Don't know what bike is for me

[scottyotty]

Ok I guess I will start with I need help I don't want to spend a lot of money on my first bike I have few ideas. But my question is what type of bike. Currently I ride my cheap Walmart special mountain bike it works but that's it i just started to ride I put about 60 miles on this bike in 2 weekends and its about to fall apart so I would like to invest a little more like 500 now what kind of bike road or CYCLOCROSS. Now I know you guys will need some more info I ride in south fl long roads pot holes and side walks train tracks. Going fast is what I love it's a rush but will a road bike be able to Handel these conditions with out falling apart please help

 

[GlenBen]

Should be fine so long as you dont hit any major holes. Got to think that if you did hit any at speed, it would most likely damage any wheel on any bike. Id say go for the road if you want every last bit of speed.

 

[Biker Joe]

Hi and
I don't see any reason why you should not go for a road bike. Road bikes are built very well and can take a lot of punishment. If you have any rough conditions to cope with, a wider tyre at a slightly lower pressure should be OK.
I wish you well and good bike hunting.

 

[Arsen Gere]

Google Paris Roubaix, some great images of road bikes getting hammered. I ride tracks and rough roads on a road bike. They don't handle as well as an mtb but they take some of the same routes, the only problem is when it is really wet you tend to sink in rather than go over the wet stuff. But for commuting on road and long distances you can't beat a road bike.
Have fun.

 

[festival]

Anything from the Giant Defy range that you can afford. They start at £550 for current models or cheaper if you can find old stock still available.

 

[RWright]

A road bike that is fast and geared for the flats

 

[vickster]

I think the OP is in the US, don't know what decent roadbikes you can get for $500?

 

[RWright]

I think the OP is in the US, don't know what decent roadbikes you can get for $500?

I haven't seen anywhere that has Triban 3's over here. We have a lot of the same bikes as UK but not all. I got my 2009 trek 2.3 with all Ultegra 6700 components and some lower end Easton wheels for $850.00 (approx. 530 GBP...my keyboard doesn't have the British pound symbol) about a year and a half ago. I was looking and caught the Craigslist ad right after it popped up and I was ready to buy. I called the guy sort of late at night but he was ok with it. I bought it the next morning. There are deals out there but you have to move quick.

I personally would be looking for something used for $500.00.

 

[Kins]

my keyboard doesn't have the British pound symbol)

Shocking!

Best bet is to go to a LBS and see if they can steer you in the right direction as well as research online.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

I haven't seen anywhere that has Triban 3's over here. We have a lot of the same bikes as UK but not all. I got my 2009 trek 2.3 with all Ultegra 6700 components and some lower end Easton wheels for $850.00 (approx. 530 GBP...my keyboard doesn't have the British pound symbol) about a year and a half ago. I was looking and caught the Craigslist ad right after it popped up and I was ready to buy. I called the guy sort of late at night but he was ok with it. I bought it the next morning. There are deals out there but you have to move quick.

I personally would be looking for something used for $500.00.

try holding the alt key and type 0163 then let go the alt key or goto menu->accessories->system tools->character map, the alt+code is a throw back to dos ASCII characters
works for loads of things like 1/2 alt+0189 ½ copyright alt-0169 ©
and one for our cousins over the water the cent sign alt-0162 ¢

 

[Gravity Aided]

At $500.00, the OP may wish to consider Bikes Direct, a mail-order Bike retailer,if he's in the States. That's only if he must have new. He could get a Motobecane Record from them for somewhere in that vicinity. But I would suggest a used bike. You get a lot of used bicycle for 5 Hunge over here . Craigslist and Ebay are good places to start. There's a nice Cannondale R600 near me for $450.00 . If the OP could go back as far as a 1980's Schwinn Prelude or a Panasonic from that era, he'd be getting a great bike for the money. Some brands are undervalued more than others .

 

[RWright]

try holding the alt key and type 0163 then let go the alt key or goto menu->accessories->system tools->character map, the alt+code is a throw back to dos ASCII characters
works for loads of things like 1/2 alt+0189 ½ copyright alt-0169 ©
and one for our cousins over the water the cent sign alt-0162 ¢

forgot all about the character maps

 

[Supersuperleeds]

try holding the alt key and type 0163 then let go the alt key or goto menu->accessories->system tools->character map, the alt+code is a throw back to dos ASCII characters
works for loads of things like 1/2 alt+0189 ½ copyright alt-0169 ©
and one for our cousins over the water the cent sign alt-0162 ¢

Typing GBP is a lot easier and quicker!

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Typing GBP is a lot easier and quicker!

Dont look as good though

 

[Gravity Aided]

Neither does the dollar sign currently. $ doesn't look as good as the "S" with two vertical lines, or it's predecessor, an "S" superimposed over a "U".