Reddit mentions: The best road bikes

So /r/bikewrench and /r/bicycling are much more active sub-reddits that you may see more attention on, but I can try to help you out here.

Switching the bars could require a few things:


Stem Size and by extension handlebar size: the Escape has a stem made for 31.8mm diameter handlebars with pretty large bars actually. Most drop bars you find will be 25.4mm at the stem and 23.8mm everywhere else. Any discrepancy can be an easy fix with some shims (either bought or made). It is also possible (according to Sheldon Brown) that your current bars may have very similar sizing to standard drop bars. The stem may also need to be shortened or lengthened to comfortably accommodate for the new handlebars and riding positions.


Braking: As you may or may not have noticed most drop bars come with brake levers that allow you to access the levers while riding on the drops. This is important because it allows you more leverage at the moments when you are going the fastest. Check out this image stolen from 'Lovley Bike' that shows the typical 'breaking on the drops' position.

While it is not necessary to have these brakes and the 'hoods' that accompany them it is an excellent idea and gives more hand positions! Alternatively it is possible to use levers only on the flats of the drop bars (but not the ones you currently have may need the aforementioned shims).

Shifting!
I see the Escape has Shimano M310 trigger shifters. Those also may have to go. They, like the brakes, can be mounted on the flats of the bar but it is only very low end bikes that do this to their riders. There are an ungodly number of ways to incorporate shifting on a bike with drop bars. You can integrate them into the brakes with STI's, stick them on the end of the bars with Bar End Shifters, Get them onto the stem like many vintage bikes Stem Shifters or get them on the down-tube for a classic look Down Tube Shifters...

That aside the only real options up there that you have for a conversion are Bar-end or "Brifters" Brake/Shifters...reusing your old ones could work but it would be inelegant.

Geometry MOST IMPORTANTLY! Your bike was designed to be ridden upright, the stem, top tube, every inch of the bike assumes the rider is using flat bars. There is no telling really what the ride will 'feel' like after you start riding on the hoods/drops. Its not as bad as most hybrids with front suspension but I could not tell you anything about how it might feel once the swap is made.


For moving forward I see a few options

Option 1 Quick and Dirty Get some drop bars and some old cans. Strip your current bars of components and install the drops(don't forget shims), If sheldon is correct about the size of over-sized road bikes all your old components should slide onto the flat part of the drops and just fit. It would be a unique way to ride but mostly functional...Personally I would have concerns about how safe it would be.

Option 2 More hand positions!
If what you want is more hand positions don't overlook bar end attachments:
Bar end attachments
Orgin 8 might actually have the answer to your prayers: Bolt On Drops

Option 3 Dress her like a roadie
Trying to make your hybrid into a road bike is usually not the right way to go but...with $10-30 for bars, and $100 for Shifters and Brakes, plus $10-20 for complete re-cabling across the bike (MTB and Road bikes use different cable ends) and of course labor if you aren't that handy. Tack on $10 for bar-tape to make her pretty and comfortable and you aren't that far in the hole.
You don't get off any easier for Bar Ends once you get the appropriate brakes its about the same. All that and your former hybrid could pass any scrutinizing test of a lycra-clad cyclist, you'd have yourself a certified road-bike. No promises on comfort!


This is just a vague indication though! For a real in-depth price assessment and Q&A please visit your local bike store

For my $00.02...Don't bother trying to convert them. Ride the bike you have the way it was intended to be ridden. If after a while you still feel like its lacking, throw on some bar ends for more hand positions, Still feel like its lacking? Go test-ride some road bikes to see if riding on the drops is right for you. I'm not talking about a test ride around the parking lot either! No less then 3 miles on that sucker, get a real feel for it. Love it!? Sell the Escape and do a TON of research into inexpensive road bikes. They are out there waiting for ya.

Do you have a bike at the minute?

I'm sure you're aware that buying a bike from Amazon maybe isn't ideal for a few reasons, but if you're confident enough to assemble it and keep it maintained yourself then there are a few "not terrible" options. This is probably one of the better deals:

http://www.amazon.com/Diamondback-Insight-Flat-Road-Bike/dp/B017TEZORS/

Diamondback are a reasonably big name manufacturer, and they do make some good bikes. Disc brakes could come in useful, and the cr-mo fork should be good for comfort.

Or there's this, which is similar but with hi ten forks (generally a bit less comfortable) and V brakes:

http://www.amazon.com/Diamondback-Bicycles-Complete-Performance-Metallic/dp/B0132I8YQS/

Bit of a wildcard, I don't tend to like suggesting single speeds but a full cr-mo frame should be solid and comfortable, and the drop bars can help with comfort on longer rides:

http://www.amazon.com/Nashbar-Single-Speed-Cyclocross-Bike-49/dp/B00F52JWPC/

Whatever you get, I'd probably consider putting some wider tyres on it to start out with. Might need to see it first to check the tyre clearances, but most hybrids are pretty generous and can generally take somewhere around max 38-45c tyres. A wider tyre will have more air in it to support a heavier rider, helping to protect the rest of the bike, make it more comfortable and give it better performance off road.

Hello all, I'm having a hard time deciding what to do. I will be having a baby in Late may (possibly early June.) After my initial healing period I would like to start biking and join the local cycling group that meets up once a week. I expect to get out on the bike 2 times a week, 3 at the most. I would also like to go on charity rides for fun. I am currently preggo so I don't need the bike right now.

