Any Bike Riders Out There?

You should be able to get a decent entry road bike with Apex or Tiagra for $1000-$1200, regardless of the brand. If you are riding less than 40 miles at a clip on smooth roads, carbon frame isn't a necessity.

Though for $2000, you can get carbon and probably 105 or Rival parts and a couple pounds less weight overall.
 
Coming from FS mountain bikes, I'd like the carbon just to soak up bumps more. I have a bad habit of riding over anything, because I can on the other bikes.
 
Stu:

I have a Specialized Roubaix with Rival. MSRP was $2700, I paid $2000 at end of season. Otherwise, I would have done an AL frame. I love the bike, but to be honest, I could have gotten away with a AL frame. Most of my rides are under 3 hours. If yours are, too, tire choice, tire pressure, tire width, and saddle choice make a good bit of difference. If you chose a complaint AL road frame (Specialized Sectuer, Cannondale Synapse, Giant Defy) and used 25c tires, you'd hardly know the difference for shorter rides.

Carbon has it's advantages. Stiffer bottom bracket area, specific layups, lighter weight, and certainly the bling factor. But they are minor. Unless you are thinking of doing 4+ hour rides in the hills, AL is fine. I've had my ass kicked by guys on AL frames all day long. :)
 
I've actually never ridden a road bike so I don't really know what kind of riding I would do haha. That's one reason I really wanted this Giant Rapid I saw for $350, but it sold. Even if it isn't a true road bike it would have been good enough, and wouldn't have blown too much money.

I'll probably end up with something AL, I just want it to look cool, not like those older bikes. I won't ride anything from Spec though.
 
It all depends on what you plan on doing. 60 minute neighborhood rides...you could get away with just about anything.

The newest hydroformed AL frames look like CF anyway. They shave the welds and use bent tubes.

Reach out if you need any specific advice.
 
I'm kind of in a bad spot because I don't want to spend a lot but still want a nice bike. It also sucks because I only need it for the summer, but I'd almost rather wait until the end of the summer to see where I stand financially. Of course by then I won't be riding the bike for awhile anyway.

I've thought about buying a frame and building one up myself too if I can source most parts for cheap. I think I found frames I like for around $400.
 
You will not save any money by building up the bike yourself. You don't have the purchasing power of the large bike companies for components to hit their price points. Additionally, you'll either have to buy specialized tools (like a BB too, for instance) or pay to have a shop install. There goes any chance of saving money. A $800 entry level road bike would probably cost you $900 to build with almost no exception. Plus, you won't get the same warranty/service from the shop since you built it yourself. It's just not worth it when you do the math. Trust me on this!

Used bikes in this price range are tough, too. You can snoop around, but generally people want more than what you should pay. An $800 road bike should go for $400-$500 used if it's in near-perfect condition (as there is no warranty for a second owner). But you might find someone who is willing to part with a reasonable bike. Be careful though...the worst thing you can do is buy the wrong size bike. And a bike shop will help you decide what is the best size!

If you buy a decent ($800-$1000) bike, you'll have it for 10+ years if you want. So save up, get the bike you want, and you'll be happier in the long run. And it's cheaper than buying a $300 bike now and upgrading down the road. You are spending $1000, but it's more fun than a gym membership and if you fall in love with it, it will pay you back ten-fold with decreased stress levels, better health, and fun.
 
^Funny, I recognize all of that as being very accurate and true, but would still rather (and did) build my own bike. Personally, I happily the extra $100 to hand pick the components and know exactly what is what, inside and out. Then again, I'm kind of a tinkerer like that...

Have you (Stu) considered a set of road wheels for your mtb?
 
Yeah, that's what I figured. I was thinking about buying last year components though, and I can find some 50% off deals a lot. I figure a TCR with decent components could run me $1000-$1500

I know the glory won't fit any road wheels, since it's a 20mm front axle, 12x150mm rear. My other bike is still FS and only one front chainring so it doesn't pedal well. I'll already have enough trouble not popping wheelies and stuff, and if I'm on one of my MTB frames I know I won't be able to resist. I think road wheels are bigger too. The whole idea of a road bike, for me at least, is to get something light and easy to ride that I can just cruise around on. There's a lake a few miles from me, and that's where I MTB if I want something close. I usually drive over there. My goal would almost be to ride there and then ride around the lake.
 
You can put a 650c rim on any hub. Not as cool as a full on road bike but about 15% the cost and you only have to store/maintain/upgrade one bike. I don't think I'd do it with a fs bike though. Mine is a hardtail and when I rock the road wheels I just dial up the forks until they barely function.

On the street, even with a full on mtb, the difference between 2.25" dirt tires and 1" road tires is HUGE.
 
Currently leaning towards this puppy, $2k used at the LBS. Looks like it's the highest spec'd 566.
http://www.roadbikereview.com/cat/l...look/566-ultegra-bike/prd_481740_5668crx.aspx

Stock photo:

look_566_blue_10_z.jpg
 
It's decently priced if it's got a full warranty. If not, it's nothing special. You can get a new CF frame bike for $2000 with 105 or Apex (not Ultegra) with full warranty.

Above all else, make sure it fits!
 
58 cm, which is what they sized me at. It's got Ultegra. I will ask about warranty as that is what I am concerned about. Good thing is I can fix most stuff, and hopefully it won't see much heavy use.

I'm guessing if they are selling it, it would have a warranty.
 
Hmm it has a very low front end. Overall very good bike. Make sure to check the warranty because carbon frames are usually a few years and not lifetime like aluminum/chromoly/steel.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 2
 
Look apparently has a 5 year warranty against defects, but it is non-transferable. I will still ask the shop, because maybe they do something through them. How likely is it to have something break? Personally I'm not worried about it, but I have no experience with road bikes. I haven't broken anything on my mountain bikes, just one issue with a fork and they definitely have seen some heavy use.
 
Maybe with how you treat them, and the materials used, but road bikes are pretty simple, whereas mountain bikes have all the suspension and fancy linkages and are subject to continued beating. Depending on the level of riding of course.
 
It's unlikely that the frame would break. But it could have a defect develop down the road. Most CF frames are made in pieces and then assembled into a frame. It's not unheard of to have a frame develop a crack where the pieces are assembled. That is what you'll want a warranty for; not for breakage from a crash/impact.

I agree the front end is very low on that bike. There are many more comfortable road bikes to start out on. You may find you develop neck/back/wrist pain if you are not a very flexible person on that Look.

If it has a warranty AND you are comfortable on it for an hour or two (yes, you need that long a test ride, IMO), then ok. If not, go elsewhere.
 
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