New bicycle 2014
Out of context: Reply #16
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- monNom0
Definitely buy used. A used bike in excellent conditions generally goes for 50% of the retail price. Not to mention no sales tax.
SInce you're new to it, go to a big bike shop with lots of bikes and brands to try out. Try a bunch and find one that fits well and feels good to ride. Make note of the size/make and model. Now leave that bike shop and hit the internet to find out the measurements of that specific bike. You want to know: head-tube angle, seat tube angle, effective top-tube length, chainstay length, wheelbase, and ideally also the stem length and handlebar reach, though these can be changed. Now go shopping on craigslist/ebay/ wherever for a bike that matches those specs and you'll know how it's going to feel under you.
Don't worry too much about 105 vs tiagra vs ultrega, When properly adjusted they all work equally well. What you want to focus on is a good quality aluminum frame, or a high quality vintage steel frame (columbus, tange, reynolds), and good wheels (normal spoked wheels, stay away from those carbon spokes/deep profile/blah blah blah. Just go for quality rims, normal spoke lacing on shimano hubs and you're 99.9% likely to have a great set of wheels.