Best road bike for $500 budget?

[SilentAssassin]

Looking to get a road bike soon. Type of riding I'll be doing, mostly road riding...about 120 miles a week. Looking for something that will handle a lot of climbing, and something that will last and not fall apart...Been looking at bikesdirect, and not too sure where else to look.

 

[krebs303]

Looking to get a road bike soon. Type of riding I'll be doing, mostly road riding...about 120 miles a week. Looking for something that will handle a lot of climbing, and something that will last and not fall apart...Been looking at bikesdirect, and not too sure where else to look.

At that price I would look for a used bike.

 

[TopCarbon]

At that price I would look for a used bike.

thats the way to go

 

[xFrankyBx]

Honestly bikesdirect is not the best place to look. I would scour Craigslist and maybe see if a LBS would give you a decent deal. Or Put the $500 down on a new bike and wait till you get another 100.I know the Incyle by my house was tryin to get ride of a few treks for about $600 and they have a specialized caad for 650. I'd try and play hardball with them. Who knows what you could end up with

 

[TopCarbon]

try the nationwide search of craigslist:


http://bike.jaxed.com/cgi-bin/bike.cgi

 

[David Suro]

Used and local is the way to go.

Be sure to have a reputable mechanic check it out prior to your purchase. Most shops will be happy to provide this service for a small fee or you can ask a mechanic to do it off hours for beer and a pizza.

Be careful. There are some great deals to be found and some real bombs.

 

[durianrider]

You want to find the bike that has not been riden/crashed hard etc. You can check by the levers, if it has original fork, frame condition etc. There is heaps of nice bike sitting in sheds that never get riden.

You want a bike for life? then get one that comes with an original reciept and is made by trek, cannondale, specialized etc so if you have a frame failure, you have lifetime warranty.

Frames dont break under normal circumstances but if they get riden proper for long enough, everything eventually cracks. Thats why I ride lifetime warranty frames. Peace o mind.

If you spend the time, youll get a sick deal. but makes sure it fits you..cos in the end, thats the most important thing and thats the advantage of buying new from an experienced shop.

500$ aint much cash but if your savvy and know your stuff you can find bikes that are cat 1 race worthy for sure. a caad 4 cannondale with 105/ultegra etc.

 

[SilentAssassin]

Another route I've looked into is the cheap generic carbon frame sets on ebay. I've read they are fuji frames

Even with that I'd have to really skimp on the wheels and the drivetrain(105 or Tiagra) to get it under 800 I think.

^I'd like a lifetime warranty but I really want more bang for the buck. If I go used I won't get a lifetime warranty any way.

 

[krebs303]

For $800 you might find something new. Such as closeouts or last years model

 

[durianrider]

Another route I've looked into is the cheap generic carbon frame sets on ebay. I've read they are fuji frames

Even with that I'd have to really skimp on the wheels and the drivetrain(105 or Tiagra) to get it under 800 I think.

^I'd like a lifetime warranty but I really want more bang for the buck. If I go used I won't get a lifetime warranty any way.

If you get the original reciept of a bike that comes with a lifetime warranty, you got lifetime warranty.

I remember this dude bringing the most thrashed cannondale I had ever seen. He got it of his mate and brought it in for a service. I was shocked at how thrashed it looked and being the forensic I am noticed a crack on the seat/chain stay junction. He got the receipt of his mate and we got him a new frame. It was 13 years old.

 

[NashbarShorts]

Used, for sure. Look for a used steel roadbike, even old 8spd downtube shifters. Anything w/ Shimano 600 (Ultegra) or 105 is bomb-proof and will still be in good condition.

If you start riding and find you enjoy it, lighten things up by buying a nice (used) wheelset. A lightweight wheelset on a steel roadbike is like Viagra for your cycling-mojo.

 

[liftman]

You will definitely do a bit better with a little more of a budget. I got a steel frame Marin for about $800-$900 about 8 years ago and am still riding it. As for bikes direct I got a mountain bike for my wife from there and we were very satisfied with it.

 

[Boeing]

for that price go steel single speed/Fixed with brakes maybe 42/17 Surly Steamroller or the like

because you cant get a good wheelset for that price

look at the surly Pacer for a bit more. that spec will last long miles

 

[SilentAssassin]

for that price go steel single speed/Fixed with brakes maybe 42/17 Surly Steamroller or the like

because you cant get a good wheelset for that price

look at the surly Pacer for a bit more. that spec will last long miles

None of the bike shops by me carry Surly. Does the price of a Surly stay within my budget?

