I am an ex-competitive swimmer, and have been wanting to start a new form of exercise these last few weeks. A friend of mine suggested road biking. I want a good bike for my first bike but also don’t want something crazy like a tarmac (unless I am convinced that it really is worth the price difference) because I know that I am still a beginner and may not even like the sport as much, and that those quickly increase in price. Description of post is such:
Men's size 54 Road Bike. Cannondale Synapse Tiagra. Color is Gold/Tan. No mechanical issues, great condition, some very minor wear and tear.
I am willing to bet the seller can go lower than 1000 and closer to 750-800~
I am also looking at a 2019-2020 Giant contend SL2 for 800
Any advice will be most helpful and appreciated. Thank you!
by Mr_Perhaps
3 Comments
Does it fit? That’s the most important question. Also $800 is a bit high for either bike. They are similar in a lot of ways.
The way you’re looking at this is the same as if I wanna be really good at swimming I’ll just get really good suit. That’s all it takes, a good suit and I’ll swim fast! You know that that’s not true. So dropping a lot of money on a bike is not necessarily The best way to introduce you to the sport of bicycling. What have you put aside for things like bike shoes, a good set of bike shorts, a good helmet, and various different pieces of cycling paraphernalia.
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One of the best ways of learning and getting good at cycling is to start with a decent gravel bike. Get out on the gravel roads where there’s less chance of car problems, it gives you a chance to familiarize yourself with your bike and learn bike handling techniques while building strength. (And get your butt used to sitting on a bike seat for long stretches of time.) Many of the race pros today came up through gravel racing, cyclocross or some other form of off road racing so it’s a proven form of getting you in shape. There’s usually a lower cost of entry, bikes aren’t as expensive and a little bit more rugged so don’t need to be repaired as often. It will give you a better idea of what you like and don’t like in the way of equipment. It’ll also give you a chance to see what size bike you need if you decide to stick with it, it is an easy transition to a good road bike at that point. That’s where I’d start.
You can get a great aluminum framed bike for $500 used. Start there and get used to riding. Adjustments will need to be made as you break yourself in. If you feel the fit could be better after a few months, then you’re only out a couple hundred if you sell it. And get a better fit bike with some material/mechanical upgrades for $1000…and you’ll be glad you learned the differences.
As for the Cannondale you picked…NICE