Looking for advice on a road bike

[nethfel]

Hi all,

I currently have a hybrid bike but I'm really considering getting a road bike. I should mention, my purchase time table is still a bit of a distance off - I'm thinking right now probably some time spring 2015. My goal right now is to get some basic information.

My budget is 1400 USD tops, I'd prefer as this would be my first real road bike somewhere in the 900 - 1300 USD in case I need additional accessories that I don't already have.

There are several bike shops within a reasonable distance for me (within a 1.5 - 2 hr drive), most carry a variety of brands with only a small amount of overlap. So my question is what brands/models would be of good quality for a first road bike within my price range? I don't have any intention to race, but I would like a bike that is comfortable and fun to ride that I could potentially ride for extended periods.

Once I know brands and models I can do some research on them and find which of the shops carry those brands and/or models so I can find a model that really calls to me and a shop that I would like to work with.

I'm also asking now so once I really have a solid feeling for what I want, I'll have plenty of time and motivation with the holidays around the corner to save up!

Thanks in advance!

 

[MikeW-71]

This is just under your top budget:
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/defy.1/18733/76108/

Or go for the "2" version at just over 1000 USD. Excellent bikes

 

[Cyclist33]

Hi all,

I currently have a hybrid bike but I'm really considering getting a road bike. I should mention, my purchase time table is still a bit of a distance off - I'm thinking right now probably some time spring 2015. My goal right now is to get some basic information.

My budget is 1400 USD tops, I'd prefer as this would be my first real road bike somewhere in the 900 - 1300 USD in case I need additional accessories that I don't already have.

There are several bike shops within a reasonable distance for me (within a 1.5 - 2 hr drive), most carry a variety of brands with only a small amount of overlap. So my question is what brands/models would be of good quality for a first road bike within my price range? I don't have any intention to race, but I would like a bike that is comfortable and fun to ride that I could potentially ride for extended periods.

Once I know brands and models I can do some research on them and find which of the shops carry those brands and/or models so I can find a model that really calls to me and a shop that I would like to work with.

I'm also asking now so once I really have a solid feeling for what I want, I'll have plenty of time and motivation with the holidays around the corner to save up!

Thanks in advance!

Jamis steel bike!

 

[nethfel]

@MikeW-71 : Giant looks like a potential - one thing I can't seem to locate is rider weight limits - if I'm reading the specs right some of the bike is carbon frame/composite but I don't know what the normal weight limit is for that material (although by the time I'd buy I'd like to think I'd be well within the max weight, I don't want to find out the hard way I'm not...)

@Cyclist33 : I found the Jamis website, but I'm not sure what series steel is under - closest I came to with steel in the name was: http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/quest.html - is that the line you're talking about?

 

[raleighnut]

 

[vickster]

@MikeW-71 : Giant looks like a potential - one thing I can't seem to locate is rider weight limits - if I'm reading the specs right some of the bike is carbon frame/composite but I don't know what the normal weight limit is for that material (although by the time I'd buy I'd like to think I'd be well within the max weight, I don't want to find out the hard way I'm not...)

How heavy are you? Most manufacturers quote a rider limit of around 220lbs for alu frame with carbon fork. If at the limit, you may want to consider stronger wheels with more spokes

 

[MikeW-71]

@nethfel Defy has a max rider weight of 120kg, so about 250lbs.

 

[nethfel]

@nethfel Defy has a max rider weight of 120kg, so about 250lbs.

Where in the world did you find that MikeW? I looked at the specs on the website and on the pdf (in the hopes that more info was on the pdf) and couldn't find that - I know I must be looking in the wrong place...

@vickster : A above the weight limit you specified, but below what @MikeW-71 stated for the Defy - I hope to be close to the weight rider limit you specified (220) by January, maybe even below by the time I purchase - just concerned with the holidays coming up how much that will screw me up

@raleighnut : Thanks!

 

[Cyclist33]

@MikeW-71 : Giant looks like a potential - one thing I can't seem to locate is rider weight limits - if I'm reading the specs right some of the bike is carbon frame/composite but I don't know what the normal weight limit is for that material (although by the time I'd buy I'd like to think I'd be well within the max weight, I don't want to find out the hard way I'm not...)

@Cyclist33 : I found the Jamis website, but I'm not sure what series steel is under - closest I came to with steel in the name was: http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/quest.html - is that the line you're talking about?

Er, well, what do you think, based on the words on that webpage?!

("Yes" is the correct answer, btw!)

 

[MikeW-71]

Where in the world did you find that MikeW? I looked at the specs on the website and on the pdf (in the hopes that more info was on the pdf) and couldn't find that - I know I must be looking in the wrong place...

It's in the manual for my Defy 2, even the full carbon ones have a similar limit.

 

[nethfel]

Er, well, what do you think, based on the words on that webpage?!

("Yes" is the correct answer, btw!)

Heh, well, honestly, I wasn't sure if you were talking about a different model that I hadn't found yet

@MikeW-71 : To you or anyone that might be able to answer this - I was researching the different Defy models. One of the big differences is the shifters. The Defy 1 has the Shimano 105 - according to Shimanos website, it's a 10 speed shifter (as well as the cassette specified for the 105) but Giant shows on the specs for the Defy 1 as an 11 speed... So I'm a little confused and am wondering if the 105 specs have changed/new model or if the defy 1 has a different shifter...

 

[Cyclist33]

It's in the manual for my Defy 2, even the full carbon ones have a similar limit.

lol, wow you actually read the manual?!

 

[Cyclist33]

What page is it on? Not that it matters to me really, I never go above 75 kg!

 

[MikeW-71]

errr, can't remember which page exactly and it's currently buried in a drawer somewhere. There's a table that lists weights for all the different types of bikes along with luggage capacities.

(now shush, you know blokes aren't supposed to need to read manuals.....)

 

[nethfel]

What page is it on? Not that it matters to me really, I never go above 75 kg!

Ok, I'm jealous now :P