So I've been riding a mountain bike that I picked up at a sporting goods store around a year ago. It's really comfy, lots of shock absorbers, and that's all good, but I found that it's really heavy.

So I've been looking into road bikes, particularly used ones that are cheap so that I can fix 'em up. I heard that the road bikes have several advantages over mountain bikes, like

1) Low rolling resistance (due to skinny tires)
2) Light weight
3) Aerodynamic position

I would keep my mountain bike, but I what I really want is a project I can work on (maybe over the summer) and ride it occasionally.

I'm around 5'7", so what size would be right for me? I heard that the smallest size is 50cm.

Also, what are some good manufacturers? I've seen Trek, Schwinn, Specialized, Raleigh, etc

What about retailers? I'm in the Boston area and nearby are Rei and Landry's

Lastly, is a road bike right for me?
I want a bike to go pretty fast on, but not really to race/competition.
I also do think the drop-bar (?) handle style is pretty cool lookin'

Thanks! Please reply with your experience w/ road bikes if you bothered to read all this

 

Pony up $20 for a membership and come to the backlot. We've got a nice discussion going on there

 

Okay, question 1: Do you plan to ride on the road?

 

Yes sir, I do plan on riding on the road (by that I am assuming you mean the street...with the cars)

 

One of my coworkers last year bought some ridiculous $2000 roadbike. 100% carbon fiber. As a prank we hid it from him (and then claimed that the intern was the one who pulled then prank... and then convinced him that the intern got fired for pulling the prank...) and I rode it down the hall about 100 feet. I'd never been on a road bike before. Holy balls they are fast. They accelerate so much faster than a mountain bike.

Apparently newbs will always fall down the first time they try clip in shoes, but they say getting the clip ins makes you a heck of a lot faster even.

I'm tempted to buy one, but I don't think there's enough lower speed roads for me to get to work where I can keep up with the cars.

 

I was an avid MTB'er through the early - mid 90's, right up until I purchased my first road (race) bike. My first test ride was on a carbon LeMond, and holy hell the thing practically leaped out ahead of me on the first pedal stroke. It was an immediate transfer of energy that I hadn't experienced before. I didn't buy that particular bike, but have purchased three since about 1996. Haven't purchased a new MTB in that time.

If you find yourself doing more riding on the road than on the trails, a road bike is worlds better than a mountain bike, simply because they're designed specifically for the road. I equate the difference between the two like the difference in between a 4x4 and a sports car. If you like exploring trails, fire roads, etc. stick with the MTB. If you like going insanely fast and carving corners on pavement, go with the road bike.

5'7" - probably a 52cm. But of course try any frame first. Geometry can differ manufacturer to manufacturer. Some of the current frames with sloping top tubes are sized sm/med/lg. With these you get proper fit through seat/seatpost/stem adjustments.

As for brands, retailers, etc., it's difficult for me to say what might be right for you, primarily due to not knowing your budget and if you're just looking for something to cruise around on or something closer to a race bike.

There is a law of diminishing returns to road (race) bikes, but it's not really hit until you get up into maybe the $3-5k range. A cheapo Wal Mart special is going to be heavy and have cheapo components. I would avoid this type of bike entirely. Spend $800 - 1000 on something like a mid-level Trek and you'll get a lighter frame and better components - probably Shimano Sora. Keep going up in price and you'll get a lighter, faster, better handling frame. Better component group, be it shimano, campy or sram...basically closer and closer to a true race bike.

You could check out the roadbikereview.com forums and ask some questions there for more feedback.

 

Another general advantage of the roadbike is gearing. Mountain bikes are usually geared more for torque and roadbikes have a bigger range, but generally are geared for long hauls and efficiency.

 

Those shocks waste energy. Everytime you pedal your bike dips and you don't transfer all your enrgy to forward momentum.

 

I rode my friend's Specialized Allez today, and it was f'in sick. I had never been on a road bike before, and the sheer light weight/responsiveness/low rolling resistance was amazing.

I think I'm pretty set on buying one, but I do have a dilemma

Should I buy a new one at a reputable bike shop (~$700+)
or
should I buy a cheap (~$150) bike off of craigslist?

 

Good bike might be a hybrid - suspension you can lock out, fatter tires but slick treads, torque gearing if you're not going for distance. It really depends on where you'll ride.