How do you pick your first road bike?

Question

How do you pick your first road bike? There’s a big difference between riding around a short trail and riding a bike 20+ miles. So how do you determine what you’ll be comfortable riding? By spec, I’m leaning toward the Giant Defy Advanced 3 or 2, but I’m still waiting to get a chance to ride one in my size.

Very new to this and I’m trying to make a good choice.

Thanks.

Robert 5 years 0 Answers 1269 views 0

Answers ( No )

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    I had to pick between a Defy 2 and a Cannondale Synapse. I chose the Defy 2! They were similar in feel, just liked the way the Defy looked. Also wanted to try disk brakes on a road bike for the first time.

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    Go to a good bike shop and talk to a knowledgable sales person.

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    Ride em all. One will speak to you. I did the silly thing of not riding a Bianchi earlier in life because I thought I could not afford one
    All major brands have similar price points.

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    You go look at all the road bikes, test ride a couple, then buy a new mountain bike

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    Specialized diverge is a good choice. You can do roads,dirt and gravel.

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    If your unusually tall, finding a bike to test ride can be tough. I called/left messages/spoke to about ten shops. Luckily, one of the stores had both good customer service and a bike in my size. I ended up on a Defy Advanced 1. Could not be happier.

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    I hate to say it but I picked my first Bianchi based on looks alone. I was young, in love with bikes and wow was it a great choice! Ridden Bianchi ever since! Close to 30 years now…

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    Find a merchant that will let you try them out especially if you want to go more than a entry-level Aluminum frame bike.

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    I have eight road bikes, so can't help with picking one. Take longer test rides. When you love a bike you're test riding, ask about taking it home for a weekend. That's what my girlfriend and I did with her last bike purchase. By Saturday evening, there was no way we weren't buying the bike. My ex-wife and her husband gave me a Giant Escape. She's been a great bike. Good brand.

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    I wanted to get a road bike that was already embracing the future. After a few bikes let me down I settled on a cyclocross bike. They absorb vibrations better and can accommodate much larger tires.

    They can be just as light as a road bike and disk brakes perform so much better than rim brakes, so for me it was the perfect way to go.

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    Love my Synapse

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    Lots and LOTS of test rides. And just get your head around the reality that you'll discover your dream bike AFTER you've bought your dream bike.

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    All my bikes,17of them, are pre 2000…probably my most used is my Softride Road wing..I just prefer older bikes..

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    Giant are amazing bikes

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    Specific bike recommendations are pretty useless. When trying out a new type of bike, it may be a revelation, or a disappointment. Either way, it will be a learning experience and indicate what direction to go on your next bike. I have two main suggestions. First, get a full on professional fit. That would cost around $100-150 but will often be deducted from the cost of a bike purchase at the same shop (if not, will save you from wasting even bigger $$). Second, don't over spend. It is unlikely this will be your forever bike, so budget accordingly.

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    Choosing a bike is never easy. It's a personal choice, and frankly only you know what's right for you. You can make yourself crazy reading reviews and listening to everyone's "I love my xxx" truth is, you'll test ride some bikes until you throw a leg over one that speaks to you…then you'll know.

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    Local bike shop

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    Robert, do you need a pure road bike? As others have mentioned, a CX or gravel style bike is often more stable, comfortable, and can handle a variety of tires, slick to knobby. Depending on where you live, it might be a better option.

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    Honestly, the bike you choose should be dictated by the type of riding you are looking to do.

    If you are looking to do long distance endurance riding like Centuries or even double centuries… then more of a relaxed "touring" geometry would be good. If you want to start training to do Crit's then a more rigid and twitchy racing geometry would be the way to go. It comes down to the geometry of the frame and things like front fork angle and shape.

    Those questions will tailor the choice's you have to the type of riding you want to do and what each manufacturer has to offer within that realm of riding … and those questions are exactly what a good bike shop sales person will ask you… if they don't… then find another shop.

    Just be clear in your own head what it is you want to do.

    If you just want to do a group rides and an occasional "race/ride" like a Gran Fondo then tell them that… because they will steer your more towards something that is comfortable and not necessarily full up built for racing. When you are clear about what you want to do it makes it much easier for salespeople (like I used to be) to make your buying experience a positive and productive one.

    As a professional fitter I will say this… there are numerous times when we work with cyclists who want to _____ kind of riding, but bought ____ kind of bike because they thought it looked "cooler" even though their body is effing miserable. Don't be "that" guy. Because in the end no one in a group ride or a race cares about the paint color on your bike.

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