Mrs & I need bikes, Houston MS 150, complete beginners

[masraum]

I've got several threads queued up to read.

Road bike for a beginner
Cycling - training advice for 2 x century
Any experts in bike geometry here?
Ultimate Bike Thread....

But, I suspect with a slightly more targeted request, I can maybe get better targeted advise.

I'm 48, the Mrs is 8.5 years older. Last Mar, we started training to run a 10k, and in September we did run the 10k and did pretty well. (so you know what kind of shape we are in).

We are both completely ignorant about road bikes. I had a bike when I was in college, but it was just a "get around campus thing", and growing up, I always had a 20" bike.

We want to join the team for my company to run the MS150. The MS150 is a 150-ish mile 2 day bike ride (something like 12-13k riders) that runs from Houston to Austin, TX.

I've also got a work buddy that's decided to do it. He's planning to get a Trek Domane AL3 as he thinks that's a good beginners, bargain bike.

I was thinking that we could probably get a really nice bikes used at a huge discount. My main concern with that is knowing whether the bike has a major problem or not as well as being able to get a bike that fits us correctly.

I'd hate to go into a bike shop and take a bunch of time getting fitted just to blow the guys off and buy a bike someplace else.

Is fitting something that we can do by taking a few measurements?

How safe is it buying something used, especially if you're not a bike expert or, at least, enthusiast?

And what are some "must haves" either for gear for us or gear for the bikes?

I know that Red is avid and I think does the MS150 every/most years. I know we've got a bunch of other bike nuts on the board too.

Thanks in advance!

For instance, on Craigslist, there's this thing for basically the same price as the Trek Domane AL3

Mint condition Trek Y-Foil 66 full carbon aero road bike for sale.

Great option for road or tri set up... or both.

56cm full carbon fiber frameset.

Full Shimano Ultegra.

Ultegra wheelset.

There is a wide array of bikes on Craigslist in the $250-1000 range that I think were probably $1000-2500 originally.

This one is $40 cheaper. Both of these bikes are probably <5 miles from me.

Mint condition carbon fiberTrek Madone 5.0 road bike for sale.

54cm cm frame

This bike seriously has 500-ish miles on it max. That's 10 or 20 rides. Not a scratch on it. Components in like new condition.

Never crashed. Always stored indoors.

Has brand new trip computer on it as well.

[Pazuzu]

https://www.performancebike.com/shop

They're going out of business. Now, there might not be any bikes left...but if there is, they'll be cheap. There's two in Houston.

[HardDrive]

If you are looking used, perhaps a pre-2017 Specialized Roubaix? Plenty fast, light, but with some creature comforts. Post 2017 they have been redesigned as cyclocross bikes.

150 miles is a tour, not a race. Go for comfort.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

If you are looking used, perhaps a pre-2017 Specialized Roubaix? Plenty fast, light, but with some creature comforts. Post 2017 they have been redesigned as cyclocross bikes.

150 miles is a tour, not a race. Go for comfort.

And we certainly will not be "racing" anyone. When we ran our 10k, we weren't really racing.

I thought this excerpt from Angela's post was interesting from one of the other threads.

Originally Posted by Laneco

...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:&

...

angela

[look 171]

Steve, between those two you posted, but the silver one. Dont buy that Y Foil garbage. I wouldn't exactly worry about geometry at this point. As long as the angles are not steep like a track bike, you should be fine. Get a sports riding bike. How tall is your wife?

[look 171]

If this is within your budget, its a lot of bike for the money. I know a guy who beat on it very hard every Saturday for 50 hard miles. I am on that ride every Saturday with about 35-40 guys trying to kill each other. Most of us are long time ex road bike racers.

https://www.performancebike.com/shop/bikes-frames/road-bikes/fuji-gran-fondo-classico-11-road-bike-2018-31-8503

[look 171]

That silver Madone is an older bike, more then 8 years old (doesn't mean anything, really), maybe 10 speed, which is going out of style. I still stir up the honest's nest with my old electronic 10 spd group set weekly. In time, it will harder to locate parts when something breaks. IMO, if you can get that one for 7-800 bucks, then you are in good shape. It will ride really nicely with 25 mm tires pumped up to 90-95 lbs. Don't read the label on the tires and pump it to 125. It will kick your ass on the long rides.

That's a very small frame.

[masraum]

Look, thanks. I have no idea what size frame to buy. I checked out an REI page on sizing a bike, but I have no idea what size frame I'd need. I'm about 6'1.5" with a 34-35" inseam.

The missus is 5'7.5" with longish legs.

That bike that you linked is probably more than we're looking to spend. I think we'd like to max out at around $1000 if new (but who knows, we often end up revising our budget once we start looking), and if we could find decent bikes that fit used for less, we'd be all for it.

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by masraum

Look, thanks. I have no idea what size frame to buy. I checked out an REI page on sizing a bike, but I have no idea what size frame I'd need. I'm about 6'1.5" with a 34-35" inseam.

The missus is 5'7.5" with longish legs.

Steve, you should be looking at 58's, Mrs Mausram will probably be happy with a 54 or 56.

I won't tell you what to buy, my only advice for both of you (other than to limit your search for roadbikes) is to ride a bunch of them. If you're patient the bike will find you. So many things can affect fit.
Remember to have fun. 150 miles is a good long ways but it's very doable, especially if you're with others...

[masraum]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

Steve, you should be looking at 58's, Mrs Mausram will probably be happy with a 54 or 56.