I want a new road bike from the trek store, the Lexa C in Aloe green. They are selling it for 699.00, a great price I think and they can fit the bike for me at the store. BUT my SO thinks thats too much for something I "may never take out of the garage."

His suggestion was to find something a little cheaper and ride it for a year to be sure I'll actually keep up with cycling. After that spending more money on a better bike seems more reasonable to him.

A less expensive option is on Amazon, Vilano Aluminum Road Bike 21 Speed. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005EFTQ10/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=3FG34B8QFH0V8&coliid=I6PJOLE3C6QYB&psc=1

Does anyone own this bike? Have you had luck selling it later? Is it total garbage???? Am I going to spend more money getting it fitted and replacing stock parts on this cheaper bike than it would cost me to buy the trek?

I think I may look to see if anyone is advertising a used bike at the local repair shop, there are a few smaller shops around me. I've been dissapointed with Craigslist so far, most of the bikes are too large for me as I am 5'5".

Thanks for any help

edit After reading some older posts on here I'm deciding that the Vilano is a bad choice. I'm looking at bikes direct. Perhaps the Lightning DT or the Gravity Avenue A would be better options.

I ended up getting this. As cheap as it is, you would think that it is a piece of crap but honestly it has been pretty durable. I have been really rough with it and it is still going pretty good with me and oh how I love how easy it is to maintain it. The only thing you really need to do with it is change the brake pads every so often.

You know what else is funny? I got this guy 4 years ago, new from Amazon, and it came with the 7 speed set. They're still selling them new.

Guys, I realize the difference: it's like saying, "I want to upgrade my old point-and-shoot," while most of you are hauling mid to high range DSLRs, but I love my bike, and it exceeds in doing what I want it to do. I've had no problems with it. I've also read stories about stuff breaking from this very bike, and I'm just appalled. Maybe I take care of it better than most ... I've never had an accident with it, and even the back derailleur, as you can tell from the picture, has survived a few set downs and wall scrapes like a champ.

Anyhow, I thought I'd see what the community had to say, and I appreciate the overall message that I'm just not going to find a brake/shifter for 1) my system and 2) that cheap.

In my experience Craigslist is a waste of time unless you really know what you're looking for, and someone is desperate for money. I've spent months trying to find a quality road bike at a reasonable price through Craigslist and Pinkbike. The deals just didn't show up.
--

One day while running I developed a stress fracture in one of my metatarsals and was destined to not run for 2 months. Enough was enough.. I needed to get back on the road somehow and exercise. I said to hell with Craigslist and took to the actual internet for an answer. First stop was looking at value bikes at bikesdirect.. They had some good deals, but everything seemed out of my price range for what I was looking for (not to mention the reviews that i've heard about their bargain brands haven't been mostly positive). Then I tried Pinkbike, but living in the South not many people here even consider exercising, let alone riding anything without a motor.. The bikes were few, far between, and out of my budget range.

I wanted a road bike that could be used for both commuting and exercise that wasn't a cheap piece of steel welded in a third world country.

After some digging around I took to reading every possible customer review that I could on Amazon and stumbled upon an all aluminum 21 speed made by a company called Vilano for under $200.

I took a gamble and ordered it. I wasn't dissapointed.

This bike is quality. The welds are tight, everything is lubed up, and I didn't even need to true the wheels before riding. The way it's shipped is close to 80% assembled. The only tools required to finish it off were a flat head and an allen wrench.

The company seems to be a small brand looking to put out a good product in competition with all the inflated names. I've had it for months now, and I use it to commute and do some 10 mile timed rides now and again. (I added a $20 tri bar for when I do those, Amazon purchase as well) Hasn't let me down yet.

Here's the bike I ended up buying.

BONUS: I frequent r/beermoney as well, and participate on a few survey/ptc revenue sites. There are easy ways to get Amazon gift cards in your down time and knock some of the cost down on your purchases. You can do enough in a weeks worth of down time to cover shipping and handling.

Do it! You don't need anything fancy. This is my bike, it only cost $180 when I bought it. My hipster friends get crazy expensive bikes but it's not like this one is going to fall apart (IMO welding is welding), plus the tires are thin enough for decent speed but thick enough to actually handle potholes. There's a fixed gear on one side of the back wheel and a free wheel gear on the other, so you can switch it around if you want, but again IMO there's no reason to have a single-speed bike if it's not going to be fixed gear. Plus there's front and back brakes, like I said, for emergencies. So... um yeah I love this bike, haha. It has seriously everything I could want. I'm sure there are tons out there like this, but I needed something cheap that would ship quickly for free, so Amazon it was.

I picked up this bike about a year ago and have had great success with it so far. I took it to a local shop, got a few tweaks done and was ready to roll. Most road bikes you see mentioned run starting about $700 for the cheapest model (new out the box), and if it is something you are just getting in to doing, that is a pretty big investment.

So I dropped $179 on the afrementioned bike, got a little CatEye comp, a water bottle, saddle bag, and off I went. Less than $200 and I've put in some serious milage in the last year and absolutely love it.

Also, I see it like this. If I can do some serious mileage on a low end bike, then when I DO upgrade to something expensive (and even still I am not breaking the $1,000 mark) then it will be all the better when I make that move. Training on a heavy ride, then upgrading to lighter bike will make those really long roadies go much easier.

