Is it possible to buy a new road bike for in the price range of $500-$600?
Printable View
Is it possible to buy a new road bike for in the price range of $500-$600?
of course! and you might get a lot of miles out of it too.
What would be a good bike in this price range? Am I being unrealistic - do I need to spend at least $1,000 on something that is decent??
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=5585799
Have a look, don't be put off by the Wal-Mart in the url
No, like Mimi said, you can find plenty in that range and get lots of miles out of it, too!Quote:
Originally Posted by surgtech1956
Visit a few LBS's and tell them what you want to look at and your price range. Try every bike they have that meets your criteria (take your time).
Everyone's "fit" is different, and you just have to try lots of bikes to discover the one that you fall in love with and that feels like flying when you ride it.
Bike love can't be beat!
no, instead I'm put off by:Quote:
Originally Posted by zencentury
:( assembled by folks who likely have no experience in putting a bike together, imagine it falling appart on a ride :eek:
:( no fit
:( no service
:( can't take it back and ask question 'cause they didn't know anything in the first place
:( parts that can't be replaced or exchanged like seat, bars to fit
:( not to politicize the tread but jeopardising you LBS who offers all those things like service and fit and professional assembly.
There are plenty of low cost alternatives out there :)
Don't know what type of bike or riding you're looking to do, but Bicycling Magazine is always doing write ups of entry level bikes in the $700 or so range...your library should have back issues of their buyers guides, etc.
Might give you some ideas...
Mostly true but its a carbon Schwinn and the question was about price only.Quote:
Originally Posted by Trek420
There are four bike shops in my area, they all get my money eventually.
hmmmmm 32lbs (this is almost as heavy as my big old hybrid!) and low end components (7speed) - I think for the price you can do much better, for instance http://www.fujibikes.com/2007/bikes.asp?id=279&subcat=Quote:
Originally Posted by zencentury
It has slightly higher end componentry, its about 7lbs lighter - you would definitely notice that amount of mass and the msrp is $550 - which generally means you can purchase it for less...
I would also peruse your lbs's for deals on '06 models.
I also don't like that the wally bike is fake carbon..... what the heck is carbon wrapped aluminum anyway. Seems like something just to trick people to me....
Schwinn from Wally World is worlds away from Schwinn from an authorised LBS. Want Schwinn in that price range with full service?Quote:
Originally Posted by Eden
http://www.schwinnbike.com/products/...ail.php?id=606
Want something higher end? Look for last years makes and models, or get used from a reputable source.
You gals know I like steel, I'm not sure I trust my dental work to carbon, I know many lust after the stuff. There's nothing wrong with innexpensive bikes, I looooove $250.00 commuter.
Carbon FORKS I looked at cost twice that. I'm sorry, no cheap carbon for me, too risky.
Subliminal hint, I'm surprised everyone doesn't ride one of the flat bar road bikes. I know I want one.
Was it last year that Bicycling Mag put the Trek 1000 as the best road bike for the price? It has a msrp of $709 on the website, and that's a 2007. It comes in men's sizes and WSD so your chances of finding a fit are greater. You may find last year's model cheaper. From postings here, I know that bikingmomof3 loves hers! And you would have a(n) lbs to help you out or answer questions and make adjustments. May be a tad more than you want to spend, but worth it in the long run. It will hold it's value (for resale) better in case you decide to upgrade later. Maybe I should restate - for when you definitely decide to upgrade later.:)
Trek 1000 (I hope)
What do you want this bike to do? The bianchi volpe is steel in this price range, optimized for touring and cyclocross but fine for group riding as well. You could also look into used aluminum (lighter) and steel. While it might be hard to buy a bike on ebay if you aren't sure of the fit, sometimes local bike clubs advertise used bikes in their newsletters so you can try them out locally (or craigs list), and the best for a newbie may be bike shops that sell used bikes so you can even get fit. Another is too look for new old stock, 2005s and 2006s shops are trying to move. Yes, trek1000 is a great light entry bike, I've seen several women start on those if they fit you.
I test rode a Bianchi Volpe and it was an absolutely awesome ride!
it fit nicely, and it was light and peppy too.
Or people who don't take the time to read...like me :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Eden
It looks like they couldn't even put that bike together correctly for the photograph!Quote:
Originally Posted by Trek420
Ouch, that saddle!
Ohh, those handlbars!
And, yeah, "carbon wrapped aluminum". Can anyone say "superfluous redundancy"??
And, it is possible to get something in the $5-600 range, if you look hard and look at closeouts. If you find you have champagne taste and a beer pocketbook, you can always search used.
I once had chocolate covered ants :D Is that the same thing? Just kidding. Seriously, there are many ways to get a quality bike for less.Quote:
Originally Posted by Regina
My namesake, my Trek420 was an entry level road bike. I couldn't afford and didn't need anything more. But it had an "upgrade worthy frame" :D Over many years as I wore stuff out and replaced with better it became a head turner "woah, a Trek 420 with Ultegra and check out the wheels :eek:"
By the time I was done I'd have had to pay 3K to get new with that kit. So in random order
Option 1: get a quality frame now, replace/upgrade as you go.
Option 2: close outs, last years models. See above option 1.
Option 3: check your local bike club and shops, find swap meets in your area. Nooooooooo, not flea markets :eek: which is where our stollen bikes often go. I mean bike specific swap meets. They sometimes have great deals.
Option 4: Some LBS sell used as well as new.
