Getting Started
07-14-12, 10:58 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Getting Started
Hello all,
I am a weight trainer just gaining the interest to get into cycling. I am here to get great sound advice, I know I will probably get some "tough love" but all is fair. So, I have been looking into bikes for about a month now. I am not educated on road bikes but I am learning as I search. My price point is not very high ($650-$700) so I know that can be an issue. My idea is to spend $500-$600 on the bike and use the other hundred to have it tuned ($40) and get things like an extra tube, speedometer, water bottle and cage....
A t this point I have gone in a few different directions. I was initially set on getting a $250-$300 Schwinn from either Target or Wal Mart but after reading forums here I was discouraged. Let me add that I am in no way trying to compete or even join a group. I want to ride for fitness and recreation...a long ride for me will be 20 miles so no 100+ mile rides in the plan. For that I don't think I need a $1500 Specialized or Cannondale.
After being detered from the Schwinn bikes in the links below...
https://www.schwinnbikes.com/catalog/.../category/151/
https://www.schwinnbikes.com/catalog/.../category/151/
I did some more internet searching and found that the first step was getting fitted for a bike. I then went to by LBS to do just that. They were more concerned with selling me something than actually helping me and educating me. I told the guy there that after dimissing the Schwinn bikes I came across bikes direct and was interested in the Motobecane Mirage Pro....
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...ge_pro_xii.htm
After literally laughing in my face he told me not to waste my time and money. Again, refer back to what my target use for the bike is. He began taking me around the shop showing me racing bikes that started at $900 and went as high as $5200. I was uncomfortable so I decided to pack it in and leave for the day. He did tell me I needed a 58c frame. I did what some suggested and tried CL but even the used bikes were far out of my price range. Then I came across the Fuji Newest 3.0 on Performance Bicycles...
https://www.performancebike.com/bikes...89_-1___400309
With this information I went back to the bike shop, talked to a different guy and explained everything to him. He didn't laugh in my face but still was no help and told me that the Fuji I was looking at was junk as well...I know I'm a novice, but for fitness and recreation are ALL these bikes a bad choice?
Sorry for the long post please help.
I am a weight trainer just gaining the interest to get into cycling. I am here to get great sound advice, I know I will probably get some "tough love" but all is fair. So, I have been looking into bikes for about a month now. I am not educated on road bikes but I am learning as I search. My price point is not very high ($650-$700) so I know that can be an issue. My idea is to spend $500-$600 on the bike and use the other hundred to have it tuned ($40) and get things like an extra tube, speedometer, water bottle and cage....
A t this point I have gone in a few different directions. I was initially set on getting a $250-$300 Schwinn from either Target or Wal Mart but after reading forums here I was discouraged. Let me add that I am in no way trying to compete or even join a group. I want to ride for fitness and recreation...a long ride for me will be 20 miles so no 100+ mile rides in the plan. For that I don't think I need a $1500 Specialized or Cannondale.
After being detered from the Schwinn bikes in the links below...
https://www.schwinnbikes.com/catalog/.../category/151/
https://www.schwinnbikes.com/catalog/.../category/151/
I did some more internet searching and found that the first step was getting fitted for a bike. I then went to by LBS to do just that. They were more concerned with selling me something than actually helping me and educating me. I told the guy there that after dimissing the Schwinn bikes I came across bikes direct and was interested in the Motobecane Mirage Pro....
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...ge_pro_xii.htm
After literally laughing in my face he told me not to waste my time and money. Again, refer back to what my target use for the bike is. He began taking me around the shop showing me racing bikes that started at $900 and went as high as $5200. I was uncomfortable so I decided to pack it in and leave for the day. He did tell me I needed a 58c frame. I did what some suggested and tried CL but even the used bikes were far out of my price range. Then I came across the Fuji Newest 3.0 on Performance Bicycles...
https://www.performancebike.com/bikes...89_-1___400309
With this information I went back to the bike shop, talked to a different guy and explained everything to him. He didn't laugh in my face but still was no help and told me that the Fuji I was looking at was junk as well...I know I'm a novice, but for fitness and recreation are ALL these bikes a bad choice?
Sorry for the long post please help.
Last edited by seymour1910; 07-14-12 at 11:19 PM. Reason: adding information.
07-15-12, 06:42 AM
#2
Galveston County Texas
Join Date: Nov 2007
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"Let me add that I am in no way trying to compete or even join a group. I want to ride for fitness and recreation...a long ride for me will be 20 miles so no 100+ mile rides in the plan."
^^^^^ That will soon change after about 6-8 weeks of riding.
You will want to keep up with the experienced riders when they zoom passed You.
Look for a bike with Tiagra or 105 components.
^^^^^ That will soon change after about 6-8 weeks of riding.
You will want to keep up with the experienced riders when they zoom passed You.
Look for a bike with Tiagra or 105 components.
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Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
07-15-12, 07:38 AM
#3
CRIKEY!!!!!!!
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Welcome to the forums, Seymour.
Spend a little time in the subforums that interest you and see how you take to their individual cultures. At least one is sure to be a good fit for you. You'll find lots of specialist advice on bikes & gear there that will serve you best.
Good luck & welcome aboard.
Spend a little time in the subforums that interest you and see how you take to their individual cultures. At least one is sure to be a good fit for you. You'll find lots of specialist advice on bikes & gear there that will serve you best.
Good luck & welcome aboard.
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"Surely one can love his own country without becoming hopelessly lost in an all-consuming flame of narrow-minded nationalism" - Fred Birchmore
"Surely one can love his own country without becoming hopelessly lost in an all-consuming flame of narrow-minded nationalism" - Fred Birchmore
07-15-12, 08:58 AM
#4
Homey
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Welcome to Bike Forums! Yes, there is a lot of information out there to read read read and feel free to start a thread in the subforum you think would be appropriate. Good luck!
07-15-12, 10:26 AM
#5
Pint-Sized Gnar Shredder
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The tough part about buying online is you won't be able to get a sense of how the bike will fit or test ride it. Browse around the forums, and don't be afraid to ask questions...there are plenty of people who will be able to help you!
07-15-12, 12:19 PM
#6
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Good advice, that is why I searched my local Craigslist for a good used bike. I just couldn't find anything, most of the guy's here pretty much wanted what hey paid for the bikes. They said they wanted what they paid for the bikes due to all their upgrades. I will keep looking, and keep trying to learn as much as I can. Thanks again.
07-15-12, 12:26 PM
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I will dig into these subforums and see what I can come up with. I found a guy just a few minutes ago in my area selling a used Cannondale, but after talking to him he said he wanted $750 for the bike (my entire budget) and the bike probably needs $100-$200 of work. That puts me over budget and actually scares me, if the bike was well taken care of why would it need so much work? For me to be able to afford something in the range everyone is telling me to go, I would have to wait until December and xmas bonus time. I want to start riding a lot sooner than that.
