any cyclists/roadies?

[hammondc]

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

Whats your budget?

[Chainsaw13]

Originally Posted by hammondc

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

Whats your budget?

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.

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by Chainsaw13

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.

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...

[Chainsaw13]

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

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...

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.

[hammondc]

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

Get a Kask helmet. Topeak Joe Blow floor pump.

[Chainsaw13]

Originally Posted by hammondc

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

Get a Kask helmet. Topeak Joe Blow floor pump.

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

Thanks for the info on the helmet, pump.

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by Chainsaw13

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.

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

[Chainsaw13]

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

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

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.

[mosesbotbol]

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.

[kgoings]

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.

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by kgoings

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.

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.

[kgoings]

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

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by kgoings

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

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

[Chainsaw13]

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?

[Chainsaw13]

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.

[hammondc]

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

[mosesbotbol]

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.

[AlohaStyle]

Originally Posted by Chainsaw13

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.

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.

[Chainsaw13]

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.

[Chainsaw13]

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.