I would suggest a starter bike, not a fancy, expensive, super light weight bike.

If you were not going to ride on dirt, I would recommend this as the best starter bike for your money: http://www.amazon.com/Denali-Black-Green-22-5-Inch-Medium/dp/B00FNVBS5C/
I am 5-7 and use the 22.5" bike.

I have ridden this bike daily and hard since 2008. It is lightweight, aluminum frame, and cheap. It will not fall part like other low cost bikes.

I paid $150 for it back in 2008 from walmart as a temp bike as a throw-a-way since I was in a temp work location. I liked it so much that I bought a bike rack and took it with me. I have used it ever sense.

Now this bike is not good for loose dirt/gravel with 700c tires. You will need something with a wider tire.

I dont know about bike prices in Canada, but in the US I would recommend a new biker to stay below $300 USD (~$380 CAD) and after a year of steady riding then think of upgrading. You want to make sure you will actually ride before you buy something very expensive.

Also, after biking for at least a year, you will have learned from your riding style and could then make an educated decision on a more expensive bike and options. You also may be like me, and follow the "if it aint broke dont fix it philosophy" by just keep riding your more cost effective starter bike.

Also, when you get a bike. Watch youtube videos to learn about the maintenance and adjustment. You can do everything yourself to save money.

I've looked for a beginner thread but can't find one easily. I'm sure it is asked a lot but I'm looking for a bike around $500 CAD ($389.37 US) or maybe that in total with seat upgrades and locks and whatever else I need. I think I'm looking for a road bike but I'm not entirely sure the differences as I've only done light research. I've seen this recommended in those "best under $500" videos but I'm not sure what the best website/store is in Canada. Any links/tips would be appreciated!

The specific bike I was looking at was this Vilano.

No way I could afford this anytime soon (which is why I'm looking at budget bikes), but that would be a price range I would feel comfortable with just in case I ended up hating it. That being said, I've ridden a few road bikes for shorter distances before, 5-7 miles, and absolutely loved it. I'm just not sure I'd be ready to jump right in, and I'd prefer to test it out first.

As for the other questions, definitely paved surface. My city has a 16 mile paved loop, and the roads around my house are all paved and frequently ridden by cyclists in the community. The roughest parts are some back roads that are patched up rather than smoothly paved. And distance? I'm not sure, I've never ridden more than 5-7 miles, like I said, but I think a 25 mile ride every now and then could be fun.

Well it's the first bike I've ever really got because I'm out at college now so I need a way to get around. Like I said, college, so I was looking at getting a bike for as cheap as I could. I got this "Takara Kabuto" off amazon just as a base. The colour is obnoxious but I like the tires so I figured I'd make due. I got it, sanded it down and repainted it matte black and gave it the Bowie lightning bolt of the side. Added a rack and some fenders and everything else is great. As far as technical specs I don't know too much, like I said this is my first real bike. I just needed a place to get from A to B haha

It's nothing special upgrade wise.

Like others have said and I'm adding another voice to reinforce it

• the wheels are relatively cheap, perfectly useable about on par with what I run on my winter bike for 1000km a month. They are the starting point of what I'd consider to be "wheels" instead of "wheel shaped objects".
  
  
• chainset looks like an aluminium perfectly useable one, either apex or non series apex level. Not something special to be highlighted as an upgrade.
  
  
• looks to be fitted with heavily used old 105. 105 is great, this has seen better days.
  
  If he paid RRP for them he's forked out a fortune for pretty big standard kit. Not putting a downer on it but nothing here is worth paying a premium for.
  
  530 is silly money for that bike. You can get a similar new one for that (not an expert in us pricing, talk to me about bikes in the UK and I can help lol)
  
  TLDR don't buy that bike.
  
  A quick Google brought up this
  
  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PUGUFIQ
  
  As well as a useful article on entry level bike prices in the us here
  http://www.davescheapbikes.com/cheap-road-bikes/road-bikes-for-beginners/
  
  Edit - the more I look at it that vilano forza looks bang on for a first road bike. Swap out the brake pads and tyres (for some decent 25c rubber) and its really a textbook starter road bike.
  
  If you get into it upgrade the wheels a bit later. It's got a triple (perfect for new riders who don't quite realise what an utter bastard hills can be and who can't push a bigger gear up them) and a carbon fork which is almost unheard of at that price point.

So at 6'3" its rather frustrating to keep seeing deals on bikes and then note that they are 55-58cm. I am trying to keep to advice that I have seen all over this subreddit that you should make sure it fits and that you don't buy the $300 bikes like the Giordano or GMC Denali. Why does the 5-8cm really matter? This past week I saw a post (I wish I could find it right now, I was the really nicely composed shot with unperceivable fill flash and ax for a kickstand) where his seat was jacked to the max, he said it does give him a aggressive riding position but that mostly he found it more comfortable. What are your words of wisedom O' Grand /r/bicycling?

UPDATE:
Upon reviewing some more options that are a bit more affordable to me, I've come across two bikes that strike my interest

This one: http://www.amazon.com/Aluminum-Commuter-Shimano-Speed-Bicycle/dp/B008CE9KKM/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1408395226&sr=8-4&keywords=commuter+bike

And this one: http://www.amazon.com/Vilano-Aluminum-Speed-Shimano-Medium/dp/B00595BNPM/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1408395226&sr=8-9&keywords=commuter+bike

(sorry for the long links) What do you guys think of these? They look pretty good, but I don't know much about bikes, so again reviews and insight on how good they are is appreciated.

