Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Road Cycling
Reload this Page >

Introduction to the Road Cycling Forum

Notices
Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

Introduction to the Road Cycling Forum

Old 07-24-09, 10:53 PM
  #51  
garysol1 
Senior Member
 
garysol1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Traverse City Michigan
Posts: 10,244
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 78 Post(s)
Liked 17 Times in 11 Posts
Look for a bike with a frame size around 61cm.....
__________________
BMC Roadmachine
Kona Jake the Snake
garysol1 is offline  
Old 07-27-09, 10:45 AM
  #52  
TTU16
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Lubbock
Posts: 6

Bikes: Felt F-80

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Ciglett
Thanks for the quick response!

The reason I don't want to shell out is that I'm trying to avoid being the guy that spends $1200 and rides 10 miles. Basically, I'm really not sure I'll enjoy long term road biking.

BUT! Since posting, I think I may have found a solution. I FINALLY found a used bike store that repairs and rebuilds all kinds of bikes. They say most bikes sell for $150-$250 and have a pretty high level of quality. I'm going tomorrow, and if I can find a really tall frame, I might be in luck!
I guess if you do enough research and know what your getting into, there is craigslist to get a decent bike cheap (maybe).
TTU16 is offline  
Old 07-27-09, 11:57 AM
  #53  
buhemith_780
Newbie
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Hello All Hope you can help me with this. I just bought a Trek 1000 from the year 2000 and would like to switch the fork over to a threadless type is this possible on that frame and if so what fork/headset should i be looking at. this bike is a pre carbon time and it is not an inset headset.

Also do they make caps for over the mounts for down tube shifters as i am going to be using new leaver shifters?

Thanks
buhemith_780 is offline  
Old 07-28-09, 02:45 PM
  #54  
dsx724
Enthusiastic Goon
 
dsx724's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Philly
Posts: 23

Bikes: Rolling on dubz

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Noobtastic question: What are flattened chainstays on carbon fiber bikes for?
dsx724 is offline  
Old 07-28-09, 02:45 PM
  #55  
bdcheung
Carpe Diem
 
bdcheung's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: MABRA
Posts: 13,149

Bikes: 2007 CAAD9; 2014 CAADX; PedalForce CG1

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Engineers and marketers think it increases lateral stiffness and vertical compliance.
__________________
"When you are chewing the bars at the business end of a 90 mile road race you really dont care what gear you have hanging from your bike so long as it works."
ΛΧΑ ΔΞ179 - 15% off your first Hammer Nutrition order!
bdcheung is offline  
Old 07-28-09, 06:28 PM
  #56  
AEO
Senior Member
 
AEO's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: A Coffin Called Earth. or Toronto, ON
Posts: 12,258

Bikes: Bianchi, Miyata, Dahon, Rossin

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times in 5 Posts
Originally Posted by bdcheung
Engineers and marketers think it increases lateral stiffness and vertical compliance.
I thought it was so they can squeeze on narrow Q-factor cranks and because it's more aero
__________________
Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
AEO is offline  
Old 07-28-09, 08:33 PM
  #57  
iron.wren
Senior Member
 
iron.wren's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 60
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
i'm pretty new to cycling, i rode on a bike as a kid but now i just picked up my first road bike, i have a mtb that i basically got from a guy who never used it and wanted to get rid of so we gave him 100. I barely rode it and rode it only on the road, so i wanted to find a road bike. I found a 2001 Trek 1400 that was around my size and bought it for 400. I want to get riding but what should i shoot for when starting out. I'm guessing consistency of days of just riding and not going for a certain amount of time or mileage. Just riding and enjoying being on a bike. I have what i need for right now. The bike came with clipless pedals and shoes only worn about 3x which were my size. I swithced the pedals to toe clips so i could get comfortable on a bike and shifting. Any other suggestions to a beginner. I take it to take it easy and get used to a bike and get riding. When is the best time to ride when first starting out? I live in a town of about 5,000.

Last edited by iron.wren; 07-29-09 at 10:50 PM.
iron.wren is offline  
Old 07-29-09, 03:35 AM
  #58  
botto 
.
 
botto's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 40,375
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 15 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 27 Times in 12 Posts
^

just ride and enjoy.

as far when is the best time - some people like mornings, some the afternoon, some the evening - that's pretty much up to you.
botto is offline  
Old 07-29-09, 11:38 AM
  #59  
AEO
Senior Member
 
AEO's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: A Coffin Called Earth. or Toronto, ON
Posts: 12,258

Bikes: Bianchi, Miyata, Dahon, Rossin

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times in 5 Posts
rush hour can get interesting, avoid those hours if possible.
__________________
Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
AEO is offline  
Old 07-29-09, 04:58 PM
  #60  
Diesel-CAAD9
Senior Member
 
Diesel-CAAD9's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Lebanon, PA
Posts: 107

Bikes: 2009 Cannondale CAAD9-7

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
New to cycling and picked up a CAAD9-7 about 10 days ago. My question is should I have spent the extra $400-500 for the 5...? Are the components on the 5 that much better...?

