| > | | | | will dampen road vibration over long rides. Titanium is |
| Road bikes will range in price from $500 to over | | | | even more expensive, and is no longer the lightest |
| $5000, and vary greatly in design, materials, and | | | | most exotic material. If you buy a ti frame you are |
| performance. The first decision you need to make is | | | | buying a long term investment. I prefer the latest |
| road bike or tri set up. What type of riding are you | | | | technology (I buy a bike every 2 years). Aluminum is |
| going to be doing? Are you purchasing the bike for | | | | going to give you the most bang for the buck. |
| multi-sport competition or strictly for road riding, | | | | Manufacturers are starting to use a combination of |
| training, and / or racing? A tri bike is used in triathlons | | | | aluminum and carbon fiber in their frame sets. |
| and other multi sport events, has aero bars and a | | | | Another consideration is geometry- compact or |
| more forward (less comfortable) position, can be | | | | traditional. The industry has moved towards |
| slightly heavier than a road bike, and is generally less | | | | (sometimes) lighter compact frames. These frames |
| comfortable. The position puts your body more | | | | have a sloping top tube and look smaller. There |
| forward over the front wheel and has your torso | | | | advantage is quicker more precise handling, but you |
| almost parallel to the ground. The more forward | | | | do not want to take your hands off the bars. The |
| position makes the bike less stable and harder to | | | | disadvantage can be that they often do not come in |
| handle. On some tri handlebars your hands are far | | | | as many sizes, and can be more challenging to fit. My |
| from the brakes, and the handling is quick and less | | | | preference is a compact, but I am a smaller rider and |
| controllable. I do not recommend this type of bike | | | | I find a good fit with these bikes. |
| for beginner riders. You may sacrifice a bit of weight | | | | New or used? Buying a new bike is like buying a new |
| for aerodynamics, but unless you are moving pretty | | | | car. As soon as you drive it off the showroom you |
| quickly, the aerodynamics will not pay off much... | | | | are out considerable money, but there is nothing like |
| About 80% of your resistance while cycling comes | | | | that new bike feel. If you are not handy, it is going |
| from the air around you, but you must be moving | | | | to need regular maintenance (I recommend you learn |
| above 20 mph to gain the full advantage. If you are | | | | the basics). Some shops offer a free lifetime |
| a slower beginning cyclist the more aerodynamic | | | | maintenance policy. This is a good deal; a full |
| position is not as much of a factor. I would start off | | | | adjustment can run $40+ a pop. If you buy a used |
| with a road bike. | | | | bike off of Ebay or from an individual, you may get a |
| Second decision; recreation or competition? This is | | | | lot more bike for the money or you may get a piece |
| really more about your budget and how competitive | | | | of junk. If you want to pair the price down, go used, |
| you are. A $500 road bike can actually be pretty | | | | but don't go cheap. If you are not sure if you are |
| reliable, but is heavier, requires more maintenance, is | | | | going to stick with cycling this may be the way to |
| not as ergonomic, and the parts wear out faster. | | | | go. Either way I highly recommend you get |
| There is a trickle down in technology from top of the | | | | professionally sized, and that does not necessarily |
| line road bikes, and an entry level bike can be of | | | | mean the sales guy at the shop. An expert will spend |
| surprisingly good quality. Furthermore some entry | | | | a good hour with you examining every aspect of the |
| level bikes can be easily upgraded to make them | | | | bikes fit (as many as ten different aspects). |
| perform better. An example of an upgrade would be | | | | I believe you get your best value with large |
| switching to a better wheel set, which perhaps will | | | | manufacturers such as Giant, Trek, and Cannondale |
| have the biggest effect on increased speed. | | | | to name a few. The bikes are mass produced, but |
| Competition level bikes usually start at around $1000. | | | | are generally very high quality and offer the highest |
| Competition level bikes usually start with a Shimano | | | | component level for the price. Think of them as the |
| 105 component group or better. Shimano 105 has all | | | | Hondas'. The European models generally have more |
| the features of the more expensive groups (Ultegra | | | | "panache" with custom colors and even custom |
| and Durace), is fully race able and durable, but is a | | | | fitting. The Porshes' can run up to $8000 but are |
| little heavier. Campagnolo also makes excellent bicycle | | | | beautifully hand crafted works of art. A personal |
| components, but they are usually found on more | | | | recommendation of mine; the Giant TCR2 which I |
| expensive European models. I have had 105 bikes and | | | | think is one of the best bike values. I believe they |
| full race Durace bikes. The differences are definitely | | | | are going for around $1300. This puts a world class, |
| there, but will not be significant to the newer rider. If | | | | extremely light bike in your hands for not a lot of |
| you are just getting into the sport, an entry level | | | | money considering the weight and features. The fall |
| bike may be good enough for you. But if you think | | | | is a great time to buy a bicycle because shops are |
| you are going to stick with it, and want to be | | | | clearing out the old models to make room for the |
| competitive, you should spend the extra money. | | | | next years and the Christmas rush. You are also |
| Third decision; frame type and material. I believe your | | | | going to need shoes, helmet, water bottle cages, |
| best value is aluminum. Aluminum is extremely light, | | | | computer, a good pump, flat kit, padded shorts, |
| stiff, and relatively inexpensive compared with | | | | perhaps a rack, and tool kit. Be prepared, this is not a |
| titanium and carbon fiber. Some complain that | | | | cheap sport even for the beginner, and there is an |
| aluminum transmits road vibration more than other | | | | initial investment. You can find good prices online for |
| materials, but manufacturers have gotten much | | | | accessories at Nashbar.com, Performancebike. |
| better with this. Carbon fiber is more expensive, but | | | | |