Five Tips for Making Your First Road Bike Purchase

Spring is in the air.  Warm weather is just around the corner.  This is when many people start getting the itch for a new bike.  Or perhaps your first bike.  But if you are new to the whole road bike thing, what do you do?  Shopping for a new bike can quickly become overwhelming - and expensive.  It is easy to get wrapped around the axle (Pardon the Pun) with all the different brands and components and styles.  There is so much information a available on bikes that make it nearly impossible to take it all in and make a definitive decision. Just like any other piece of equipment, buying a bike is a very personal decision that requires some serious thought. And unlike running shoes you are not likely going to have the opportunity to buy and ride a new bike every year so you have to get it right the first time.

Here are 5 basic tips to help you make the best decision you can.

1. Determine your price point
Just how much are you really willing to spend.  This will likely at least limit your options.  Bikes can range in price from a few hundred dollars to many thousands of dollars.  And there is a sea of options in between.   Major price points for bikes are determined by the model you buy, similar to cars.  Different models have each have their own pros and cons.  In general, with the base models you get a standard aluminum frame. Then you move up to light-weight aluminum.  Then aluminum carbon hybrids - usually the forks are carbon at this level. Then you move to the all carbon bikes. Each different construction has its own price level. So determining your price threshold will go a long way in refining your decision.

2. Determine what options are important to you
You may not even really know at this point.  But think about it anyways.  What do you think you want?  As you look around and try things out, you may find that your perceptions change.  That's OK. If you are a novice that's OK - own it!  Admit that you may not know what the heck you are looking for.  Ask questions.  Any good salesman or bike store owner will spend the time answering your questions.  In my experience, they like people asking them for advice.  They like sharing their knowledge with a fresh mind.  Chances are they have been riding longer than you and know more about bikes than you.

3. Get a fit
At least a basic measurement.  Take some time to get at least a rough measurement for the size of bike you need.  Most reputable bike shops will do this for you.  I'm not convinced that as a beginner you need to go through a full bike fitting.  Lots of people recommend getting a full fitting done.  and most bike stores charge for this service.  I think it is not necessary to get completely fit for a bike before you really know how you intend to ride.  The more ride the more you will start to understand what you really want as far as adjustments and body position.  Just get the general frame size (56, 58...). I say work out the finer details later.

4. Test ride
Ride more than one bike. Ride more than one brand. Try different component options. You may find that you don't notice a difference between a Shimano 105 or an SRAM gear set. Within particular bike models this is what drives the price. So at this point why pay for an upgrade you see little benefit from.  You may find that you don't notice a difference with shifting components, but you want upgraded breaks or different pedals.  It's your money, spend it where you see fit.  You can ask 10 different people what bike is the best and you will likely get 10 different answers. Picking a bike is really a personal preference. Try several different models out and see what you like.  Heck you may even discover that at this point you can't even tell the difference.  But at least you know and when you make the final decision you won't be wondering what "what if that Trek was better?"

5. Take your time.
Don't rush.  If this is your first bike, you are probably putting down what feels like a considerable amount of money for this purchase. You don't want to be on a bike that you end up not liking.  Remember that just because you walked into a store and talked to the salesman for an hour and rode a bike or two, doesn't mean that you have to buy something that day (or from that store for that matter). 

Good luck and happy shopping!

Big Red

So my bike has been a pretty big source of aggravation for me lately.  Since I have never done a triathlon before, I have been planning on using my old GT Outpost Trail mountain bike (Bid Red).


I know that doing a road race on a mountain bike is not ideal and not very comfortable. But she has been a solid bike for me in the past - well built, sturdy and best of all - Free!! - (at least for this race)

Free? - Yeah right!
I figured I would take Big Red to the local bike shop, have her tuned up and I'd be on my way.  Over the course of the next couple of months I plan on making some minor upgrades. For example, at some point I was planning on fitting her with some smoother, more road friendly tires.

