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First decent road bike, on a budget?

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Spic-N-SpaN
Posts: 2002 - Karma: 1,465
Hoping someone on here knows about bikes, but I'm looking for a commuter for the summer. I'm thinking of going use but let me know if thats a bad idea, I found a Specialized Allez Elite for $699, alright deal? If not thats the price range I'm looking at.
Mar 16 2013 11:55PM
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Spic-N-SpaN
Posts: 2002 - Karma: 1,465
EVERY ONE SHUT THE FUCK UP.

I don't give two fucks about fixed gears and single speeds, I might build one up if someday if have a bunch of old parts and a frame lying around, right now, this thread is about entry level road bikes or 10 speed commuters and the like.


Someone asked my budget, I'm still saving up but I think I'm looking in the $6-700 range which isn't a ton but is still a lot of money, used might be my best bet.
Mar 18 2013 3:38PM
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B-runge
Posts: 16558 - Karma: 361
ive always though i wanted all bike streets but that video made me realize i want to ride my bike while there are no other humans traveling anywhere
Mar 18 2013 3:39PM
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uosdwiSrjewoH
Posts: 4220 - Karma: 122
not stupid, just pretentious.






swish.
Mar 18 2013 3:49PM
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uosdwiSrjewoH
Posts: 4220 - Karma: 122
keep an eye on used sites, I'd say if you got a 56cm frame you'd fit on it fine (unless you have freakishly long or short arms) If you can find something with 105 in your price range, you're laughing, but don't settle for anything less than tiagra (meaning sora or 2300). as long as it's 56, tiagra or better and not completely fucked up, it'll be great for you and you'll enjoy riding it.
Mar 18 2013 3:53PM
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I_liketobutter
Posts: 2664 - Karma: 997
try and find something on craigslist. 90's cannondales are really nice bikes for the money. as far as components go on the used bikes, look for shimano 105 or ultegra. anything that says "tiagra" or "sora" is shit. if you're really going to ride the bike a decent amount the extra $100 or so for the better components and probably wheels is SO worth it.

as one guy suggested bikesdirect.com is a great site and is 100% legit. the only catch is that you need to know how to assemble a bike, not just screw stuff together, but know how to adjust a headset, bottom bracket, true wheels, everything. I'm sure a community shop could help you out. again, stay with shimano 105 or better.

as far as size goes, you're going to want to shoot for a 57 or 58. it does depends on the person, everyone's different, but most 56's are going to be too small. Also, there's no guarantees with size because each brand measures differently and have different top tube/seat tube lengths. this is why going to a shop to get sized just to buy used is a waste of time.
Mar 18 2013 4:22PM
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ShredMasterPlus
Posts: 1159 - Karma: 807
http://www.norco.com/2007bikes/templates/model/enlarge.php?id=134&view=&deets=2

I got one of these  6 years ago for a little bike trip I did, Still works great ride plenty of 80km rides on it on lots of hills since I live in the Canadian Rockies. Its pretty light and handles fine. I'm sure there are better ones out there but It does the trick for me.
 Also dunno why but I manage to ride long distances just wearing sweatpants.
Mar 18 2013 4:33PM
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ski.cats
Posts: 577 - Karma: 352
you missed the entire point about the non-athletic fat assholes decked out like lance being as bad/worse than hipseters
Mar 18 2013 4:44PM
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uosdwiSrjewoH
Posts: 4220 - Karma: 122
i didn't miss that point at all, but you kids are judging people out trying to get healthy because how they're dressed, yet for some reason think your argument holds weight.
Mar 18 2013 4:51PM
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I_liketobutter
Posts: 2664 - Karma: 997
If you go bikes direct, here's the minimum bike I would buy. It has:

-2x10 (3x10 is a dumb and a waste period)
-Nice wheels
-Shimano 105

^These are all major factors that you will appreciate every ride. All for $800, that's a steal

