Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with roadbike

How to buy a bike?

mrunderhill — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 10:01:56 -0800

I'm looking for a good road bike to ride around town, usually for trips under a mile or two... there are some hills, but nothing too crazy. i make fun of people with fixies, but i can see the benefit of getting something light and simple.

something zippy, maneuverable and easy to lug up stairs... i'd like to spend about $500.

what should I look for? is ebay a good place to buy a bike? specific models or general tips are appreciated.

thanks!

Antique Bicycle Roadshow Filter

snsranch — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:58:25 -0800

What's your guess on how much this bike is worth. Someone is trying VERY HARD to get this bike from me and is willing to spend around $5k US. I think he's nuts, and I'm not letting it go anyway because I like it.

I'm very curious to know what you guys think and various bike forums are letting me down.

The bike: Bottecchia manufactured in '83 or '84. 12 speed road bike, metallic blue with all the original decals and badges. Some of the decals note that it's a replica of a bike that won the 1966 national championships in Italy or something like that. It's all original aside from tires and tubes and is in pretty darn good condition.

I purchased it new in Naples, Italy for about $300. I put a few hundred miles on it and then it went into storage. Forgive me for not posting photos, but it's still in storage and I haven't seen it in a couple of years.

I know there are some hardcore and knowledgeable Mefites Bikers and appreciate any facts or opinions you have!

Thanks!

I just want to go fast but it turns out bikes are more complicated that that

wuzandfuzz — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 23:28:47 -0800

Bikefilter: Trying to get into road cycling for the first time. Trying to pick up the (strange) conventions of pricing and choices. Help! Ok, so I am a runner with plantar fasciitis, who decided that cycling might help relieve some of my workout load. I cycled to school and for transportation in college, and occasional bailing aside, I really like it. So here I am, trying to buy my first road bike.

After perusing the bike forums, I have decided that I have about 600-650 to spend on a bike, leaving me about 150 to spend on extra stuff (jersey, pump, water bottles, cage, etc). So, I've been looking at a Giant OCR3, Felt Z90, Z100, and a Trek 1.2, all listed at list price of 750ish.

However, reading bike forums and sites, I keep seeing these bikes listed as $600 dollar bikes. I am confused. Even at the bike shop, these bikes are 720+!!! The only exception I found was with a 2008 OCR3. Am I getting ripped off (as I expect) by the local bike shops? Is there some kind of pricing scheme where most shops hack off a good 10-15% from list price?

After also trying to navigate the used market, I am really frustrated. I know what I need. I need an aluminum or steel frame, 2007 or newer to prevent "surprises" (dead cables, messed up clip pedals, etc) and sora/tiagra components or better. They are low end, they will all feel relatively the same to me.... who cares! I just want to get something with relatively good value, so I can resell to upgrade, and so I don't have to go to the shop every five minutes. In fact, the only reason I am considering new first, is because I don't want my bike to break 10 miles from home, or take my "new to me" bike to the shop and spend 400 making it roadworthy, right off the bat.

Too many choices, too much conflicting information. If someone can provide a general strategy and what to expect in actually purchasing a new, low end road bike, (including haggling) I'd be thankful forever. Thanks!

Couch to 100k?

procrastination — Wed, 28 May 2008 15:17:35 -0800

Is there a good program to follow to build endurance and cardiovascular fitness on a road bike? I have read previous questions (this seeming the most relevant), but was hoping to find something that was highly structured like the couch to 5K program for runners. How do I do a couch to 100k? I have a nice new road bike and time over the summer.

Used roadbike? Help!

Ufez Jones — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 23:16:31 -0800

How do I find/buy/examine a used roadbike? I don't want to win the Tour De France, I just want to cycle around the lake near our house 2-3 times a week (which I can access crossing just one major street which has a stoplight). Approx. 12 miles or so... I've done the tour around the lake before when I was in better health on a crappy $200 "trail bike" several times. Unlike this recent question, I'm just looking for a hobby-cycle.

What's the equivalent of the, say, '98 Honda Accord for roadcycling? Something sturdy but inconspicuous. And how would I find it? What should I look for in a potential buy? Can I take a potential buy to a local mart (I know where they are) for an inspection?

Is Carbon Fiber really worth the cost of a new bike?

mathowie — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 20:53:31 -0800

Is a carbon fiber road frame worth the extra expense? I mean I've read loads of pros and cons but does it come down to a slight difference or a major one? I love to go on 15-30 mile rides but I'd like to increase my comfort levels (got a proper fitting and new seat/post so far). I don't want to start an aluminum vs. carbon fiber flamewar, but my current bike is a ~$1,000 low end Trek with an aluminum frame and carbon fork and seatpost. I feel a lot of road vibration in my bars that I'd love to smooth out.

When I read about carbon fiber, usually first time riders say it feels like a dream compared to aluminum. I'm trying to judge if it's worth pulling the trigger and getting a ~$2,500 carbon bike (and selling my old one) or if the difference isn't so great and may just be a mental thing that people think is so much better.

