Help me buy my first road bike

[mama2tri]

I could use a little advice!

I'm getting ready to buy my first road bike. I'm going to do a few triathlons this summer. Although I'm new to the sport, I'd like to buy a bike that will last through a few seasons of hopefully getting faster. My budget is approximately $600-1000.

I've been to a few bike shops and tried maybe half a dozen bikes.

I've learned that I fit bikes between about 47-51 cm and that most women's specific bikes are more comfortable for me. I'm not sure between aluminum and steel. So far I prefer the Shimano 105's to the Tiagra shifters. I want a fast, responsive bike, but I also want something comfortable enough to ride for fun.

I've been looking on craigslist for deals on used bikes, but it seems like the good ones go fast. I've also been looking for deals on bikes from 2008. I'm considering the Novara Carema Pro (normally $1150, but $920 on sale). I also liked the Marin Portofina ($750), although it does not have as nice of components.

Any advice? Bikes you think I should try? Sweet bikes you'd like to sell?

[ilima]

Closeouts or used bikes are going to be your best bet for getting 105 components within your budget.

I don't know what kind of deals can be had at shops right now, though. For example, Felt's F85 comes with 105 and retails for $1250. I wonder if 20% might actually be reasonable in this economy. I know one of my regular shops has a least on 15% off sale a year, and that was when the economy was better.

If it fits you right, the Novara Carema Pro sounds like a good deal. To get 105 components and carbon seat stays on a Trek or Specialized you'd have to spend $1500-1600. Jamis, which is known for being priced well, has the Ventura Race with carbon seat stays and 105 components retailing for $1350.

[mama2tri]

Any thoughts on an older Serotta road bike?

I've found a 1991 Serotta Colorado II. Great bike when it was new, fairly low miles, not sure yet if it fits well. He is asking $700, which seems a little high. I'm thinking closer to $450-500 would be fair given the age and condition. It has Shimano Dura-Ace components and slightly newer STI shifters. Frame is pretty, but very early 90's - orange fade to hot pink. Which is actually kind of cool.

[ilima]

Any thoughts on an older Serotta road bike?

I've found a 1991 Serotta Colorado II. Great bike when it was new, fairly low miles, not sure yet if it fits well. He is asking $700, which seems a little high. I'm thinking closer to $450-500 would be fair given the age and condition. It has Shimano Dura-Ace components and slightly newer STI shifters. Frame is pretty, but very early 90's - orange fade to hot pink. Which is actually kind of cool.

Skip it. Get something with newer components. Although the funky paint job probably makes it tempting.

Frame is probably very nice, although you would want to check on the geometry and ensure it's not some super-custom with weird measurements. As a newbie to road biking, I think you'd be better off with a bike with new components vs. buying what might turn out to be headache after headache.

[papaver]

It's a lot of money for an old bike.

[wildeny]

To get 105 components and carbon seat stays on a Trek or Specialized you'd have to spend $1500-1600. Jamis, which is known for being priced well, has the Ventura Race with carbon seat stays and 105 components retailing for $1350.

Another choice: Fuji Finest RC 2009, which even has the Ultegra read derailleur. I'm riding this one. So far so good. I even don't have problem with its saddle.

[LilBolt]

Serottas are great bikes. As ilima already posted, since they are custom, you could be getting into some funky geometry...perfect for the original owner, but unless you have the same proportions, could be less than ideal. If you had money to play with and already had your primary bike, it could be fun to pick something like that up to play with. Hopefully you can find a newer used bike, or something new sitting in a LBS from last season in your price range. Good luck.

[mama2tri]

So yes, the frame on the serotta was nice. It felt very smooth on the road. But the components were not in great shape. It was a little heavy and the shifters were very hard to use. I think I'll skip it.

I tried the Specialized Dolce Elite and the Trek 2.1 today. Both bikes retail around $1200. A little above my original price range - I'd really love to find one of those under $1000. The Trek was a better fit. I think I'm between the Specialized 47 and 51. Both were really fun!!

One other question. The Novara (REI brand) Carema Pro has very similar components to the Specialized and Trek bikes. Some people have a very negative opinion of REI, but it seems like a pretty good bike and it is on sale for 20% off this week, so $920 instead of $1150. Any other thoughts on Novara?

[fidlfreek]

Hi I was in exactly your position last summer!! I knew I wanted 105 components (a BIG step up from Tiagra) and I knew I wanted something women specific. Sorry but if you want to get something new and 105 for around $1000, good luck! Most aluminum bikes w/ those specs are going to run start about 30% more. Quality steel is every pricier. And be careful of anything more than a couple years old or custom. Bike technology evolves so fast that anything beyond a few years old will not be compatible w/ new parts etc. Plus, older aluminum bikes are even more uncomfortable than modern ones.

If at ALL possible as a new biker you need a relationship w/ a small, local, quality shop that will give you excellent service and advice for years to come. Don't buy from a mega-store that will likely treat you like a stranger when you have small problems. If you can't find an 08 on sale boost your budget, or go w/ lower quality components and trade them out when you have the $ (although this is tricky and pricey and you should get professional guidance on this before you buy a bike...) I started out at $1000 and then realized that I just couldn't get it all at that price point. So I ended up spending about $1350 for a Bianchi - women specific and full 105. You can always save some $ on accessories and clothes by buying used and/or online.