My riding buddy, /u/Zen_Brony rides a Vilano that he purchased from Amazon. He's got amazing amounts of miles/Kms into it and loves it. It was something like $300 new and though my new bike is shinier and lighter, his has the integrity of being inexpensive and bomber. Oh, and his cost $2200 less than mine.

Perfect, thanks!

As a follow up, which I maybe should do research on my own first more, is which brands do you recommend for the price point?

I can snag a Diamondback Steilacoom CCX for $630 shipped. Meanwhile I see some unknown brand CX bikes for cheaper on Amazon Vilano road bike 21 speed.

If I go with a CX do you recommend buying a second set of tires that have little to no tred on them for commuting to work purpose? Or just keep the default ones.

Price isn't a huge set back for me. I just want to end up with a quality product that I don't hate, and don't feel I grossly overpaid for said item.

Road bikes are great lighter the easier it is to ride, it might be worth getting slime tyres to stop punctures, I have a triangle bag that goes inside the frame that I put a small pump and a multi tool in + my lunch on a weekday.

I would recommend two thick D locks to use when parking, I thread the 'D' through the bag buckles and keep the keys and lock in the Bag.

for weather gear you need a rain layer warm layer and sweat layer to keep out the cold. waterproof gloves, goggles or eye protection.

Fenders would be a good choice as well to stop mud flicking up.

Don't get a mountain bike, really not very easy to ride and heavy. Also lights

hey man, new to GNV too! would be to hang out some time and i ordered my bike off of amazon, got free shipping and a great price. they have lots of entry level bikes to choose from though, make sure you get something good for your height

Right now I have a fixie and I love it. I wanted a cheap bike to ride around campus on and I have loved riding it. I am over 120 miles so far and haven't had any problems at all. My fixie was cheap about 160 bucks off of amazon and its worth every penny! I'd so go for it! btw here is the link to what I got: http://www.amazon.com/Takara-Kabuto-Single-Speed-Frame/dp/B004GWP6CK/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1381412264&sr=8-3&keywords=fixie

I'm looking to purchase a my first road bike in the near future. My price point tops $500. I'm looking for a bike that I start off doing relatively short distances with and work my way up to longer distances. I've checked CL and haven't found anything good so far so I plan on purchasing a bike new. Here are some of my options. Im unsure the quality of them and don't want to end up purchasing a bike that falls easily. So if you see any major flaws in any off them or have an entry level bike you could suggest to me that would be great. Thanks
(http://www.amazon.com/Windsor-Wellington-Aluminum-Carbon-Shimano/dp/B00GM374Z8/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top)

(http://www.amazon.com/GMC-Denali-Black-22-5-Inch-Medium/dp/B00FNVBS5C/ref=sr_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1405872465&sr=1-2&keywords=road+bike)

(http://www.ebay.com/itm/56-cm-mens-schwinn-silver-white-entry-level-road-bike-bicycle-700c-shimano-/380825717354?pt=US_Bicycles_Frames&hash=item58aafb4a6a)

(http://www.amazon.com/Giordano-Libero-White-Bike-700c-25-Inch/dp/B004Q3U5XO/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1405982161&sr=8-6&keywords=road+bike)

Alright, if I raise to 300$
what would be the least shittiest folding bike you'd find at either amazon or ebay?
Just to make it easier for you:

http://www.amazon.com/GMC-Denali-Black-Green-25-Inch/dp/B00FNVBSAW/ref=sr_1_28?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1405231713&sr=1-28&keywords=folding+bike

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DAHON-FOLDING-BICYCLE-niceshape-at-6-3-Ft-I-rode-comfortably-adjust-down-small-/161340646587?pt=US_Bicycles_Frames&hash=item2590a6e4bb

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-26-Folding-Mountain-Bicycle-Foldable-Bike-6-Speed-Shimano-Black-Color-/331186100425?pt=US_Bicycles_Frames&hash=item4d1c3ad8c9

among those 3, which one is the least shitty? dahon? but won't I suffer using it everyday?
Like I had said, 6 miles + ascending on hills daily.
Also, I heard full suspension on a foldable bike is bad, is it true?

I have a road bike that I'm looking to get rid of since my apt complex has a shuttle to campus. Its this one on Amazon, but the Medium frame in the yellow and black color scheme. I also have a lock for it. It was a great bike but I just don't use it anymore. Send me a PM if you're interested, I can let it go for much less than $250.

I go to Davis too! :D

I would highly suggest a road bike if you're comfortable with that. When I switched from a mountain bike to a road bike during freshman year, it made a huge difference. My first road bike was this cheap one for $160 that a lot of people have:

http://amazon.com/GMC-Denali-Medium-Frame-Yellow/dp/B002GNWPK2

It was a great first bike and it really got me into cycling. It's only available in two sizes though so you'd probably need to be 5' 7" or taller depending on your leg size.

What price range are you looking for?

The GMC Denali is $200 and has tons of really good reviews on Amazon:

https://smile.amazon.com/GMC-Denali-Black-Green-Small/dp/B00FNVBSAM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467147331&sr=8-1&keywords=gmc+denali

Walmart carries it, too, but does not seem to offer a choice of sizes.

