How to Buy a Road Bike

December 29, 2010, By Ben Symon 3 comments

For cycling newbies, shopping for a road bike can be an intimidating process. The wide variety of brands, technical talk and high price tags can make choosing the right road bike a difficult decision.

Before stepping foot into a bike shop, you'll want to first consider a few things about your personality and shopping habits. Doing this will give you a sense of how much to spend. This is important. Road bike prices range from $700 on the low end to $8,000 or more for pro-tour level machines.

Are you the kind of person who gets excited about something, buys all the gear and then loses interest three weeks later? If so, you'll probably want to set your sights on road bikes in the $700 - $900 range. This will get you a suitable beginner bike, but not something that will bring buyers remorse should you give up after five rides.

Maybe you’re the kind of person who absolutely has to have top-of the line gear, regardless of how much it costs or how much you use it. If this is your profile, you probably want to shop for bikes priced from $2,000 - $3,000. This will get get you a top-tier frame (most likely carbon fiber) and race quality parts.

If you're not sure what type you are, start looking at bikes that retail for around $1,500. This tends to be the sweep spot for entry to mid-level road bikes. In most cases, you'll get a good quality frame that can be upgraded as your skills improve. Components will be durable, reasonably light and will last for many seasons. For a few suggestions check out our guide to the best road bikes under $1,000.

Once you know what you want to spend, start visiting local bike shops and take some test rides. Let the sales person know what kind of riding you intend to do and what your fitness goals are. A good sales person will give you a few pointers on sizing and then send you out on a variety of bikes in your price range.

Don't worry too much about the name on the down-tube or which components are better than others. Bikes within a given price point tend to be specified very similarly and most, if not all frames will be made in Taiwan. Your main focus should be on general fit and feel. The one component choice that can have big impact on your riding is choosing between a standard, triple or compact double crankset. Most manufacturers are phasing out the triple in favor of the compact double, and standard gearing should only be considered if you live in a very flat area or if you intend to race competitively.

If you've narrowed your choice down to a couple of bikes and a couple of shops, look closely at which shop has the best reputation for customer service. Does the shop have dedicated mechanics on staff? Do they offer free or discounted tune-ups if you buy a new bike? Unless you're exceptionally mechanical, you'll probably end up taking your bike back to the shop at least once a year for tune-up and adjustments.

Fit is perhaps the most important part of choosing a road bike. It doesn't matter how much money you spend on the latest carbon wonderbike, if your bike fits poorly, you'll be uncomfortable and you won't ride. Find a shop with a bike fit specialist. Most will offer free fittings if you make a bike purchase. A fitting involves getting physical measurements and monitoring your position as you ride on a stationary trainer. It may not seem like much, but just a few minor adjustments to saddle height or stem length can be the difference between absolute pain on the bike and a comfortable riding position.

Once you've made your purchase and have a few miles under your belt, don't be afraid to go back to the shop if something doesn't feel quite right. Sometimes a different saddle style or a simple stem swap is all that stands between you and years of cycling enjoyment.