A question about bikes

[runaways]

I don't think I'm going to buy one imminently, but sometime in the next year. My question is, how much do I need to budget for a good, solid bike that I can ride to the hospital starting next year (like a mile each way) and that can also take me into triathlons at some point? I don't want to blow more money than I need to, but I do want something that will last me a while and that I won't feel like I need to move on from too quickly (or at all maybe). 

I know there's more to it than straight up buying a bike, but I am really honestly clueless about everything bike related, so feel free to say as much or little as you want. I know these threads pop up periodically and I couldn't find one that really answered my questions. I'll obviously be doing a LOT more research before purchasing but I'm totally a planner so I'm trying to figure out how much money I'll want to save up.

[coconutbug]

Yay for another triathlete in the making! I haven't been on the bike market in a while, so I'm not sure about current prices, but I remember my first road bike being around $1500. Then I bought a bunch of other things, including a helmet, bike pump, repair kit items, pedals/cleats, shoes, socks, and clothes. So just be prepared to save up for all those other items too.

[kams]

I would say ~$2500 will buy you a fit($300), a good frame(~1000-1500), pedals/shoes (~250), maybe a new saddle if needed (~200), a helmet(~60), and a few pairs of shorts(~50/each), accessories (~$100; tubes, pump, air (hand pump or co2), bottles and bottle cages, flat repair kit, multitool, saddlebag).

You can save money by getting a fit, and then buying a used or old model within the measurements. You could stick with flat pedals for your commute until you're ready to go clipless (which sounds counterintuitive - clipless means you are clipped in to your pedals). You may be ok on your stock saddle - your fitter will let you know more about what will work best for you, and sometimes it's trial and error. Helmet must be purchased immediately obviously, but a $40 helmet and a $200 helmet don't have any differences when it comes to safety, so you can go $40 on that if you find one that's suitable (i.e. looks ok ). You probably already have sunglasses for running that you can use for cycling. You don't really need special tops for cycling for a commute if you are bringing a commuter bag (most people use a sling-type backpack for commuting).

This is EXCITING!

[trigal]

Go to a bike shop now and talk to them, even if you aren't ready to buy (be honest with them about that). They can give you an idea of what's out there and what will work for you when the time comes.

I'm going to estimate you should save up around $2K for a decent bike with the basics. Eventually, you can add upgrades, but go for a good frame now. Remember, the best bike is the one that fits you, so make sure they have certified fitters at the shop.

[patches31709]

I must be doing it wrong. I spent ~$700 on an entry level road bike (Trek Lexa). Add to that a helmet, pedals, shoes, and bike shorts. I never plan on doing anything further than sprint duathlons/maybe a sprint tri, and it's fine for that.

[runaways]

This is really helpful! Thanks guys!

And now another question: Houston triathletes (current and former), what bike shops do you recommend?
katinthehat finallykrisb texassmith

[texassmith]

Jun 1, 2014 11:49:11 GMT -5 runaways said:

This is really helpful! Thanks guys!

And now another question: Houston triathletes (current and former), what bike shops do you recommend?
katinthehat finallykrisb texassmith

I don't really have any bike shop recs unfortunately, since I don't have a bike. But I'm pumped that I'll be shopping for one In about 6 months! I think katinthehat knows a good bit about all the different shops.

[runaways]

Jun 1, 2014 13:17:02 GMT -5 texassmith said:

Jun 1, 2014 11:49:11 GMT -5 runaways said:

This is really helpful! Thanks guys!

And now another question: Houston triathletes (current and former), what bike shops do you recommend?
katinthehat finallykrisb texassmith

I don't really have any bike shop recs unfortunately, since I don't have a bike. But I'm pumped that I'll be shopping for one In about 6 months! I think katinthehat knows a good bit about all the different shops.

Yeah I figured she'd probably be the one to ask. We can compare notes in the next few months though!

[trigal]

Jun 1, 2014 11:29:24 GMT -5 patches31709 said:

I must be doing it wrong. I spent ~$700 on an entry level road bike (Trek Lexa). Add to that a helmet, pedals, shoes, and bike shorts. I never plan on doing anything further than sprint duathlons/maybe a sprint tri, and it's fine for that.

You're not doing it wrong. I suggested $2K as a total amount to budget, which includes helmet, pedals, shoes, clothing, etc. That doesn't mean she'll spend that, but it's a good number to have in mind when going in, so as not to have sticker shock!

