Hello all,
Well I'm ready for my first road bike and I will admit that I have looked nearly everywhere and have done a pretty insane amount of research and I'm really just looking for the last bit of advice by seasoned riders who aren't bike dealers.
I'm 28 years old and rode BMX bikes for the better part of 15 years of my life. I'm looking to get back into cycling just to stay in good shape, do some fun runs/charity rides and potentially some weekend warrior racing, nothing too serious. My budget is around the $1500 mark give or take, since I will need ALL of the gear and accessories still I'd like to keep it pretty tight to this number for the actual bike.
From what I've been told, and have started to learn that at this level essentially many of these bikes are the same plus/minus a few items. I want to get a good set up that will allow me to ride a few days a week.
The first option is the Fuji Roubaix. This bike is available at Performance Bike nearby and I feel it's good because I can take the bike their to be maintained, repaired should anything go wrong. I think I could like the colors/general aesthetics and the equipment seems sufficient to what I want to do. Also, a small part of me likes that Fuji is based in Philadelphia, as I live only 60 minutes outside of said city.
http://www.bikeradar.com/us/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-fuji-roubaix-1-0-10-36957/
1. Fuji Roubaix: http://www.bikeradar.com/us/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-fuji-roubaix-1-0-10-36957/
The second bike is the Giant Defy. There is another local dealer who sells Giant and I would feel comfortable taking the bike to them and having it serviced. The reviews from what I've read are also very solid across the board.
2. Giant Defy. http://www.bikeradar.com/us/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-giant-defy-1-12-45849/
The third bike I feel is my personal secret crush, the Cinelli Experience. Part of me is inlove with Cinelli story, but I simply know nothing about Campagnolo. Getting this bike would be much more difficult, as it's hard to locate a dealer nearby (closest is in center city Philadelphia) and they don't appear to actually have any in stock. I do believe I could get the bike assembled at a LBS and would feel comfortable with that. Also, buying online, I can only seem to locate UK dealers, and would have to have the bike shipped overseas to me.
http://www.bikeradar.com/us/road/ge...d/product/review-cinelli-experience-14-48283/
So whats your take guys? I've come to grips and realize I do not need an intense all carbon monster, at least not yet. I feel that almost all these bikes are really similiar, but I wanted someone's opinion who isn't a direct dealer of said brand.
Thank you so much for your help!
Mark
Well I'm ready for my first road bike and I will admit that I have looked nearly everywhere and have done a pretty insane amount of research and I'm really just looking for the last bit of advice by seasoned riders who aren't bike dealers.
I'm 28 years old and rode BMX bikes for the better part of 15 years of my life. I'm looking to get back into cycling just to stay in good shape, do some fun runs/charity rides and potentially some weekend warrior racing, nothing too serious. My budget is around the $1500 mark give or take, since I will need ALL of the gear and accessories still I'd like to keep it pretty tight to this number for the actual bike.
From what I've been told, and have started to learn that at this level essentially many of these bikes are the same plus/minus a few items. I want to get a good set up that will allow me to ride a few days a week.
The first option is the Fuji Roubaix. This bike is available at Performance Bike nearby and I feel it's good because I can take the bike their to be maintained, repaired should anything go wrong. I think I could like the colors/general aesthetics and the equipment seems sufficient to what I want to do. Also, a small part of me likes that Fuji is based in Philadelphia, as I live only 60 minutes outside of said city.
http://www.bikeradar.com/us/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-fuji-roubaix-1-0-10-36957/
1. Fuji Roubaix: http://www.bikeradar.com/us/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-fuji-roubaix-1-0-10-36957/
The second bike is the Giant Defy. There is another local dealer who sells Giant and I would feel comfortable taking the bike to them and having it serviced. The reviews from what I've read are also very solid across the board.
2. Giant Defy. http://www.bikeradar.com/us/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-giant-defy-1-12-45849/
The third bike I feel is my personal secret crush, the Cinelli Experience. Part of me is inlove with Cinelli story, but I simply know nothing about Campagnolo. Getting this bike would be much more difficult, as it's hard to locate a dealer nearby (closest is in center city Philadelphia) and they don't appear to actually have any in stock. I do believe I could get the bike assembled at a LBS and would feel comfortable with that. Also, buying online, I can only seem to locate UK dealers, and would have to have the bike shipped overseas to me.
http://www.bikeradar.com/us/road/ge...d/product/review-cinelli-experience-14-48283/
So whats your take guys? I've come to grips and realize I do not need an intense all carbon monster, at least not yet. I feel that almost all these bikes are really similiar, but I wanted someone's opinion who isn't a direct dealer of said brand.
Thank you so much for your help!
Mark
. Someone will be along though who can give you advice.
