BlackPaw

Hello.

A bike enthusiast here. Im a newbie with little experience. But I love cycling and bicycles in general.

I am planning on buying a road bicycle that will cost under 650$. I will use it for everything - from driving in the city, going to work, driving 200km+ routes, doing centuries, tours etc.

I prefer the bike parts (frame, fork..) to be made of steal.

All recommendations are welcomed!

________________________________________________________________________
QUESTIONS

1. From which material should the bike be (aluminium, titanium, carbon fibers, steel) if the road you drive for 5 years has bumps?

2. I was told that bicycle axles and cups are very important for bicycle speed. Is that true?

3. Why some parts for ex. the pedals can cost more than 150$?

4. Which parts are to be most frequently changed (replaced) parts, excluding tires?

5. What is the difference bettween 1990s and 2008 bike of the same model?

Thanks in advance for any tips, advices.

Busta Quad

Read everything here then come back:


The Under $700 Roadbike Thread

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=69273

frpax

1. From which material should the bike be (aluminium, titanium, carbon fibers, steel) if the road you drive for 5 years has bumps? Any of these will work fine. The geometry of the frame has more to do with comfort than the materials used.

2. I was told that bicycle axles and cups are very important for bicycle speed. Is that true? Yes, they are necessary in order to roll smoothly. Proper adjustment is paramount.

3. Why some parts for ex. the pedals can cost more than 150$? Carbon and titanium are expensive and parts made from them are thus more expensive.

4. Which parts are to be most frequently changed (replaced) parts, excluding tires? Brake pads; handlebar tape; shift cables

5. What is the difference bettween 1990s and 2008 bike of the same model? Usually, the older version will have 7 or 8 speed cassettes, whereas the modern version will be 10. Frames from the '90s are usually aluminum or steel - the modern one will be carbon or an aluminum/carbon mix. Typically, the newer version is lighter.

haimtoeg

Also chains and cassettes.

BlackPaw

I am concerned about the damage the bike will have after driving on such a road more than the comfort.

Thanks been looking something like this.

Naterider

Botto?

Busta Quad

Sticky: Introduction to the Road Cycling Forum: References and Newbie Questions Answered Here

Yeah, that's a pretty tough thread title to figure out.

X-LinkedRider

I was waiting for a response from at least 2 other people before I responded. Probably get an FCR2, which is aluminum maybe a carbon seat post or something for around that.

Surley makes some of the best steel bikes you can get and all purpose like you want. They usually range from the 600-1000 dollar range.

I'm sure Trek and Specialized make an equivalent to the FCR2 mentioned above for a few bucks more.