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Beginer trying to purchasing a capable road bike to compete with. Am I getting ripped off? |
I am a beginning cyclist that is looking to buy a road bike to train and compete in century and other long rides. I had primarily been looking at the $700-$900 range. I was near purchase of the Allez Triple Bike when another store suggested the Specialized Roubaix Bike. The Roubaix is a much higher priced bike ($1500 vs. $760) and as expected, a smoother and more comfortable ride. When I asked for this store鈥檚 thoughts about the Allez Triple, he said it was not a good choice and after one race I would be bike asking for a better bike. He further went on to say that anyone trying to sell the Allez Triple is trying to make two easy sales, knowing that I would be back within a year/18 months. Is he correct? Am I getting ripped off by bike store A that recommended the Allez Triple or bike store B that is trying to sell me the higher price bike? Is the $1500 bike even worth considering at this point? Any advice would be helpful? The only shop that is trying to rip you off is the one trying to sell you the Roubaix. Not because the Roubaix is a bad bike--it is a very nice bike--but because their sales tactics suck. I would steer clear of that shop. They are trying to pressure you into spending a lot more money that you intended to spend, and guess who gets the money. Both shops are offering you the bikes at the msrp set by Specialized and what every shop is likely to sell those bikes at. However, Specialized is already coming out with its 2008's so in a couple of months you might be able to get a 2007 on sale. The one offering you the Allez must be a Specialized dealer, they can also get the Roubaix, but listened to what you told them when you came to the shop and showed you a bike that met your criteria rather than try to pressure you into spending more. On to the bikes....Obviously a bike that costs twice as much is going to be a better bike!!! Otherwise, why would anyone buy the more expensive bike? Because it is a better bike (primarily meaning it has better components--the Allez with the same components would cost the same as that Roubaix--actually the Roubaix goes as high as $7100--though that is a carbon frame), it shifts smoother, weighs less (mostly because of wheels and components), maybe has a better saddle, etc. However, the Allez is a great starter road racing bike. But since you said you are planning to do centuries and long rides, if you can afford it, the Roubaix may be a better bike for you. The Roubaix is more of a long-distance endurance bike, than a road racing bike, at least typical road races...it is named after the Paris-Roubaix race known for being a hellish long race with major lengths of cobble stones that are really uncomfortable to ride. It is going to be a more comfortable bike for longer distances than the Allez, but I think the Allez has more aggressive geometry. Go to Specialized's website and compare the bikes. Both have aluminum frames with carbon forks. The Allez comes with Tiagra and Sora components, which are low to mid-level road components. The Roubaix that you are looking at comes with 105 level as well as nicer wheels and tires. The reality is that if you are just starting out, in my opinion, the Allez makes more sense, unless you have a lot of cash around. You may decide you hate road racing. I did (I race mountain bikes). Or you may decide you absolutely love it, in which case, you will likely want to save your money and buy a carbon bike in a couple of years. In the meantime, parts wear out and you can replace the Allez components with better stuff. However, if you know now that you are really going to get into racing, and you can afford it, go for the Roubaix. It will be more comforable, since it is designed to be a little more lax in geometry, and it is a very nice bike. Summary: Allez is probably just fine for your needs right now. Maybe get a better saddle or raise the handlebars slightly for a more comfortable ride if you find it too aggressive for long rides. The shop that had it is definitely the better shop. If you really like the Roubaix and can afford it, buy it from the shop offering the Allez. It also never hurts to try other brands, though I am a big fan of Specialized myself. Different brands have different philosopies on geometry and you might find that a Trek or a Cannondale fits you better. Good luck, whatever bike you buy, I hope you enjoy. Source(s): www.specialized.com Hard question for me to answer, and hopefully somebody closer to where you live who's familiar with prices out there can advise you better. (I live in South Africa!) But, after converting the prices and bearing in mind general principles relating to buying bikes, I would tend to go along with shop B. As a general rule (and I mean general), a more expensive bike will be a better bike, and (though it *is* a lot) $1500 doesn't sound *too* excessive for a good bike. A situation I really wouldn't like to see you landing up in - and this is the danger - is taking one ride on the cheaper bike and deciding you really hate this cycling lark, because your feet hurt, your knees hurt, the saddle feels like torture, etc., etc. So you put the bike in the garage, and it sits there for the rest of its life (and yours) gathering dust. And yet all this is only because the bike itself is inferior. So, I think, you'd be better off with the more expensive Roubaix. HI, I would check out Performance at http://www.performancebike.com/... If the more expensive bike feels more comfortable and rides smotther, it is worth the extra money if you are considering long distances. I would also say that a rougher bike one can get used to after a while., but I would go for comfort first and foremost if I had an option to do so. An aluminum frame with at least Shimano 105's will do you just fine. It's all subjective, but I think fit is critical. 1.) Arms slightly bent when in riding position; 2.) When pedal is at bottom of stroke, heel should rest on it and knee should be slightly bent. You don't want any joints locked in place or anything on your body in a 90 degree angle. It really comes down to what you feel good on when you sit on it. I think an aluminum frame with Shimano 105's around the $1,000 mark whatever brand it may be is a good bike. You can make it happen on a Huffy if you try hard enough, take care and wish you the best on your rides. PS... make sure to find a dealer that takes fitting seriously. They should have a dummy bike frame they have you sit on and take measurments. Take a look at the manufacturer's bicycle catalog and measure yourself up. Here are some books you may find of interest http://www.velopress.com/cycling.php... Dave I wouldn't say that the first shop trying to sell you the less expensive bike was "trying to rip you off...." After all, they probably can make more profit from you from a more expensive bike. What you need to decide is (a) your budget and (b) how serious you are about riding and competition. You say that you are a beginning rider. Therefore, you should buy the best bike you can afford within your budget, but don't go overboard until such time as you've decided you like the sport and want to continue with it. If you already have a good fitness level and you think in short order you will be riding 4-6 hours at a time, then I would try to get a road bike in the $900-$1500 range. While you could buy something in the $500-$800 range, that is really an entry level road bike, will be heavier, lower grade components, wheels etc. If you're interested in racing (and I mean actual competition, not fun rides, then you will eventually need to spend over $1000 to get something light and responsive enough for racing. One last point- for all day comfort, choose a carbon fiber frame, or in the lower price category a Aluminum frame with carbon fork and stays. |
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