Purchasing new Road Bike - So Confused!

[AngNewBiker]

For me, I started with an aluminum hybrid and fairly quicky decided I wanted a steel road bike with drop bars.

Thanks for the reply! I'm actually curious. What made you want to go to a Steel bike after riding an aluminum bike?? I would think that you would have went the other way and upgraded to Carbon or something? Isn't steel going downwards in quality and performance? I'm new and not very knowlegable so I'm sorry if I'm way off. I just want to know all my options before I buy.

While money IS an issue, if I like the bike and it's comfortable, I'll want to get out there and ride. If I don't like the bike, it won't be fun and I won't use it as often. I will think of it as a wasted $700 vs. a well spent $1400-$1800. I also like buying quality items. I don't like getting something and saying 2 months down the road...."Oh man, I could've bought that for only $X more. What was I thinking!"

[Crankin]

Steel is not going "downward." New steel bikes are very light and ride very smoothly. They are not like the old steel bikes of yesterday. There is a huge number of people on this forum who have very expensive, custom steel bikes!
If you can afford the carbon, go for it. You'll end up not riding the alu bike if it hurts. It is not silly to buy carbon, if it fits right, you can afford it, and you want it! My first road bike was alu; I had it for about a year. It had crappy components and that's what did me in, more than the alu. Then I bought a carbon bike, and traded it 2 years later for another one.
My favorite saying is "you get what you pay for." Be aware of the level of components, the service you get at the shop, etc.

[Velocivixen]

I took mu aluminum bike for a 25 mile ride on an island with less than perfect roads and the road vibration really got to me, as well as my upright position made me feel like a sail in the wind. I believe that steel absorbs road vibration better than aluminum. I have not ridden, nor was I interested in carbon, so I didn't test ride any of it.
My best advice is to educate yourself about bike geometry, sizing (this is a whole long topic in and of itself), and componentry. Do a lot of test riding and when you narrow it down do longer test rides. Is it possible to rent bikes where you are? That way you could really do longer rides on different styles.
Also, and I'm just throwing this out and it may not apply to you, but just because one likes spinning classes does not mean that will translate into loving actual outdoor riding. Just a thought. Make sure a bike is what you really want especially if money is a concern.
Also, do you plan to race or simply do recreational rides? Is commuting by bike in the cards? If so a bike that would allow racks, fenders etc. Might be appropriate (many road bikes are not equipped with the ability to have racks, fenders, etc.

[Owlie]

Thanks for the reply! I'm actually curious. What made you want to go to a Steel bike after riding an aluminum bike?? I would think that you would have went the other way and upgraded to Carbon or something? Isn't steel going downwards in quality and performance? I'm new and not very knowlegable so I'm sorry if I'm way off. I just want to know all my options before I buy.

While money IS an issue, if I like the bike and it's comfortable, I'll want to get out there and ride. If I don't like the bike, it won't be fun and I won't use it as often. I will think of it as a wasted $700 vs. a well spent $1400-$1800. I also like buying quality items. I don't like getting something and saying 2 months down the road...."Oh man, I could've bought that for only $X more. What was I thinking!"

Crankin already hit this, but I want to reiterate that steel can be just as comfy as carbon and light as aluminum--and it's cheaper. And it can be repaired. My next bike will be either carbon or steel. (Leaning toward carbon, but that's an availability issue--I can find Specialized or Trek almost anywhere, but there are fewer Surly or Jamis dealers.) And Crankin--my bike does rattle me, but I ride it anyway!

My current bike (entry-level roadie, aluminum) cost $750. While I certainly don't feel I wasted my money (I had no idea that I'd like it as much as I do), if I had to do it again I'd have done my shopping a little more carefully and bought something...maybe not carbon, because I couldn't have afforded that, but certainly something with nicer components. Depending on your roads, aluminum might be okay. But if I were you and could afford it, buy carbon. Get to know components and geometry, and buy what feels best within your budget.

[roo4]

I'm new here, but I just purchased a Trek Madone 3.1 wsd and she is fantastic! I was a bit scared of the price tag, but after a week or two of riding I have decided it was worth it. Enjoy!

[Catrin]

Thanks for the reply! I'm actually curious. What made you want to go to a Steel bike after riding an aluminum bike?? I would think that you would have went the other way and upgraded to Carbon or something? Isn't steel going downwards in quality and performance? I'm new and not very knowlegable so I'm sorry if I'm way off. I just want to know all my options before I buy. ..

Steel is not a downgrade, as others have said Personally I won't have anything other than steel for road riding. Steel soaks up the vibration and bumps on the road and provides a wonderful cushy ride. Modern steel frames are much lighter than they once were, and if one can afford the really high end steel frames they are even lighter.. A lot of people love carbon, and titanium frames are also available.

If you can afford carbon over aluminum go for it, it will be more comfortable and a more comfortable bike is one that you will ride more often

[RubyTuesday]

I just bought my first bike a few weeks ago. What I discovered was when I got on "my" bike, I knew it. I tried a Felt, Specialized Ruby, Trek Madone 4.5 and Orbea (I hope I have the spelling right on that). When I got on the Felt, it felt all wrong even though it was fit for me. I got on the Ruby right after that one and it was an amazing difference for me. I knew it was my bike. Because it was expensive and really over my needs, I decided to try another store and tried Trek bikes. I am a weird fit because I have short legs, short arms and a long long body. Peddling penguin. I tried so many bikes in all difference sizes and kept coming back to the Ruby Expert Compact. The last bike I rode was the Orbea. It felt very stiff and there was lots of road vibration. I didn't like the ride although the fit wasn't bad. I got back on the ruby and dug deep into my wallet.

I think you just know your bike when you get on it and ride. Make sure any store lets you take it out on a good ride. Not just in the parking lot.

[blue_angel]

I basically have the same story as you: went to buy my first road bike, expecting to pay around $700, test rode a Giant OCR composite (carbon) frame and fell in love. I felt insane for spending $2400 on a bike. And now, six years later, I still think of that as the best $2400 I ever spent (especially since the bike went on sale 2 weeks later and they credited me $240, which I used to buy SIDI Dominators, some tools, and some other gear).

Seriously, if you can make it work with your budget, buy the bike you love.