Looking for a first road bike and these seem decent. pricing fairly aligned with Boston. Market but not sure if all prices on marketplace are wild or not.
by Either-Fun4833
Looking for a first road bike and these seem decent. pricing fairly aligned with Boston. Market but not sure if all prices on marketplace are wild or not.
by Either-Fun4833
5 Comments
I feel like for 750-800 dollars you should be able to find a newer (2020-2025) name brand, aluminum frame, carbon fork with at least Shimano sora or tiagra group set. That’s what I would recommend at this budget for a new rider.
Yeah, that first one is fairly old at this point. Still a good bike for sure, but probably should be closer to $500
The second is a bit pricey for something with rim brakes IMO.
Important thing to recognise with older bikes is you may not be able to put tyres fatter than 25mm without rubbing the frame at the chain stays. BUT… I love those old trek OCLV frames, I believe they are hand built by layering up sheet carbon fibre and therefore are very strong. I’m heavy and mine seems to be unbustable, given what it’s put up with over 50,000+ kilometres. Try for 500, if groupset isn’t knackered then a bargain. Unsure about emonda, riding hydroformed aluminium frames isn’t for everyone (very taut and sporty, less comfort). Can you try them
Out?
Ps controversial opinion but… get an old decent steel framed bike perhaps a decent Reynolds touring frame (so you can easily fit fatter tyres) and build it up with better components- as well as my ‘top of the range’ (at the time) trek pilot 5.2 OCLV Ultegra, I ride a Roberts 531c (audax) frame and it’s only 300g heavier than the trek, most of my recent PRs are on it, it climbs better, handles better, I can use old components on it (cheaper!) and it’s just nicer to ride.
I would stay away from cafbon frames and wheels if u are dipping your toes in to biking. Lot less forgiving from maintenace mistakes and crashes.