Purchasing new Road Bike - So Confused!

[AngNewBiker]

I'm totally new to road biking. I used to be hard core into spinning. I have the shoes with the Shimano cleats, heart rate monitor etc…. I trained in spinning about 4 days a week and really loved it. I got bored with it and decided to get into road biking. Which is why I am purchasing the bike now. My original budget going into this purchase was around $700. But that was before I knew what $700 would get me! I test drove 4 bikes last weekend. Two of the bikes were aluminum frames and two were all carbon frames (the Treks). See below for the bikes I tested. Of course, I liked the Trek Madones with the carbon frames the best. I could definitely feel the difference of the all Carbon frame and the way it rode. Am I crazy for spending about $1800 on a bike that I will only ride a few days per week? My goal is to get into group rides and ride maybe 1-2 times per week on my own after work. And then do some group rides on the weekends. I’m not sure if I am investing too much. I’m also afraid if I buy the cheaper aluminum frame bike then I won’t want to ride it because it’s too uncomfortable. Here are my stats: I am 39 years old, female, 5’8” and about 105 lbs. What bikes should I be looking at? Am I in the wrong ballpark?

1) Specialized Allez Sport $940 (not crazy about this bike)
2) Cannondale (not sure of the model) $1300 w/ aluminum frame and carbon fork.
3) Trek 3.1 Madone - On sale for $1,699 (all carbon - loved the feel)
4) Trek 4.5 Madone - On sale for $1,899 (all carbon - loved the feel)

I'm going back to try out the Specialized Roubaix, The FELT ZW6 and the Scott CR1 because they look like comparable bikes in the same price range.
Any help would be great! I am so new to this. All I know if some info I looked up online about what to look for in a road bike. Thank you!!

[Velocivixen]

Hello. I'm fairly new to cycling and I'm sure those with more experience will chime in. I will say that I suspect I'd you love the feel of a bike you will be more likely to ride it. As to whether you're investing too much, I would say it's relative. If money isn't an issue, buy the bike you love (make sure it really fits you), get it, ride it and see what you think. For me, I started with an aluminum hybrid and fairly quicky decided I wanted a steel road bike with drop bars. Do you think you'll have a quick learning curve? Like if you get a certain bike now you'll quickly grow out of it and want something better or more advanced? Part of that is personality. Just some things to think about.

[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.

[Lavigne]

To quote the DH, "Buy Cheap...Buy Twice". I was also in love with spin class so I got the DH to go with me. He loved it even more than I did...so much so that he went out and bought a fancy Trek Madone. Once he started riding, he refused to go back to spin because it didn't compare to the feeling you get on that road bike. He talked me into getting one of those fancy carbon bikes (I got an Orbea) and I fell in love. Now, I can't stand the thought of going to spin class when I could be out on the road. We ended up cancelling our gym membership (saving us over $1,000/yr) and buying a trainer for the times we couldn't take the bike out.

My recommendation...buy the bike that feels best. Worst case scenario...you decide you don't like it (which I highly doubt) and you should have no problem finding someone to take it off your hands at a slightly discounted price.

[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.

[rivergal]

I'd echo what others have suggested, test riding and research. Be sure that your test ride is on the proper size for you, too. If it's too big or too small, you may be not feeling the love that you might feel on the right size. A good LBS will know this, tho. Also, if it feels not quite right, even if they sized it for you, try the next size up/down if it's available.

3 years ago I bought my first entry level bike, which I don't regret, but I now I do want a better ride, so I'm going with carbon. First bike was a Felt ZW100. Next bike will be a Cannondale Synapse 5.

Geometry varies a lot. I like a more upright ride because of shoulder issues, so I loved the ride on the Synapse. You'll find the right ride for you, and you'll know it.

Now is a good time to buy, as it's the end of the model year for 2011, so you can get a good deal if they have your size.

[Nick]

I just wanted to say welcome and good luck with your decision making! So many choices to make can be overwhelming. I had to make similar ones for a mountain bike. I ended up selecting the one I really wanted even though it cost more than I originally planned to pay. She just came in today, and I'm in love :-)

[Koronin]

I bought my first road bike last summer. I bought a used road bike. Mine is a Trek 2000. I really like enjoy riding it. Also bought a new mountain bike last summer. I've had issues getting it to feel right, but after hubby made some adjustments last weekend and last night, I finally have it feeling much more like my road bike. (Just need to find a saddle for it that I'm happy with). I was really happy to get my road bike last summer and hopefully someday eventually (no money right now) can get a Madone. The one I have my eye on is the Madone 4.5 men's version. I just wish they had the men's version in 47cm in all the different choices.

[KatzPajamas]

Newbie as of May this year. Bought Cannondale Synapse Alloy5 with 105 components. I have put 400 very comfortable miles on it so far (been way too hot recently to do more). Yesterday was cruising @ avg speed of 15mph on my 25 mile ride. May not sound like much, but for a overweight, close to 60yr old lady, I am delighted with my progress and my Synapse! My hubby has a 7year old Synapse that he has put 8000 miles on! He has done several GOBAs (350-400mile week ride in Ohio), and numerous 75mile rides over the last 7 years. Recently he did One Helluva Ride in Chelsea, Michigan with a small group of older guys like him. After the ride, one of the guys asked him how he likes his new Synapse!
We were at LBS yesterday and comparing CAAD 10 with Madone 5.2. For about $1000 less, the CAAD10 is extremely comparable. We both test rode CAADs and loved them. It is much stiffer and therefore more aggressive than our Synapses, and I could tell just on the test ride.
Of course, it is all personal preference. Definitely find a LBS that will do fitting both before and after purchase. My shop spent at least an hour with me both before and after and that was included in the price-I paid $1299 for my Synapse, which is the price quoted on Cannondale website. From what I have read on this forum, some shop charge extra for the fitting. Check out Bikeworks in Sylvania, Ohio ~ http://thebikeworks.com/. Ask for Heather~she is a wonderful person to work with~
They also sell fun stuff, like the pink Cateye computer that was asked about in another thread! ENJOY!