Entry level road bike

[Mister-T]

Gents, and/or ladies,

 

First a warm welcome to myself

 

I'm entering the 94.7 in a corporate group and want to get myself a cost-effective (by that I mean around 3k? lol) road bike to cruise on... need to buy helmet, shoes, spare kit on top of that I guess....

 

This is with the intention of doing more events and training going forward, but I'm not willing to go in at too much of a higher price as its a first bike, and who knows what the future holds if I'm going to continue or not.

 

Any advice from the guys in-the-know? Pointing me in the right direction would be appreciated

 

P.s. I'm around 82kgs and 1.78m or thereabouts and a decently fit cat.

 

I did see this on a local site for 3k, Fuji Newest 4.0 2012, will it do the job? Or can I get something better 2nd hand?

 

Thanks

 

http://www.solomonsonline.co.za/images/categories/2012_FUJI_NEWEST-4.0.jpg

Edited September 26, 2013 by Mister-T

[Cheese]

Hi,

 

It will do the job .

Just check size yours should be around 54-56 cm(Meduim) Road bike.

I think R3K for that bike is a good deal , you might get something better if you wait around but it is definately not bad deal.

[Cheese]

Hi Looked at the bike again and saw it has downtube shifter. Did not think they still make those.

That would change picture a bit. Would rather look for Gear shifters that is located at the brake hoods.

[ScottCM]

i would rather suggest spending 3k on a second hand bike.

the tube shifters make it a tricky bike to control on a big hill once you

tired and you have people that are trying to pass you.

Edited September 26, 2013 by ScottC-M

[Mister-T]

Thanks guys - will keep an eye on the classifieds... Otherwise seems i'll have to up my price a bit

[Oufy MTB (Roadie)]

I have an old 2005 entry level Scott, it still whips around the argus route under 3h30. rather use my cash an upgrade the MTB. Will probably still have the same Scott in 20 years time, just for the Argus. Remember: "It is not about the bike"

[Mister-T]

Thanks! SO I've decided to up it to around 6k, but I want new and not 2nd hand - I don't know enough just yet to make an informed choice on a 2nd hand bike...

 

I am going to go to bike shops around JHB north when I have some time this week, any idea of what i should be looking out for and what I should be avoiding in the 6-7k mark? We all know how sales people are lol.

 

Thanks!

[Skubarra]

Most big brands would have an entry level at that price, also look at Silverback - for that price they will have slightly better specs than the big brands

 

Bought a entry level Silverback a year ago, and have since done a DC, Burger and Argus on it and for the most part have been able to keep up with the more expensive bikes.

[MainRoader]

I disagree with respect to the downtube shifters - while sti's are clearly superior, hence the change, but you can get a pretty nice old bike for R3000 (or a decent bit less) if you shop around/keep a lookout and, if you aren't doing wildly high speed descents, once you get used to downtube shifters you should have plenty of time to shift.

I'm not sure, but I suspect that bearing quality could save your more time than shifters on the handlebars (downtube shifters are also lighter, btw), but this is highly dependent on your spending a bit of time on the bike before the raceday.

[Eugene]

Thanks! SO I've decided to up it to around 6k, but I want new and not 2nd hand - I don't know enough just yet to make an informed choice on a 2nd hand bike...

 

I am going to go to bike shops around JHB north when I have some time this week, any idea of what i should be looking out for and what I should be avoiding in the 6-7k mark? We all know how sales people are lol.

 

Thanks!

 

Give Solomons a try. They were selling some really nice bikes at good prices recently. www.solomons.co.za

 

You might just pick up a new Tiagra specced bike for your budget.

[Mister-T]

Give Solomons a try. They were selling some really nice bikes at good prices recently. www.solomons.co.za

 

You might just pick up a new Tiagra specced bike for your budget.

 

Thanks bru, I'm going there on Saturday morning

[arendoog]

Gents, and/or ladies,

 

First a warm welcome to myself

 

I'm entering the 94.7 in a corporate group and want to get myself a cost-effective (by that I mean around 3k? lol) road bike to cruise on... need to buy helmet, shoes, spare kit on top of that I guess....

 

This is with the intention of doing more events and training going forward, but I'm not willing to go in at too much of a higher price as its a first bike, and who knows what the future holds if I'm going to continue or not.

 

Any advice from the guys in-the-know? Pointing me in the right direction would be appreciated

 

P.s. I'm around 82kgs and 1.78m or thereabouts and a decently fit cat.

 

I did see this on a local site for 3k, Fuji Newest 4.0 2012, will it do the job? Or can I get something better 2nd hand?

 

Thanks

 

http://www.solomonsonline.co.za/images/categories/2012_FUJI_NEWEST-4.0.jpg

My advice as follows .Ditch the roadbike idea .If this is your first venture into cycling you don.t want to compete with traffic to get fit .You will hate it and stop .MTB and ride it everywhere including 94.7.

[Mister-T]

Give Solomons a try. They were selling some really nice bikes at good prices recently. www.solomons.co.za

 

You might just pick up a new Tiagra specced bike for your budget.

 

Quick update, went and picked myself up a Tiagra specced AR30 for 5999. Did my research on the bike and it had some very good reviews, even though apparently Axis stopped manufacturing road bikes this year.

 

My choice was between that and a Trek 1.5 for a few grand more, but settled for the Axis and very happy. Bike is light, gear changes smooth and quick enough for my needs at the moment.

 

Took it for a 56km ride yesterday and couldn't be happier, although my ass is feeling it a bit today

 

Check you guys on the road!