Your other alternative is to keep your eyes open and wait. There are a lot of good bikes that ladies sell through this forum. Good luck!

[mama2tri]

I just got a call from the world's best bike sale guy at a local store that the bike I like is available. It was on hold for someone else, but she never showed up so now it's mine.



It's a diamondback racing aluminum frame with carbon fork, stem and seat post. It's got Shimano 105 shifters and ultegra deraliers. It's really, really fun, lightwieght and a good fit. And best of all, it's on clearance from last year for just $850.

The only question is what that heck is diamondback racing? I am familiar with diamondback mountain bikes, but I cannot find anything online about their racing and road bikes. Am I missing something? Anyone know anything about diamondback racing?

Thanks!

[smurfalicious]

Hmmm, something tells me this is substantially older than an '08 model. The 2008 catalogue on their website doesn't have a single road bike. There are some comfort bikes, and hybrids, but no road. Diamondback is owned by Raleigh and when I chatted with them at Interbike it was explained to me that they made mountain and bmx under the Diamondback name, and road bikes under the Raleigh name, and it all just worked out better that way.

I just searched through our catalogues at work and the last time Diamondback put out a road bike was 2006. I'm going to venture a guess that you're looking at the Podium 3 and it's red with perhaps some silver accents? High retail was $1300 3 years ago if that's that case. I don't want to dash anyone's dreams, but if it is that bike, you're doing them a favor and I think you have more wiggle room on that price. And, what's really raising my eyebrows is do you want to buy from a shop that is trying to sell you a 2006 as a 2008? Reminds me of Legally Blonde when the gal at the boutique clothing store tries to sell her last season's dress. If memory serves both Ultegra and 105 have had upgrades since then too.

Buuut, if you love it go for it. I'd just wiggle a little bit more.

[ilima]

Hmmm, something tells me this is substantially older than an '08 model. The 2008 catalogue on their website doesn't have a single road bike. There are some comfort bikes, and hybrids, but no road. Diamondback is owned by Raleigh and when I chatted with them at Interbike it was explained to me that they made mountain and bmx under the Diamondback name, and road bikes under the Raleigh name, and it all just worked out better that way.

I just searched through our catalogues at work and the last time Diamondback put out a road bike was 2006. I'm going to venture a guess that you're looking at the Podium 3 and it's red with perhaps some silver accents? High retail was $1300 3 years ago if that's that case. I don't want to dash anyone's dreams, but if it is that bike, you're doing them a favor and I think you have more wiggle room on that price. And, what's really raising my eyebrows is do you want to buy from a shop that is trying to sell you a 2006 as a 2008? Reminds me of Legally Blonde when the gal at the boutique clothing store tries to sell her last season's dress. If memory serves both Ultegra and 105 have had upgrades since then too.

Buuut, if you love it go for it. I'd just wiggle a little bit more.

I totally agree with this advice. A shop that sells a 2006 (with 9 speed 105 components while all the stuff since 2007 has been 10 speed) as a 2008 isn't a shop I'd want to buy from.

Edit: Looks like it does have 105 10-speed components, at least according to BikePedia (assuming it's the 2006 Podium 3). Prolly a fine bike; see if they'll take off a bit more when you point out it's a 2006.

[mama2tri]

That's great information. Thank you.

I do like the bike, but knowing it's a few years older, I will ask for a lower price.

Do you all think the warranties and service plans that come with a new bike are worth it? For example, I could buy a Specialized Dolce Elite from 2008 with a full warranty for $1000, or a Trek 2.1 WSD for $1200, both with the full warranty and with 1 year service plans from the shop.

Compared to a 2-3 year old used bike in good condition for maybe $600...?

[tulip]

I'd be interested in their reaction when you call them out on the model year. Either they honestly didn't know (but should, being a bike shop) or they were trying to pull one over on you. Either way, it makes me suspicious of the shop. Not that they aren't a good shop, but just proceed with caution.

Plus, if you call them out on it, they likely won't try to pull a fast one on you again because they will realize that you know your stuff.

[smurfalicious]

I have a really, really tough time believing that they thought it was an '08. Come on, you haven't been able to order DB road bikes for 3 years but you thought that bike was an '08? There's a shop under our office that is really small and as a result has some aging bikes in there, but they know how old they are. I just don't know how anyone could look at a bike for 3 years and forget that's how long it's been around.

As for a warranty I do believe you'd still have one. It's from date of purchase by the consumer usually. If anything happened though I imagine you'd receive a Raleigh as a replacement. Better deal in my book, but if this shop is already being dishonest I imagine they might tell you there's a warranty where there isn't as well.

If it were me, I'd get the Ruby Elite. That's the cute little black and blue one, right? Awesome older gal on my group ride the other day had that bike and she was pleased as punch with it. Components wise they're about the same as the DB you're looking at, but I'd rather have Specialized's in house components than DB's.

If you're still set on it, offer them $600. Worst that can happen is they say no, but if I inventory that old that wasn't moving, and someone was finally interested, I'd cut my losses and sell it.