New Into Road Cycling

[EnduroOtto]

Hi Guys

 

I ride MTB but I am looking to purchase a road bike to mainly use for triathlons.

 

This is not my first/favorite sport and I am by no means any good, so I dont need the top of the range bike.

 

I am looking for a reliable bike that I would not need to upgrade in a years time or find three months in that I have wasted my money on.

 

What is the lowest component class I should be looking at?

Carbon frame or aluminium?

 

I am 1.93m so assuming a 62-64cm will be the correct fit?

 

I dont want to spend much more than 10k.

 

Many thanks!

[rouxtjie]

Hi Guys

 

I ride MTB but I am looking to purchase a road bike to mainly use for triathlons.

 

This is not my first/favorite sport and I am by no means any good, so I dont need the top of the range bike.

 

I am looking for a reliable bike that I would not need to upgrade in a years time or find three months in that I have wasted my money on.

 

What is the lowest component class I should be looking at?

Carbon frame or aluminium?

 

I am 1.93m so assuming a 62-64cm will be the correct fit?

 

I dont want to spend much more than 10k.

 

Many thanks!

Alu bike and shimano 105 will a great price point value proposition....something like a good secondhand caad or allez will be in that price bracket..and if you are good negotiator, might even leave enough change for a nice steak dinner for the wife to ask for forgiveness.

 

[quintonb]

1 word.... CANNONDALE

For a guy your height, I also presume you not a 65kg mountain goat (No disrespect intended), Cannondale CAAD 10 or even the CAAD 8. CAAD 5 would also do the trick, but not always easy to come by.

Depending on your inseam, you may bet away with a 60cm in a Cannodale.

I agree with Rouxtjie try get a bike with 105 or better.

[DJR]

As above, another vote for the Cannondale Caad, great aluminium frame that can race many a carbon bike to tears. Agree also on Shimano 105 component level as the minimum.

Edited August 13, 2014 by DJR

[quintonb]

This is the type of thing you should be looking for.

A little more than you wanted to spend and obviously the wrong size...

But will get you an idea.

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/97033-cannondale-caad-10/

[EnduroOtto]

Thanks very much guys, appreciate it...

[Skubarra]

The bulk of my "upgrade budget" gets sucked up by my mtb so my road bike is for the most part entry level.

 

Aluminium frame & Shimano Ultegra groupset served me well over the last 2 years. Have since upgraded the wheelset but in no hurry to upgrade anything else.

[karnuffel]

Im also a n00b but in my humble opinion you should get yourself measured at a few shops. I also used height as a way to try and determine frame size and almost ended up buying a bike that was too big for me. The difference, in terms of comfort on the bike, between the bigger bike and the one I eventually got was quite scary.

 

As for the components, I can only tell you what others told me, 105 is awesome, Tiagra is OK, sora is cheap.

 

I spent just under 10k on a new Scott speedster 30, with Tiagra gears and alu frame. You can obviously get an awesome bike 2nd hand if the size is right.

Edited August 13, 2014 by jouda

[rudi-h]

i ride a raleigh RC3000 that I bought new for R4200 in 2007. Its done over 15000 km on a single chain and casette, has been washed and lubed only a handful times and only had around 3 services in all that time. It has Shimano Tiagra components and I maintain that from a cost (R/km) perspective it must be the cheapest and most reliable bike in Joburg.

 

With some help of second hand tri-bars and a forward seat post, it has completed 2 x ironman, 3 x 70.3, one argus and 7 x 94.7's of which the best time was 2h47. Not a bad bike to ride and from a maintenance and reliability point of view its as good as you'll get! Haven't had anything better, but I manage to train and stay with mates that have much more expensive bikes, so it cant be that bad...

 

Bottom line, any road bike is good enough, so go out and buy the coolest looking bike within your budget!

[quintonb]

I would have to disagree with you Rudi-h.

For a guy the height and presumably the weight of "EnduroOtto" not all frames are equal.

He would more than likely ride around 60cm upwards, that is in old term conventional geometry talk.

A "Compact" style frame would more than likely not work too well for a guy his height.

A good, strong, solidly built frame is what a guy his size needs. That and very good, well built wheels.

 

I am 1.87M tall and weigh in around the 90kg mark, I have been through a few aluminuim frames and Cannondale is the only 1 that has stood up. I am currently on a 14 year old CAD 3 with Ultegra 10 speed.

I also have a few "old school" steel frames and IMO they will hold up the best, but weight will be an issue.

 

IMHO the OP needs a strong frame and good wheels. and possibly Shimano 105 if he can afford.

 

And I agree, go get yourself measured up, its not only height and inseam that will tell you the correct frame size.

[rudi-h]

Point taken and my above post is from my own experience only. I am 1.85 and weight between 90 and 85 depending on the season, yet no issues with frames or wheels breaking on my cheapie raleigh whatsoever.

 

I have managed to crack / break 3 MTB frames and a Mavic MTB rim in the same amount of time though...

 

But yes, I'm all for cool looking bikes, so one should always buy the hottest bike that you can afford

[DJR]

Agreed with Quinton about good wheels. Get solid reliable wheels and don't get low spoke count wheels if you are big, strong and heavy.