Anyone here cycle (roadbike, not the other "cycle"...)

[KillahBee]

just got a $550 gift certificate to a sports place and I would like to get a roadbike and start doing some cycling. nothing serious, just for general exercise that does not involve an indoor machine and as a hobby. Any advice for a beginner?

 

[Synpax]

I think your dollar would go alot further if you could get a used bike. Any way to cash that certificate out?

It's hard to get a quality road bike for that price. What models are options to you?

 

[KillahBee]

These are the brands they carry:

Specialized, Cannondale, Giant, Litespeed, Merlin, Eddie Merckx

Like I said, just looking for a beginner's bike. You don't think I could get one for that price?

 

[Synpax]

I think if you look at the selection they have for that price, you will find a couple of bikes. I'd suggest Cannondale or Giant as a brand.

Note that you *can* upgrade the parts on these things as time goes by. You can incrementally spend as much as $3500 on most any bike.

Maybe list some of the models they have there. I think you will do ok.

 

[GodOfThunder]

It is a lot of fun and a very relaxing form of excercise on a beautiful day. Buy a gel padded seat and some nice sun glasses.

 

[0pus]

I think your dollar would go alot further if you could get a used bike. Any way to cash that certificate out?

It's hard to get a quality road bike for that price. What models are options to you?

Synpax is right, $550 won't get you much new. Giant or specialized might have something starting in that range. Trek also makes a road bike starting around that. $1000 would get you into something more solid IMO but that might be out of your budget.
Check out the bikes at the shop for that range and have someone there "size" you for a frame. If you can cash it out maybe check ebay or other cycling sites for used bikes that would "fit".
Also look for '03 or '04 models that will be on sale. Good Luck

 

[Timanator]

Howdy.

I am a beganner road biker my self. Propelled into it by my Spinning class instructor.

My advise is prob different from others here since I am not 100% sold on it as a great investment as a fun sport or exercise. I'm saying this because the benefits you achieve by training on a bike vs on s stationary bike is very similer. At the same token, a decent Road bike will be in the neighborood of $700-$800 for a starting bike.

So I would suggest taking a few spinning courses and meet some of your local road bikers and see if they have a spare you can use and ride with them on. This way you can findout if this sport is for you before you take such a investment in it.

I am borrowing my Ex's Trek 1100, good balanced bike, but so very un comrfortable to ride(I am told you get used to the postering)

 

[KillahBee]

Howdy.

I am a beganner road biker my self. Propelled into it by my Spinning class instructor.

My advise is prob different from others here since I am not 100% sold on it as a great investment as a fun sport or exercise. I'm saying this because the benefits you achieve by training on a bike vs on s stationary bike is very similer. At the same token, a decent Road bike will be in the neighborood of $700-$800 for a starting bike.

So I would suggest taking a few spinning courses and meet some of your local road bikers and see if they have a spare you can use and ride with them on. This way you can findout if this sport is for you before you take such a investment in it.

I am borrowing my Ex's Trek 1100, good balanced bike, but so very un comrfortable to ride(I am told you get used to the postering)

thanks for the advice bro. my situation is a little different, I actually got a $500 gift card from work for Christmas to a local outdoor sporting store. I was thinking about picking up cycling anyway, but this is a good way to start. I don't ski or really do anything else that would involve that store, so might as well use it for a bike. not looking to get serious about it, just another way to exercise and get away from it all for while.

 

[Timanator]

not looking to get serious about it,

Thats why I am not recommanding you to get a Road bike. They are on the expensive side to just do every once in a while. I'd use the gift cert on some good sports clothing and maybe portable weights for doing HIIT type exercises while your at home.

 

[USMC fighter]

you can get a good mountain bike for around 600 bucks, take a look at the Trek 4900, i beat the crap out of mine and its held up great