I like to Ride my Bicycle...

[flawless]

Damn you guys are good. Thanks a lot!
How are these bikes? What would be a fair price to pay for it?

[bcrdukes]

They were around $800 - $900 brand new. What are you looking to do with the bike?

[flawless]

I'm mainly looking to get into road biking for my cardio (heading to grouse, whistler, around ubc, etc). Looking to put 30 km a week but that's just a rough estimate.

[bcrdukes]

Okay. Do you have a particular budget in mind? And how is your overall fitness? As in, are you looking to get into shape? Or are you a beast who is pounding back 500lbs dead lifts without breaking a sweat?

The Synapse is a good bike and it has its purpose. The groupset that's on the bike has something left to be desired, especially by most guys here on the forum, but I am indifferent because I believe everything has its purpose. The bike overall, is more geared towards endurance riding while providing a relaxed riding style as opposed to say a CAAD10 or Cervelo. It will get you out to Grouse, Whistler, UBC etc. so the million dollar question is:

How much do you want to spend and how fast do you want to go?

To quickly answer your question about that particular bike, I probably would pay around $500, give or take $50 depending on how good you are at negotiating. Oh, and 30KM a week is like a ride around the Stanley Park seawall to Science World and back or something.

Wait for the other guys to chime in. I am the last person you want to listen to.

[flawless]

Thanks so much for your input bcrdukes. I know you know your stuff!

I guess my budget is around 5-800 though ideally I want to spend 5-600. I'm looking to buy something a couple years old. I would say I'm super fit although I haven't been to the gym the past 2 months because I fractured my collarbone. But I'm consistently active playing sports or lifting weights.

I guess 30 km isn't much at all haha. 60-70 km is more accurate? haha

In terms of speed, I'm not the daredevil I once was so I don't need something with blazing speed. I want something that isn't completely entry level because I know I'll outgrow it.

[bcrdukes]

The bike you posted will work. Since you have a budget of $500 - $600, it fits the bill. Try it out for a season or two and then upgrade if you feel you're ready but keep an eye out for other brands/makes/models too! Don't forget to budget for accessories like helmets, lights etc.

The biggest flaw with this bike is that it's got Sora components and then topped off with a triple crank (which in my opinion really sucks.) But again, it will work and you may likely outgrow the groupset.

The most important thing is that the bike fits. How tall are you and what size if the bike? Because if the bike doesn't fit, it will do you no good. Distance - it varies. Some people do 30km/week. Some people do 100km. As Alphamale once famously said - "Just shut the fuck up and ride, okay?"

[flawless]

Is there anything else I can look at as alternatives? My friend suggest looking at Giant and Fuji. I feel I should try out a few to see which I like most.

I'm 5'10" and about 180lbs. The sora is 56cm so I believe that will work?

[bcrdukes]

I think a 54cm might be better.

Check out the Specialized Secteur, Giant Defy, Trek 1 series, Fuji Sportif, Jamis Ventura, and I think the GT bikes from Sport Check (that's if they are still selling them.) I'm probably missing a few other brands but that should be enough to get you started.

If you're lucky, azncreationz might pop into a thread and have something that may work for you!

[tomatogunk]

I just got into cycling this year and if I were to give any advice, it would be not to cheap out. I originally wanted to spend $300-$400 on a bike and so I had my eyes set on a single speed bike. Back then I thought, who needs gears when this can make me work harder and make me stronger. After my first 100km with the bike, I found out the limitations of having a single speed bike and since the bike was a bit too large for me, I sold it. Got an aluminum frame Fuji with Tiagra components, rode a few hundred km on it and found myself browsing around looking for deals on other bikes. Don't get me wrong, I liked the bike, how it rode and all that but at the back of my mind, I'm curious as to what else is out there (carbon frame, better components, etc.) Eventually sold that bike and thanks to advice from bcrdukes and the good people of RS, I settled for the bike below. Are there better bikes out there? Of course! But for my current skillset and use, this bike is perfect for me and I am no longer left to wonder (except maybe for an Ultegra Di2).

