Looking at getting my first road bike
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 17,670
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area
Looking at getting my first road bike
So I want to get in to road riding and don't have a lot of $$ to spend on a decent road bike. I saw this one, and know cannondale is a good company.
Any bike guru's that can give me some insight?
I was also looking at the Schwinn Varsity/Prelude's (the newer ones) to get an idea of how "beginner" I'm talking about lol.gif
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/bik/1317892877.html
TIA!
Any bike guru's that can give me some insight?
I was also looking at the Schwinn Varsity/Prelude's (the newer ones) to get an idea of how "beginner" I'm talking about lol.gif
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/bik/1317892877.html
TIA!
So I looked at the bike and liked it. It's got the older school lever shifters on the frame. It's insanely light.. I can pick it up one handed no problem and I'm no muscle man. I'd say a max of 18-20 lbs. The shifts were decent. One thing I noticed was when we had it flipped upside down it didn't shift well. The owner said it could be due to gravity and not having load on the bike. So when I rode it around the parking lot it was shifting a lot better. But I dunno if it was perfect as I don't know a lot about bikes. But the wheels were true and new. Also he said he thinks it's an R2.0? Any thoughts?
Oh yeah, I got him down to 250 (picking it up tomorrow). Also I bought a new saddle and pedals(as it came with clip on pedals). So is 250 fair?
Oh yeah, I got him down to 250 (picking it up tomorrow). Also I bought a new saddle and pedals(as it came with clip on pedals). So is 250 fair?
Any thoughts guys? I tried looking up R200.. R2.0 to no avail. I found that the SR and R400's both used the Shimano RX100 component set.
Just making sure I don't waste $250--and if that's a good deal.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 17,670
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area
Originally Posted by S2020,Aug 18 2009, 07:52 PM
don't get a Cannondale for road. It'll be stiff (not necessary for beginner) and harsh (discourage you from the sport)
your price point would dictate a steel bike.
good luck.
your price point would dictate a steel bike.
good luck.
I feel weird buying a 40 year old bike hahaha. And I couldn't get a decent 40 year old steel bike for this price (or it would be harder to find)
Trending Topics
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,309
Likes: 0
Doesn't sound like it, you can pick up a brand new Schwinn prelude for 200-300 at Walmart. I know zero about Schwinn's though, so maybe they sold Walmart an even crappier one. In general, they aren't good bikes, but honestly if you're just getting into it they're fine. I have a 30 some year old Nagasaki that I've been meaning to turn into a fixie for years. It must weight 25 pounds, 10 speed w/ top tube shifters, etc. It's total shit compared to even a $500 road bike, but who cares? I can still ride with my 60 year old dentist with his $8,000 carbon bike on it =D
The point is to get out there and ride... if it were my money I'd go buy a new road bike at your local bike shop. You can turn around and sell it for 3/4 of what you paid for it if you end up not using it. If you can find one used, by all means do that, but unless you live in a cycle obsessed area finding one isn't easy.
Also, as far as materials go. Aluminum is the LEAST stiff of the four (carbon, steel, titanium, aluminum - in order of stiffness). The reason aluminum is uncomfortable is a combination of geometry (the new compact aluminum with hollow tubing are much better in terms of comfort & flex than even 10 years ago) and the lack of vibration damping.
For a casual rider it's hard to beat steel. It's cheap. It's durable. It's stiff. Carbon is stiffer, carbon has better damping (which is why so many steel/aluminum bikes come with carbon forks and seat stays), carbon is lighter... it also costs a lot more and is less durable.
Titanium is just crazy expensive, end of story.
Aluminum is a bit harsh and flexes quite a bit.
The point is to get out there and ride... if it were my money I'd go buy a new road bike at your local bike shop. You can turn around and sell it for 3/4 of what you paid for it if you end up not using it. If you can find one used, by all means do that, but unless you live in a cycle obsessed area finding one isn't easy.
Also, as far as materials go. Aluminum is the LEAST stiff of the four (carbon, steel, titanium, aluminum - in order of stiffness). The reason aluminum is uncomfortable is a combination of geometry (the new compact aluminum with hollow tubing are much better in terms of comfort & flex than even 10 years ago) and the lack of vibration damping.
For a casual rider it's hard to beat steel. It's cheap. It's durable. It's stiff. Carbon is stiffer, carbon has better damping (which is why so many steel/aluminum bikes come with carbon forks and seat stays), carbon is lighter... it also costs a lot more and is less durable.
Titanium is just crazy expensive, end of story.
Aluminum is a bit harsh and flexes quite a bit.
Former Moderator
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 59,195
Likes: 1
From: Ventura, California, USA
Listen to people like s2020. He's been riding a while and has SEVERAL bikes. Most experienced riders love steel bikes. (I also hear raves about Ti and CF, not so much aluminum). I wouldn't get a 35 year old bike if you are trying to get into road biking as a sport/hobby. The newer frame geometrys and components are a result of much research and technology so you really can have a better experience. If you look at craigslist you can find some nice bikes in your price range, expecially in the Bay area. There are SO MANY people who ride up there that there are a plethora of bikes on the secondary market.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 17,670
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area
I didn't listen to s2020 
I got the bike. I also figured out why the chain was slipping.. I have to fiddle with the shifters (older style where they're like "switches" on the frame) to get the chain to set properly.
Raj, s2020 was suggesting I get an older steel bike (30ish years old). I really wanted to start commuting to school and trying to lose weight ASAP, and after reading a little on the cannondale R400 I figured it would be a decent starter bike. It also came with Shimano SPD clip-on pedals for when I get better at riding (owner of an independent bike shop where I took it in to get he pedals switched out told me they're worth ~$70).
Anyways, in my price range a "newer" decent alluminum OR steel bike would have been $500-600. I'm not in a position to spend that much, and in the end, I'm sure it won't be my last bike.
I got the bike. I also figured out why the chain was slipping.. I have to fiddle with the shifters (older style where they're like "switches" on the frame) to get the chain to set properly. Raj, s2020 was suggesting I get an older steel bike (30ish years old). I really wanted to start commuting to school and trying to lose weight ASAP, and after reading a little on the cannondale R400 I figured it would be a decent starter bike. It also came with Shimano SPD clip-on pedals for when I get better at riding (owner of an independent bike shop where I took it in to get he pedals switched out told me they're worth ~$70).
Anyways, in my price range a "newer" decent alluminum OR steel bike would have been $500-600. I'm not in a position to spend that much, and in the end, I'm sure it won't be my last bike.