Carbon vs Mo-Cr fork

bread-eater — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 18:06:56 -0800

BikeFilter: Carbon vs Mo-Cr fork on a road bike for a newbie? How much difference does it make? (I have seen this thread.) I am looking into getting my first road bike, and I believe it will have to be a junior size bike, since even the smallest women's (Terry, Trek WSD, whatever) bikes have too high a standover height. Obviously the selection is narrow, and one problem I have noticed is that most of them -- even the new ones -- don't have carbon forks. I am looking at a used 2005 Felt f24 bike and it has Mo-Cr fork, while the new 2006 model has a carbon fork (the only youth size bike I've seen with carbon fork). Buying it new will probably cost me $200-300 more. Nevermind the fit (I know that's important, but I'll figure that out), if I intend to use this bike for weekend longer road rides, not races, should I worry about the fork?

I have never ridden a road bike, nevermind a ___ fork one, so any comments/advice in that area will be much appreciated. My bike for the summer was a really old Norco MTB with a Mo-Cr frame with no suspension and I rode it for 30-40 km rides.

Oh, and I do have a limited budget, but I'd rather spend wisely than spend little. Thanks.

Look ma, no hands

devilsbrigade — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 20:53:36 -0800

Bunnyhopping on a road bike... So, first, is the bike even going to be able to stand up to it? Its a early 70s Schwinn World Traveler (great little bike, btw). The basic problem comes from riding around town & being annoyed to no end by how much of a jolt there is bouncing up even on a sidewalk ramp curb (1/4" is enough to feel it in my bones). I've already tried dropping the tire pressure a little bit, but its still stiff as ever.

A few days ago I got the brilliant idea to do a (very small) bunny hop over these (it would also be quite handy for going up on curbs, etc). This bike is a steel 35lbs 10spd. It was not like bunnyhopping on my mountain bike. In fact, the back wheel never really left the ground, and after 3 or 4 tries, I only managed to get the front wheel maybe 6" off the ground.

Obviously its different than on a mountain bike. Any tips? Will my bike survive this?

Road bike handlebars -- dropped or flat?

puffin — Tue, 25 Apr 2006 06:03:36 -0800

Dropped vs. flat handle bars on a road bike? Since my last bike-related question I decided to sell my old bike, save up a bit, and get a low-end aluminum road bike.

My friend has a Fuji Newest 4.0. It is one of the cheapest aluminum bikes I have been able to find in my online research (2006 version going for $470). Most impressive to me is how fast she can scale hills on it. When we were both on steel frame bikes, I could easily keep up with her, but no more. The other thing I really like is that it has brakes on the top of the handle bars as well as in the usual position -- so if you are stopped at a traffic light, you can stay upright.

But I am a little concerned because I have never owned a bike with dropped bars before. The first time I ever rode a bike with them I was pretty shaky. (Although since trying out my friend's Newest 4.0 I think I have already improved, and the brakes up top definitely helped.) Because of this, I am also considering something like the Fuji Absolute 4.0, which seems like it is basically the equivalent of the Newest except with a flat bar.

I find the flat bar less intimidating...but at the same time, I feel like if I am going to spend all this money on a road bike, I should be getting dropped bars. I've read that the dropped bars give you more options in terms of hand positions, are more aerodynamic, and don't get in the way when riding in a large group. Are there any disadvantages to dropped bars? (Besides the fact that I don't have a lot of experience with them.) Are there any significant advantages to a flat bar?

I'd be using the bike both around the neighborhood on the road (hilly), and for longer rides on the trail (mostly flat).

Advice for a first-time road biker?

symphonik — Sun, 04 Sep 2005 14:08:28 -0800

What is your advice for a first-time road biker? I just recently moved to the SF Bay Area/Silicon Valley from Colorado, where I was used to being able to basically walk out my door and go hiking. Since that particular fitness activity is not as convenient here, and due to other factors like rising gas prices and traffic, I decided to pick up a road bike (a Specialized Allez 24).

I was fitted by the clerk at the store, so it's a pretty good fit and it's adjusted well. I've biked before, but never regularly and never strictly on a road bike. What advice would you, the experienced road biker with the streamlined helmet and the funny-looking sunglasses (or not :), offer to a first-timer? Since the plan is to bike to and from work, advice on negotiating traffic, being a courteous member of the road, and other bits like just how to ride comfortably is especially appreciated, but all advice is welcome.

Accibump on road bike. New helmet required?

netsirk — Mon, 28 Mar 2005 12:00:52 -0800

I had a minor accident on my road bike this weekend, and fell over whilst moving at a very low speed. Do I need a new helmet? I was not seriously injured, just gathered a smattering of road rash and some bruises because I wasn't able to clip my feet out of the pedals quickly enough. I was wearing a helmet, and when I fell, the main point of impact was my elbow. The side of my helmet did also hit the road, but I didn't land on my head or anything like that.

There does not appear to be any damage at all to the helmet - no visible dents or scrapes - but I've heard that the structural integrity of a helmet can be compromised by even a relatively minor bump. It's a Giro helmet, something like this model, and it is about 10 months old. Is it still safe to use? Or am I better of springing for a new one?