Re: Assuming it fits, best new or used road bike for <$1000

Jay Pique wrote:
> ...I'm ready for a
> real road bike. =A0I'm looking for a good starter bike - it doesn't have
> to weigh 14 pounds...or even 16 or 17 I guess. =A0Is there a good online
> resource for information on bikes? =A0I've seen "road bike reviews" dot
> com or something, but it looks pretty thin on actual reviews. =A0How
> about magazines - which ones would you recommend I scour for old bike
> reviews?
>

What kind of riding? Short casual rides? Centuries?  Fast club rides?
Will you need a triple crankset for steep hills?

An aluminum frame will give you the best bang for the buck, as will a
mid-level component group like ****mano 105.

I wouldn't put much faith in magazine reviews, nor in online reviews
unless there is a large sample size.

If this is your first road bike, make sure you undersatnd how to
select the right frame size, and how to adjust the fit properly. A
good bike shop can help with that.

Don't get too hung up on the bike's weight. 16 or 17 pounds seems very
light for a starter bike. Nothing wrong with a bike that's over 20
pounds. It's not going to make much difference unless you're racing,
and even then the difference will be slight. A sturdy frame, aluminum
components, and conventional wheels make a reliable bike.

Craigslist and eBay are good souces of used bikes if you know what you
want, and know how to evaluate a bike's condition.

Art Harris