I have the bike itch and have been biking about 50 - 60 miles a week on a converted Trek Mtn bike.

Question

Where to start? New or used? $1,500 price limit. 5'7 145 lbs.

Answer 1

I'm a fan of buying used, but you need to know what your getting and you should be able to do bike repairs yourself. Bikes lose vaule very quickly therefore you can get great deals used.

A new bike should be perfect, comes with a warranty and many times, if you buy from a shop, free tune ups for the season. If you buy from a competent shop you will get a good fitting bike as well.

There are so many good bikes I don't know what to tell you about this. Your price range will get you a very good new bike or an excellent used one.

@ 5-10 I ride a 54cm bike, my GF is 5-6 and rides a 50cm so I would say 50-52 cm is about what you would want.

A lot of you choices will be pefference: Alum, steel or carbon or alum/carbon frame. Sloping top tube or not, triple or double chain rings. 9 or 10 speed...

Things I do recommend: carbon fork, 105 or better drivetrain. You don't say what type of riding your into, but I'm assuming fitness/performace riding. If you buy new an Alum/carbon seat stay frame, carbon fork, 105 drive train. Used you could get Ultegra 10 speed stuff and possibly a full carbon frame.  

Answer 2

I assume you mean that you finally want to get a road bike.

You can get a purty good mid level bike for the cash you want. I would suggest that you start looking at Raleigh, KHS, Fuji, and the BIKE SHOP versions of Mongoose and Schwinn. These all offer very good value for the dollar. At first, I would avoid Trek and Specialized since they tend to have one level lower components for the same money.

Regarding the size bike you need it should be in the 56cm range BUT it is best to be fitted when you go to the shop since it is more than just standover height that is taken into consideration.

If you are in the UK, visit an Evans Cycles and take a look at their Pinnacle line. Excellent value.