Road bike

  • Thread starter Thread starter terminator363
  • 15 comments
  • 2,570 views
terminator363

terminator363

Messages
4,797
Antarctica
Antarctica
I was looking for a road bike now that I'm into Tour de France, I was looking at the price range 200 - 550 < (absolute max). I don't care if it's from the late 70's to present. I was looking at a Celeste Bianchi from the 80's for $550, is it a good deal? What would you guys recommend? I'd prefer it to be made in Europe, or America. I've got a Trek Hybrid right now, and I hate the straight handle bars, could I put road bike vertical bars on it? HELP! :dunce:

Also, for the mods, please move this to the sports section if you have a problem with it here (I think it will be fine...)
 
Last edited:
You can put road bike bars on it. You can either get a new stalk and bar or get a bar that fits your stalk.
 
eSZee
You can put road bike bars on it. You can either get a new stalk and bar or get a bar that fits your stalk.
Click to expand...

People say getting drop bars causes the geometry of the bike to get uneven resulting in problems...

What do you think? Also, I don't want handles over $50, but they need new brakes, etc.. right? So it will cost a fortune?

I have this bike at the moment

trek_7_2_fx.jpg


It's hybrid so the tires are a little too thick and the handle bars suck.

The Bianchi type I was looking at:

bianchi%20campione.jpg
 
Last edited:
terminator363
People say getting drop bars causes the geometry of the bike to get uneven resulting in problems...
Click to expand...

That sounds dumb.
The only thing it would affect is the rider, not sure how bike geometry would be affected. A hybrid is already just pieces of different bike types put together. Changing the stem and bars to fit you and make you comfortable is one of the perks of bicycles. You just have to make sure the new bar will work with your brake levers and derailleurs.
 
Last edited:
eSZee
That sounds dumb.
The only thing it would affect is the rider, not sure how bike geometry would be affected. A hybrid is already just pieces of different bike types put together. Changing the stem and bars to fit you and make you comfortable is one of the perks of bicycles. You just have to make sure the new bar will work with your brake levers and derailleurs.
Click to expand...

The brake levers are horizontal though:odd:, do I just mount them vertically?

Do the shifters stay horizontal???


Edit: I was just checking out my bike, and the brake and shifter are connected so I guess I can just mount them vertically with out a problem I think!?
 
Last edited:
terminator363
I figured it out I will get these
http://www.niagaracycle.com/product_info.php?products_id=15300

I will remove my existing Bontrager grips, mount those on. Cover the whole steering bar and new handlebars in cork tape, I think it will look great with white cork tape especially!
Click to expand...

For 550 you can get an excellent used bike. Those handle bar things won't change anything but your spinal alignment. It's like putting racing wheels and a spoiler on a Taurus, it's still a Taurus.

Don't get caught up in Bianchi. Specialized, Trek, Giant, and many others make great bikes that you can ride till kingdom come. I recommend Shimano 105 components or equivelent minimum. Talk to a pro shop, second hand shop, or usually the crusty old guys on the roads to take a look at your riding stance, and go with whats comfortable.

Invest in your favorite brand when you get serious cash and are sure you are going to keep riding.

No offense to the purists, but do not get a fixed gear as a first bike. They are fun and have their place in a garage, as a second or third bike to take out for nostalgic purposes. You know, roll up the pant leg and put on the Campagnolo hat.
 
Last edited:
Well, what is the use of the road bike for? Is it more for 20 miles and over distance? Or is it for short, 5 miles pedal around the countryside?

I am assuming that the OP wants to do something similar to the Tour de France guys, so it would be 20 + miles type. This would require a road bike with gears on it. Fixed bikes would be pointless for that, as when you do distance rides, you need to change the gears to suit your energy levels. And also the terrain as well.

Go used, you'll get a much better deal that way. Plus, when you do buy a used bike, they often may or may not have better items on them that would be worth getting. For example, my road bike developed a kinked spoke. Which was annoying. This meant I had to trash that wheelset and get another, more expensive, but higher quality wheelset to replace that. Now the bike is actually pretty good and I am quite happy with it.