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/gran_premio_xiii.htm
Mar 18 2013 6:00PM
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monkatizer
Posts: 4704 - Karma: 1,518
if youre gonna spend anywhere near that much, get an Al frame, steel really blows, its so fuckin heavy
Mar 18 2013 7:38PM
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uosdwiSrjewoH
Posts: 4220 - Karma: 122
steel's real brah.... but seriously, steel is awesome, so smooth, but you have to shell out some decent coin to get a really nice frame.
Mar 18 2013 7:44PM
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I_liketobutter
Posts: 2664 - Karma: 997
steel is not that heavy. its all relative.

i'd rather have a decent steel frame and solid components than an aluminum frame and shitty components just to save a pound or two. you can save that with a different saddle, bars, and pedals --> three things you're going to buy anyway once you ride enough.

also, weight in the wheels is way more important than weight in the frame and that bike has pretty damn nice wheels for a $800 road bike.
Mar 18 2013 8:03PM
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monkatizer
Posts: 4704 - Karma: 1,518
well, i gues you learn something new every day.

regardless, ill stick with al
Mar 18 2013 8:42PM
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grapejuice3000+
Posts: 2132 - Karma: 1,985
i totally agree with this, I ride single speed mostly because its cheap. I track top 20 out of 100 times on strava and i spent next to nothing on my bike. It gives you a greater appreciation for the road, you can't just use your gears to mellow hills, you have to work to get up them.
Mar 18 2013 9:05PM
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Spic-N-SpaN
Posts: 2002 - Karma: 1,465
Used a bike size calculator, got 57cm as best fit. The two decent bikes I found ones a 56 and the others 58.

Recommendations?
Mar 19 2013 1:59AM
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I_liketobutter
Posts: 2664 - Karma: 997
try and find specific dimensions of that frame. some 56's actually have a 57cm top tube or seat tube and some 58's have a 57 cm top tube or seat tube
Mar 19 2013 9:54AM
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Spic-N-SpaN
Posts: 2002 - Karma: 1,465
Since a lol Idon'tknowwhatI'mdoing meme could easily fit here, I'll post the geo.



For the 58cm Specialized Tricross

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/road/tricross/tricrosssporttriple#geometry

For the 56cm Specialized Allez elite

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/road/allez/allezelitemidcompact#geometry
Mar 19 2013 10:22AM
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I_liketobutter
Posts: 2664 - Karma: 997
58 for both.

I hope you aren't paying full price for those....Both of those are horrible prices for what the bike actually is.

Also, those are completely different bikes with completely different geometry. One is race oriented (think ass high in the air and hands low) while the other is a bit more relaxed and can fit bigger tires and is more commuter focused.

The tricross is a big, heavy, slow bike with cheap parts for a high price.

The Allez is a entry level race bike that is decently heavy with cheap parts.




Mar 19 2013 12:55PM
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Spic-N-SpaN
Posts: 2002 - Karma: 1,465
Both are for sale on Craigslist
Mar 19 2013 1:26PM
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cheaaaaaa
Posts: 830 - Karma: 630
go craigslist for a used bike, no problem with that and theres a chance you cold be buying a half way decent bike for dirt cheep.

I got a new bike from http://www.bikesdirect.com
Cant complain with my choice. I spent $400 on a halfway decent cyclocross bike (Gravity "Liberty CX"... which I think is a Giant knock-off) to get me to class in the snow and love it. Site looks a little sketch, but I assure you its legit. A lot of the bikes are off brand/knockoffs. Sometimes this means lower quality parts, but if your just commuting... who cares.
Mar 20 2013 12:51AM
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StickDonkey
Posts: 284 - Karma: 2,456

Yeah I accidently left the 105 out. My rear derailer is actually a 105 and it is super smooth.

Mar 29 2013 12:13AM
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Dr.Dickless
Posts: 2620 - Karma: 1,392
ha
Mar 29 2013 1:42AM
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Spic-N-SpaN
Posts: 2002 - Karma: 1,465
found another Specialized Tricross in my area.

Its a cyclocross bike, but after thinking about it thats more what I need then a road bike, I'm just commuting on the thing and roads and bike paths here are pretty old and crumbly so this might be the ticket.
Apr 14 2013 3:33AM
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