What is the best racing bicycle out there that's cheap in cost?

Question

Similar to those used in the TdF, but WAY cheaper in price. I'm talking like $600 max.

Answer 1

As with many things, when purchasing a road bicycle or parts you tend to get what you pay for.  I just today purchased a leftover 2007 road bike with a full carbon fiber frame and got quite a good deal.  It was roughly $700 off the original manufacturer's suggested retail price.

The best suggestion I can give would be to go to some local bicycle shops and talk to the folks there.  Be honest and see if you get someone willing to take the time to explain things to you and show you some bicycles in your price range and let you test ride some.  If you feel rushed and pressured into buying a bike quickly, don't do it.  If this is your first road bike and you end up with one that is not properly sized for you, you may end up with unnecessary aches and pains from riding that may turn you off the sport.  In the process, you will hopefully find a good local shop with some folks that will help you out with your decision, not try to push you out the door with a bike.

Combine your local store experience with some good online research.  See what people around your height have liked and do some searches on models and brands that you test ride.  Again, don't rush into a purchase, for your own sake.

Most of all, bicycles vary slightly in the way they are sized and measured by manufacturer, so try different sizes in different brands.  A bicycle should fit you and be in your price range, and you should have fun riding it.

Answer 2

Unfortunately, if you're looking for a TDF bike, you are talking thousands of dollars in bike and components. Most racing bikes of that caliber are further specialized (pedals/handle bars/tires/seats/etc) depending on the rider. However, depending on what you are looking to do with your bike - commute, recreational ride, triathalon - you can find a mid-range bike by Tour companies like Cervelo, Trek, and Specialized in the price range you are looking for. My suggestion is to go to a reputable bike shop that sells a variety of bikes at different price points and try them out. Also, talk to a couple of different bike guys to find out their opinions, most good shops are looking for a happy customer than a sale (repairs and service is usually what keeps a good shop open). More important than the "features" in a bike is fit, a good fit can be the difference in riding your bike once a month to riding it everyday. Believe me, I was stupid and bought a bike too big for me and only road once in a great while (I liked the name). I recently bought a Cervelo (a company I did not have a lot of faith in) that fits my short legs and long torso, and now there is rarely a day I don't ride. So, in the end there is no "best" racing bike, it is what works for you. Bicycling.com has a great section on reviews (including most bikes on the Tour) and has a couple of really good articles on buying a good bike for you. Hope this helps! See you on the road!

Answer 3

More than likely you'll need to spend more or have someone give you a great deal on a used bike.

Both of the previous answers were good advice.  However, for $600 it's hard to find a decent bike   Here's a link to the THE best value out there:

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/merc...