Vegan Bodybuilding & Fitness

I never thought I would say this, but recommend me a road bike in the 700-1000 range.
I know nothing about them, things to look out for/avoid?

Thanks

Are you looking for a road bike? Are you planing on racing/training?

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The Iron is the great reference point, the all-knowing perspective giver. Always there like a beacon in the pitch black. The Iron is my greatest friend. It never freaks out on me, never runs. Friends may come and go. But two hundred pounds is always two hundred pounds.

Yes, a road bike. Training for now.

at that price range, get the one with the best component group. You'll be better off with an alumnium frame and ultegra, if you can find it. Manufacturer really doesn't matter. Just get the one that fits and you like the most with the best components.

If you want to roll the dice, look at Felt. They have hit or miss quality control, but they're decent frames with a great component spec for not a ton of money.

or www.bikesdirect.com and buy the most expensive one you can afford. you can get a bike with an acceptable frame and a good group for under a grand. Then, when/if you get serious about racing, get into a different frame and swap components.

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"Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad." - Brian O'Driscoll

FELT

$769
http://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2010-Pr ... /Z100.aspx

$799
http://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2010-Pr ... -Team.aspx

$1149
http://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2010-Pr ... s/Z85.aspx

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FUJI

$899
http://www.fujibikes.com/Road/Performan ... x-3-0.aspx

$999
http://www.fujibikes.com/Road/Performan ... x-2-0.aspx

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TREK
$879
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/ro ... ies/12wsd/

$879
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/road/1_series/12/

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SPECIALIZED

$850
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBC ... nuItemId=0

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GIANT

$800
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/bik ... 882/37101/

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PLANT BASED PERSONAL TRAINING - VEGAN POSITIVE ATHLETIC GEAR - MOTIVATION

MONTHLY CONTESTS - NUTRITION - GROUP ACTIVITIES - TRIATHLON - MARATHON

i've got a specialized in that price range recently. See if the bike shops have leftover 2009s you can get them a little less than 2010. Happy bike shopping!

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totally....they usually have a few left over, if they have your size, total score!!!

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PLANT BASED PERSONAL TRAINING - VEGAN POSITIVE ATHLETIC GEAR - MOTIVATION

MONTHLY CONTESTS - NUTRITION - GROUP ACTIVITIES - TRIATHLON - MARATHON

Thanks for the replies and thanks Ted for the list.
I really have no idea how to decide. The specialized does look the "coolest" though if that means anything.
Do I want one with the crazy handles? Whats the advantage of those?
Also my local bike store has Garneau, are they any good?

what do you mean by crazy handles?

garneau are good....most beginner bikes are going to have the same quality of components....go and ride a few and see which one feels better.

also there is no shame in picking one of those based on looks, its your bike, the more you like it the more you will ride it.

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PLANT BASED PERSONAL TRAINING - VEGAN POSITIVE ATHLETIC GEAR - MOTIVATION

MONTHLY CONTESTS - NUTRITION - GROUP ACTIVITIES - TRIATHLON - MARATHON

Just handles that are not straight across like normal. I guess those are regular for road bikes though.
Only bike I have owned was one I found, that was rough to say the least, so pretty much anything feels good.

yeah those are normal road bars.

post pics when you decide.

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PLANT BASED PERSONAL TRAINING - VEGAN POSITIVE ATHLETIC GEAR - MOTIVATION

MONTHLY CONTESTS - NUTRITION - GROUP ACTIVITIES - TRIATHLON - MARATHON

Yup that's great advice.

If you plan to eventually use it in a triathalon or something, go with drop bars, and then you can easily attach some clip on aerobars if you want them later.

Also, if you have a choice, go with better wheels. A lot of low end new bikes these days use really poor wheels that break spokes and stuff pretty easily. Personally I would go with a little lower quality frame to have enough $ for a little better wheel.

If you know what you're looking for, you might be able to find some nice deals on craigslist. But if you get a used rig with anything carbon on the frameset, check it over very carefully for cracks and chips.

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Radical simply means "grasping things at the root." - Angela Davis

How do I know what good wheels are? Which bike on Ted's list has the best wheels?

to worry about wheels, at this point, is not a good idea...

bikes now a days come with great beginner wheelsets....if you are breaking spokes, you are doing something wrong, the road wheels on beginner bikes, at least from the "bigger" bike companies" are pretty bomb proof, unless you are hitting crazy pot holes and lots of curbs...

there are many other bike co. to choose from, i wanted to give you some ideas... you should look around and post links on bikes you are interested in, and i will look at specific components, and wheels and everything and give advice.

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PLANT BASED PERSONAL TRAINING - VEGAN POSITIVE ATHLETIC GEAR - MOTIVATION

MONTHLY CONTESTS - NUTRITION - GROUP ACTIVITIES - TRIATHLON - MARATHON

Best advice I can give is don't by into the hyped products, the bike industry is notorious for this. There is always going to be a frame or part that is lighter and claims to be 'faster' but at the end of the day is 1 km/hour on your top speed really worth 4 grand more. I ride an old steel Bianchi It weights in at 21 lbs that's a lead weight by todays standards, with some bikes weighting in as low as 15lbs. How does that affect me on race day? It doesn't, I can't count how many times I've zoomed past guys on their fancy carbon fiber bikes with $10000 price tags. Bikes aren't fast riders are fast, and when your skill has improved such that a new bike or new part is warranted, you'll know.

_________________
The Iron is the great reference point, the all-knowing perspective giver. Always there like a beacon in the pitch black. The Iron is my greatest friend. It never freaks out on me, never runs. Friends may come and go. But two hundred pounds is always two hundred pounds.