Kevin45

Hello all,

I'm hoping someone might be willing to offer recommendations about purchasing a suitable road bike, given the following background:

I'm an injured long distance runner (Achilles), and since the injury still hasn't healed after 4+ years, I've been cycling to maintain fitness (about 120-150 miles weekly). I have a 15+ year old Raleigh 21-speed mountain bike which has been poorly maintained (partly because I'm always thinking my injury will finally heal and I'll be back running),

But since I can't heal the injury, I'd like to focus more seriously on cycling training, maybe even race eventually. My rusted-chain/creaking mountain bike simply couldn't keep up with the pace of even a semi-serious group ride, so I'm trying to find and purchase a good road bicycle, with some of the following criteria (and lacking expertise in competitive cycling, I'm probably overlooking quite a few important criteria):


1. Drivetrain/gear set which would allow someone with good enough fitness to hit 20+ mph in a pack (or faster if fitness allows!)

2. Relatively low maintenance (durable tires/drivetrain/etc., not needing to be constantly replaced)

3. Easy to maintain for someone without great mechanical aptitude (i.e., myself

4. Suitable for more serious training (150-220 miles weekly), maybe even a race down the line

5. Price of $600-800 (possibly up to $900, but if possible I'd like to keep it under)

I visited a local shop and was recommended two specific bikes: the Fuji Roubaix 2.0 LE Road Bike, for $999, and the Fuki Tread 1.0 LE Road, also $999. The prices are (for my budget) pretty high, but they include $200 worth of store credit and free lifetime adjustments, so I'm wondering if that might partially justify the cost vs. a cheaper online alternative.

Apologies if any of these questions suggest undue naivete of cycling terminology or other basics, but I am new to the competitive side of the sport, and appreciate any advice offered.

datlas 

The bikes you mentioned are fine, as long as they are fitted properly. You could save money by finding a higher quality but gently used bike. Use the store credit for clipless pedals and shoes, assuming you don't already have them.

mcours2006

I vote for the second one, if that's the one with 5800's and disc brakes. It might be slightly heavier but it'd be much more versatile for your riding.

Maelochs

Since you don't want to do any wrenching, paying a very slight amount more at a store makes sense, particularly because you can use the credit to get gear and lifetime tuneups are always a deal, even if you could do them yourself.

Kevindale

I agree. When I got back into riding, I got a Fuji Absolute from Performance, and was very happy with both the bike and the service I got from the local (Pasadena) shop. It took me a while to feel the need to get a 'better' bike. If I were buying a road bike in your price range now, I'd buy a gently used bike off Craigslist, but that takes more expertise than I had at the time.

The Fuji looks like a solid bike, and the wider rims/tires will be good for dirt/gravel/commuting, but if you want to go fast in group rides then at some point you might get another set of rims and 25-28 mm tires. Those rims and tires shouldn't keep you from doing the group rides you're looking to do, so this isn't at all urgent. And as mentioned you'll spend that $200 store credit quickly as you get more into riding.

One thing to note is that we're now at the time of year when a lot of 2016 bikes start going on sale. Try to get a feel for the possibility of one of the bikes you want getting a 10-20% discount in the coming weeks. Also, test ride those bikes as much as it takes to figure out which feels best to you. That, and a really good fitting, are by far the most important things to get right.