The higher priced bikes that you see retailing for insane amount of cash, are priced for their lightness and their efficiency of transmitting the power to the road. When you start off, you do not really need that expensive a bike as you *will* make errors and mistakes. Better to go for a lower priced, more used bike, so you can learn the craft required.

That Bianchi bike looks quite nice, a small tubed frame would help the weight. Only thing is, the wires for the brakes and gears may get in the way. Plus, give it a ride around and see how it is. Road bikes are stiff and will move around a lot until you get used to it... I do agree with p-coletray with other makes as they do good quality bikes are they are known for good price for the materials they used. Giant OCRs are rather usefully priced as well, they serve the triathlons well and the amateur racing group.
 
bergauk
At this point, you're better off just getting a fixie. The Geometry is similar to road, and they're relatively cheap.
Click to expand...

Dear God, no. Don't get a fixie. If you want to do anything serious in regards to cycling (hills, extended rides, etc.) a fixie will not cut it. 👎

Other than that I can agree with almost all the info in the thread. I wish I was an expert like my coworker (a triathlete and coach) and could really help.
 
Last edited:
Villain
Dear God, no. Don't get a fixie. If you want to do anything serious in regards to cycling (hills, extended rides, etc.) a fixie will not cut it. 👎

Other than that I can agree with almost all the info in the thread. I wish I was an expert like my coworker (a triathlete and coach) and could really help.
Click to expand...

Fixes have flip-flop hubs nowadays.

I ride a single speed bike everywhere here. And I live in a rather hilly area.

EDIT: It should be noted that most fixies are highly similar in design to a road bike. Given that, they're a great place to start out to decide whether or not you even want to go through with becoming a Le Tour De Neighborhood rider.
 
Last edited:
bergauk
Fixes have flip-flop hubs nowadays.

I ride a single speed bike everywhere here. And I live in a rather hilly area.

EDIT: It should be noted that most fixies are highly similar in design to a road bike. Given that, they're a great place to start out to decide whether or not you even want to go through with becoming a Le Tour De Neighborhood rider.
Click to expand...

Le tour de Neighboorhood? My rides are between 50-200 miles. I've probably been through your neighboorhood!

IMO theres only 2 types of people that need single speed bikes: Dave Mirra type, and The flying Scotsman type. Everyone else is just trying too hard, seriously.

How many people here own a direct drive car without a transmission?
 
If I had a single speed bike where I live, I'd be walking the bike most of the time.
 
p-coletray
Le tour de Neighboorhood? My rides are between 50-200 miles. I've probably been through your neighboorhood!

IMO theres only 2 types of people that need single speed bikes: Dave Mirra type, and The flying Scotsman type. Everyone else is just trying too hard, seriously.

How many people here own a direct drive car without a transmission?
Click to expand...

Hi, I'm not talking about you?

I don't care how much you ride. I can do 45 miles a day consistently on my Single Speed. That's all I want to do in my area.

I suggested a fixie because they're cheap, and most MODERN fixies, e.g. ones made in the last few years, have a road bike style geometry. That geometry will allow you to get used to it, and help you determine whether or not you even want to actually use a real road bike. I mean.. For God's sake, he wants to spend 550$ MAX on a road bike, and wants to buy the stupid road bars for his hybrid bike. I don't see him going very far with this endeavour.


Kay? Go away Mr. TryHard.
 
I guess it's all good compared to the handlebar thingies, but if the endeavor ends sooner than later, he only spent $30 bucks.

However, ( no, I'm not going away) when a person experiences the speed, precision, agility of a real, fitted, finely tuned and modern bike, with good gear, then you understand. Until then, it doesn't make sense to people. On the flip side, start out with a clunker, so when you upgrade, you really appreciate it. I rode hand me downs for my whole life until I was 27. My last bike was a 86' steel Fuji, gears were mounted on the lower frame, it was undersized for my height, toe clips. But I still loved it.
 

Latest Posts

Back