$300 bike alright for a beginner?
27
Member
527 days
goldsmithnb posted 1 year ago.
i think the bigger issue is not neccesarily the price, but what kind of bike is it? does it have good components, and are they in good working order? alot of time people get really caught up in price, and "you get what you pay for". While this is usually true, the bike is only going to work as hard as its engine. So if the bike is not going to be a huge headache with constant breakdowns, and you are on a budget, (like me), i say get what you can now and upgrade later. im doing an iron distance race in a month on a $700 fuji newest. its not ideal, but i work hard to make it work. just my opinion.
"Age doesn't bring wisdom; miles do."
833
Member
1284 days
JamieM posted 1 year ago.
The best thing to do is to educate yourself first. Check out the LBS's in the area and see if they have any used bikes. Find someone willing to take the time to talk to you about the bikes and what you should be looking for. A good shop will take the time because even if you are not buying from them, they will work to get you to go to them for future purchases and should just be generally encouraging to someone getting into the sport. And besides, you're probably going to need a helmet, tune-up for the used ride and some other things.
You can definitely do something for under $500 that will get you started. Just make sure you know what you're buying. Don't jump on the first bike you see on E-bay just cause it's a cool color.
Good Luck.
28
Member
449 days
homey posted 1 year ago.
All good advice Toomey. Make sure 56cm is the correct size for you. Get a few shops to measure you to confirm. Look for 105 or above for components (especially rear derailer) b/c you'll be putting lots of miles/Ks on it. And save a bit of change for areo bars ;)
Good luck and start building that engine!
10
Member
446 days
Toomey posted 1 year ago.
Thanks everyone. Looks like I just have to really start reading up on the mechanics of bikes and pros and cons and different makes and models.
homey, yep, building that engine is what I gotta start doing for sure.
650
Member
1065 days
deepbluex posted 1 year ago.
I still ride my $300 used road bike as my training and climbing (it has a 3rd granny gear) bike. Getting a good used bike is a great way to go. I found mine locally on craigslist. It's much better to get a much older bike of very high quality than a newer bike with lower quality construction and components.
Just make sure you set money aside for things like clipless shoes and pedals and clip on aerobars.
10
Member
446 days
Toomey posted 1 year ago.
That's true, I'll make sure to find an old bike of high quality rather than a new one of low quality.
281
Member
1250 days
kevinb421 posted 1 year ago.
I have been watching e-bay a lot lately for bikes and some of the 2000 model cannondales and treks have been going for insanely cheap. I have seen OCLV bikes with ultegra 9, (some are 8's) going for around 600. Honestly, the best thing to do for your first bike is to go to a trusted LBS and spend the 40-50 on a quality fit. Make sure to ask questions first. They should be taking all sorts of measurements and should actually be able to produce a printout of your suggested frame size, seat height, stem length, crankarm, handlebars, etc. That $50 may sound like a lot when you are working on a budget but a $300 bike that fits properly will ride much nicer than a $9000 Italian Magnesium bike will that is 4cm too big for you.
"If your not going to win, make the fellow in front of you break a record."
I'm 18 years old and will soon start training for triathlon. My biggest goal triathlon wise is to complete the May of '09 Florida HIM. I will be doing sprints and olympics in the meantime.
Is it advisable for me to purchase, for my first bike, a road or tri bike that costs less than $500? I'm talking like a used bike from the late '90's or something, whatever is decent for not too much buck.
I will not be racing competitively. I'll be buying a bike so that I'm allowed to compete in the race, not so that I can win the race.
Does anyone have any ideas about which kinda bikes I should be looking for? I'm 6' and will be looking at bikes around 56cm.