 20 years so i'm out of the loop. I got 300-400 to spend. Any cycling nerds out there who can help me out? I know inseam height is important, but other than that, not sure what i'm looking for! I just need to give my lazy ass some exercise, moreso for cardio. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ehsnils Posted July 2, 2020 Share Posted July 2, 2020 If you haven't been on a bicycle for years it might be worth to consider to not go too extreme from the start and instead have a more allround bike. I have one of these myself (Nishiki 501 city hybrid): No problems being on paved roads, gravel roads and light trails. It still gives you exercise. The catch with a too specialized bike is that it might become a dust collector. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boxkita Posted July 2, 2020 Share Posted July 2, 2020 A hybrid or full suspension mountain bike will be way more fun if you haven't ridden in 20years. I bought an aluminum criterion bike several years ago because it's what I rode when I was younger. I hated the ride and my knees couldn't turn a 53 anymore. Bot a Felt 29'er full suspension mountain bike. Rode it to work and back 25 miles a day. It was a super comfy ride with no pain. Build my car Boxkita Track days Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boxkita Posted July 2, 2020 Share Posted July 2, 2020 (edited) lance armstrong special. even has the nut saver seat https://newyork.craigslist.org/wch/bik/d/cold-spring-trek-1000-bontrager-54cm/7150980024.html here's an older rider bike. has an electric motor for the ride home: https://newyork.craigslist.org/wch/bik/d/pelham-trek-supercommuter-8-ebike/7147434595.html Edited July 2, 2020 by boxkita Build my car Boxkita Track days Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awfulwaffle Posted July 2, 2020 Share Posted July 2, 2020 (edited) Check out bikesdirect.com. Good place for a starter bike, road, mountain or hybrid. Proper name brand components hung on no name frames and wheels. Chinese frames, but most of the entry level bikes from the big guys are Chinese anyways, except you pay a 500+ dollar premium for the name. That, or a nice used bike (private sale), is what I'd go for with your stated budget. Edited July 2, 2020 by awfulwaffle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dishwasher Posted July 2, 2020 Share Posted July 2, 2020 300-400 seems like a good place to go used. I'd go with a gravel bike, hybrid bike, or xc mountain bike. I don't think you're going to find a full suspension mountain bike that's worth a shit for 300-400. Brought to you by Pfizer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tehnation Posted July 2, 2020 Author Share Posted July 2, 2020 well not a super tech lance armstrong bike, just a road bike. I have a mountain bike, and I don't like it on the road. I prefer curved handle bar. I want a simple bike for the road, kevin bacon style... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tehnation Posted July 2, 2020 Author Share Posted July 2, 2020 gravel bike?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boxkita Posted July 2, 2020 Share Posted July 2, 2020 gravel = hybrid. wider than lance armstrong but narrower than moab utah Build my car Boxkita Track days Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boxkita Posted July 2, 2020 Share Posted July 2, 2020 (edited) well not a super tech lance armstrong bike, just a road bike. I have a mountain bike, and I don't like it on the road. I prefer curved handle bar. I want a simple bike for the road, kevin bacon style... there's a bunch of 70's Kevin bacon bikes for sale on cl in yer area in yer price range. get a set of gel gloves unless you have done labor for the last 20 years. Look for a seat with a cutout in the middle as its way more comfortable. Get the cables replaced and new brake pads. Then put yer new water bottle in its holder and go for a 20mile ride. fitment is pretty simple. sit on seat, rotate one pedal to lowest position, put foot on pedal with ankle over the pedal spindle. if yer foot is flat, everything is good enough. tires? Pretty much everything is clincher style vs sewup/glue on. You can get kevlar tires that are flat resistant. You can find slicks, treaded, studded etc. I'd look for smooth tire with a but of tread so rain doesn't dump you. An 18mm tire isn't going to be as much fun as you remember. Look for 22-24. Also, you can get skinny tire rims for your mountain bike? Edited July 2, 2020 by boxkita Build my car Boxkita Track days Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tehnation Posted July 2, 2020 Author Share Posted July 2, 2020 (edited) This bikesdirect seems to have stuff that fits my price. This stuff any good? Seems functional, I spin pedal, bike moves forward. Why material should I be looking