# Entry level road bike? **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Off Topic\ **Created:** [March 20, 2012, 11:46am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/entry-level-road-bike/221363 "2012-03-20T11:46:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![LZ1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@LZ1](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LZ1)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2012, 11:46am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/entry-level-road-bike/221363/1 "2012-03-20T11:46:51Z")
Bicycle that is not a sweet squid machine Suggestions? I don’t need to spend some insane amount :tspry: ---
**Author:** ![GV1390](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/gv1390/32/5432_2.png) [@GV1390](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/GV1390)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2012, 11:49am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/entry-level-road-bike/221363/2 "2012-03-20T11:49:36Z")
Word I’ve been looking for the same. ---
**Author:** ![Spam16v](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/spam16v/32/5287_2.png) [@Spam16v](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Spam16v)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2012, 11:57am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/entry-level-road-bike/221363/3 "2012-03-20T11:57:01Z")
$1500 Ridley Icarus. Sram Apex group, and a frame worth hanging new parts off when they wear out. Buying a $2k low end trek with 105 parts will still look like a lower end trek or specialized with Dura-Ace when the 105 wears out. ---
**Author:** ![boxxa](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/boxxa/32/5045_2.png) [@boxxa](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/boxxa)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2012, 12:02pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/entry-level-road-bike/221363/4 "2012-03-20T12:02:50Z")
People will say you need a $1,000 bike. I am looking to ride this year around town maybe 10-20 miles at a time. People told me to get sized at a proper shop and go from there. There is a bunch of Trek bikes that are barley used from people who think they are going to be a Tour De France rider and give them up you can get for $600 less. Just keep an eye out for ones that have a carbon fiber front fork which will last longer and absorb a lot more if the shock when riding and one with a rear carbon fiber fork if you can find it. ---
**Author:** ![Paulo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/paulo/32/7328_2.png) [@Paulo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Paulo)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2012, 12:39pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/entry-level-road-bike/221363/5 "2012-03-20T12:39:53Z")
I’d like to hear some experienced opinions of the bikes on [www.bikesdirect.com](http://www.bikesdirect.com) ---
**Author:** ![LZ1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@LZ1](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LZ1)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2012, 12:40pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/entry-level-road-bike/221363/6 "2012-03-20T12:40:34Z")
> [@boxxa](#): > > People will say you need a $1,000 bike. I am looking to ride this year around town maybe 10-20 miles at a time. People told me to get sized at a proper shop and go from there. There is a bunch of Trek bikes that are barley used from people who think they are going to be a Tour De France rider and give them up you can get for $600 less. Just keep an eye out for ones that have a carbon fiber front fork which will last longer and absorb a lot more if the shock when riding and one with a rear carbon fiber fork if you can find it. I have actually been look at more of the hybrid bikes since I was going to try and use it get it around when its nice out and all of Buffalo is pot holes. ---
**Author:** ![newman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/newman/32/7569_2.png) [@newman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/newman)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2012, 12:43pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/entry-level-road-bike/221363/7 "2012-03-20T12:43:36Z")
If you’ll recall my 160 dollar (shipped) single speed (not fixed gear) road bike purchase from sears, I have put about 100 miles on it and am largely happy. In all the riding I have done I have never once wanted to change gears for any reason. Seems like unnecessary complexity to me. ![http://s.shld.net/is/image/Sears/spin_prod_166557301?hei=600&wid=600&op_sharpen=1&qlt=90,0&resMode=sharp&op_usm=0.9,0.5,0,0](http://s.shld.net/is/image/Sears/spin_prod_166557301?hei=600&wid=600&op_sharpen=1&qlt=90,0&resMode=sharp&op_usm=0.9,0.5,0,0) ---
**Author:** ![LZ1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@LZ1](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LZ1)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2012, 12:54pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/entry-level-road-bike/221363/8 "2012-03-20T12:54:31Z")
I can’t tell because the rims are black are the tires large enough to handle shitty buffalo roads? ---
**Author:** ![newman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/newman/32/7569_2.png) [@newman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/newman)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2012, 12:59pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/entry-level-road-bike/221363/9 "2012-03-20T12:59:16Z")
Depends on whether or not you’re a pussy. I rode from parkside to south buffalo the other day via elmwood, from bidwell to williamsville via amherst st & kensington, and from parkside to NT via colvin and military without ever thinking “this sucks”. However the tires are not very big. Standard (schrader) roadbike tires. ---
**Author:** ![Jim1234664](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jim1234664/32/7438_2.png) [@Jim1234664](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Jim1234664)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2012, 1:03pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/entry-level-road-bike/221363/10 "2012-03-20T13:03:17Z")
i have a road bike with super skinny tires and ride all over (fast) on the worst streets in buffalo, you will be fine ---
**Author:** ![drvnkd](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/drvnkd/32/109615_2.png) [@drvnkd](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/drvnkd)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2012, 1:05pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/entry-level-road-bike/221363/11 "2012-03-20T13:05:02Z")
Can you ride wheelies on road bikes? I have been thinking of getting cyclocross tires for my MTB so I can commute better. But, I’m figuring it will look ridiculous ☹ ---
