Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

All of those will serve you well. Look at Fuji as well from Performance Bike.

Whats your budget?

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

I'd like to stay under $800-900, for the bike. There's a 2013 Specialized Allez on CL for $850. Has SRAM and a couple other things.

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

Keep in mind the budget for clothing and accessories as they can be as much as your bike budget and equally as important. Most new cyclists are taken back when I mention clothing costs add up quick, but quality garments will last a decade plus...

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

Yea, that's been sort of a shock, but then again not with having to do the same for running. Good equipment costs $$$, but lasts. Cheap stuff is just that.

I've already ordered a jersey, shorts, bike computer, under seat pouch. Still need gloves, helmet, shoes, pump, repair kit, spare tubes, etc.

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

Have you been fitted for a bike so you know what size to look for?

Get a Kask helmet. Topeak Joe Blow floor pump.

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

Yes, 56mm. And it just so happens that Allez is 56mm. :D

Thanks for the info on the helmet, pump.

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

Buy bib shorts, and don't forget socks. Thing is, if you ride every day, you need multiple pairs of shorts...

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

You're the second person to tell me to buy bibs. I'll have to order a pair when I get the $$$. I figure I can use my running socks for biking.

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

Good floor pump makes all the difference. Actually all the equipment does. I notice a difference at each price point and I am hardly the pro; just an average rider but been riding 30+ years.

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

Wow I don't know how I missed this thread. I started cycling in Nov after I lost a bunch of weight. LOVE it! I have a 14 Cannondale SuperSix EVO 105. Track all my rides on Strava.

I am looking at doing a Tri, there is one in town in Sept. I have been doing 5K runs after my 36 mile rides...so I might push to try and do an Olympic Tri distance.

But I will definitely be doing a century this year. Longest ride I have done to date was 77 miles.

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

Good for you and keep it up! Wish I could say I am riding that kind of distance... I feel lucky just getting on the bike.

I use to be more high tech tracking everything and reviewing my traces of previous rides, but realized it does not matter. I can tell how fast I am going, I know how far all my routes are, and it's apparent to me if I am faster or slower relative to previous rides.

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

Yea mine is mainly for keeping up totals, and sharing with my buddies I ride with.

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

Riding Phoenix is no joy for a few months a year. Pretty flat as well. At least you have sunny weather.

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

Stopped by another store yesterday to look over their selection. I'm still undecided if I want a full road bike, or a hybrid. Michigan roads are horrible, which has me leaning towards a hybrid bike. But will the seating geometry of a hybrid be ok for rides of 15+ miles?

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

Well, just doing more research, maybe a cyclocross is more in line with what I need. A local store shows a NOS 2009 Specialized Tricross Triple for $1200. Might be able to talk them down from there, or throw in shoes/pedals or something.

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

Look at Ridley if there is a shop nearby that stocks them. They are all the rage in cyclocross/rough road bikes.

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

Road bike or nothing if you really want to do any riding. Bikes are like cars. Do you want to drive a Ferrari, or Range Rover? Range Rover can do a lot of things, but it's never going to ride like a Ferrari.

The energy loss, performance, handling, and responsiveness between a road bike and hybrid is like my example. I want every once of my energy being transmitted to the bike.

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

If you're going to ride, get a road bike. If you want to be a casual bike rider then get something else. You said you already bought shorts and all the gear, sounds like you want to be a cyclist... get a road bike.

When I started riding a few years back I was like you wondering do I really need a road bike because I would like to ride on other surfaces or be able to ride on gravel etc. So I compromised and bought myself a nice road bike but also bought some road slick tires for my Mt bike. I used those road slicks ONCE. Since owning a road bike, I have never once thought that I wished I had something else. If you want to ride, get a road bike, period.

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

A road bike is truly what I want, and will probably end up getting. I've been researching the cyclocross only for the fact that Michigan roads suck. I mean, 3rd world countries have better roads than us. I want to just be able to jump on the bike and leave from my house. I can get to some nicer roads, with minimal traffic, but it will mean having to navigate through some sketchy stuff first. I don't really like the idea of loading up the bike and drive somewhere, just to ride.

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

Well, went by the local LBS after work, to talk to them about road vs cyclocross. Ended up coming home with a 2014 Specialized Secteur Triple. Also picked up a helmet, gloves and a few other goodies. Getting ready to take it out for a short spin.