re: Seeking road bike recommendations around $500 ish

Ordering bike online... you got to assemble it? What do bike shops charge to assemble? I can’t stand messing w bikes

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What do bike shops charge to assemble? I can’t stand messing w bikes

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They won't be cheap and will remember it when you bring it in.
-500$, they'll smirk, but get to it man. You might give it to a neighbor if you get in to it.

Look into getting a mountain bike or hybrid if that’s what you plan on doing with it. I recently bought a Trek Marlin 7 for $750 and I love it.

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but does require a few special tools.

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Do the tools cost less than $150?

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they'll smirk,

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Yep, I ride a Diamondback Sync'r with a nice DT Swiss wheelset on it, about $1400 for the bike and another $500 for the wheels, and I still hate taking it to shops because of the Dicks/Academy stigma.


I still don't understand how the guy that maybe makes $15 an hour doing tuneups can afford a $6k carbon fiber bike. I'm guessing they finance them.

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You can get a good deal on previous gen BMC SLR01s with dura ace components for a mere $5,000 these days.

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Cheaper than a Trek Madone or Specialized Venge Sagan edition which both come in over 12k.

Ought to look at tri/TTbikes where the entry price is 2999 right now for most companies. Always deals to be had though. I've never paid more than 2500 and get deals on components when I can. Current bike is going to have Hed Jet6+ wheels, power meter, di2, expensive cockpit, etc and all in around 4k. MSRP of that same bike with me not being a cheap arse is probably 7k. I just shop for closeout deals and last years inventory. A few used or take off items from other bikes as well.

If you have to run cable and mount derailleurs, and you haven't done that before......it probably needs to be in a shop. I cant mount a front derailleur to save my life. I'm a mechanical engineer who likes bikes and is relatively handy. But I always screw something up

my 2 wheel preference is motorcycles

Should look at the Trek Verve bikes.

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I got a Specalized Allez off Craigslist for $450. Had been used about 10 times. 

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And that's a pretty good bike to get if you can find it. I like bikes that have resale value. The Allez is one of those bikes. You found a deal, but if you treat it right, you can probably sell it again for $400. Slowly upgrade components and you have a high end crit bike.

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I still don't understand how the guy that maybe makes $15 an hour doing tuneups can afford a $6k carbon fiber bike. I'm guessing they finance them.

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Recently had a "bike swap meet" event in my town. I had a bike to sell along with a bunch of random stuff. Bike mechanic I sort of knew from dropping off my bike and a few group rides was there. He had tons of stuff. Boxes of ceramic speed bearings ($$$$). More derailleurs and brakes than you can count. Like 5 bikes, carbon wheels. Zipp disc worth well over $1k new. Just a bunch of high end bike stuff I never imagine I'd find at this impromptu bicycle garage sale. Guy drives a 1996 suburban . He got all the crap over the years just buying it up at a great deal when it didn't sell at the shop.

My assumption is these guys spend more than they should, but at the same time get stuff at close to cost. They know the value of stuff and are willing to spend (at their discount) on stuff they know they can sell. Pay 2500 for 5k bike, but sell a year later for 2500 and you didn't lose anything.