[katinthehat]

so two things. One, if you want to go on and get on a bike now for the commute, just get a cruiser. I really, really, REALLY want one and you can get a sweet little thing that will you do just right for well under $500.

Plus, depending on how much you are taking to work with you, you can outfit it with a basket on front or a carrier on back, rather than stuffing it all in a backpack and taking it on your road bike. Should you ever have to wear/chose to wear a skirt or dress, much easier to ride a cruiser than a road bike. And of course, regular shoes are totally fine on a cruiser with big chunky platform pedals.

But um, I might be going through a phase where I'm convinced I need a special bike for every single possibility that might pop up.

Road bikes, like others have said, anywhere between $2k-$3k is a good budget amount. If you come in under that, than woohoo! But if you have that max amount saved up, you won't be surprised either.

I actually (because my hubs really knows what he's doing) bought my bike online for well under $1K and he's done all my fittings for me. So I think with helmet, pedals, shoes, gloves, etc, we spent under 1500$.

JMO, where you'll be riding and the traffic you'll be dealing with, I just think spending money on a tri type setup is overkill especially since that's just a hypothetical for you right now.

I'd advocate getting a fun commuter bike RIGHT NOW (haha) and get a few months of riding under your belt then start looking at road bikes.

I love Blue Line Bike Lab (especially the location in the Heights). They carry more commuter bikes than most shops and are locally owned and just cool guys there.

The biggest selection is going to be at Bike Barn or Bicycle World but the service/knowledge at those places is going to be more hit or miss.

My team is sponsored by a cycle shop - Northwest Cycles and they're small, but really know their stuff and cater more to roadies than tris so you'll probably get a lot of great info from them without being pushed into a tri bike.

Does that help at all?

[sadlebred]

I'd buy two bikes unless your nice road bike comes into the office with you and gets tucked in at your cube during the day. I don't like keeping a nice bike locked up on a rack in the weather or to tempt a thief. Follow everyone's advice for buying a nice road bike to use in tris. I think the $2000 budget is right on.

For now I'd go on craigslist or your local classifieds and find a cheapo bike to commute a mile on. That way it won't matter if it gets left outside on the bike race, rained on, stolen, etc. Nice bikes are very likely to get stolen if locked to a bike rack.

[biomaj5]

Just something to keep in mind-when you do buy, ask about the previous year's models. Lots of stores will reduce the price on last year's bike. I got my 2013 Specialized Dolce Elite Compact in Feb for $1000 including tax when it retails new for $1250 (no tax). So he took off roughly $300. Also, you probably have a leg up because Kat can recommend a store for you, but pay attention to how the store treats you. While the store I bought my bike from gave me a great deal, they were very rude to me on my next visit (literally told me that I can't use clipless pedals because I'm a girl), so I had to find a different shop. The one I frequent now is fantastic, and I have not stepped foot into the other store since that incident (and won't, even for maintenance).

[runaways]

As far as the commute, I won't be doing that til next year. This year I will be spending a lot of time in business casual and it's just too warm and humid to make that work with a bike, plus I'll be doing a lot of rotations at a different hospital that's a lot further away. For 3 years after that though, I will primarily be in scrubs and I'll be going in well before daylight, so I think I can make it work. Anyway, valid point about leaving a nice bike out on a rack and I did think about that. I'll definitely be considering my options.

[runaways]

Also, I know there is at least one serious cyclist that I'll be working with who rides to work everyday, so I'll have to scope out what he does with his bike.

[archaeominx]

If you go with Kat's advice on the cruiser, I have a Trek FX I use for commuting, about 25 miles round trip. I have a rack and panniers on the back. I think the whole setup was around 500 total. I usually pack a change of clothes in my bags and get ready at work. Bonus to the rack, you won't get all sweaty having a back pack on.

[Susie]

I agree with a lot of the advice above, but I want to echo the advice to consider 2 separate bikes.  I currently only own 1 bike (the one I train & race on), and I tried the bike commuting thing on casual Fridays and it really just doesn't work well.  A bike that's efficient and aggressive enough to train and race on is not what you want to be lugging bags on, possibly trying to ride w/o bike shorts, clipping in & out, wearing the same shoes you train in, etc.  

Where I live is too hilly for a cruiser, but I would really like a steel frame commuter or touring bike for actually riding to places, locking to a bike rack when I get there, etc.  With my carbon frame bike, I don't want to scratch it up, so I don't carry a lock, and therefore can't ride it to stores, on errants, etc.  When I have ridden it to work, it goes up the elevator and into my office.  No, not awkward at all in a law firm.