I have no first-hand experience with it, but I was amazed by all the positive reviews.

...do you have a 34" inseam? Also, that makes the bike insanely huge. If it fits you well, you will like it more than your small hybrid, if it's too large, you will not like it as much.

This would probably be a better option in your area: http://gainesville.craigslist.org/bik/2633832789.html

This cheap bike is well reviewed, and about the same price point: http://www.amazon.com/GMC-Denali-Medium-Frame-Yellow/dp/B002GNWPK2/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1318016080&sr=1-1

Hi /r/bicycling! It's summer time and I was wanting to buy a roadbike, and started looking online (Amazon and such), when I came across these two models: GMC Denali and the Takara Kabuto.

I was wondering which one would be a better bike to start off with if I have never owned a road bike before. I noticed that the Takara bike is single-speed while the GMC bike isn't (does it make much of a difference ride-wise?)

Any help would be appreciated.

You can get a solid beginner roadbike on amazon for ~250. Reddit will tell you you need to spend a lot more, but I bought this one on amazon about a year back, ride it to school every day, and sometimes use it to make the 85 mile trip home on the weekends. It's a bit heavy for a road bike but I'm sure you could shop around and find something a bit lighter, I'm 190 though so it doesn't really matter to me if the bike is a few extra pounds haha

http://www.amazon.com/GMC-Denali-Black-Green-25-Inch/dp/B00FNVBSAW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413056840&sr=8-1&keywords=road+bike

I have this exact model.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0041QF9EQ/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_saR1tb0AGVQ6Q7X3

I bought it two years and 110 lbs ago. It's seen some shit in those two years hauling me around. The bottom bracket is messed up and has a moderate amount of play in it. It's also rusting because I had it outside at school all last year.

I'm assuming the frame is steel because of the rust. I plan on sanding and repainting eventually and fixing the bracket. It's pretty much out of tread on the tires too, so I have slicks :)

I'm just dealing with it for now, but I'd like a new road bike. I've ridden a 2013 trek 1.2 before and it was such a different world to me haha.

Prices do seem reasonable at the shop assuming you get proper service and it's not like a big box store.

>I'm pretty sure I want a road bike (or hybrid?).

If you aren't sure on this (drop bars or flat bars) you are best off finding out which you prefer before you buy a bike, and while everyone has their preferences, there's no substitute for test riding bikes.

My advice would be to go to the shop and see if you can get a couple of demo rides to try flat bar vs drop bar - if they're a good shop they should have at least one each of flat bar and drop bar demo bike in your size that you pay a small amount to take a longer test ride on (that should be refunded if you buy a bike). A good shop should let you take a much shorter test ride on a particular bike you're considering buying too.

There aren't any bad bikes as long as you're spending enough to avoid them, and $800 is enough to avoid bad road bikes or hybrids unless you went looking at fake carbon bikes on Aliexpress or monstrosities like this (which you'd only ever see online).

For a hybrid $800 is probably overkill really unless you want disc brakes (make sure they're hydraulic if you do), otherwise the sweet spot is probably about $600. Recommend avoiding hybrids with suspension forks.

Road bikes are more expensive but $800 can still get you a decent entry level one like a Synapse or a Trek 1 series.

In other words you can't really go wrong unless you get the wrong type of bike, and the best way to avoid that is by test riding bikes.

I wouldn't think it would sell. While it's not a bad looking frame...

• Price: it's going to be expensive if it has the Rover name on it.
  
• Value: it's mass produced Asian carbon with nothing to differentiate it from all the other mass produced Asian carbon.
  
• Stigma: it says "Range Rover" on it.
  
• Performance: may be great, but far more likely to be mediocre.
  
• Warranty: What, you're going to take a bike to a Rover dealer? And what are they going to do with it?
  
• Liability: What happens when some 400 pound stockbroker impales himself with a piece of carbon? If he doesn't kill himself, he's going to sue Rover.
  
  Sounds like another GMC Denali bike to me.

I recently bought this as my introduction to cycling and have really liked it. It's not a hybrid, but it's a great bike for commuting.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004Q3N08Q/ref=oh_details_o03_s03_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

my buddy has this bike, i believe it's a [takara kabuto] (http://www.amazon.com/Takara-Kabuto-Single-Speed-Frame/dp/B0041QF9EQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1406220138&sr=8-1&keywords=takara+kabuto). if you're enjoying it, more power to you, especially with that lovely view.

I don't know much about bikes but someone highly recommended this one for the price point. How would this compare to the bikes I can get over there?

Likewise, I found a craigslist type site for Switzerland and the bikes people offered for 150 CHF+ were pretty basic/beat up.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0041QF9EQ/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=11XPBXGZUKPX7&coliid=I13BTJRMQDNY5Q&psc=1

Just a little back story, I recently started riding fixed gear and picked up a used Takara Kabuto for $60 just to see if I could get used to riding fixed gear. After a few 20+ mile rides I am enamored with the fixed gear and there is no going back.

I am looking now for my second fixie, something that I can slowly continue to improve as the money becomes available, I found the bike I linked here on Craigslist for $275. It is the Jamis Beatnik, and the seller is guessing that it is the 2011 model. I am trying to bring the price down to at least $250. I want to know if that is a good price, and if it is a good bike to throw my money at?