I won't tell you what to buy, my only advice for both of you (other than to limit your search for roadbikes) is to ride a bunch of them. If you're patient the bike will find you. So many things can affect fit.
Remember to have fun. 150 miles is a good long ways but it's very doable.

Thanks, that's good info for us to have as a starting point. I had no idea where to even start.

This sounds interesting. It seems like Endurance bikes might be a little more comfy than a standard road bike, with a slightly more upright posture and slightly bigger tires? Or do you guys think a standard road bike would be better. (we'll still probably try both if we get the chance, but I like to learn from other's experience when possible)
https://www.performancebike.com/shop/bikes-frames/road-bikes/endurance-road-bikes/fuji-sportif-13-disc-road-bike-2018-31-8645

Based on one of the older threads, it seems to include some of the good points, 28mm tires, Shimano 105 bits. One person in the other thread (Ramone's Freak, I think) mentioned hydraulic disc brakes.

I work for a VERY large company. I think they are expecting 25-50 people on the company team. I have seen the total number of riders listed as 12,000-14,000 depending the article. I believe there are also multiple (3) routes per day.

[look 171]

I am about the same height as your wife and I ride a 53. I like a smaller frame for more responsiveness. This is from my old racing days and still don't mind reaching over riding with a somewhat flat back. From my old days of working in the bike shop, a 54-55 frame will fit her fine, but that's traditional fit. When you are looking at fitting chart, that would be a little different on the sloping top tube bikes.

Disc brakes are great, seems the industry is going that way but I am ok with rim brakes. They stop fine, for me anyway.

[look 171]

Measuring the top tube is the new standard. For you, try a 58 mm top tube and go from there. For Mrs. Masraum, I would look for a 54-55 top tube bike. You need a base to compare the next bike. Having a slightly shorter top will help on those long grinding rides because that will take the stress off your shoulders and neck. 20mm shorter stem will help. AS yo pile on training miles, you both will become more flexible and will be able to get more comfortable on the bike. I suggest buying quality bib shorts. No need for a 250-300 dollar shorts, but 130-150 will get you a great pair of shorts that you can ride on it all day long. I like Craft, Castelli (a little more), the upper end Pearlizumi. That should run you about 180 bucks, but worth every penny ion long rides.

[look 171]

That silver bike you posted aint no way gonna to fit her. Maybe for someone who's 5'2"?

[herr_oberst]

Yeah, check out those Endurance bikes. They're a little more upright, so your back might thank you. Look 171 has years of racing under his belt, and the ability to ride with a flat back for mile after mile is only achieved after a lot of saddle time. (Something to be proud of, too!) You might not have that degree of flexibility yet....

[look 171]

Originally Posted by masraum

Thanks, that's good info for us to have as a starting point. I had no idea where to even start.

This sounds interesting. It seems like Endurance bikes might be a little more comfy than a standard road bike, with a slightly more upright posture and slightly bigger tires? Or do you guys think a standard road bike would be better. (we'll still probably try both if we get the chance, but I like to learn from other's experience when possible)
https://www.performancebike.com/shop/bikes-frames/road-bikes/endurance-road-bikes/fuji-sportif-13-disc-road-bike-2018-31-8645

Based on one of the older threads, it seems to include some of the good points, 28mm tires, Shimano 105 bits. One person in the other thread (Ramone's Freak, I think) mentioned hydraulic disc brakes.

I work for a VERY large company. I think they are expecting 25-50 people on the company team. I have seen the total number of riders listed as 12,000-14,000 depending the article. I believe there are also multiple (3) routes per day.

Once you tried a road bike and an endurance bike back to back, you will notice the difference on ease of a slight pedal stroke that will propel the road bike forward compared to the slightly laid back geometry endurance bike, but it will be more comfortable. After 80 miles, comfort trumps speed all day long.

[herr_oberst]

(That silver bike is so light they have to hook it to the floor to keep it from floating away!)

[look 171]

https://houston.craigslist.org/bik/d/schwinn-paramount-series-5-road-bike/6762563490.html
Don't know if this is near you, but I would check this out for yourself. You can tell if its scraped up from crashes. Buying a carbon, I would look really hard at hairline cracks. I question any cracking paint surfaces. other then that, carbon fiber do not fatigue and they last for a long time. This would be a decent buy, not really a steal. Another 100 bucks off you will be styling. Good luck with your search. Let us know how it goes.

[look 171]

here's another for you if you don't mind it being a tad older. Its a solid, comfortable all day long in the saddle kind of bike for events like yours. Change out the chain, and the Cassette to larger for ease of climbing and a new saddle and you are good to go. https://houston.craigslist.org/bik/d/schwinn-peloton/6763562431.html

In terms of looks, I really think that's what a bicycle should look like. Pretty color too

[crb07]

Bike fit is really important if you are going by to ride long distance. Bike size and especially seat position-both height and fore and aft. I would say get fit by a reputable shop but they may charge you unless you buy a bike from them. There is good info online. You can injure your knees with incorrect seat height. See if you can find a local shop that sells used bikes. Bikes have horrible resale value. Once you start putting in some miles ask about seats. Very important. Also Backcountry.com has a Bike section. Clothes and gear can get pricey. Stationary trainer should be a consideration. If the weather is crap for a week or more a few hours on a trainer can help. Plus winter riding clothes are expensive.

[KFC911]

I hadn't ridden in decades before a few years back. Everything is light years beyond my college daze. Get thee to a shop and find someone like Jeff to guide you imo...and hide yer wallet . I ended up with a "cheap", $500 Gary Fisher mtn/st.....perfect for my needs.

Edited: At least get help for sizing/fit ...then search.

.