Also when shifting is there a proper technique...? Seems alot of times I have to hit the lever twice to get it to change gear. Should I hold the lever until the gear change is achieved or what?

I'm having buyers remorse cause I feel I should have gone with a bike with better components. Hopefully the comps on the 7 are ok though. Like I said I'm new so I don't know the differences at this point.

I really like riding though and have done about 30 miles over the last 3 days and feel this will stick.
Diesel-CAAD9 is offline  
Old 07-29-09, 05:06 PM
  #61  
Diesel-CAAD9
Senior Member
 
Diesel-CAAD9's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Lebanon, PA
Posts: 107

Bikes: 2009 Cannondale CAAD9-7

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
The saddles that come on the CAAD9 seem pretty hard to. Is that typical...? It's not "uncomfortable" but the longest I've gone was 11.5 miles so far.

Is there a consensus on the best saddle for comfort and performance...? I'm going in to fine tune my setup and would like to pick up a saddle beforehand if the San Marco is a ho hum piece.

I'm 6' 210 lbs at this point but am not "fat". Just a big guy that lifts weights.
Diesel-CAAD9 is offline  
Old 07-30-09, 10:55 AM
  #62  
sicou2
Enjoys that "feeling"
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: College Station, TX
Posts: 9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Medium Size Frame means what?

I have tried searching google and have had no luck, but what does a "Medium" size frame equate to? I think I have found the bike I have been looking for but... this "medium" size is really throwing me. Thanks!
sicou2 is offline  
Old 07-30-09, 11:00 AM
  #63  
bdcheung
Carpe Diem
 
bdcheung's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: MABRA
Posts: 13,149

Bikes: 2007 CAAD9; 2014 CAADX; PedalForce CG1

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
It depends on the manufacturer and model.

What bike are you looking at?
__________________
"When you are chewing the bars at the business end of a 90 mile road race you really dont care what gear you have hanging from your bike so long as it works."
ΛΧΑ ΔΞ179 - 15% off your first Hammer Nutrition order!
bdcheung is offline  
Old 07-30-09, 11:07 AM
  #64  
sicou2
Enjoys that "feeling"
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: College Station, TX
Posts: 9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
It is an '08 Fuji Newest 3.0. Thanks again.
sicou2 is offline  
Old 07-30-09, 11:09 AM
  #65  
bdcheung
Carpe Diem
 
bdcheung's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: MABRA
Posts: 13,149

Bikes: 2007 CAAD9; 2014 CAADX; PedalForce CG1

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
1) Google "2008 fuji bikes" -> https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&c...q=f&oq=&aqi=g1
2) Click first link -> https://www.fujibikes.com/News-Reviews/News/2008.aspx
3) Navigate to Newest 3.0 -> https://www.fujibikes.com/Road/Sport/Newest30.aspx
4) Look at geometry chart
5) Medium = 50cm seat tube, 54.5cm top tube.
__________________
"When you are chewing the bars at the business end of a 90 mile road race you really dont care what gear you have hanging from your bike so long as it works."
ΛΧΑ ΔΞ179 - 15% off your first Hammer Nutrition order!
bdcheung is offline  
Old 07-30-09, 11:12 AM
  #66  
sicou2
Enjoys that "feeling"
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: College Station, TX
Posts: 9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Beautiful! Thanks for dashing my hopes again! Way to small.
sicou2 is offline  
Old 07-30-09, 06:40 PM
  #67  
peddlinski
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 10
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Hello everyone. I'm new to the forum and new to road bikes but I've done quite a bit of mtn biking in the past. I just bought this bike(https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/...ad/2266/32193/) because it's all I can afford right now. I kind of wanted something with better components but I couldn't wait to raise up the extra cash to buy a better equipped bike. Basically I wanted to start riding asap so I bought a cheaper bike so I could start riding sooner. I have used the search function here to find related threads but there are ALOT of threads here and it gets confusing. My question is what should be my firsts upgrades? Wheels(I weigh 200 pounds), rear derealler, shiflers? I was thinking I might upgrade my entire group this winter. What are some safe online places to buy the parts I need? I see some good deals on ebay but I'm not sure whats safe and whats not. I'm loving my new bike btw!

