Hi. I would like to get into cycling. Mostly for fitness and work commute.
I want a road bike but I don't have any knowledge of what I should look for.
If you were in my shoes would you look at good second hand bike (it seems like many people sell bikes in this price range when they upgrade), or get a new bike with warranty?
I would love to see some recommendations to give me a starting point.
Any other tips would be very appreciated.
Thanks
Giant have (had?) their Giant Defy bike on sale for $1,050 (normally 1.5k). Comes with 1 year parts warranty and lifetime frame. Also you get a store voucher for 10% of the bikes value, so $105.
I bought one early this year (haggled to 1.4k + some accessories) and it has been great, use it to ride into town for work and uni.
This bike has 105s as mentioned in the post below
Thanks Woody. Where did you buy from and get the 10% store voucher?
Giant store, Hindmarsh Square. (Ozbargain says you're in Adelaide too)
They have good service and will help you choose the right bike for you etc. Worth going in and having a look.
2nd hand can be a great bargain but if you are new to the hobby it can also be frought with perils. If there is anything wrong with a carbon frame you could possibly be buying an expensive 2nd hand gruppo (component set). The bike might need new chainrings, wheels etc etc. If you dont know what you are looking at/for it can be dangerous. In terms of the components/kit you will want about 105 level. They are just releasing a new 11 speed 105 groupset (5800), if you can manage it.
If you are going to be spending some time in the saddle you will need to make sure your bike is a good fit. This involves more than just getting the right size frame, you will need the right seatpost, the right stem height and length etc. None of it is rocket science and after you have been riding for a while you tinker with these things. My recommendation for a first bike would be to get one from a Local Bike Shop. Don't be put off by the sticker prices on the bikes, almost every bike shop will haggle and there are so many you can walk away and try another if you don't like the deal.
For $1K you should be able to get a bike with a 105 groupset, probably an alloy frame with carbon forks, some basic wheels and if you haggle well you should be able to get a bike shop to throw in some pedals and a couple of spare inner tubes to carry around in case of puncture. They should also offer you a discount on things like a helmet and shoes.
In terms of brands, all of the big brands (Specialised, Trek, Canondale etc) I am sure will have something in that range, probably with a mix of 105 and Tiagra components. Azzuri and Cell will probably have bikes you can buy online with better components but you wont get a local bike mechanic to fit you out if you go that route. Most decent bike shops will give you some kind of fit and the good ones will offer to swap things like saddles, stems etc to get you a better fit. In my humble opinion, being more comfortable on the bike is much more important than having a slightly lighter groupset or some Ultegra cranks instead of 105 cranks etc. The easiest and cheapest weight for me to lose on my bike resides around the waist of the rider!
Other advantages of going to the local bike shop are that you probably get free servicing for a while as part of the deal. Things like brake cables stretch and need to be tightened up, also they will be there if anything goes wrong. Most shops now also have a discount scheme where you can get % off for the plethora of extra kit you will be desperate for in the near future. Things like a Garmin and decent Knicks etc. Finally, most Local Shops now run 'shop rides'. This can be a great way to connect with other cyclists in your area. I do a couple of these on weekends, many end up in coffee shops talking about bikes! I am riding this year's around the bay with a group of blokes from my local bike shop as a result of just such a ride.
Finally, remember that the optimum number of bikes that you need to own is calculated with the formula N+1 (where N = the number of bikes you currently own).
Thanks heaps for the detailed responses. As well as being financially tight, I'm also very indecisive but you have helped a lot. I do like the security in buying a new bike. Time to get fitted first I guess.
I have been into road cycling for a couple of years now, it's a very good hobby. When it comes to road bikes, I would consider buying a second hand one in good condition. Go for a well known bike brand such as Scott, Avanti, etc and you will never have a problem. An excellent read which helped me here from ozbargain. I reckon start off with a $500 to $1000 basic road bike and if you enjoy it, you will be able to upgrade and get your money back. I suggest bike exchange or gumtree for used bikes.