If you are willing to pony up some extra cash, the CAAD10 is an excellent choice and it's going to be a bike that will last you many, many years

Sorry for the IG filter

[dton13]

To add, if you're not in a rush for a bike, you could wait for sales on 2014 bikes as 2015 models are right around the corner.

54 cm sounds like it might be better as sizing down gives you a bit more flexibility in terms of fit, but all bikes also fit differently.

FWIW I have the new Sora (3500 series) and its miles better than the old stuff. They shift great and if it didn't weigh a ton I wouldn't be tempted to upgrade. I would personally stay away from the old sora with the thumb style shifters. Not only are they inconvenient but the ergonomics are pretty bad as well.

[bcrdukes]

+1 to the new Sora stuff. It's pretty awesome!

I believe the sales are on now! Go check out your local bike shops!

[distanc3]

Gotta take the drive side photos =P

Originally Posted by tomatogunk

[parm104]

Originally Posted by flawless

Is there anything else I can look at as alternatives? My friend suggest looking at Giant and Fuji. I feel I should try out a few to see which I like most.

I'm 5'10" and about 180lbs. The sora is 56cm so I believe that will work?

I'm 5"11 and 160LBS and found the 54.6" Specialized Secteur to be just a tad bit too small. 54.6" would equate to a MEDIUM. You are in-between a medium and large at your height. Anything from 54-56 should suit you; personal preference really. Again, apart from weight, we are almost the same and I prefer a 56" as my feet no longer feel like they were going to almost hit the ground when I took sharp turns.

[bcrdukes]

He'll need a proper fitting done to make it work and to make it right.

[mc.jolaika]

i think the old sora shifters aren't that bad if you're just using for fitness use. i have a commuter i use everyday and i get about 60-70km a day. compact in the front and 8 speed at the back. just the only downside is that you can't shift when you're on the drops. as for overall ergonomics, its not that bad. but at the end of the day it goes by preferences.

[bcrdukes]

I'm with mc.jolaika on this one.

My commuter is a Cinelli steel frame with 8-speed Shimano 2300/Sora. It's got the thumb shifters and for the most part, it works. I run out of gears quickly but that's because I'm used to riding on a standard crankset (my Cinelli has a compact crank.)

Does it suck? No. Does it shift? Yes, but not with the same finesse as the higher-end groupsets. In the end, it works. I'm not looking to win races or beat world records, so I'm a firm believer that every groupset has its purpose. What's important is if the bike fits.

[chunk_stir]

I recall a few pages back someone was interested in going to a standard crankset. I just put up my Campagnolo Record 11 speed carbon crankset for sale. 638 grams. I switched to mid-compact so this is just sitting around. Comes with BB30 cups. $350

Campagnolo Record 11-speed Carbon Crankset 53/39 Standard 172.5 mm

[distanc3]

Anyone looking to hit that 15lb mark? how about kcnc brakes for $140 RS price?


FS: KCNC CB1 Brakes

[azncreationz]

Originally Posted by 604CEFIRO

Hey Guys,

Does anyone have a bottle cage SADDLE mount that I could borrow for a day?

Will take you out for a beer

Here you go, there's one for sale on CL

Dual bottle holder for triathalon bike

and even cheaper

http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/rds/bop/4617784521.html

[604CEFIRO]

#whyiloveraphasomuch
#raphaboner
#hugebox

[hud 91gt]

Picked this up for my girlfriend on the island. Hopefully it fits. It's an older bike, pretty scratched up but with the ultegra/105 group set it's still rides well. If she doesn't like it, then I'll just sell it again

[hud 91gt]

I sometimes hate iPhones.

[604CEFIRO]

Pretty interesting hardwood ceiling and the magnetic tire/wall mount

#amazeballs

[ZN6]

Originally Posted by hud 91gt

Picked this up for my girlfriend on the island. Hopefully it fits. It's an older bike, pretty scratched up but with the ultegra/105 group set it's still rides well. If she doesn't like it, then I'll just sell it again

If this is the one being sold in Parksville, damn you.

[hud 91gt]

Yup. Gonzo.