- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
re: Road bicycle recommendations for a beginner
Posted on 6/23/15 at 12:09 pm to meeple
Posted on 6/23/15 at 12:09 pm to meeple
If this is occasional exercise and riding for fun, you don't really need a road bike. Any mountain bike is hybrid will do just fine. I found a Cannondale for around $200 a couple years ago. It was at this bargain store. It was a $550 bike but this place does markdowns of 10% after a month and an additional 10% every 10 days after that. They have a bunch of boxed up furniture and exercise stuff in the back and we found it around Christmas 2.5 years ago. It had been there a few months and was marked down like 60%. They basically get Amazon returns and stuff from target and Walmart that is returned or didn't sell. It was still new in the box. Never even put together. It does fine for me to ride a few times a week for about an hour tops. If you're getting more serious about it than that you can always upgrade to something better. But I would buy used if I were you and see how you like it.
1
Posted on 6/23/15 at 12:11 pm to meeple
Beginner road bikes start at about 700 for shimano sora level groupsets. I have tiagra right now and my bike was like 1100. 1700 to 2000 for 105-ultegra. Dura ace bikes usually get stupid expensive because they are loaded with other stuff.
Find what size you need and buy used if you cant save a little more. If you are riding the levee, I suggest a cyclocross bike so you can get off the pavement and extend yoour rides to gravel roads. Basically a roadbike with clearance for offroad tires and a few other featuers. You can always slap road tires on it if you get more into road rides.
Find what size you need and buy used if you cant save a little more. If you are riding the levee, I suggest a cyclocross bike so you can get off the pavement and extend yoour rides to gravel roads. Basically a roadbike with clearance for offroad tires and a few other featuers. You can always slap road tires on it if you get more into road rides.
Posted on 6/23/15 at 12:14 pm to GeauxColonels
I just purchased a Giant Defy 5 and am waiting for it to come in to my bike shop. I paid $700 after tax and that is "entry" level but is considered a pretty good bike for the price. I think thats the lowest you'll spend on a road bike of pretty good quality. You could consider the Cannondale Allez too.
Like other have said, you probably need a hybrid bike. Not as brutal on your body as a road bike and made more for cruising/exercise. Good luck.
Like other have said, you probably need a hybrid bike. Not as brutal on your body as a road bike and made more for cruising/exercise. Good luck.
Posted on 6/23/15 at 12:19 pm to Speedy G
quote:
The Jamis Coda offers a solid bike and smooth ride for a decent price.
LINK
The Allegro line is another option. Lighter frame offers more speed but a more rigid ride.
LINK
+1
Posted on 6/23/15 at 12:19 pm to KG6
Posted on 6/23/15 at 12:23 pm to CAD703X
List 1999. You know that isn't the price in a bike shop. Would you suggest someone make their first purchase blind off of bikes direct? And yes you can get those groupsets on cheaper bukes, but on average (and I'm spitballing numbers) thats what I see when I shop around.
Posted on 6/23/15 at 12:25 pm to GeauxColonels
I got a nice Trek road bike from Capitol Cyclery for around 450ish. It's a very nice bike. Trying to remember which model it is, though. I will edit my post once I figure out.
Posted on 6/23/15 at 12:30 pm to KindaRaw
I bought a road bike once, sold it six months later. I road mountian bikes all over LSU lakes path, levee, dowtown etc and thought a road bike would be better. I didn't like it at all.
I now have a Cyclocross bike and it's perfect for what I want. My main goal is to be outdoors and get some exercise. This bike is good on streets or dirt trails. I've taken it to rise the Comite trails and it did everything that I wanted to do.
You may find a used one at that price. They are just starting to get popular in the area so there won't be many used ones.
I now have a Cyclocross bike and it's perfect for what I want. My main goal is to be outdoors and get some exercise. This bike is good on streets or dirt trails. I've taken it to rise the Comite trails and it did everything that I wanted to do.
You may find a used one at that price. They are just starting to get popular in the area so there won't be many used ones.
Posted on 6/23/15 at 12:41 pm to TU Rob
Thanks for the suggestions. Just to answer a few things, I'll be 35 in July. I used to take some spin classes back when I lived in Prairieville, so I'm familiar with the hunched over position of the road bikes. I have thought about hybrids, just wasn't sure they would be as good for what I want to do. I plan to ride at least 3 times a week. Hopefully I will be able to get in a decent ride (10+ miles) on a weekend morning. I live in St. Charles Parish now. So most of my riding will either be in the neighborhood in which I live or along the MS river levee, which is paved at the top. I don't really plan to ever need to go on gravel or dirt with the bike.
I'm definitely not opposed to buying used....do bike shops typically have used bikes? If so, are those mark-ups still ridiculous?
I'm definitely not opposed to buying used....do bike shops typically have used bikes? If so, are those mark-ups still ridiculous?
Posted on 6/23/15 at 12:42 pm to GeauxColonels
I was just in Bicycle World on Jefferson Highway 30 minutes ago. They have some good Giant entry-level road bikes for $400-500. Go check them out.
Don't go cheap. You get what you pay for.
PS -- Three weeks ago I bought a Giant Sedona. It's in the "comfort" class, but is set up for both street riding and light trails. I have put 215 miles on it as of this morning. Best bike I ever had. It was $380.
Don't go cheap. You get what you pay for.
