Any suggestions for an entry level road racing bike?

Question

Hi,

I currently ride about 100 miles a week on a 1970's 25lb tank of a road bike with thicker tires.

I'm looking for something around $1000 or lower range...for long rides (50 - 100 miles) and beginner competition.. I am female, 5 feet, and 105 lbs...so smaller makes are paramount.

Ideally I'd like a bike I can grow with as a cyclist. So far I've been pointed to the Jamis Comp/Ventura Sport.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Lauren

Answer 1

One way to get the most for your money is to go to a bike shop and ask if they have any of last year's models left over. They will often give you a pretty good discount to get the bike off the floor. I was lucky and found a 2006 bike at the end of the 2007 model year and saved about 30%. It's really a matter of being in the right place at the right time.

Buy the bike, not the brand name. At your budget, any two bikes at the same price point are very likely to be equivalent values just because the business is so competitive. Be sure to compare apples to apples. Over the past several years, I've usually started with Giant because they serve as a pretty good benchmark of what the rest of the industry is doing. Besides, they do the actual manufacturing for many of the bikes with other brand names. The important thing for you to do is to test ride as many bikes as possible. One of them will fit you and feel better than the others. Buy that bike because it is the one you will enjoy riding the most which will help you train effectively.

I agree that you should look for a bike with Shimano 105 components. You are not likely to find a new bike with Ultegra or Dura Ace in your price range. Tiagra components will work,  but you will outgrow them pretty quickly.

HTH

Answer 2

I agree with the last answer. and make sure you read his link to the Allanti website ( the third link). It will help you understand that most bikes are only made by a handful of frame builders in Taiwan- even if they don't say made in Taiwan on them.

Answer 3

well i know from experience i ride 110 miles a week on a gmc road bike i got no problems with it so far i've had it for about a year and got 750 miles on it

Answer 4

Lauren,

Jamis is a perfectly good brand, but I suspect you want to get the best you can for your money.  Look at the link below to Bikes Direct.  They have an all-carbon Tiagra/105 equipped bike for $1099 delivered.  Of course, they also have lower priced bikes.  If you can find as good or better deal locally then buy it!

I used to own a retail bike shop.  Dealers like to knock Bikes Direct because their prices are so low.  Other than at the very high end (out of your price range) bike brands are basically labels, with only a very few plants building most of the bicycles.  I've linked an insider article on this phenomenon below.

I know at least a dozen people who have bought these bikes online and are very happy with them.

My only concern for you is whether they have a size in this bike small enough for you.  I'm also giving you a link to Sheldon Brown's article on frame sizing.

Bikes Direct sells the Dawes Lighting 2300 in 44c (extra small) with sloping top tube that should work for you and the price is under $700.  Second link below.  

Good luck, and happy riding.

Ben

Answer 5

I would visit as many local bike shops as you can and ride as many as you can get your hands on. Bike shops can also offer guidance on sizing, brands, etc. I would caution against buying a carbon bike for the sake of having a carbon bike; there is a lot of different technology out there in this area, I tried many all carbon bikes that outweigh some of the better aluminum ones. Brand wise will depend on your fit and preferences. As far as the group set, for 100 miles a week my recommendation would be to go with at least a Shimano 105. You can go with less but you will lose shifting performance over a short time, a few cable adjustments are normal but the lower grade components just don't have the durability. Jamis is good, I would also look at TREK, Canondale and Specialized, they all offer bikes designed for women(you will notice a fit difference).