Need recommendations for a Bike

Why not used on Craigslist?

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Anyway I know nothing about bikes but I was hoping to see if I get a decent on-road bike in the New Orleans area. I would also be fine with a on/off-road bike combo if they have any. I understand most might take a while to deliver/come back in stock with Covid, but I'm okay with that, and my highest budget would probably be $700-800.

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I was just about to post the same for myself, but was looking for a beginner bike that will fit someone 6'4" in the $500-600 range.

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Obtuse1

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Thanks for responding. What's a good size for my height?

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Thanks for responding. What's a good size for my height?

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That's a little like asking a tailor over the phone what size pants should you get without him measuring you. As an example if I walk into most bikes shops and don't let them measure me just ask them to guess what size road frame I should ride 90% of them will say a 56cm, maybe 55cm. I ride a 53cm in a modern sloping top tube frame. I am 6' and my wife is 5' 8 1/2" and shes rides a 53 also. The difference is I ride wider bars and a much longer stem and the height difference between my saddle and bars is higher. This all accommodates my longer torso and shorter legs.

Bike frames can be sized in different ways you have some that follow the S/M/L etc approach, and some measured center to center either in CM or inches. You are likely to need a 60-62cm/Xl-XXL/22-23in frame if you have a "average" leg to torso proportion. Note the inches and centimeters don't line up but it is because they are used for different types of frames that use different measuring conventions.

My suggestion is to go to at least 2 bikes shops and get them to tell you what size you ride. I say at least 2 because you run the risk with low stock of a salesperson trying to put you on a bike that is close but not ideal because they have it in stock.

Hybrids and mountain bikes have sloping top tubes and are a little more forgiving with fit than older road bikes with horizontal top tubes. Most modern road bikes are the same way.

A lot of words to say go to a bike shop to get an idea of what size you need. When it comes time to buy test ride it and concentrate on the fit, the quality of components will be very similar at the same price point if the bikes come from a actual bicycle ship (not a big box store).

Now for an inconvenient truth. Rarely do people get the perfect sized bike their first purchase unless they spend the money for a good professional fitting preferably on a jig not a bike, they run most of your entire budget. I spent $450 on my last one that included real time saddle pressure mapping. However, the human body is very adaptable and you should be able to get a decent fit no problem but if you buy a second bike down the road you will have likely learned enough to know whether you need to go up/down or stay the same. The final thought is if you are told you can ride two sizes ALWAYS get the smaller of the two.

Lots of fit issues don't show up until you are riding at least 1.5-2 hours at a time. Less time than that and unless the fit is way off you won't have pain. If you do get pain come back and post about it and someone can likely help you diagnose the issue and suggest changes of things to help.

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There is a 54cm Specialized Venge w/SRAM eTap listed at $800 on the NOLA Craigslist but the price CAN NOT be right unless a wife kicked her husband out and selling his shite for pennies.

There are some really suspect ads. Another Specialized this time a 56cm Tarmac with Dura Ace, Stages Power meter and HED wheels for $600.

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Lol, I saw those. They're 100% scams. I found a similar posting a few months ago and they sent me some dodgy link when I responded. It's most likely a phishing/money wire scam.

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Obtuse1

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Thanks again bro for sharing your knowledge. There are so many variables to think about with a bike purchase.

From your advice, (and feel free to tell me if I'm wrong) I'll go to a couple of bike shops, have them measure and suggest what size bike is idea for my frame. Then, go online to the bikes direct site you mentioned and try to find something within my price range. Will the bikes purchased from bikes direct come pretty well stocked or will there be things that I will need to change out?

Right now, I have no desire to spend an arm and leg on a bike since I'm only trying to dip my toe into biking to see if I like it.

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Thanks again bro for sharing your knowledge. There are so many variables to think about with a bike purchase.

From your advice, (and feel free to tell me if I'm wrong) I'll go to a couple of bike shops, have them measure and suggest what size bike is idea for my frame. Then, go online to the bikes direct site you mentioned and try to find something within my price range. Will the bikes purchased from bikes direct come pretty well stocked or will there be things that I will need to change out?

Right now, I have no desire to spend an arm and leg on a bike since I'm only trying to dip my toe into biking to see if I like it.

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I think you probably want some help getting the right size and my train of thought is if you need the help you should patronize those that help you. That is a personal choice though and have no problem with people that make the choice to do otherwise.

Bikesdirect likely has NOTHING in stock currently. The bikes shops will be low on stock too. My recommendation to everyone now is buy what you can find. No point in recommending even a dozen bikes if they are unobtanium.

Bikesdirect's bikes use quality parts (for the price point) from the major parts manufacturers, the same ones the "higher end" brands use, and put them on average quality frames. On a bike at your price point there will be little difference in the frame and for the money usually better components from the same or similar manufacturers. That being said there is no telling when you could even get a bike from them. COVID not only spiked the demand across the world but also slowed down production and shipment from Asia where most bikes and parts originate from.

Once you know your size and type of bike you want (I assume either road or hybrid) if the LBSs (local bike shops) you visit don't have stock and/or a definite time frame you can then call around to see what other shops in the area have in stock in the type/size/budget you are looking for.