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Step 1
Decide first how you will use the road bike. If you are purchasing a road bike to use to commute to and from school or work, you will definitely need a different road bike then for training for a triathlon or bike competition. In addition, if you are new to road biking, it’s probably not within your budget to purchase the newest, lightest, and fastest road bike. First decide how you will use it and bring this information with you to the bike store.
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Step 2
Search online for the local bike store. When I bought my first road bike, I went online to see what was available in the area. I looked at a bunch of websites and came across the best deals at a private bike store in the area. The bike store was willing to sell bikes on the cheap because they had too much inventory and not enough recent sales. I decided to jump at the chance to buy a road bike at this store. They even through in a whole year of free tuning on my Fuji new Roubaix!
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Step 3
Understand the following four types of road bike frames: steel, aluminum, titanium and carbon fiber. Many road bikes are made with two or more of these metals, but it is important to understand their qualities before buying a road bike. Steel is very durable, is easy to repair, and is the most affordable. However, the only problem with steel is that it is heavy. Aluminum is a type of frame that can be lighter than steel but more expensive. Aluminum is also very stiff when you ride it, so this can be a turnoff for some riders. Titanium is very expensive, however it lasts very long and has an excellent light feel to it. Some titanium riders also value the spring you get in the feel when riding with a titanium road bike. Carbon fiber is not actually a metal but a relatively new material – the ride is very stiff but the frame is super-light and very durable. Carbon is also expensive just like titanium frames.
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Step 4
Get a proper fit at the bike store. The fit is probably the most important part about buying a road bike. Don’t ever leave a store without getting it fit because if the frame is too small or the handle bars or seat not positioned correctly, this can cause a setback in your buying experience. You will need to talk with the bike salesman to make sure you are buying a bike that fits your body and also fits your riding style. This can prevent you from going back to the bike store again or even from injuring yourself.
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Step 5
Bring a budget with you to the store. Many road bikes can cost as little as $500 and as much as $5000. It is important that you set a budget somewhere in between. If you are a novice road biker, make sure you set a lower budget because you don’t want to be ripped off by yourself because you don’t understand what you are paying for. Never let a salesman convince you to buy more than you are capable of spending.
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Step 6
Be prepared to set aside about $150-200 for bike accessories. Add this total to your budget for a road bike. Some of the accessories you might need when buying a road bike are a water bottle canister, a bike lock, a helmet, shoes, pedals, a bag to put underneath your seat, and a cyclo-computer. These are all important items and can enhance your road biking experience.
Comments
westernmom said
on 5/5/2009 I'm getting a new bike for Mother's Day and have been really researching this info. Thanks for a timely article. 5*
Gardengates said
on 5/5/2009 I used to bike all the time and then I moved up onto this mountain and got older. Still, I really want to dust off my bikes. I loved biking everywhere. Its great for the body, the soul and the ecology! Thanks for the tips on selecting bikes.
twincapes said
on 5/5/2009 Thanks, good tips on buying a road bike.
Mitestarossa said
on 5/4/2009 Excellent tips for buying a new bike.