Recommendations: Best Road Bike Under $600

[jabberwocky]

Welcome to the forum! To be honest, in that price range there isn’t really a lot of difference between the manufacturers. Its hard to make specific recommendations, because there are hundreds of choices that are broadly similar, and preference comes down to things like fit and component preferences rather than certain bikes being “better”.

Your best bet is to hit up shops, test ride what they have in your price range, note the ones you really liked and then come back and ask for recommendations based on that. Looking at older models on closeout can get you a bump in specs sometimes (might be less common this time of year; fall/winter is when the new range comes out and shops closeout older bikes to get rid of them, but you might get lucky).

[rcannon100]

In Arlington, both Phoenix Bikes (Four Mile Run) and The Old Bike Shop (Clarendon on Pershing) sell used bikes. Phoenix is a non profit youth organization. It is sort of hit and miss. The fix up what gets dropped off. So whats available on any given week can be different – but there have been some excellent bikes.

What type of riding will you be doing?
Do you want drops or flat handlebar?
Do you want to be able to attach a rack for commuting?
What size tires do you want (smaller tires cause you are a recreational weekend warrier (like 23s) or mid size cause you are a commuter and you want durability (like 28s)).
Do you want a more upright position and an aggressive forward position?
Do you want aluminum (light but stiff) or steel (flexes with the ride for a smoother ride)?
Do you want level shifters on the drop bar – or gear shifters up on the handlebar like in the brakes?

Answer these questions and you will probably have narrowed it down a lot. We are looking in this area. Specialized Allez is an excellent choice. The Surlys are great. Cannondale Synapse is another good one.

Final suggestion. Come to Third Thursday Happy Hour and Friday Coffee club and just window shop on what everyone else is riding!

[mstone]

It would help to know what, exactly, you don’t like about the express, as well as more information about yourself. (Where do you ride, how far, how fast, for sport or for utility, how big are you, etc.)

[Steve]

One recommendation might be to check out The Old Bike Shop at Washington Blvd and Pershing. Most of the bikes are older, but many are quality frames that have been built back up into pretty nice bikes. IMO you could likely end up with a better bike than trying to buy a new or recently model bike in that price range. Others might point you to Phoenix Bikes off Four Mile Run for the same reasons, and even Papillon Cycles on Columbia Pike sells some used bikes.

Hope this helps.

[TwoWheelsDC]

Best bang-for-your-buck probably would be BikesDirect.com, but I believe you have to assemble the bike yourself…but that actually could be fun and a good learning experience. The used bike market in this area is pretty hot, so it’s hard to find really good deals that are legit. Beware the bike bug though…I bought a road bike of CL for something like $300 and over the last year and half I’ve put more into upgrades (not to mention my other two bikes and all my gear) than I spent on the bike! It’s an awesome bike so the upgrades were totally worth it, but just keep in mind that there’s a lot more money that goes into buying a bike than the initial cost.

[jabberwocky]

BikesDirect can be a good value, but you have to know exactly what you want (in terms of geometry and specs) and be willing to assemble and service it yourself. Kind of the same deal with used.

I get nervous recommending either used or internet shopping for someone who is relatively new to bike shopping, because its easy to get a bike that is wildly the wrong size (IME, newer riders are especially likely to get hung up on specs and can talk themselves into something that doesn’t fit because it has ultegra shifters or disc brakes or whatever). Road bikes are especially size sensitive.

Which is why my first advice is always “get thyself to a shoppe and test ride test ride test ride!”. It helps to at least get a baseline for what they actually like and what they don’t.

[DismalScientist]

Assembly on internet-bought bikes is pretty minimal. You just need to put on the pedals, handlebars and attach the front brake. You need to know how to adjust shifter and brake cables and perhaps true the wheels a bit.