Thanks,

Gregg

Last edited by peddlinski; 07-30-09 at 06:50 PM.
peddlinski is offline  
Old 07-30-09, 06:58 PM
  #68  
chipcom 
Infamous Member
 
chipcom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 24,360

Bikes: Surly Big Dummy, Fuji World, 80ish Bianchi

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 3 Posts
Just ride and let breakage dictate your upgrades for the first year.
__________________
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
chipcom is offline  
Old 07-30-09, 11:11 PM
  #69  
kayakdiver
ah.... sure.
 
kayakdiver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Whidbey Island WA
Posts: 4,107

Bikes: Specialized.... schwinn..... enough to fill my needs..

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by chipcom
just ride and let breakage dictate your upgrades for the first year.
+1000
kayakdiver is offline  
Old 08-03-09, 08:17 AM
  #70  
rrooster
Senior Member
 
rrooster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Philly
Posts: 272

Bikes: Motobecane Messenger

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I'm pretty new to road cycling- so new in fact that I don't have a bike yet, I've been riding ssfg and posting there for about a year. I tried searching the forum, but I couldn't find any mention of it, so here's my query:

one of the shops here in Philly has a 2008 Giant TCR C2 in my size, and I've kind of got my eyes on it as a graduation/birthday/hanukkah present. Anyone here ride one or can give me any info, or comparison to my other two choices should someone else buy it first?

The other two bikes I'm contemplating if it gets sold before the money's available: Trek 2.3 and Specialized Allez Elite (or Comp for 2010, since its the same model apparently), any comparisons/thoughts worth taking into account besides the dominant frame material and difference in groupo? I'm 6'4" and ride a 61-63 depending on manufacture, and I weigh between 190-195.

Edit: also looking at the Felt F-75.

Last edited by rrooster; 08-03-09 at 09:02 AM. Reason: forgot something
rrooster is offline  
Old 08-04-09, 06:28 AM
  #71  
terminal 37
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Mentioned: Post(s)
Tagged: Thread(s)
Quoted: Post(s)
I am looking at buying my first serious road bike, and have about 1200 $ to spend. What are the common suggestions for bikes in this price range?
Thanks
 
Old 08-04-09, 06:42 AM
  #72  
garysol1 
Senior Member
 
garysol1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Traverse City Michigan
Posts: 10,244
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 78 Post(s)
Liked 17 Times in 11 Posts
Originally Posted by terminal 37
I am looking at buying my first serious road bike, and have about 1200 $ to spend. What are the common suggestions for bikes in this price range?
Thanks

At that price range you will be looking at very similar bikes from all of the big manufactures. They will be aluminum frame with a carbon fork. At that price make sure what ever bike your looking at has 105 shifters and deraileurs. Not knowing exactly what you want to do with the bike makes recommending a particular model is impossible. Find a good local shop and tell the sales person what you have to spend and what you want the bike to do and they should be able to point you in the correct direction. Also make sure the store will include a fit with the bike to insure that you are as comfortable as possible. Keep in mind accessory's as well when looking at your budget......Shoes and pedals, computer, water bottles and cages....
__________________
BMC Roadmachine
Kona Jake the Snake
garysol1 is offline  
Old 08-04-09, 02:05 PM
  #73  
FlatSix911
Senior Member
 
FlatSix911's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Los Altos, CA
Posts: 1,775
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 70 Post(s)
Liked 8 Times in 6 Posts
Originally Posted by terminal 37
I am looking at buying my first serious road bike, and have about 1200 $ to spend. What are the common suggestions for bikes in this price range?
Thanks
Have you considered buying a bike on-line?

For the same price of a basic Aluminum frame you can order a full Carbon frame with a nice component group. Go to your local bike shop and get your proper fit and frame size, then place your order for a bike on-line. Let the LBS know that you will be buying all of your accessories and tune ups from them - you may even want to have them assemble the bike for you.

Here are a few suggestions in the $1.200 price range:

Good luck

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/..._08_carbon.htm

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/..._08_carbon.htm

FlatSix911 is offline  
Old 08-06-09, 12:57 PM
  #74  
tombailey
awaiting uci approval
 
tombailey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Alexandria, VA
Posts: 961

Bikes: Fuji Roubaix RC 06

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
[QUOTE=FlatSix911;9419330]Have you considered buying a bike on-line?



I'm not too anti-BD, but the only time it is almost certainly a bad option is for your first bike.
tombailey is offline  
Old 08-06-09, 05:48 PM
  #75  
terminal 37
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Mentioned: Post(s)
Tagged: Thread(s)
Quoted: Post(s)
Thanks for the info garysol1.

Flatsix, thanks for the info - but after paying shipping, tax, duty, etc. it might end up costing me a lot more (I forgot to mention I'm from Canada). I will still consider it though.

And yes this is my first road bike; might go to a Specialized dealer tomorrow and see what the have to offer.
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.