New bicycle 2014
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- 34 Responses
- fooler0
$500-700 USD isn't going to get much of a road/racing bike.
Your $800-1000 is more realistic for an entry level bike with mediocre components.
Like nocomply said right now is a great time to get last years bikes.
I bought a Fuji Roubaix for $900 a few years ago at Performance Bike that retailed for $1200. Looks like they're having the same sale now
http://www.performancebike.com/b…
- fooler0
never heard of Merida here in the US but I'm not into the sport as much as I used to be.
I would go take a short test ride on the cannonale and fuji and see which one feels better. Stores usually let you at least ride around the parking lot for a few minutes. If thats not an option I would compare which one has the better components for the price.
- see_thru0
- sweetMaaku
- hmm wtf with the space invader?CALLES
- I have the BB9 - nice bikesFax_Benson
- 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.
- rson0
- sine0
^ great post and link. that's the kind of info and recommendations i'm looking for...
- thecreativefire0
What about looking on eBay for a well looked after second-hand bike?
It might help stretch your budget to a better bike even if it is a year or two older.