Now, if you want to learn about assembly, take all the components off you bike and get your frame painted and put everything back on. That is real assembly.:rolleyes:

[dasgeh]

The best bike is the bike that fits. It’s been said before, but it’s that important: if it’s the least bit uncomfortable at first, it’ll be horrible after 30 minutes, terrible after an hour, and no good, very bad after two hours. And chances are, once you have a bike, you’ll want to take it out for a few hours.

So ride, ride, ride — new bikes at shops, used bikes at shops, friends’ bikes. I imagine you’ll get an idea of what works for you quickly.

Finally, you may want to check out Performance Bikes — you might be able to get new in that price range during a sale. They’re bikes are fine, especially if you live close enough to take it back if you have any problems.

Good luck! And welcome to the forum!

[Amalitza]

@dasgeh 58005 wrote:

Anyone want to guess the children’s books quoted?

I’ve named hills (ok, a hill) after that book. And I don’t even have kids.

[acc]

At least one of the books, but I’ve tried to put all that behind me.

[ebubar]

I know about the budget hunting. Performance has one that’s around 499 new, a Scattante (http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1134357_-1_400306__400306).

Bikesdirect seems like a good deal to me. I’m pondering a few of their bikes, especially a Gravity Liberty.
I think they have a couple of Gravity Liberty’s in your price range. For reference, the Liberty has the same
geometry as a Giant Defy (which you could test ride to see if you like). That’s another good bike (according to my
research). The Giant Defy is a “relaxed” road bike and feels really good IMHO. You’d be looking at a Giant Defy 5, and would need to get a good deal on a previous year’s model (most likely) if your budget is $600.

Perhaps some markdowns are in the cards for the fall when new models start arriving. I would suggest, if you can stand the hybrid for a bit longer, waiting for a possible markdown might get you the best bike.

I keep telling myself its only a few more weeks…just a few more weeks…

[DismalScientist]

BikesDirect has these things called secret sales where if you put the bike in your “cart” you can get a lower price than is advertised. (Putting the bike in the cart does not obligate you to buy.) What bikes are on secret sale are advertised on BikeDirect’s facebook page. Currently the Liberty 1 and Liberty 3 are on secret sale.

I have no idea why they do this, but they do.

[ebubar]

@DismalScientist 58076 wrote:

BikesDirect has these things called secret sales where if you put the bike in your “cart” you can get a lower price than is advertised. (Putting the bike in the cart does not obligate you to buy.) What bikes are on secret sale are advertised on BikeDirect’s facebook page. Currently the Liberty 1 and Liberty 3 are on secret sale.

I have no idea why they do this, but they do.

$599 for the Liberty 3. That’s right at the OP’s budget for a Tiagra equipped bike that should be quite similar to a Giant Defy 2. $419 for the Liberty 1 if you want to save some cash.

If I wasn’t concerned about warranty replacements for a broken frame or other components (I’ve been rough on my trek hybrid and needed some replacements on that) I’d be ordering one myself…still might…

[baiskeli]

@jabberwocky 57996 wrote:

BikesDirect can be a good value, but you have to know exactly what you want (in terms of geometry and specs) and be willing to assemble and service it yourself. Kind of the same deal with used.

I have a BikesDirect bike. It was a really great deal and worked out well for me.

You’re absolutely right – it’s best to know what you want, and what will fit you, before buying a bike this way. If you look closely at some of their models, you can see that they are clones of other well-known brands.

You don’t have to assemble the whole bike yourself though. Mine arrived almost fully built. I only had to attach the fork and front brake, and then adjust the brakes and derailers (yes, I spelled that in English).

[ShawnoftheDread]

@DismalScientist 58076 wrote:

BikesDirect has these things called secret sales where if you put the bike in your “cart” you can get a lower price than is advertised. (Putting the bike in the cart does not obligate you to buy.) What bikes are on secret sale are advertised on BikeDirect’s facebook page. Currently the Liberty 1 and Liberty 3 are on secret sale.

I have no idea why they do this, but they do.

Where on their FB page? I don’t see a post newer than 2011.

[Author]

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