[RideND]

I wanna get a road bike for this spring/summer and am having a tough time deciding what to get. I have never owned or ridden a road bike before and don't know very much about them. My local dealer sells Trek and Lemond and I am gonna get one of these brands. I can afford up to $1200 but the cheaper the better for me. I am looking at three Treks in my price range (1000, 1200, 1500). I know the 1500 is gonna be the best but I dont need anything special. I have ridden 30 miles on pavement with my Trek 4300 and just need something that is gonna be durable and functional. So my question:

Will the 1000 be a decent bike that won't break on me or is the better componentry of the others that much different that I should step up and get the higher model. Also, I dont think Lemond has prices on there website so if you know what fits in that price range, do you think they are better bikes.

Trek 1000

1200

1500

 

[Runbuddha]

If your just looking for something to play around with the 1000 is going to be more then enough for you

 

[Serial Midget]

The minimum you want on a road bike is full Shimana 105. No Tiagra. No Sora.

Cheap bikes are serviceable and get the job done but seldom inspire you to ride anymore than you have too. A well spec'd quality ride will be such a pleasure to ride that nothing will keep you off the saddle. Buy the very best you can afford but make sure it fits.

Have your LBS fit you for size BEFORE you express interest in anything they have on the floor, once you know your size don't settle for anything else. Many shops work hard to sell you "whats available today". This helps them move inventory and gives you a quick fix but... you shouldn't settle for anything that isn't right.

 

[RideND]

The minimum you want on a road bike is full Shimana 105. No Tiagra. No Sora.

Cheap bikes are serviceable and get the job done but seldom inspire you to ride anymore than you have too. A well spec'd quality ride will be such a pleasure to ride that nothing will keep you off the saddle. Buy the very best you can afford but make sure it fits.

Have your LBS fit you for size BEFORE you express interest in anything they have on the floor, once you know your size don't settle for anything else. Many shops work hard to sell you "whats available today". This helps them move inventory and gives you a quick fix but... you shouldn't settle for anything that isn't right.

The one thing I do know about road bikes is fit, fit, fit. But I should get 105 even for the front and shifters or just make sure I have it in the back?

 

[PonySoldier]

I just bought a Lemond Croix de Fer might want to check on those. Paid just over $1200 beans..

 

[LordOpie]

Will you ride at least 2000 miles a year? That's only 40 mi/week. If yes, listen to SM.

As for fit, also listen to SM... get measured and not just the fookin' seat-tube. Don't listen to people when they say, "oh, I love my bike" cuz it might not be for you. That said, IF the Lemond Croix de Fer is for you, holy ejaculation Batman that's a sweet ride.

If you can splurge for the Lemond Sarthe, go for it... same frame, but upgraded brakes and wheelset. And nicer paint job get the shop to put on cream handlebar tape for the Sarthe.

Look for 2003-04 closeouts.

Listen closely... the most important thing is the frame. I agree with SM about 105, but if the best frame for you is out of your price range with 105, go with Sora or Tiagra. Don't buy a better spec'ed bike with an inferior quality or fit frame.

 

[Serial Midget]

Listen closely... the most important thing is the frame. I agree with SM about 105, but if the best frame for you is out of your price range with 105, go with Sora or Tiagra. Don't buy a better spec'ed bike with an inferior quality or fit frame.

You make roadies proud. :

 

[LordOpie]

is that sarcasm?

I'm still learning, so teach me Obi Wan before I turn to the darkside and get a recumbent.

 

[Serial Midget]

is that sarcasm?

I'm still learning, so teach me Obi Wan before I turn to the darkside and get a recumbent.

Sarcasm? From me? Not this time...

 

[LordOpie]

Sarcasm? From me? Not this time...

haha, I still can't tell.

Remember that thread about pedals and I think it was Toninator running SPDs and you answered him vaguely and he got all spooked about your response?

hmm, I think I had a point somewhere.

Anywho, leaving in a few to ride from my house near Cherry Creek Reservoir up the trail to downtown, along 32nd Ave into Golden, over Lookout Mt. to Morrison, east on Bear Creek Trail to the Platte River and either back along CCTrail or C-470 depending if I'm up for 85 miles or just 75. Do you remember all those trails from when you lived here?

 

[Serial Midget]

Um... no. We had the Cherry Creek Trail and the Platte River Trail - I think the others you mentioned might have been built within the last 15 years. We mostly rode our bikes on the side of the roads as the trails struck us as pedestrian orientated.

Today I am riding out to Westport and back, only 40 miles but it does promise to rain. Our rain free early season is just a pleasant memory now.

As far as spooking the Toninator - never happened - he does not spook.

 

[RideND]

Thanks for the replies guys. As for how many miles Im gonna ride, I am not even sure. I know that there isnt riding from Nov.-April most of the time here.

 

[James]

Check out the Giant OCR-1, a lot of 105 (shifters/rear der, the important stuff), carbon fork/post, nice cranks, a nice bike. Or for $1600 you can get a full 105 full carbon frame with a carbon/alloy fork...
But not everyone likes the geo of the Giant bikes. I happen to, but that's just me. Go try one out...

JJames

 

[Pau11y]

Check out the Giant OCR-1, a lot of 105 (shifters/rear der, the important stuff), carbon fork/post, nice cranks, a nice bike. Or for $1600 you can get a full 105 full carbon frame with a carbon/alloy fork...
But not everyone likes the geo of the Giant bikes. I happen to, but that's just me. Go try one out...

JJames

For $1600.00, I'll deliver my bike to his door

 

[Pau11y]

is that sarcasm?

I'm still learning, so teach me Obi Wan before I turn to the darkside and get a recumbent.

...or turn in to a DHer

 

[RideND]

James, I would love to try a Giant out but they are not carried here.

 

[James]

Bummer. But hey, if you want to drive 100 miles...
Lucky for you though, the $1000ish range is probably the most competitive price zone for road bikes. All the companies are all trying to outdo each other.
The 1500 is my vote here, because of the prior mentioned 105 parts. I really wouldn't go much lower as far as road parts go. Having had waaaaay too much experiance in these things, the 105 is really the first "real" road group Shimano makes.
Up until recently, all of my road bikes had 105 on 'em. I only upgraded to Ultegra derailleurs because I "fell" into them. Still rocking the 105 shifters, only now they're new ones. I miss the days of "600" and 105 being exactly the same save the finish... Now I'm really dating myself though I suppose.
I'm not sure of the price, but this Jamis Ventura Comp looks pretty dope: http://jamisbikes.com/bikes/05_venturacomp.html
The next model down, the Ventura, seems to be a little lower, mostly Tiagra running gear. Plus the "Comp" model has carbon stays, a HUGE plus in my book. I loved my 1/2 carbon alloy bike. It had carbon chainstays too, but still, the seatstays are the bike deal.
The Quest might be a pretty good bike too, being steel, you probably get a little more bang for your buck, plus you get an Easton carbon fork, nice upgrade. The weight is almost identical, less than a pound.
I also have a 631 steel hardtail, and I really like the ride of it, smooth without being spongy, compliant without being flexy, a nice ride.
There are plenty of great options out there, the only issue being what's close to you. Jamis is a smaller east-coast based company, so they might not have a dealer nearby...

JJames