Buying my first road bike!

andrea2609

So as the subject says, I'm looking into buying my first road bike! I've been riding my mountainbike (specialized jett 2014) for a couple of years now and lately I've really been getting interested in road biking. I'm still in university, so my budget isn't too big (around 500 euros). Because of my budget, I've been looking at second hands bikes. The problem is the size. I'm 5'10 (178 cm) and my inseam is 34 inches (86 cm). This is my main problem: the size. Apparently, my inseam is quite long for my length. When I was shopping for a mtb, I rode several male mtbs. I felt too stretched out on all of them (it just was quite uncomfortable) so I went with the specialized Jett, a wsd. I'm not sure a new bike is the way to go because of my budget, since I don't want to ride a bike for a year and then grow out of it because of its quality. I also don't want to spend a ton of money on a new bike, in case I don't like it after all. I'm not really big on the looks of women specifik bikes and there aren't many for sales second hands (especially since I'm rather tall), so that's also not really an option.

So long story short, my question is: would you advise me to buy a second hands male bike (any ideas on size?) and then alter it a bit if the fit isn't perfect or buy a (cheap) bike at a lbs?
Thanks in advance!

Jerry185

Where are you based? Can you get to a decathlon store?

andrea2609

Netherlands, so yes there is a decathlon nearby

Ascot17

I am a very similar size in both height and leg length.

1. Buy a used bike. If you chose carefully, for that sort of money you can get a good quality, well cared-for bike on eBay. If you buy new, you will get much less quality for the same money.

2. WSD bikes are just a marketing ploy - there is usually very little difference apart from the colour scheme over 'male' bikes. WSD generally means a slightly higher front end and slightly shorter top tube. Same as as 'endurance' bike.

3. Your height suggests a 56 frame. Your leg length a 58. (These measurements refer to the horizontal top tube measurement. Be careful of brands that use seat tube sizing). Be careful of Trek also - they tend to be smaller - a Trek 58 is a 56 in most other brands.

4. The size 58 bike will feel slightly stretched, but it is very simple and cheap to fit a shorter stem to get the reach you require. The front end will be slightly higher [than a 56] making it slightly more comfortable to ride.

So:

I would go for a used, size 58 endurance bike and fit a shorter stem. Something like a Cannondale Synapse, Giant Defy, Trek Emonda etc. For your budget I would think you would get an AL frame, 105 or Rival groupset, 2-3 year-old bike. Take your time looking. There are plenty of bargains on eBay!

andrea2609

Thanks for your advice! I found a giant defyance 1 (2010 model) which hasn't been used much, according to the owner. The price is just under my budget. The specs seem good, aluminium frame, carbon forefork and mostly 105. The only con is that de bike is 5 years old. Does this matter a lot even if the bike hasn't been used much?

keef66

andrea2609 wrote:

Thanks for your advice! I found a giant defyance 1 (2010 model) who hasn't been used much, according to the owner. The price is just under my budget. The specs seem good, aluminium frame, carbon forefork and mostly 105. The only con is that de bike is 5 years old. Does this matter a lot even if the bike hasn't been used much?

My 105 bike has been used a lot and is nearly 9 years old now, and it still works perfectly. So I'd say unless it has been really badly treated / maintained it should be fine.

I kind of assumed you were from the Netherlands from your height and leg measurements!

Jerry185

All good advice. Can try Decathlon as they have very good bikes which can be sized up for you and are cheap. Something goes wrong, you can take it back

andrea2609

Yeah, dutch people are apparently the tallest in the world

So the giant defaynce is a M/L and as I was looking through other topics about this bike, I saw many posts where people who were about as tall as me (or even taller) bought the M instead of the M/L because they felt too stretched out on the M/L. Right now I'm in serious doubt about the second hands bike I saw, because it's my first road bike and I'm not sure how it should feel when I test ride it, so perhaps it's better to look at a defyance M instead of M/L? I checked giant sizing and I'm in between sizes...

dj58

Yes if you are between sizes try them both at your local Giant dealer. This post makes for interesting reading.
viewtopic.php?f=40020&t=12882623&hilit=Defy+sizing

Ascot17

andrea2609 wrote:

Yeah, dutch people are apparently the tallest in the world

So the giant defaynce is a M/L and as I was looking through other topics about this bike, I saw many posts where people who were about as tall as me (or even taller) bought the M instead of the M/L because they felt too stretched out on the M/L. Right now I'm in serious doubt about the second hands bike I saw, because it's my first road bike and I'm not sure how it should feel when I test ride it, so perhaps it's better to look at a defyance M instead of M/L? I checked giant sizing and I'm in between sizes...

In Giant I would think you would be size M/L based on height, but L based on leg length.

I tried a Giant Defy in both sizes when I happened to be in a Giant store on a coffee stop the other week. The L definitely feels more stretched, but than can be changed with a different stem. I would think the M is too small for you. You will need the saddle up high due to your leg length - too far above the handlebars will be uncomfortable.

keef66

I have the same problem but on a smaller scale. I'm 5'6" but with a 31" inside leg. More leg than upper body. I'm also coming up to 59, and not as bendy as I used to be.

On my Racelight Tk which has a longer top tube I needed a 51cm frame with an inline seatpost and a short, flipped stem to minimise the reach / saddle to bar drop. All of this was determined by actually fitting me on several bikes in the shop. Had I bought the first bike online or second hand I'd probably have bought one too big for me.

When I bought my CR1 frameset online, because it has a shorter top tube I went for the 54cm frame which gives me the same position with a normal stem. I still need the inline post.

Conventional advice is to go for the smaller frame if you're between sizes, but for those with relatively long legs that can mean a lot of seat post showing (which is good for comfort) but a large saddle to bar drop and / or lots of spacers and a flipped stem.

I'd suggest buying your first bike in a shop so they can properly fit it for you. OK you might have to settle for Sora or Tiagra, but you're more likely to ride the thing and enjoy it if it's the right size for you and it's comfortable.

mac9091

I'd 2nd a giant defy Aluxxx. I've been looking at getting a new bike/putting together one myself.

So Carbon was the way to go and when i rode a new Orro i was surprised at how comfortable the Aluxxx was, the carbon gave me a much harder ride than i was expecting and has pretty much put me off a carbon frame but not until i try a giant carbon (composite) bike.