I've been looking at amazon for some, do any of these look like good ones? Giordano, Vilano, Merax, Schwinn

My friend has this bike and it is not a good bike. It is a low quality frame with cheap parts. The one redeeming quality is that it has Shimano Claris STI shifters, which are also cheap(ish) parts.

Also, it retails for about $400 new:
http://www.amazon.com/Giordano-Libero-White-Bike-700c-20-Inch/dp/B004Q3N08Q/

Your advice on finding a decent bike using CL is good, though in some locations it's a rare find.

I bought a vilano road bike off of amazon for $200. It was delivered in 4 days, I put it together in about an hour. Taught myself and adjusted the deraillures in an hour. Since then the bike has been a great project, I've put a lot into it and I get a lot of compliments. I know a lot of people will put a butt load of money into a bike with a super light frame and only buy top of the line accessories but at the end of the day LEGS DO THE TALKING.

The bike I got: Vilano Aluminum Road Bike Medium (54cm) Commuter Bike Shimano 21 Speed 700c, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008CE9KKM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_vAQnybXGACQSF

My bike now: http://www.pedalroom.com/bike/she-doesnt-have-a-name-31077

I actually need to update the photos of my steed.

I'd like to get a really nice, well-built bike that'll last me. But money is a factor, so I settled on this Vilano bike. It's gonna take me a bit of saving, but I'm hoping I can get it before summer's over.

How far do you bike to work?

I just bought a cheap <$200 bike with all bolted on bits (no quick releases), so I can take it anywhere and u-lock it anywhere and not worry about it. If someone does end up wanting it badly enough to take it, I'm not out very much. Been leaving it outside every day for a year and a half, never a problem.

That's just my theory - when you're not worried about your bike, you can really enjoy biking places a lot more. Keep the fancy ones for pleasure rides.

I'm looking to buy my first road bike for casual riding. I found these two cheapos on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Giordano-Libero-White-Mens-Bike-700c/dp/B004Q3N0GI

http://www.amazon.com/Schwinn-Mens-Prelude-Bicycle-BBWhite/dp/B004QM22HC

Which would you recommended? Or would you recommend something else? I'm looking to spend under $500 and am 5'9 and 150 lbs.

[White Samba's - 49.97] (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CEOXTS/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=LN1LSNK70YIF&coliid=ILB6SW1FQTT39&psc=1)
on amazon, unless anyone else knows of any cheaper deals elsewhere.

This sweet bike!, also amazon.

We're fairly new so the club as a whole needs some guidance haha
I was looking at a vilano, would something like this work?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00CLV61EA/ref=mp_s_a_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1473898162&sr=1-9&refinements=p_4%3AVilano&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&th=1&psc=1

I agree with both points made, and think that a bike under $300 (and even under $200) that is still light, and also not a mountain bike (which I think was another point of dissent?) would be the GMC Denali sold on Amazon. I've seen it all over LA and UC Riverside and people seem to really like it. It's a decent entry-level road bike with a tempting low price.

http://www.amazon.com/GMC-Denali-Black-22-5-Inch-Medium/dp/B00FNVBS5C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383066857&sr=8-1&keywords=gmc+denali

I've actually been looking on amazon because the bikes there are pretty affordable. I'm not sure if these are any good, but any advice? I've found 4 that I'm considering.. based on not much information:
[first bike]
[second bike]
[third bike]
[fourth bike]

Anyone with experience from buying bikes on Amazon?

I bought one bike in the past, GNC http://www.amazon.com/GMC-Denali-Black-Green-63-5cm/dp/B00FNVBSAW?ie=UTF8&keywords=road%20bikegnc&qid=1465303424&ref_=sr_1_sc_1&sr=8-1-spell

Really was an awesome bike for the price, until it got stolen.

Are there any gems on Amazon? I'm looking for a bike anywhere from $100-$300

> Obviously I'll be starting out with something cheap/slow.



This one gets great gas mileage:

http://www.amazon.com/Aluminum-Commuter-Shimano-Speed-Bicycle/dp/B008CE9KVG/ref=sr_1_2?s=cycling&ie=UTF8&qid=1413563120&sr=1-2&keywords=road+bike

You can get this bike for $159 with free shipping. The only catch is you have to assemble it yourself. I bought one of these GMC bikes (though not this exact model) from Amazon 6 years ago and am still riding it a couple days a week. It probably took me 2 hours to put the bike together, and required tons of internet searches so that I could adjust the brakes properly. However, it isn't rocket science. If you can put together an IKEA cabinet, you can assemble a bike.

Shit. Someone actually bought one of those visp bikes?

I found this "review" of the bike:
http://www.foldingbikeguy.com/visp-a01-road-bike-review/

The reviews on amazon are good for a laugh:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RQNRTUS?tag=viglink27304-20

Honestly, I wasn't expecting to find any bike that I would be willing to recommend. But I did find one. And one only. If you don't want to buy this bike, do not buy any other $400 bike from Amazon in order to do this trip. If you do buy this bike, do not buy any size other than the xl.