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/2X/b/b7170c8eddc0b95ece6b88172b2f416a08489a45.png) [@system](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/system)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2012, 1:20pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/entry-level-road-bike/221363/12 "2012-03-20T13:20:57Z")
> [@Paulo](#): > > I’d like to hear some experienced opinions of the bikes on [www.bikesdirect.com](http://www.bikesdirect.com) x2 for sure. ---
**Author:** ![boxxa](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/boxxa/32/5045_2.png) [@boxxa](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/boxxa)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2012, 1:47pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/entry-level-road-bike/221363/13 "2012-03-20T13:47:06Z")
> [@Paulo](#): > > I’d like to hear some experienced opinions of the bikes on [www.bikesdirect.com](http://www.bikesdirect.com) I just asked a guy I work with who does 100 mile rides and travels for races. He said he wasn’t impressed and go to a local shop and get fitted for one. Again, he is a elite rider with multiple expensive ($5,000+) bikes so it may be like asking someone who has driven a lambo all their life what they think of the new civic but he suggested going to a local shop and looking for used ones that are a little better. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/2X/b/b7170c8eddc0b95ece6b88172b2f416a08489a45.png) [@system](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/system)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2012, 2:03pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/entry-level-road-bike/221363/14 "2012-03-20T14:03:43Z")
> [@boxxa](#): > > I just asked a guy I work with who does 100 mile rides and travels for races. He said he wasn’t impressed and go to a local shop and get fitted for one. Again, he is a elite rider with multiple expensive ($5,000+) bikes so it may be like asking someone who has driven a lambo all their life what they think of the new civic but he suggested going to a local shop and looking for used ones that are a little better. Have you been to [bikesdirect.com](http://bikesdirect.com)? ---
**Author:** ![Jagermeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f19dbf/32.png) [@Jagermeister](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Jagermeister)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2012, 5:49pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/entry-level-road-bike/221363/15 "2012-03-20T17:49:03Z")
I have a 54cm full carbon Trek 5500 road bike I’ll be posting up soon. Its an awesome bike for a serious rider that is not looking to pay new bike prices. Sounds like you are looking for more of a city/hybrid bike though. ---
**Author:** ![walter](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/walter/32/7202_2.png) [@walter](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/walter)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2012, 7:18pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/entry-level-road-bike/221363/16 "2012-03-20T19:18:34Z")
get a bike with the best components you can for the price range you’re looking for. the carbon/al diff will be pretty minimal. if you want to save, buy a good bike on CL for cheap, don’t buy a cheap new bike. ---
**Author:** ![ProgRocker](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/progrocker/32/5434_2.png) [@ProgRocker](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ProgRocker)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2012, 8:31pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/entry-level-road-bike/221363/17 "2012-03-20T20:31:03Z")
In for the info. I need one for my off running days, probably a hybrid/city has Jager stated. Something to just cruise around ~$200-300 ---
**Author:** ![boxxa](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/boxxa/32/5045_2.png) [@boxxa](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/boxxa)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2012, 8:18am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/entry-level-road-bike/221363/18 "2012-04-03T08:18:18Z")
Any updates on your decision? Probably looking to buy something next weekend. > [@maxwell](#): > > Have you been to [bikesdirect.com](http://bikesdirect.com)? Been looking around that site. A few serious rider friends say the site is a little BS with how they compare to big name models. One I was looking for about $300 at the site compared it a Specialized one for $1000. My friend said you can get the Specialized one at a store for about $600 so I am not sure. I am a new rider so I figure I may start with that site at the $300-400 mark. ---
**Author:** ![Shockwave179](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/shockwave179/32/7496_2.png) [@Shockwave179](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Shockwave179)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2012, 8:46am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/entry-level-road-bike/221363/19 "2012-04-03T08:46:36Z")
So what are you going to be doing with the bike? I think that makes a difference between road/hybrid. ---
**Author:** ![jcruiza120](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b4bc9f/32.png) [@jcruiza120](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/jcruiza120)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2012, 9:03am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/entry-level-road-bike/221363/20 "2012-04-03T09:03:27Z")
I was looking for a bike last year for commuting since I live in GI and work 5 miles away in Tonawanda. I ended up with a Schwinn Tourist, spent a hundred bucks on tires,tubes,pedals and dropped some cash on a pump and other tools, and it’s perfect for me. I’ve done some 40-50 mile rides and I’ve never had an issue as long as the bike is properly maintained (most importantly air pressure for shitty buffalo roads) I probably spent about 450 bucks total and I would do so again. I was recently at Dick’s in the Galleria and was checking out their Diamondback Podium road bikes, basically cheap racing bikes for around $600. I really enjoyed riding one and I’d love to get one as my next upgrade if I keep biking as much as I’ve been, so that I’d have my Schwinn for commuting and dealing with shitty roads, and the Diamondback for long cruises in good conditions. A lot of people would say that it’s useless getting a cheap bike, it’ll break, you’ll have to upgrade everything, etc. I’d agree that if you get a high end bike to start with it won’t need much, but if what you need is a $300 bike and what you can afford is a $300 bike then go buy a new $300 bike or get a well taken-care-of $600 bike. YMMV but in the end the average rider doesn’t need a carbon fiber frame and racing gears. Start low and go from there if you find you can dedicate yourself to it. Just my 2c J