for, aluminium? I think carbon fiber is the expensive stuff. http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/gravel-bikes/gravel-v-vbrake-gravel-bikes.htm http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/gravity/gravel-bikes/liberty-grv-gravel-road-bikes.htm http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/gravity/avenue_a_xiv.htm http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/mercier/road-bikes-galaxy-st-express.htm http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/uno.htm Edited July 2, 2020 by Tehnation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ehsnils Posted July 2, 2020 Share Posted July 2, 2020 Alu or steel frame unless you plan to be competitive. Many steel frames are pretty lightweight today. No need to be overly complicated or expensive. Hardcore version is to make the bike yourself: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awfulwaffle Posted July 2, 2020 Share Posted July 2, 2020 (edited) Those look like reasonable starter options to me, and are definitely higher quality than most anything you can get from a brick and mortar bike shop at the same price point. The only thing I'd say is that if you're going to ride a bike with drop bars, I'd go with one of the next tier options with the integrated brake levers/shifters (brifters), so you don't have to reach back to the stem to shift the bike every time. It's not necessary (I commute on a bike with shifters on the downtube), but it is nice not to have to take your hands off the bars to shift. I'd also budget a little extra over the cost of the bike. You can assemble/ set up the bike yourself, but unless you already have the tools/experience on hand I'd take the wheels off as soon as you get the bike and bring them to a shop to get properly tensioned. The machine built wheels these come with aren't always set up the best out of the box, and a properly tensioned wheel will last you and be way more resilient to potholes/bumps without going out of true. I used to work in a bike shop and people would come in all the time with cheap wheels complain that they wouldn't stay true, but it was because they were never properly tensioned in the first place. If you're into the DIY aspect of this as well, check out sheldonbrown.com - it's a fantastic resource. Edited July 2, 2020 by awfulwaffle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boxkita Posted July 2, 2020 Share Posted July 2, 2020 (edited) This bikesdirect seems to have stuff that fits my price. This stuff any good? Seems functional, I spin pedal, bike moves forward. Why material should I be looking for, aluminium? I think carbon fiber is the expensive stuff. http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/gravel-bikes/gravel-v-vbrake-gravel-bikes.htm this looks like a good bike. gravel means on non paved roads but with a frame that is still geared for pavement. Basically yer mountain bike with skinny wheels/tires and no suspension. http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/gravity/gravel-bikes/liberty-grv-gravel-road-bikes.htm see previous comment http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/gravity/avenue_a_xiv.htm aluminum frame will be lighter. has straight fork which add vibration. it'll be a more responsive ride http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/mercier/road-bikes-galaxy-st-express.htm multiple gears. disc brakes and support for wider tires is nice upgrade. the straight fork might be a harsh ride. http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/uno.htm this one is single speed. A real kevin bacon bike. 46t in front so you can still pedal it. Edited July 2, 2020 by boxkita Build my car Boxkita Track days Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awfulwaffle Posted July 2, 2020 Share Posted July 2, 2020 Also remembered - if you're buying the bike, look into how to properly set up/fit it. You'll be miserable on a bike with a crappy fit. Correct size frame, saddle height, saddle to bar distance, etc. It's a critical component imo. There's plenty of online calculators that can help you get a baseline based on some body measurements. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ehsnils Posted July 2, 2020 Share Posted July 2, 2020 And the saddle have to fit your butt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tehnation Posted July 2, 2020 Author Share Posted July 2, 2020 (edited) hmmm, whats with disc brakes?? I think I may want to spend 400-500 for disc brakes if they are worth it. http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/gravity/disc-brake-road-flat-bar/avenuefxd-disc-brake-bikes.htm http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/gravity/liberty_fb-xiv.htm Don't like the flat handle bars http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/gravel-bikes/gravel-x2-discbrake-gravel-bikes.htm This seems nice. http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/disc-brake-roadbikes/supermirage-s-discbrake-roadbike.htm this one is like the previous but with more gears i think. http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/gravity/liberty_cxd.htm I like this one as well, might be sold out. http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/touring-commuter-bike-tourist.htm This one is also nice. Edited July 2, 2020 by Tehnation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tehnation Posted July 2, 2020 Author Share Posted July 2, 2020 all the good stuff goes fast.