| Road bikes will range in price from $500 to | | | | this. Carbon fiber is more expensive, but |
| over $5000, and vary greatly in design, | | | | will dampen road vibration over long rides. |
| materials, and performance. The first | | | | Titanium is even more expensive, and is no |
| decision you need to make is road bike or tri | | | | longer the lightest most exotic material. If |
| set up. What type of riding are you going to | | | | you buy a ti frame you are buying a long term |
| be doing? Are you purchasing the bike for | | | | investment. I prefer the latest technology (I |
| multi-sport competition or strictly for road | | | | buy a bike every 2 years). Aluminum is going |
| riding, training, and / or racing? A tri bike | | | | to give you the most bang for the buck. |
| is used in triathlons and other multi sport | | | | Manufacturers are starting to use a |
| events, has aero bars and a more forward | | | | combination of aluminum and carbon fiber in |
| (less comfortable) position, can be slightly | | | | their frame sets. Another consideration is |
| heavier than a road bike, and is generally | | | | geometry- compact or traditional. The |
| less comfortable. The position puts your body | | | | industry has moved towards (sometimes) |
| more forward over the front wheel and has | | | | lighter compact frames. These frames have a |
| your torso almost parallel to the ground. The | | | | sloping top tube and look smaller. There |
| more forward position makes the bike less | | | | advantage is quicker more precise handling, |
| stable and harder to handle. On some tri | | | | but you do not want to take your hands off |
| handlebars your hands are far from the | | | | the bars. The disadvantage can be that they |
| brakes, and the handling is quick and less | | | | often do not come in as many sizes, and can |
| controllable. I do not recommend this type of | | | | be more challenging to fit. My preference is |
| bike for beginner riders. You may sacrifice a | | | | a compact, but I am a smaller rider and I |
| bit of weight for aerodynamics, but unless | | | | find a good fit with these bikes. |
| you are moving pretty quickly, the | | | | |
| aerodynamics will not pay off much... About | | | | New or used? Buying a new bike is like buying |
| 80% of your resistance while cycling comes | | | | a new car. As soon as you drive it off the |
| from the air around you, but you must be | | | | showroom you are out considerable money, but |
| moving above 20 mph to gain the full | | | | there is nothing like that new bike feel. If |
| advantage. If you are a slower beginning | | | | you are not handy, it is going to need |
| cyclist the more aerodynamic position is not | | | | regular maintenance (I recommend you learn |
| as much of a factor. I would start off with a | | | | the basics). Some shops offer a free lifetime |
| road bike. | | | | maintenance policy. This is a good deal; a |
| | | | full adjustment can run $40+ a pop. If you |
| Second decision; recreation or competition? | | | | buy a used bike off of Ebay or from an |
| This is really more about your budget and how | | | | individual, you may get a lot more bike for |
| competitive you are. A $500 road bike can | | | | the money or you may get a piece of junk. If |
| actually be pretty reliable, but is heavier, | | | | you want to pair the price down, go used, but |
| requires more maintenance, is not as | | | | don't go cheap. If you are not sure if you |
| ergonomic, and the parts wear out faster. | | | | are going to stick with cycling this may be |
| There is a trickle down in technology from | | | | the way to go. Either way I highly recommend |
| top of the line road bikes, and an entry | | | | you get professionally sized, and that does |
| level bike can be of surprisingly good | | | | not necessarily mean the sales guy at the |
| quality. Furthermore some entry level bikes | | | | shop. An expert will spend a good hour with |
| can be easily upgraded to make them perform | | | | you examining every aspect of the bikes fit |
| better. An example of an upgrade would be | | | | (as many as ten different aspects). |
| switching to a better wheel set, which | | | | |
| perhaps will have the biggest effect on | | | | I believe you get your best value with large |
| increased speed. Competition level bikes | | | | manufacturers such as Giant, Trek, and |
| usually start at around $1000. Competition | | | | Cannondale to name a few. The bikes are mass |
| level bikes usually start with a Shimano 105 | | | | produced, but are generally very high quality |
| component group or better. Shimano 105 has | | | | and offer the highest component level for the |
| all the features of the more expensive groups | | | | price. Think of them as the Hondas'. The |
| (Ultegra and Durace), is fully race able and | | | | European models generally have more "panache" |
| durable, but is a little heavier. Campagnolo | | | | with custom colors and even custom fitting. |
| also makes excellent bicycle components, but | | | | The Porshes' can run up to $8000 but are |
| they are usually found on more expensive | | | | beautifully hand crafted works of art. A |
| European models. I have had 105 bikes and | | | | personal recommendation of mine; the Giant |
| full race Durace bikes. The differences are | | | | TCR2 which I think is one of the best bike |
| definitely there, but will not be significant | | | | values. I believe they are going for around |
| to the newer rider. If you are just getting | | | | $1300. This puts a world class, extremely |
| into the sport, an entry level bike may be | | | | light bike in your hands for not a lot of |
| good enough for you. But if you think you are | | | | money considering the weight and features. |
| going to stick with it, and want to be | | | | The fall is a great time to buy a bicycle |
| competitive, you should spend the extra | | | | because shops are clearing out the old models |
| money. | | | | to make room for the next years and the |
| | | | Christmas rush. You are also going to need |
| Third decision; frame type and material. I | | | | shoes, helmet, water bottle cages, computer, |
| believe your best value is aluminum. Aluminum | | | | a good pump, flat kit, padded shorts, perhaps |
| is extremely light, stiff, and relatively | | | | a rack, and tool kit. Be prepared, this is |
| inexpensive compared with titanium and carbon | | | | not a cheap sport even for the beginner, and |
| fiber. Some complain that aluminum transmits | | | | there is an initial investment. You can find |
| road vibration more than other materials, but | | | | good prices online for accessories at |
| manufacturers have gotten much better with | | | | Nashbar.com, Performancebike. |