Option 5: Craigs but be careful that it's an honest deal.
I actually still use the first road bike I purchased, which was about 5 years ago or round about that time. It's a specialized allez (aluminum frame) and I purchased it at a LBS for around $600 if I remember correctly.
Granted it had low end components, but I only had to replace the saddle off the start and was content until I had the money for improvement. I upraded in sections when I could. Some components here, wheels there, a few more components, handlebars, etc, and several seats later...here I am with the same frame and still have no immediate plans for replacement.
I'm sure it can still be done today and with higher level equipment at that. Just gotta keep those eyes peeled. Another option, would be to put together your own bike over time when good deals on pieces come up. Might save you some additional dough.
That's what I'm talking about :)Quote:
Originally Posted by meridian
Get an upgrade-worthy frame in your price range, build it up over time. :)
There's little difference between full custom and cutsomised. Except it takes longer to "make the bike yours."
Another idea is a performance brand bike if you have a performance near you. One of the gals I ride with has one, and it has great components and is of high 'value'. Fujis also have a great reputation for 'value'.
Slightly higher than you wanted to spend, excellent bike, Jamis bikes would be on my short list :) It's available in WSD.
http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/bikes/...satellite.html
I keep saying...flat bar road bikes, fast, comfortable, do it all and a great deal. The Coda line starts here and right in your price range...
www.jamisbikes.com/usa/bikes/07_bikes/coda.html
Same line with nice stuff on it around $1200. Get the basic model and upgrade the heck outa it.
Thanks ladies,
I guess I want a rode bike to get in shape, I have a hybrid, but I think of a hybrid of just cruising around the neigborhood. I think of a rode bike as a 'real training bike'. I also have a permanent knee problem and know that riding is good exercise. Plus I figure if I spend a considerable amount of $$$ I will feel I will have to ride. I will start checking my LBS. I'm the the type that has to extensive research on my purchases. I appreciate all your help. I've owned 2 Treks and a Fuji bike. Sounds like alot of you own Treks, Jamis and Giant bikes.
Nancy
i got my giant for about $600 sale price, last years model.
I got an awesome deal on my first road bike. It's a 2007 Specialized Dolce that I got for $650 at my LBS during a "Ladies Night" event. Regular price was $770.
http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/..._Blk_w_Wht.jpg
Oooooooooh, nice bike :)
Just be sure to ride a bunch of bikes...I know a lot of folks love the flat bars, but they are not for me...I get wrist/elbow issues with that position.Quote:
Originally Posted by Trek420
I love my flat-bar 700c commutermobile, but those flat bars just don't do well for me on long rides. On a long ride I want my Salsa Short-n-Shallow drop bars so I can get a variety of positions and give my hands/arms/shoulders a break.Quote:
Originally Posted by Starfish
Nancy - I just found an '06 Specialized Sequoia for just over $600 (retail $770) at the LBS. The same bike shop also has an '06 Dolce for just under $600, which is a great deal. You can find some bargains w/last years models. I see that you are in mid-Michigan, I'm in SE Michigan (near Romeo) so howdy, neighbor :D Like you, I'm going from a comfort/hybrid to a road bike - I want to go farther/faster.
~ Laurie
Bikeforums.net has a thread under roadbikes - the under $700 roadbike thread that might give you some suggestions.
I just revived this thread to ask about the Fuji Newest. My lbs has an '05 model I test rode last night. It's a small frame but it fit me just right - I will need to test ride it again with the seat placed a little higher, however.
But is this a good bike? I mean, the price they are giving is really, really really good. Like Walmart prices. They said they got a good deal on a bunch of them and so can pass the savings along.
Tomorrow I test ride Trek, but like I said, if I choose the Fuji, is it choosing cheap or is it a good bike?
Indigoiis, do you have any spec info on this bike we could look at?
I had a Fuji Finest for 2.5 years, not sure if they still make that one. The bike did everything I asked of her, so no complaints about Fuji.
I had a heck of a time finding specs online, but here's a 2003 spec on epinions.com... I am not sure how different the 2005 is... it is an aluminum frame and has all that shimano stuff on it, from what I recall. The frame is small but seemed to fit right, although DH says I will be surprised when I try more bikes today.Quote:
Originally Posted by Starfish
http://www.epinions.com/bicycles_2003_Fuji_Newest
http://www.fujibikes.com/2005/bikes.asp?id=11
You had to dig into the history of Fuji bikes. ;)
I test rode this today: http://www2.trekbikes.com/bikes/bike...id=1413003&f=3 and it fit nicely and rode nicely as well.
Now I'm just confused.
I guess I'll have to do a side by side comparison - but it's two different bike shops (my lbs doesn't carry trek.)
I know you're working with a budget but from my limited experience I'd advise you to pay attention to that specs page on the Trek site where it does a component comparison of "good-better-best"
I'd go for "better", at least.
Now you're going to be even more confused.
I rode the Trek 1000 wsd and Giant OCR 3w and liked the Giant better, plus it was about $60 less. I just have to wait for the LBS to get in my size.
Sorry, I can't offer any opinions on the Tiagra group. My bike has 105.Quote:
Originally Posted by indigoiis
You can always go used. I bought my 2006 Trek 1000 used for $325. It belonged to a guy who used it only as his race bike. It was like new. Check Craig's list and E-Bay. You can definately find some great deals out there.Quote:
Originally Posted by uforgot