Road bike for a beginner

[freeform911]

Hoping to get some input from some in the know!

I would like to get my wife a road bike. She's a noob so nothing over fancy. Would like to keep the price @ or less than $1000.

Any thought on the trek domane al 2 or 3? From the few reviews I've found it seems like a decent starter bike. Anything else out there?

Thanks for any input.
Steve

[berettafan]

Pretty clear you’re going aluminum. I’d try to find 105 on a bike that fits well. Or the one just below 105. Too drunk to remember what it’s called. Feel like it has ‘c’ and ‘s’ in it but wtf do I know! Really just about fit.

Strongly recommend a bike that fits wider than std tires. Even 25mm makes a great diff.


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[herr_oberst]

How old is your wife, how fit is she, how tall is she, what will she use this bike for, where will she ride, are you riding with her, what do you ride?

[freeform911]

Yes on aluminum. She'll be 40 next month, relatively fit (runs about 830 mile). Shes about 5'7". Right now it'll be used mainly for the 20 mile or so biking trails we have locally.
i don't ride either and but seems like it's something i might get into. I'm in relatively good shape for 42 (7 minute mile). this won't be for any competition.

We have a local bike shop. We'll go sometime this weekend and look to see what they offer, just don't want to go in completely uneducated.

[red-beard]

Aluminum frame is fine. Shimano 105 is where gears become decent. Cheap Upgrade: handlebars to Carbon fiber.

If you are not going to be too serious, use SPD cleats with mountain bike shoes. Much easier to walk around off bike.

[red-beard]

Tiagra gears are OK on entry level bike.

[HardDrive]

Originally Posted by red-beard

Tiagra gears are OK on entry level bike.

I agree. 105 is nice, but Taiga will do just fine.

I disagree about aluminum. Too stiff, very dead ride feel. I would ride steel (yes, heavy steel) before aluminum.

[herr_oberst]

The most important thing is that the bike has to fit her well and be comfortable. Try lots of them. If she's not comfy, that bike will be brand new 10 years from now, no matter what the frame material or component group.
Be open minded. She might be thinking road bike with drop bars and 26 wide tires when she walks in, but who knows, a city bike with flat bars and trigger shifters might be what fits her needs best, or a drop bar gravel bike with nice comfy 32 or 34 wide tires. If she's really new to riding, really think about just getting some flat pedals rather than cleats so she can learn bike handling without having to try and learn clipping in and out too.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

I agree. 105 is nice, but Taiga will do just fine.

I disagree about aluminum. Too stiff, very dead ride feel. I would ride steel (yes, heavy steel) before aluminum.

Steel is stiffer than aluminum.

[look 171]

OP, take note to what Herr and Red Beard say. These guys has been riding for a long time. Alum. bikes are just fine. Its lighter so handling it on and off the car will be a plus compared to an older steel bike. Then there's the ride quality that's been going on for a long time between the two groups. If she's not banging out 50-60 hard training miles a day, alum. is a great material. I did 3-400 mile weeks when I was riding lots and many of those miles were on alum. frames. It takes little getting used to, and it become part of you after some time. Treks are great bikes and Shinamo 105 is a great starting point (race equip). The reason for 105 is that they are reliable and are built to a certain standard with tighter tolerance unlike cheaper components that requires constant adjustment for accurate shifting and such. I also Fuji makes a great bike for the buck.

[look 171]

https://www.performancebike.com/shop/bikes-frames/road-bikes/fuji-roubaix-13-road-bike-2018-31-8524

For 1300 bucks, the Fuji Roubaix is a smoking deal. You get some Ultegra parts which a step up form 105. True race ready parts and accurate shifting. I know its a few bucks over your budget, but a great buy. https://www.performancebike.com/shop/bikes-frames/road-bikes/fuji-roubaix-11-road-bike-2017-31-6231

I have no affiliation with them.

Giant also is a great bang for the buck.

[berettafan]

Originally Posted by red-beard

Tiagra gears are OK on entry level bike.

That’s what I was trying to think of!


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[GeorgeK]

Shimano 105, and talk to a good bike shop, re: fitting. Saddle and handlebar can be changed for confort/fit as she gets used to riding it.
I would also go with SPD pedals for walking confort.

[rwest]

I find that flat bars make my hands numb if I ride any real distance, so I would recommend drop bars for sure.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

I'd say have her ride as many bikes as possible in as many local bike shops as possible. In this price range, I wouldn't pay much as much attention to the materials or components as much as the fit or feel of the bike.

During the test rides, there will probably be one or two that "just feel right" to her. It might not be the one that looks good on paper, or the most expensive one. She just won't know until she tries.

There will probably be one that stands out in her mind. If it comes to a tie between two, pick the one from the bike shop that you liked more (better service, location, stands behind maintenance etc...)

Buy that one.

[gchappel]

Fit is by far the most important.
But this is a first bike, and no one really knows if this will really be used, or parked in the garage after 6months.
I would look used if you have a good local shop. You can get a 1-2yr old bike at 1/2 price.
I would much rather ride a higher end 5yr old bike, than a new cheap one.
Bikes tend to go on sale around august- as the next year models start to roll out.
Enjoy the ride.
Gary

[freeform911]

Wow!!!! Didn't realize so much went into choosing a bike. We'll definitely get her fitted.
Thanks so much for all the input.
Steve

[Shaun @ Tru6]

For someone new getting into riding, I would focus on making the experience as positive as possible. 3 categories to consider:

1. overall weight of the bike and road feel

2. shifting

3. fit


Of the three, getting fitted to a bike is probably the best money you will spend. I was recently fitted and continue to be amazed at how much more comfortable I am on the bike which translates into a great experience.

Shifting is critical. I would get the best shifting possible in your price range, especially, and sorry to be sexist, for a woman, who aren't known for being mechanically-oriented, that is, it has to shift flawlessly otherwise she'll get frustrated fast.

Light bikes are more fun but a jarring ride isn't.


I suggest a used bike with high end components vs. a new bike with good components.

[Laneco]

At 5'7" she is in a fairly common size range. Advantage YOU because there are alot of bikes out there used, to borrow, to rent, etc., in that size range.

I would suggest borrowing or renting a bike before you buy one. And rather than a pure road bike, I would look around for a cyclocross or "gravel" bike. The geometry is a little more slack and the ride almost always more comfortable, especially with wider tires and they are usually equipped with disc brakes (which I entirely dig). Something like these...

https://www.performancebike.com/shop/bikes-frames/road-bikes/gravel-road-bikes?cm_mmc=Google%20CPC-_-Dynamic%20Search%20Ads-_-Bikes%20&%20Frames-_-DSA_Bikes%20&%20Frames#facet:&productBeginIndex:0&facetLimit:&orderBy:5&pageView:grid&minPrice:&maxPrice:&pageSize:&

In this price range, if you are buying new, it will likely be aluminum (though the link I gave you sported a few Breezer steel frames). It is light and strong. Also tends to be stiff as a board. Tire size/selection makes all the difference in the world on an aluminum frame. A frame with enough clearance for wider, lower pressure tires turns a buckboard frame into an entirely pleasant bike.

If you are buying second hand, the market opens up substantially to nice quality steel frames and even some carbon fiber. A quality steel frame is surprisingly light and rides like a dream (a cheap one feels like it is made of water pipes). Carbon goes all over the place from extremely stiff to highly compliant depending on how the bike is built.

angela

[slow&rusty]

I recommend checking Craigslist in your area or even eBay, road bikes are like buying Mercedes they depreciate sharply and you could wind up with a $2000 Carbon bike with far superior component for $1000.