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dgoodhue Posted July 2, 2020 Share Posted July 2, 2020 Aluminum is fine for a bike. While the frames maybe all made in China, I disagree that they are same, some companies are designing their frames and their frames are culmination of years of experience. Other are just copying. That being said, to the average person it doesn't make that much of difference. IMO 7 rear gears isn't enough gear spacing. (or maybe I am just spoiled by having more gears) The bikes in your price range on bikesdirect all seem to be 2 x 7 or 3 x 7. Are you average size? If so, it is a lot easier to find bikes in your size. You could look at used bikes. The rider makes the biggest difference. You could always use your mountain bike while your looking for a used road bike. I got hit by a car and totaled my road bike, I have been just using a $420 hybrid bike that I had bought to ride with my son. It gives me a little satisfaction when I pass the rich guy with a $10k bicycle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ehsnils Posted July 2, 2020 Share Posted July 2, 2020 Disc brakes are really good and gives you the best brake control, way better than any alternative. Cable operated disc brakes are easier to maintain and fix yourself and sufficient for most cases. Hydraulic are more expensive and not that easy if you damage them but give you even better control than the cable operated. But the difference isn't that huge between those variants of disc brakes compared to what the other types of brakes offers. I have been down this street a few times and I feel a lot more secure on my bike with disc brakes there. https://www.google.com/maps/@57.657295,12.0315111,3a,75y,242.66h,85.54t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1shUeHUihIuGeTnx6RC0K4kQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tehnation Posted July 2, 2020 Author Share Posted July 2, 2020 (edited) Yea, I'm 5' 10", 33.5 34" inseam. 56-58cm works for me. Disc brakes added to the list! So I need -curled bar -disc brakes -56-58cm -14+ gears -skinny tire preferred, but this gravel thing seems like an option. Edited July 2, 2020 by Tehnation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dgoodhue Posted July 2, 2020 Share Posted July 2, 2020 all the good stuff goes fast.... This is a bad year to buy a bike. Their was a run on bikes this spring as many people with gym memberships decide to buy a bike. I had difficult time buying a bike for my girlfriend in May. They were sold out of many of them and some of the bikes I order that were supposedly in stock weren't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awfulwaffle Posted July 2, 2020 Share Posted July 2, 2020 (edited) Given the choice, I'd rather put the money into shifters/groupset over disc brakes. I don't think there's any need for disc brakes, regular ole rim calipers will stop you just fine if you set them up and go with good pads. They'll eventually (see tens of thousands of miles) wear down the rim, but at that point you'll have gotten way more than your money's worth. Kool Stop Salmons are a common choice. Note there's a difference between the nice hydraulic disc brakes that come on the high end bikes, and the cable actuated ones that come on cheaper ones which tend to have poorer modulation, to my feel. Edited July 2, 2020 by awfulwaffle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tehnation Posted July 2, 2020 Author Share Posted July 2, 2020 IMO 7 rear gears isn't enough gear spacing. (or maybe I am just spoiled by having more gears) The bikes in your price range on bikesdirect all seem to be 2 x 7 or 3 x 7. What other options are there? Can I change the gears and shifter at a later point if the 2x7 or 3x7 isn't enough? What do you prefer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tehnation Posted July 2, 2020 Author Share Posted July 2, 2020 (edited) Can I add disc brakes to any wheel and bike? If I can add all this stuff after, than I would focus on the frame, bars and wheels. Edited July 2, 2020 by Tehnation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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