PS -- Three weeks ago I bought a Giant Sedona. It's in the "comfort" class, but is set up for both street riding and light trails. I have put 215 miles on it as of this morning. Best bike I ever had. It was $380.
This post was edited on 6/23/15 at 12:44 pm
Posted on 6/23/15 at 12:45 pm to HebertFest08
quote:
a helmet and padded tights. Those seats hurt if you spend some time on them.
That's definitely in my plans.
quote:
You need to take into consideration having/needing to purchase clip in petals and shoes. Much better riding experience.
So what makes the experience better with the shoes that clip into the pedals?
Posted on 6/23/15 at 12:45 pm to GeauxColonels
quote:
I plan to ride at least 3 times a week. Hopefully I will be able to get in a decent ride (10+ miles) on a weekend morning.
That's definitely doable. I rode 6 miles in 35 minutes last week on a weekday morning so I could see knocking out 10+ in an hour or so.
I do know a few guys around here that make it a way of life. 2+ hour rides. 50 or 100 mile rides once a month. Races. But for general exercise you don't need to pay high dollar for the latest and greatest.
Posted on 6/23/15 at 12:46 pm to Slippy
quote:
I was just in Bicycle World on Jefferson Highway 30 minutes ago. They have some good Giant entry-level road bikes for $400-500. Go check them out.
Thanks, I'll do that. Not too familiar with bike shops in the area. Is that near the Lowe's on Jeff highway?
Posted on 6/23/15 at 12:47 pm to TU Rob
I do 10-15 miles every morning. 20+ on Saturday if I have time.
I am 49 and weigh 235 lbs. (for now).
I am 49 and weigh 235 lbs. (for now).
Posted on 6/23/15 at 12:49 pm to GeauxColonels
quote:
Is that near the Lowe's on Jeff highway?
Like half a block away. If you are heading west (toward Ochsner) it is located right before you go into that hairpin turn. On the right.
Posted on 6/23/15 at 12:55 pm to Slippy
quote:
Like half a block away. If you are heading west (toward Ochsner) it is located right before you go into that hairpin turn. On the right.
Good deal. Shouldn't be too hard for me to get to one the way home from downtown one afternoon.
Posted on 6/23/15 at 1:00 pm to GeauxColonels
The first time I got on my bike (January), I think I rode 5 miles and was winded. By April, I had made a 40 mile ride. And that's with only 1 long ride per week. I can knock out a 20 mile ride in a bout 1:15 and the terrain is pretty hilly where I ride, so I could cut that down in flat South LA.
As far as the "uncomfortable position" of a road bike. It's not all that uncomfortable when riding on the hoods. I'm getting more and more comfortable even in the drops. And the pain isn't in my back. It puts more pressure on my perineum (taint) to be honest and that starts to hurt. Neck get's sore from looking up a bit as well. a mountain bike geometry is going to leave you in the same position if you set the seat up to maximize your pedal stroke. They just keep the seats a little lower to get the benefit of riding out of the saddle. You aren't going to really want that if you are riding on the road all the time.
Cycling shoes really help you get the most out of your pedaling. You can pull up and really provide power throughout the motion. I still don't do it very well, but I concentrate on it during uphills and it really does help out.
That brings up another point. You want to spend $500, but realize a helmets is going to be about $40 (can get much more expensive), tights are going to be like $50, Pedals are going to cost you (don't usually come with), the bike, shoes, etc.. It can get expensive fast for sure.
As far as the "uncomfortable position" of a road bike. It's not all that uncomfortable when riding on the hoods. I'm getting more and more comfortable even in the drops. And the pain isn't in my back. It puts more pressure on my perineum (taint) to be honest and that starts to hurt. Neck get's sore from looking up a bit as well. a mountain bike geometry is going to leave you in the same position if you set the seat up to maximize your pedal stroke. They just keep the seats a little lower to get the benefit of riding out of the saddle. You aren't going to really want that if you are riding on the road all the time.
Cycling shoes really help you get the most out of your pedaling. You can pull up and really provide power throughout the motion. I still don't do it very well, but I concentrate on it during uphills and it really does help out.
That brings up another point. You want to spend $500, but realize a helmets is going to be about $40 (can get much more expensive), tights are going to be like $50, Pedals are going to cost you (don't usually come with), the bike, shoes, etc.. It can get expensive fast for sure.
This post was edited on 6/23/15 at 1:06 pm
Posted on 6/23/15 at 1:03 pm to KG6
quote:
You want to spend $500, but realize a helmets is going to be about $40 (can get much more expensive), tights are going to be like $50, Pedals are going to cost you (don't usually come with the bike, shoes, etc.. It can get expensive fast for sure.
I understand that. I was just talking about the outlay for the bike....any those figures, honestly, were based on the bikes I saw in those links I provided. I'm definitely flexible in the price, but don't want to spend upwards of $1,000 just on the bike. Maybe after committing to the hobby down the line it would make sense....but not right now.
Posted on 6/23/15 at 1:05 pm to GeauxColonels
quote:
So I'm looking into getting a road bike mainly for exercise
Why not just run and lift weights like a non-pussy? Everyone hates cyclists except other cyclists.
Posted on 6/23/15 at 1:13 pm to GeauxColonels
That's how I was. I think I paid $1100 for the bike and another $100 for some pedals and a helmet. I've probably got another $500 in shoes, jersey's, accessories, etc. since then. I got the bug and will probably upgrade my bike at the end of the year if the wife lets.
Page 2 of 7
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News