What to look for in a new bike? That’s the question Chris Backes has asked us. It’s a good question that we all should think of before spending our money on what can be an expensive piece of equipment, so here are some ideas.
Question: I would like to buy a road bike for recreational use on paved bike trails. I am 5’7″ and weigh 170. What are some things I should consider in making this purchase?
Answer:
Hi Chris,
It all comes down to what you want to do with the bike and how much you want to spend on it. After that, you need to decide which equipment you want, Shimano, Campagnolo or SRAM. They are all good. In the end, this choice comes down to your likes, get the best you can afford, this goes for wheels also, the better the wheels, the better the ride.
As to the frame, if you can afford carbon, then go for it. If not, then a good alloy framed bike will serve you well. I don’t know if you are a woman or a man, and you’re inside leg measurements.
Over at Bicycling.com there is an excellent guide on how to buy a bike for $1,000 or less. You can get more details here. Where Jason Sumner talks about what to look for when you’re shopping for a great bargain. Great read!
So I am guessing now that the bike that would suit you would be something like a Giant OCR 1 in the Small size.
The OCR 1 is a good starter to mid-range bike at only just over $1,000. The frame on the Giant OCR 1 is made with ALUXX butted aluminum and composite forks with an alloy steerer. The frame is of compact design, which is especially great for people who are not sure of their bike size. With the use of the long seat post and different stems, your bike will fit after a bit of adjustment.
Go for the Shimano 105 10 speed as it is much better quality than the equipment on the OCR 1 and 2, which is only 9 and 8 speed, and also the wheels on the OCR 1 are much lighter than the others.
There are lots of other bikes to choose from, the obvious ones are Trek, Specialized, and Cannondale, with any of these you can’t go far wrong.
They are tried and trusted, and all have a good back up system if there are any problems which you shouldn’t have anyway with well-known bike manufacturers. I hope these suggestions help you buy the right bike for you and your riding.
If you’re still in trouble finding your bike, find out all the tips and details to make your decision on road.cc. Details at the link below:
15 of The Best Road Bikes Under £1,000