As this bike is going to come somewhat disassembled, keep in mind that you, or someone is going to have to finish assembling the bike.

http://www.amazon.com/Diamondback-Insight-Flat-Road-Bike/dp/B017TEZORS/ref=sr_1_1?s=outdoor-recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1462684459&sr=1-1&keywords=bicycle&refinements=p_36%3A-40000

I am recommending this with all due caution. Between it being a low end bike, and coming partially assembled, and the fact that it is a flat bar bike, which are not generally considered ideal for distance riding, it is difficult to enthusiastically recommend getting this bike. Some people have difficulty riding 10 miles on them without hand fatigue. There was a guy who posted recently who rode across the country on a flat bar bike. But you don't know if you will be able to do 60 mile days on a flat bar bike.

My suggestion would be to rent, or to buy a more expensive bike, and sell it afterwards, getting most or all your money back rather than buy a bike without getting a chance to even test ride it.

Literally one of the cheapest road bikes you can find. Good luck!

Granted, this probably won't last as long, but it gets the job done.

You know, I want to hate it so much, but the hilarious Amazon reviews make its existence 100% worth it.

http://www.amazon.com/VISP-A01-Fashion-Bicycle-Mechanical-Brakes/dp/B00RQNRTUS

VISP is getting much better with their Amazon bikes.

I'm comfortable putting the bike togeth I'm just worried about getting a bike like the one I linked and not being able to use it in a race.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005EFTPZC/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1492436375&sr=1-4&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=triathlon%2Bbike&dpPl=1&dpID=41fpgqDzLSL&ref=plSrch&th=1&psc=1

This one ? I'ts kinda neat, nothing crazy. I picked it up to ride after work when I don't have time to get to a trail before dark.

>(I've been looking at Viliano bikes on Amazon

Yes, I looked at what OP said, they are BSO's

I ride regularly and race regularly. Normally to the tune of ~100 miles a week, with more on the weekends.

I say this because I believe you are really going to have a hard time starting on a fat bike. I mean, if it is just a normal mountain bike and I am reading what you wrote wrong, then you should be fine.

But if it is a fat bike with wheels between 3.7 and 5.2 inches, you are going to have a hard time. Fat bikes typically have no suspension, and the rolling resistance can be crazy high. This means that you aren't going to be coasting very much, if at all.

On a mountain bike you should be in better shape, they typically at least have a front suspension and although not ideal for road riding, they work just fine.

I am a bit concerned that the bike you received from your father may be a bit "too much" of a bike for you as you mentioned, which could really lead to you disliking biking.

How tall are you? What size wheel does the mountain bike have (Typical sizes are 26", 27.5" or 29")?. If it is a 29" bike you may dislike it simply because it feels too long and doesn't feel nimble to you. At 6'3" I have no problem with a 29" bike. Many people in the 5'6" - 5'10" height range prefer a 27.5" wheel.

If you want a good starting point and will be mostly riding on the road, Amazon offers some pretty stellar bikes for a good price.

This bike at under $250 should be a great starting point, is intended for road riding and likely won't lead to anxiety if it does end up being stolen.

That way you can commute/road ride on one bike and do trail rides on the nice bike your father gifted you.

Sounds better than the GMC road bike.

This guy gets it! If you read the review section of this bad boy, you can see that weight does not apply to these beautiful aero beasts. Someone reliably reports stealing 188 KOMS on one as well as getting a speeding ticket from the local police. Try doing that on a ḈḗṛṽḝḮṏ!

Here's an Amazon.com link to the bike, for anyone interested in picking one up.

Also, here is my bike: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005EFTPZC/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I didn't want to spend too much in case I hated it, but may get a better one in a couple of years. Need a new beach cruiser first.

What would you recommend then for something around $300 in a similar style to this. I'm probably only buying a used one then.

haha. I got this bike ( http://www.amazon.com/GMC-Denali-Road-Bike/dp/B000FDDWB6) from walmart.

I would say it is a decent bike. Granted you can't compare it to a real road bike, but it gets the job done especially for a beginner.

would you recommend this:
https://www.amazon.com/Vilano-FORZA-Aluminum-Carbon-Shimano/dp/B00PUGUFIQ

The Takara Kabuto was the first road bike I picked up and regularly goes on sale on Amazon. It's free/fixed for any beginner thinking of picking up a FGB and comes complete with two brakes. It weighs a shit ton but is made of tough steel and with thinner tires(25-23c) really picks up speed. I had mine setup in 44-16 and it honestly made for a reliable, care-free commuter.

Price: $180 Shipped


Potential1 Potential2 Mine

So where should I start? I saw a pretty cheap bike but I know nothing about bikes.

http://www.amazon.com/GMC-Denali-Road-Bike/dp/B000FDDWB6

I picked this up at the beginning of summer. It's done me well. Nothing to fancy. Has gotten me from OB to La Jolla for work without issue.

http://www.amazon.com/Takara-Kabuto-Single-Speed-Frame/dp/B0041QF9EQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1381893970&sr=8-2&keywords=road+bike

I bought this off amazon a few months ago:
http://www.amazon.com/GMC-Denali-Medium-Frame-Yellow/dp/B002GNWPK2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330843200&sr=8-1

1. You have to put most of it together yourself, and the stuff that comes pre-assembled is done poorly (so you have to google how to adjust both your derailleurs).
   
   
2. The stickers are ugly but they're attached with the most ungodly glue ever designed by man. I wasted several hours of my life trying everything I had (Goo-gone, goof-off, etc) until it finally succumbed to elbow grease and the spray isopropyl alcohol I use for cleaning circuit boards.
   