Anyways, that all went out the window pretty quick. $150 later and all I got done was a tune up, some new break pads and hand grips. The one thing that I was hoping they would fix wasn't even touched.  I've been noticing that my chain is slipping off my rear gears when I'm pedaling hard. This is happening on the lower portion of the cassette usually on the sixth sprocket. Their assessment was that I should replace the entire drive train. So that's at least another hundred dollars. And that still doesn't include the new tires or any other upgrades I may want to add later. - But I only paid $350 for Big Red when she was brand new some 15 or so years ago.

Now what?
So, do I repair Big Red and continue or find a new bike? I'm still not convinced that I want to drop a lot of money to get a new bike. Especially one that will be good for racing racing.  I have been doing some searching for used bikes, but it seems that the value of a bike does not depreciate much. People are asking pretty near new bike prices for their old bikes.

I think for now I'll just fix the old ride. I haven't been on a bike in a long time anyways. So any time in the saddle is good, right? I have to keep reminding myself that I've never done this before.  My number one goal is just to finish.  If my bike leg is slow, so what? As long as I don't have to stop, I'll be happy in the end.

I'll keep an eye our though. Maybe I'll get lucky and stumble onto a good deal.

Heart Rate Monitors

What is a heart rate monitor? 

A heart rate monitor is an electronic device that can be used to measure your heart rate.  They come in a wide variety of styles and with a wide variety of options.  HRM's can be used to do everything from a basic measure of BPM, to recording lap times, to calculating position changes via GPS to providing a detailed fitness report including calories burned.  I'm sure if you looked hard enough you would be able to find one that will cook you breakfast and drive you to work too.  It's amazing how much some of these things can do!

Do I need a heart rate monitor? 

Well no, not really.  An HRM can be a neat little tech gadget, or it can be a very useful tool.  That depends on who is using it and why.  People have been training and exercising since the beginning of time without monitoring their heart rate.  Understanding how your body feels - and reacting to that is very important.  You can certainly continue to work out without knowing your exact heart rate.  

 But Knowledge is power my friend!

So why all the fuss about Heart Rate?  Knowing your heart rate can really help you get the most out of your workout.  The instantaneous feedback allows you adjust intensity level up or down depending on your condition and workout goals.  How? - I discuss the importance of knowing your heart rate in more detail in this post: Is Heart Rate Important for the Triathlete.

So how do I use one?

There are two main types of heart rate monitors available, chest strap monitors and fingertip sensor monitors.  Chest strap monitors consist of a sensor that is worn across the chest and a wrist band that resembles a watch.  The sensor monitors your heart rate and transmits the data to the wrist unit via wireless signal.  Fingertip sensors require that you hold your fingertip on a sensor or the sensor clamps to your fingertip.  They only provide status while you are testing. 
Chest Strap 
Pros:
Accuracy.  Chest strap monitors tend to be more accurate due to the location of the sensors and the fact that they are always in contact with your skin.
Real time feedback - These monitors provide real time feedback so you can check you status without stopping your workout.
Cons:
You have to wear a chest strap.  This may be uncomfortable for some people, or difficult to find one that fits particularly if you are a large person.
The batteries are not replaceable in some models.
Having many settings can make use difficult for some people. 
Finger Sensor
Pros
Some of these models can be less expensive.
There is less gear that you need to carry or worry about breaking/losing.
They are good for doing quick status checks.
Cons
Lack of real time status (you have to stop to check).
It may be hard to get accurate data if you are sweating. 

What functionality do I need from my heart rate monitor?

At this point, (for me), all I need is a relatively basic model.  I came up with the list below in searching for a heart rate monitor that I think will suit my needs.  At this point I am not interested in GPS tracking or altitude monitoring or some of the other high end bells and whistles.  I put this list together in order of importance to help my searching
 
My Key Heart Rate Monitor requirements:
Comfort
Battery replacement capability
Back lit for night time use
Waterproof

Zone Tracking and limit indicator
Recovery timer
Calorie Tracker

For now, I think all I need are the basics.  I found several models that meet these requirements.  I have decided to go with a Timex IronMan Road Trainer model.  It is receiving good reviews and is selling for a reasonable cost. 

Ill provide an update after I use the monitor for a while and let you know what I think of it.