A co-worker of mine is wanting to get into cycling (NOT triathlon yet), and I’ve offered to help him pick out a bike that won’t break his bank account, but will be able to hold up well.
I’m thinking minimum requirements for the bike (fit being #1) is having 105 components. (I seem to remember there being a fairly big difference between Tiagra and 105’s.) Also stressed to him to get good pedals, along with a solid helmet.
As I looked around (not much, just a little bit), my first recommendation to him is going to be the Felt Z70 (http://www.feltusa.com/products/product.asp?catid=18,19,27&pid=72). I can’t go higher than this in terms of cost, and I even think $1300 might be stretching it for him.
But I need to give him options. So, 105 and under $1300 (really under $1000, but not sure that’s possible).
Are there options? If I’m flat wrong about the Tiagra vs. 105s, please tell me as that opens up his options quite a bit more.
He may not even enjoy the sport once he “gets into” it … so why have him invest the big dough? And why set the bar at 105 as a minimum?? For a new bike at least he could go lower.
Best option is used (Craig’s list, Ebay) after getting a good sense of what size he would need from various manufacturers. He could get onto an older bike with 105 or Ultegra 9-speed for a truly reasonable price ($500 - $800-ish)
Don’t forget the whole equipment need: tubes, pump, helmet, gloves, clothing of some sort, etc. He can easily shell out another $200+ just getting the basics.
I’d agree with this to a point. If he has never ridden much probably won’t notice much difference between a high end bike and low end bike. My first bike was a 300-350$ ebay special and with the addition of clip less and clip on aero bars got me thru my first IM.
When I got a new bike that one was relegated to the trainer. Since it was a low end bike it came with a triple and Sora. I still use for rides like Dairyland Dare and HHH where that triple comes in real handy…I could do without the 300# weight of the bike though. Also is nice to have a bike for commuting and general “knocking” around in.
My roommate picked up a NOS Felt F75 with 105 and Shimano SPD pedals for $979 this spring. Shop around this fall, you’ll be surprised at what’s out there.
I’d go with 105 as a minimum. If he likes the sport he’ll be glad for it. If he sells the bike next spring he’ll be glad for it too since it’ll resale for a supstantially higher percentage of new.
You kind of what to get a self-assessment for him of how interested he is in the sport.
If he is like one person I know who was a hard core runner who wanted to get into triathlon and was passionate about it, yeeh, blow a nice wad on a bike because you know they are going to stick to it.
Otherwise, just go with a used bike or, even better, borrow a bike from a friend or family member. If he digs it, he will do his own homework on what bike to get.
That he isn’t interested enough to do his own homework, odds are he isn’t going to stick enough to care to notice the difference between a 400 and 1200 or more bike.
I would also go with craigslist. I will never buy another new bike. There is just too much good stuff out there used for CHEAP.
For sizing, the -not cool- way of getting an estimate would be to go to a shop and try out a few bikes but don’t purchase. The -cool- way would be to go to a shop and tell them you are shopping used and pay them $25-$50 to get sized. Then you could get close on your sizing buying used. Of course it wouldn’t be exact and ideal sizing, but close enough if you have normal proportions.