   
3. It's 10lbs heavier than most bikes, which means you have to work considerably harder.
   
   Maybe if I'm still riding in a year I'll spend money on a nice bike, but until then I really like this cheapie.

For an extra challenge, try riding Denali on a Denali.

http://www.amazon.com/Takara-Kabuto-Single-Speed-Frame/dp/B0041QF9EQ/ref=sr_1_1?m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=cycling&ie=UTF8&qid=1323053873&sr=1-1

Its a fixed-gear Machete

http://www.amazon.com/GMC-Denali-Medium-Frame-Yellow/dp/B002GNWPK2

This is the VTSP "High Fashion Red" model in case anyone wants to add it to a wishlist... www.amazon.com/dp/B00RQNRTUS/

http://www.amazon.com/Takara-Kabuto-Single-Speed-Frame/dp/B0041QF9EQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1380922397&sr=8-1&keywords=takara

If you have somewhere to be this will get you there for under $200.

Non-mobile: Machete

^That's ^why ^I'm ^here, ^I ^don't ^judge ^you. ^PM ^/u/xl0 ^if ^I'm ^causing ^any ^trouble. ^WUT?

Here are some links for the product in the above comment for different countries:

Link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004Q3N08Q/ref=oh_details_o03_s03_i00


|Country|Link|
|:-----------|:------------|
|Canada|amazon.ca|




This bot is currently in testing so let me know what you think by voting (or commenting).

The best part

Maybe they were going for the Machete look? It's got rave reviews.

You can try this. $199 Aluminum road bike

Wally meaning Wal-Mart, despite having gotten my GMC Denali from Amazon.

Squier by Fender Stop Dreaming-Start Playing Set: Affinity P Bass w/ Rumble 15 Amp, Black - Marked High Priority $299.99

-AND-

Takara Kabuto Single Speed Road Bike- $199.99

paint job look a lot like a the GMC Denali, which is that I have...http://www.amazon.com/GMC-Denali-Road-Bike/dp/B000FDDWB6

can they be sued for blatantly stealing this iconic color scheme?

Have a look at this beauty! Who says Amazon doesn't sell awesome bikes!?!!

(Just kidding!)

it's unlikely to have moved enough to hit the frame without obvious signs of damage.

how does it compare to a photo?
http://www.amazon.com/GMC-Denali-Road-Bike/dp/B000FDDWB6

My seat is at the lowest it can go. Does that mean my bicycle is too big?

So, I recently bought a new bike, a Vilano Shimano to be specific. I used to ride my mountain bike quite a bit, but haven't ridden for a couple years because my bike kept breaking and I couldn't afford a new one. Well I got a new bike, but I am completely new to road bikes.

On the bike above, I bought a medium (54cm). The only problem is, I feel like it's too big, but I might just not be used to it. I am 5' 7" and my inseam is 30". According to adjustment guides, I put my leg nearly straight (but not quite) at 6' o clock. The very tips of my toes (and I mean very very tips) can touch the ground from my seat. I find the position very uncomfortable and hard to control, but I don't know if that's a sizing issue or if I'm just not used to road bikes. (I aligned my handlebars and seat to be level).

So my confusion is, my seat is at it's lowest. Does that mean I bought a size too big? If I did need to go down some, I am completely unable. For context I am a 22 year old female, so there is almost 0% chance that I will grow any taller.

Do you need to spend $700+ on beginner bikes? Absolutely not!

[Cannondale Quick 5 2013 - $529.95] (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MG2L2HA/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2AE9TCT6D5MFR&coliid=I1EQE2JEFYNBJQ&psc=1)

[Vilano Shadow Road Bike - $349.00] (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CLV5ZVK/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2AE9TCT6D5MFR&coliid=II09S1TQ6UN25&psc=1)

[Schwinn Volare 1300 700C - $300.81] (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AWNI0CU/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2AE9TCT6D5MFR&coliid=I1AT3Y1WCLZ3C8)

[Vilano Aluminum Road Bike - $279.06] (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00595BNPM/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2AE9TCT6D5MFR&coliid=I2S39AD2RY1DHD&psc=1)

[Vilano Aluminum Road Bike/ Commuter - $199.00] (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D5WI3JA/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2AE9TCT6D5MFR&coliid=ISHBU8PWBW0LO&psc=1)

Simply put, the department store bikes (Target, Wal-Mart, etc.) are mostly assembled by people who have no training, which can lead to very bad accidents down the road. Ride on!

Avoid a good deal of the Amazon bikes as well if they're not from well known companies.

I saw some poor kid at a college once who bought a Cyrusher road bike after reading all of the hype reviews. Crappy, heavy frame, garbage components (including these totally wonky stem shifters), gaudy. The bikes sell for entry level road bike prices, but you get what is essentially Walmart tier bikes.

Avoid any bike named after a car manufacturer (GMC Denali is the one most commonly seen). Same thing for bikes named after beer or drink manufacturers.

On a related note, some guy kept trying to sell a Snapple-branded MTB for what felt like years. Lousy rear suspension, no name front fork, plus he ripped the wheel cover on the back wheel. That's not really a "brand" so much as just a hopeless idiot trying to make a buck on garbage.

Murray hasn't been manufactured in at least ten years, and their stuff was always low quality.