Buying a Road Bike....

[lee]

So i'm going to move into the realm of road biking this year, as a means to train to get more time on the bike.....

any advice on picking a bike...i'm looking at the Giant TCR 1/2 and KHS Flite 800 right now....looking at used and new....like both of them...any other advice....I ride a giant now (NRS Air) and like their stuff...that is pulling me towards a giant....

never ridden road before, so its all new to me....any good sites out there besided ebay for used road bikes....thanks.

[T Grimble]

When I made the switch a couple years ago I bought a used cannondale from a friend. The most important thing is going to be fit. I wouldn't get to hung-up on the components as long as it has STI shifting you will probably do ok. 9sp is better then 8sp but both will work. Wheels make a big difference on a road bike so you may want to go with the bike with the best wheels or plan to upgrade down the road. The rest is all subjective. I love the super stiff feeling of the oversized aluminum on the cannondale. It is great to get out of the saddle and feel it accelerate. Some people are more concerned with comfort and prefer steel, carbon or Ti if it is in your budget. If you really get into it, this probably will not be your last bike and if you only ride occasionally, there is no need to go overboard so I would just look for the best fitting frame with reasonable components and good wheels.

-Tom