[Nigal]

Originally Posted by DaFlake

I have no problems wearing the stuff and it is keeping me warm, plus I will be racing at some point.

Oh if you race you get a pass on spandex as well as shaving your legs.

[rola643]

Originally Posted by Nigal

Oh if you race you get a pass on spandex as well as shaving your legs.

Shizzz

[DaFlake]

Thanks Nigal!

[Cookieguy07]

If you have a Performance Bike store near you may find something your looking for. I beleive that have better quality bikes than a dept store and have good warranties.

[Merlincustom]

Originally Posted by deekaey43

What should I look for when considering a vintage road bike?

Also should I consider a fixed gear bike? Pros and cons?

What do you mean by vintage? To me, that's 70s and maybe early 80s steel. To do that today you're looking at an LBS to measure you for size, and then doing eBay or CL, or something obscure on the web. You're just starting out. My advice is you develop a relationship with a shop, and have them put you on something contemporary. Down the road if you dig the old stuff, fine. It's different for me. I have an '84 steel bike, but I bought it in '84. It's still in use (frame pics are in let's see your roadies section). I also have a (somewhat) more contemporary bike, titanium from '99, and a steel fixed from 2010.

As for fixed, I wish I'd done it decades sooner. Pros are more efficient work out if limited time, less to clean in bad weather, any pedaling flaws are magnified, good for developing spin, good for developing power on an appropriate hill. Cons are you need to pay more attention so you don't inadvertently "coast" and get bucked for it, can't bunny hop stuff like you'd do on a road bike, need to watch to not strike pedals in corners (although this is somewhat overblown), and maybe a little difficulty clipping in on the first upstroke, but this gets better with practice.

[bjjoondo]

Deleted message, wrong person, sorry!

[DaFlake]

Originally Posted by bjjoondo

DaFlake, if you have ANY thoughts of "RACING", then you need to up your price range to $1,000 and UP!!!!!!! You can't buy a cheap Big Box Store bike or a entry level LBS bike and think you can RACE it!! Seriously, racing means , MONEY, not for you but that your gona NEED to spend to even be a bottom line Cat 4 Road Racer, jmho! Here's a "ENTRY LEVEL" Jamis Alum. framed racing bike, $1, 600 http://www.myjamis.com/SSP%20Applications/JamisBikes/MyJamis/consumer/bike.html?year=2013&model=Icon Pro&cat_grp=road_2 Now you could possibly get away with a Performance road machine like this for your first year: http://www.myjamis.com/SSP%20Applications/JamisBikes/MyJamis/consumer/bike.html?year=2013&model=Ventura Comp&cat_grp=road_6 This is $950, but your gona need to boost up the budget to race!

I think you are a bit confused. I started with a low end race bike. Trek Madone 2.3 is what I have. The OP is looking to get into riding and looking for something cheap.

[superj]

i bought an 80 something classic road bike on Craigslist for 100 bucks or so without reading anything and its a hair big. It rides fine though and has worked for me well. You can get a Craigslist bike for super cheap and use it until you get something later, totally your call on that.

Make sure to read and watch some YouTube on fitting the bike and adjusting everything to fit you though so its comfortable for you.

I also bought a 2000 hybrid for 80 bucks and actually just converted it to drop bars because I like riding it more then the road bike. It works wonderfully as an all around bike and is so light weight and rugged. Do not hesitate to buy a used hybrid.

Make sure whatever you buy used is a good brand though. The road bike I bought is a maruishi, a classic Japanese steel bike and the hybrid is a specialized, a current well know company in the biking world.

[kneedrachen]

I think the misnomer that you can't get a good hybrid for $500 is a bit off. I bought a 2010 Cannondale Adventure 4 at the end of 2010 (so it became a "prior year model") for $349.

That being said, double wall rims, SRAM/Shimano drivetrain (albeit lower-end spec), adjustable stem, suspension seat post, etc. make for, IMHO a "good buy."

I think, and again, just my thought process, I'd take the previous advice and develop a good relationship with a local shop. In the beginning, you're going to have questions; it'll be nice to have a local source of information (as well as all of us here). The added benefit of having a relationship with a local shop is that if you take care of them, they'll take care of you; it's symbiotic.

With a local shop, you have a better chance of getting a bike that a) fits you and b) fits your needs. Bike fit is important, if you're not comfortable, you're not going to ride.

You're also going to have a learning curve with the mechanicals of the bike, again, a local source is a great benefit; in turn, you'll also most likely meet other local cyclists which, again, opens up a new dimension of cycling for you.

TwoSpoke is a great community, we have commuters, tourers, recumbent riders, racers, mountain bikers etc. A true mix of cyclists that'll be glad to help you out.

Don't be afraid to ask questions, it's easier to get an answer than learn the hard way!

Welcome to the group!

[revcp]

I am in agreement with looking on Craigslist and even ebay. In 2001 I spent $600 for a 1 1/2 year old carbon fiber with full Ultegra on ebay. In 2009 I bought a Klein Pulse Pro (aluminum) with sram x7 for $300 on Craigslist . A few months ago, also off craigslist, I bought a handmade lugged steel 29er for $650 that was built up as a single speed with disc brakes. A few more used buys for a total of $60 and I now have a 1x9 with x9 shifter and x7 derailleur. The deals are out there if you're smart enough to buy used. Just educate yourself, be patient and be willing to lose a buy or two if the seller won't meet your price.