Need quick cycle (bike) advice, first event in about a month.

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2009-08-11 5:53 PM


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Subject: Need quick cycle (bike) advice, first event in about a month.
I'm ready to try my first mini (sprint) event in about a month.  I've been running for some time and have been practicing in the pool.  I pulled out the old... old 12 speed the other day to give it a run and I did pretty well on the bike, I thought.

Here's the problem.  Just after 15 miles on the bike, one of the tubes blew out.  I started looking over the thing and it could use 2 new tires and tubes and, of course, probably a tune up.  I figure that'll run $100 or so at the LBS.  The bike in question is a very basic, 20 year old road bike, nothing special (12 speed, 27", lever shifter, steel frame, etc.).

I see that I can find a very basic, new road bike for around $200, nothing special (14 speed, 700c, thumb shifters, aluminum frame).

So what should I do?  Spend $100 on the old bike, spend $200 on the new bike?  My main concern is the upgradability of the new bike.  I don't want to 'waste' $100 on the old bike, but at the same time I don't want to 'waste' $200 on the new bike if I can't make it what I want down the road.

I'll never, ever need a $1000 bike.  But maybe one day I'd like to have the equivalent of a $600 or $800 bike.  But at this point, I don't really know since this is my first event.  Can I take a $200 Schwinn and put different handle bars, seat, shifters, gears, etc over time and have a decent 'race' bike?

Thanks for the advice!

2009-08-11 6:07 PM
in reply to: #2342553

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Subject: RE: Need quick cycle (bike) advice, first event in about a month.
Borrow wheels, tune the bike up yourself (shouldn't be much more then cleaning / lubing the drivetrain, adjusting cables/brake pads, making sure the der shifts properly, and doing a safety check).

Then decide what you want to do long-term.  A $200 basic bike may or may not be wasted money depending on long term goals. Error on the side of spending as little as possible now until you figure out your plan.
2009-08-11 7:31 PM
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Subject: RE: Need quick cycle (bike) advice, first event in about a month.
SunBum - 2009-08-11 5:53 PM
I'll never, ever need a $1000 bike. 

Famous last words!
2009-08-11 7:59 PM
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Subject: RE: Need quick cycle (bike) advice, first event in about a month.
SunBum - 2009-08-11 6:53 PM

I'll never, ever need a $1000 bike.  But maybe one day I'd like to have the equivalent of a $600 or $800 bike.  But at this point, I don't really know since this is my first event.  Can I take a $200 Schwinn and put different handle bars, seat, shifters, gears, etc over time and have a decent 'race' bike?

Thanks for the advice!


Yeah OK

I started out in'04 on my $350 MTB. 1.5 years later after 2 Sprints and and Oly bought a 1 year old entry level RB for $450 at a bike shop.  Rode it for a year and bought a $2300 tri-bike as I signed up for a HIM!

I'd go on the cheap with what you have.  If you like tri's and you start wanting more, a newer entry to mid level RB like I did would be a good step, I sold it for what I bought it for.

Best of luck in your tri endeavors!
2009-08-11 9:05 PM
in reply to: #2342576

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Subject: RE: Need quick cycle (bike) advice, first event in about a month.
rkreuser - 2009-08-11 6:07 PM Borrow wheels, tune the bike up yourself (shouldn't be much more then cleaning / lubing the drivetrain, adjusting cables/brake pads, making sure the der shifts properly, and doing a safety check).

Then decide what you want to do long-term.  A $200 basic bike may or may not be wasted money depending on long term goals. Error on the side of spending as little as possible now until you figure out your plan.


x2

Buy 2 new tires and tubes and 2 rim tapes. Take out the old ones, put on the rim tape and new tires with tubes. It will be a good practice if you want to ride/race on any bike in the future. Having the new rim tape will allow you to inflate the tires to higher pressure (check with your LBS how high you can go) and that translates into lower rolling resistance/faster bike.

Adjust everything else yourself, again, it will be a great practice for your future riding adventures and will save you lot of $$$.

Good luck!
2009-08-11 9:55 PM
in reply to: #2342877

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Subject: RE: Need quick cycle (bike) advice, first event in about a month.

markz - 2009-08-11 7:05 PM
rkreuser - 2009-08-11 6:07 PM Borrow wheels, tune the bike up yourself (shouldn't be much more then cleaning / lubing the drivetrain, adjusting cables/brake pads, making sure the der shifts properly, and doing a safety check).

Then decide what you want to do long-term.  A $200 basic bike may or may not be wasted money depending on long term goals. Error on the side of spending as little as possible now until you figure out your plan.


x2

Buy 2 new tires and tubes and 2 rim tapes. Take out the old ones, put on the rim tape and new tires with tubes. It will be a good practice if you want to ride/race on any bike in the future. Having the new rim tape will allow you to inflate the tires to higher pressure (check with your LBS how high you can go) and that translates into lower rolling resistance/faster bike.

Adjust everything else yourself, again, it will be a great practice for your future riding adventures and will save you lot of $$$.

Good luck!

If the tires are shot from age, the brake pads probably are too.  Add those to your shopping list.  If you go with budget tires and can do the lube/adjustment work yourself, you're probably still around $60 or less. 

Ride it for a while and maybe do some "transferrable" (to a new bike, eventually) upgrades like seat & clipless pedals while you figure out how much you really like riding.

If you do start riding seriously, I doubt if you'll be happy with the $200 department store Schwinn--you probably won't like it that much, plus the components probably won't hold up to lots of miles.  The $600 models will probably wind up at the bottom of the price range for what you really want that really represents a good value.

2009-08-11 11:30 PM
in reply to: #2342553

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Subject: RE: Need quick cycle (bike) advice, first event in about a month.
$600-$800 is what you should look to spend to get an entry level road bike that you'll enjoy riding. If you get even semi serious and start putting some miles on the bike I have a feeling you'll quickly find out why the $200 bike is only $200. In addition the more expensive entry level bike will hold its value much better than the wal mart bike if you decide to not continue on. IMO it's better to spend a little bit more so that you're not put off early on based on the equipment you're using.
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