Buying a beginner’s road bicycle doesn’t have to be complicated. The following guide will help you ensure your first road bicycle is the start of many miles of enjoyment, and not heartache.
Before you buy any bicycle, think carefully about its purpose in your life. If you would like to use the bike to commute shorter distances, you may be better suited to a flat bar hybrid or touring bicycle, which may be more suited to helping haul objects, or being fitted with racks and panniers.
When buying a bicycle, what determines the price is not so much the manufacturer (though certain manufacturers are known for expensive bicycles, such as Cervelo, while other manufacturers offer a wide range of bicycles, such as Trek), but the bicycle frame and the components on the bicycle (shifters, derailleurs, and so on). The more high-end the components and frame, the more the bicycle will cost.
You will need to determine whether the performance of the bicycle or the comfort it offers you is a higher priority. Steel frames are generally thought to offer a more comfortable ride, with the tradeoff of a slightly heavier frame. Aluminum frames typically weigh less than equivalent steel frames, but the aluminum ride may be more bumpy and less shock absorbing than the steel ride. The carbon fiber ride is said to offer an excellent combination of comfort and light weight, but they come with high prices, as do titanium fiber bicycles. The best plan of action is to ride any bicycle you are interested in buying, regardless of its frame components.
Speaking of components, take the time to learn about them. Bicycle components by Shimano follow a tiered system, with the more expensive tiers offering more shifting opportunities (ten gears compared to nine or eight), smoother shifting, and more reliable shifting. However, not everyone needs Dura Ace shifting, and if you are not a professional racer, you can ride for decades on cheaper components without complaints. Again, let the ride (the ride you take when testing the bicycle) decide. Shift up and down while riding quickly, uphill, downhill, and everywhere in between.
Try to narrow down your potential options to about two or three bicycles that fit your price range. You can find a quality beginner’s bicycle for well under $1000 if you are willing to shop around and consider online purchases. If at all possible, take time to ride each bicycle; this will offer invaluable information in the fit of the bicycle in relation to your body. Remember that if this is your first time riding a road bicycle, you may feel uncomfortable, cramped, or stretched in some places. It will be very helpful to ride with someone experienced in sizing road bikes. A general rule of thumb is that if a bicycle is sized properly (including the seat height), you should barely be able to touch the ground with the points of your shoes while sitting in the saddle (seat) of the bicycle.
With all this in mind, it is probably best for a beginner to visit his or her local bike shop to have the fitting done by individuals used to fitting beginners to road bikes. You may need to adjust the seat height up and down or forward or backwards. You may also need to adjust the height and angle of the handlebars. Bicycles have several components that can be adjusted to make them fit individuals of different sizes and flexibility levels. However, certain features are not as easy to adjust (for example, the distance from the handlebars to the saddle), which is why it’s best to start with a bicycle frame size close to your recommended size. From there, smaller changes can be made instead of larger ones that alter the fundamental geometry of the bicycle.
Remember not to get obsessed with the idea of the perfect bike. Good luck with your search!