 

[NashbarShorts]

Surly is just a steel framed bike. And he's recommending a single-speed. Is that what you really want?

If not, again I'd suggest hitting eBay and looking for a used steel roadbike. Unless it's been left out in the rain, even a 20+ yr. old steel frame will be in perfectly good shape.

 

[fatandfast]

Bikes direct, ebay, nashbar, performance all have bikes at this pricepoint. Just starting out don't buy a single speed or fixed gear. You won't be able to any group rides or go up even the smallest climb. At 500 bucks you will still need pedals and probably have to buy a few stems until you get a rough fit. Go on ehow or other sites just to get an idea of the size bike you are going for...size matters.

 

[Train in Spain]

Instead of buying something cheap and basic or old and secondhand, why not hold off until you have a more realistic budget? Or use a credit card? Let's be honest 500 bucks is not going to get you the bike you are looking for unless it is hot property or someone is fleeing the country and needs cash quick. At that price the bike will be extra heavy and be made up with cheap components and wheels.

Double the budget and you start to get good road bikes with a mix of carbon and aluminium frames and forks with 105 or ultegra groupsets. It will be new, shiny and last you for years.

The other option is go to your local bike club and ask if anyone has a spare bike that they want to do a deal on, you'll normally find guys that have several bikes and might be looking to free up some garage space for their next purchase.

Good luck, but don't buy too cheap - you'll want to change it almost as soon as you get it.

 

[marathon marke]

Like the others said, look for used...either through Craigslist or the LBS. This past April, I got a 2005 Felt F65 in almost new condition from a local Craigslist seller. The deraillers and brifters are Ultegra. The seller had just installed 2 new $55 Bontrager tires and a new DA chain. I got it for $700. I'll bet you could find something with 105 components for about $500 if you keep your eyes and ears open. Good luck!

 

[deanhooper]

road bike for $500 budget

Looking to get a road bike soon. Type of riding I'll be doing, mostly road riding...about 120 miles a week. Looking for something that will handle a lot of climbing, and something that will last and not fall apart...Been looking at bikesdirect, and not too sure where else to look.

As per the subject line and your requirement of road bikes, you can find several bikes within your budget like Mantra Fixie, Retrospec Fixed Gear Single Speed or Siddhartha Single Speed Urban Coaster Brake Bike.

You can find many other such bikes what you need to do is a google search

But don't forget to let me know about your experience

 

[hfer07]

Instead of buying something cheap and basic or old and secondhand, why not hold off until you have a more realistic budget? Or use a credit card? Let's be honest 500 bucks is not going to get you the bike you are looking for unless it is hot property or someone is fleeing the country and needs cash quick. At that price the bike will be extra heavy and be made up with cheap components and wheels.

Double the budget and you start to get good road bikes with a mix of carbon and aluminium frames and forks with 105 or ultegra groupsets. It will be new, shiny and last you for years.

The other option is go to your local bike club and ask if anyone has a spare bike that they want to do a deal on, you'll normally find guys that have several bikes and might be looking to free up some garage space for their next purchase.

Good luck, but don't buy too cheap - you'll want to change it almost as soon as you get it.

^ THIS

10 Char

 

[avanti]

Check with your local police departments for lost/found property (bike) sales.

My step-son bought a mountain bike for $60 recently (just needed some care) and in Denver the city had a lost/foundbike sale.

Also in Boulder there is a coop bike workshop that sells reconditioned bikes for $200 and up.

A nearby pawnshop has used bikes but in this case their prices are outrageous.

Another thought is to contact local bike shops and ask if they have any trades to sell - most do not take trades but might give your name to a customer who wants a trade.

So check around your community to see what might be avaible.

I agree with the preceding remarks about a steel bike frame.

 

[Jspear]

Don't know if you've already purchased anything, but thought I'd add my two cents. Someone mentioned getting a steel frame and another mentioned a single speed. If you want something good for a lot of climbing, than you will not want a steel frame(you'll at least want aluminum....carbon is even better), and you'll want multiple gears....at least an eight speed. Steel is very heavy, and a single speed will simply not get you up hills very easily. Just some thoughts....

 

[avanti]

........... Steel is very heavy, ....

Not necessarily. I've seen steel frames that were lighter than alloy and Ti frames (including forks).

My wife had a 851 steel Lemond bike that weighed 18-lbs; the same as my 6061 aluminum alloy Cervelo bike and lighter than my 19-lb Ti bike.

 

[jennifer]

diamondback, lots of choice