Entry Level Road Bike
314
Member
1428 days
ryan16 posted 3 years ago.
I have had some experience with giant and the ocr3 I think would be a great bike for you. I believe it has a carbon fork and if im not mystaken its the only bike at that price with a carbon fork.
PAIN IS TEMPORARY, PRIDE IS FOREVER!
Whether you think you can, or you think you can't you are right!
558
Member
1433 days
vanjames posted 3 years ago.
I agree with not spending too much $$ but be careful spending too little as well. Giant are a good brand. I have the OCR2 and did two olys and a half IM last year and will be using it again this year for two olys, a half and IM Canada. My point, at this stage of the game a decent road bike with clip on aerobars is sufficient for most of us to get around. Trek 1000 and 1200 are also in a similar price range brand new. The most important factor will be the fit, this is why I would stay with purchasing from a reputable bike store, it could be a second hand bike but the store must be reputable to ensure the bike is the right size etc.
2352
Member
2464 days
Tribro posted 3 years ago.
hmmm, I think it might be tough to get a new decent bike for much less than the $600. I think the OCR 3 is good from what I've heard. Also look at the Trek 1000 or Specialized Allez, both are around the same price range. If you need to go cheaper, I'd suggest trying to find one of the models above used on eBay or maybe CraigsList. Being in the city, you should have a good selection of used bikes to choose from.
For the most part manufacturers usually make several frame quality models and then components are the price differences beyond that. For example, I believe trek has 3 different carbon builds for their frames, as does Giant. Within those 2-3 frame types they'll be 3-5 or so models based on components. That's basically the difference between OCR 1,2,3 while the TCR 1,2,3 is a higher quality frame with similar components.
On the components, most in the U.S. now come with Shimano. At that price range your looking at the Sora or Tiagra. Again the difference in the components is usually performance (smoothness/repsonsiveness of shifting) and weight. http://www.trifuel.com/gear/Bike/Groupos/index.php shows a list the groupos and their price ranges. Other components would be forks, seats, wheelsets, etc. Basically all these effect the price. The carbon fork that ryan mentions will be more absorbant than say an aluminum fork. So, longer rides may be easier on the body with a carbon frame and fork.
This is getting long and I'm probably confusing you. I'm not so good at splainin things. Browse around this section to get a little more familiar with what's out there and some of the differences between them. http://www.trifuel.com/gear/Bike/index.php. Then basically search around on eBay or in the local paper for the one with the better frame and components. Be sure to get fitted at a local bike shop first though, to make sure your looking for the right size bike.
62
Member
1478 days
AZBuckeye posted 3 years ago.
I bought a Fuji Finest in November, and I really like it. It offers a lot for a little ($350).
211
Member
1469 days
Scout posted 3 years ago.
I also have the Giant OCR 2 and it is more than enough bike for me at this point. I bought it from a bike shop that I really really trust. After trying out a few different bikes, this was definitely the best fit! I lucked into buying the demo (which had only been used by the shop owner!) this saved me some bucks and I am very pleased with it!
Good luck with your search...Be sure to try out a few different entry level models. You will want to spend more time on a bike that is a great fit!
856
Member
1526 days
catwood posted 3 years ago.
Take a look at the specialized.... I ride an 03 allez comp and I'm very happy with it (they've upped the price and made it an even nicer bike since i bought mine). Since they're a big company but they don't have the big name reputation as much as trek or canondale the bikes are much more economical...They don't overcharge you for women's specific geometry either... of course you should check out other brands too and find what fits best.... It looks like their multi-sport and tri bikes are new this year:
This one's a ways above your price range, but it look really appealing...great value -- even more than the usual for Specialized.... mostly 105 components, clip-on aerobars (profile airstrykes), bladed spokes on the wheels... def. worth a look:
$1200 05 Dolce Vita Multi-Sport: A bit above your price range, but it might be worth it: mostly 105 but some tiagra components, carbon fork, carbon seatpost, comes with clip on aerobars, women's specific geometry
Some other cheaper ones:
$800 05 Dolce: sora/tiagra components, carbon fork, carbon seatpost, women's specific geometry
and its usually not hard to find bikes cheaper than list price....
and haggleing with the guys at the bike shop can work wonders for the price....
613
Member
1486 days
qb ant posted 3 years ago.
I also did my first two tris on a mtn bike. Last fall, I bought a Fuji Finest for about $400 and used it in a duathlon - it worked great - anything was better than the mtn bike! Anyway, the bike wasn't that expensive compared with many others out there and now I'm adding things like clip on pedals etc. a little bit at a time, as I become a better rider and it fits the budget..........
"90% of the game is half mental" Yogi Berra
61
Member
1814 days
ted posted 3 years ago.
I have owned a specialzed allez for three years, i put about 2500 miles on it from training, and i've put 10 miles on it every day for the last 7 months to and from school..
the allez is an extremely worthy investment.
171
Member
1443 days
ChuckyFinster posted 3 years ago.
You might get lucky here:
http://www.preownedbikes.com/preowned/
Good luck!
Just got back from my bike store having looked at entry level road bikes for this season. I was a bit shocked to see that the cheapest bike I was shown (a Giant OCR3) was $600.
Does anyone have recommendations of how to shop for a bike in general (what to look for, what I can expect to pay for certain levels, what more money actually buys me)? And maybe recommendations for specific bikes?
This will be my second season (last year did 2 sprints on a clunky mountain bike and don't want to repeat that again!) and I'm looking to do an Olympic and a sprint. I'm not a super competitor but know my time will greatly improve with a road bike and some clipless pedals. I'm female (5'3", 125 lbs.) -- don't know how much that really matters.
I could spend $600 if I felt that it was reasonable and I was getting a very good, entry level road bike. But I remember seeing an entry level Fuji at another shop last season and it was only $350. And I saw a member here say she paid in the $300-400 range for a good bike.
I think I've pretty much ruled out a tri bike because I will be doing some riding on NYC streets and as I said, I'm not a super competitor. I figure I can put some aerobars on a road bike if I decide to.
Any advice would really be appreciated.