im assuming i need the lightest bike with most gears? not really sure how it works or whats better so any help appreciated thanks
Kellogsnutrigrain on
in order (from google lens): cannondale synapse sora womens road bike 2017, specialized secteur, felt one is too small, specialized 2014 allez, giant fcr, dolan freccia time trial
BD-TxState on
Good bike for the price and the correct bike for the long hilly commute. You are correct in that you are looking for a road bike (which this is). Honestly the trainer alone is worth $70 so sub $200 all in is a great deal. Probably one of the better deals you will find as most sub $200 bikes are very old or very stolen.
My concern for you would be how tall are you? A 49in frame is pretty small. Like you are 5’4” ish and I’m pretty sure that particular bike was a woman’s frame geometry. If you are a shorter woman, could be a great fit but if you are not, no deal is ever going to fix a bike that doesn’t fit you. Always start with a bike that fits you over a good price. Especially when you buy a bike second hand and you can’t return it.
NxPat on
If you’re new to cycling, definitely the Giant FCR, comfortable position, plenty of gears, great value, spend the money you will save on a decent helmet and front and rear lights. If there’s a Decathlon in your area, go there. Also consider some cycling specific clothing, primarily women’s bib shorts. It will save wear and tear on your body and clothes. Take it slow, take time off the bike, but it’s a great lifestyle. 65, I’m a daily commuter. The headspace and decompression is going to amaze you.
Life_Bid_9921 on
I’m basically seeing 4 road bikes, a hybrid, and a tri-bike. Would you want to fit a rack to carry your bag?, if so that would count out the tri bike.
How fit are you.. because if we’re talking hilly you’ll need some decent legs to ride the road bikes as although light and efficient, they are typically higher geared. Some road bikes can also be difficult to fit racks to (unless you go with a Topeak seatpost rack).
That leaves the Giant hybrid which should have a granny ring on the front which will make hills easier, most likely have rack mounts, and possibly even be able to fit mudguards in the winter.
n0thing_remains on
Do you need best or cheapest? One hour hilly drive there and back isn’t an easy fit especially during the early days of doing it. There are electric bikes that can help you uphill and I’d recommend looking there as well. It depends on how much it is fun versus necessity to you
PreoccupiedParrot on
Gears are a bit tricky to understand, 24 speed will be 3×8, you don’t see many “triples” (as they’re known) on road bikes any more, they will give you a lot more easier gears for hills but can be a bit more difficult to adjust and get working smoothly.
Usually road bikes are “doubles”, so 2x 8,9,10,11, and they’ll have more or less the same easiest gear and the same hardest gear, but more intermediate steps between the two.
If you need more easier gears, it is possible to adjust the gear range on the bike with a bigger cassette at the back, or a smaller gear at the front. A bike shop would be able to sort this out for you if leave a bit of spare budget for it.
The Specialized Secteur is probably a decent bike for the money. If they only have the turbo trainer tyre for it, you may need a new tyre for the rear wheel.
The Felt is probably overkill for a commuting bike, and looks like a fairly aggressive/forwards position which may not be that comfortable for you. The Allez is somewhat overpriced, the Giant is a hybrid with flat bars that may get uncomfortable on your hands and wrists over such a long commute, the Dolan is a TT bike which you absolutely do not want, and the Cannondale might be a bit small for you if anything.
Compared to a new bike, these sorts of bikes have thinner, less comfortable tyres, probably less clearance for mudguards if you’ll have to commute in bad weather, and rim brakes as opposed to disc brakes on more modern bikes.
8 Comments
im assuming i need the lightest bike with most gears? not really sure how it works or whats better so any help appreciated thanks
in order (from google lens): cannondale synapse sora womens road bike 2017, specialized secteur, felt one is too small, specialized 2014 allez, giant fcr, dolan freccia time trial
Good bike for the price and the correct bike for the long hilly commute. You are correct in that you are looking for a road bike (which this is). Honestly the trainer alone is worth $70 so sub $200 all in is a great deal. Probably one of the better deals you will find as most sub $200 bikes are very old or very stolen.
My concern for you would be how tall are you? A 49in frame is pretty small. Like you are 5’4” ish and I’m pretty sure that particular bike was a woman’s frame geometry. If you are a shorter woman, could be a great fit but if you are not, no deal is ever going to fix a bike that doesn’t fit you. Always start with a bike that fits you over a good price. Especially when you buy a bike second hand and you can’t return it.
If you’re new to cycling, definitely the Giant FCR, comfortable position, plenty of gears, great value, spend the money you will save on a decent helmet and front and rear lights. If there’s a Decathlon in your area, go there. Also consider some cycling specific clothing, primarily women’s bib shorts. It will save wear and tear on your body and clothes. Take it slow, take time off the bike, but it’s a great lifestyle. 65, I’m a daily commuter. The headspace and decompression is going to amaze you.
I’m basically seeing 4 road bikes, a hybrid, and a tri-bike. Would you want to fit a rack to carry your bag?, if so that would count out the tri bike.
How fit are you.. because if we’re talking hilly you’ll need some decent legs to ride the road bikes as although light and efficient, they are typically higher geared. Some road bikes can also be difficult to fit racks to (unless you go with a Topeak seatpost rack).
That leaves the Giant hybrid which should have a granny ring on the front which will make hills easier, most likely have rack mounts, and possibly even be able to fit mudguards in the winter.
Do you need best or cheapest? One hour hilly drive there and back isn’t an easy fit especially during the early days of doing it. There are electric bikes that can help you uphill and I’d recommend looking there as well. It depends on how much it is fun versus necessity to you
Gears are a bit tricky to understand, 24 speed will be 3×8, you don’t see many “triples” (as they’re known) on road bikes any more, they will give you a lot more easier gears for hills but can be a bit more difficult to adjust and get working smoothly.
Usually road bikes are “doubles”, so 2x 8,9,10,11, and they’ll have more or less the same easiest gear and the same hardest gear, but more intermediate steps between the two.
If you need more easier gears, it is possible to adjust the gear range on the bike with a bigger cassette at the back, or a smaller gear at the front. A bike shop would be able to sort this out for you if leave a bit of spare budget for it.
The Specialized Secteur is probably a decent bike for the money. If they only have the turbo trainer tyre for it, you may need a new tyre for the rear wheel.
The Felt is probably overkill for a commuting bike, and looks like a fairly aggressive/forwards position which may not be that comfortable for you. The Allez is somewhat overpriced, the Giant is a hybrid with flat bars that may get uncomfortable on your hands and wrists over such a long commute, the Dolan is a TT bike which you absolutely do not want, and the Cannondale might be a bit small for you if anything.
Compared to a new bike, these sorts of bikes have thinner, less comfortable tyres, probably less clearance for mudguards if you’ll have to commute in bad weather, and rim brakes as opposed to disc brakes on more modern bikes.
Look for a bike with three chain rings.