Entry-level road bikes? I've seen some questions, but still wanted to ask...?

Question

I'm interested in a basic entry-level road bike (a touring bike, I guess? I want at least racks and possibly panniers later). I ride pretty much daily 35 miles and will mostly want it for commuting, but also for longer weekend trips.

I've read other questions regarding similar bike interests. I just want to ask if people have any strong opinions about the lower-end bikes such as Trek 1000's, Giant OCR's, even those Dawes bikes that I've seen on bikesdirect.com. If I were going to get one of these, are there major reasons why I might choose one over the other?

I definitely want something I can hopefully set up fenders and racks on, commuting in Seattle. I ride in the rain and currently get soaked pretty bad in the rain, but hopefully will change this...

Answer 1

I would strongly reccomend either the Surly Crosscheck, or the Surly Long Haul Trucker. Both are built fom 4130 chromoly steel (which rides way better than aluminum). The Crosscheck is...well, you guessed it, a cyclocross bike. However, people set them up for commuting, touring, 'cross racing, singlespeeding, fixed gearing, almost anything really. They have clearance for 45's, semi-horizontal dropouts (so you can run singlespeed or fixed), and 132.5mm spacing (so you can use either a road or mtn hub!). The crosscheck also has lots of braze ons, for fenders and racks. The Long haul Trucker isn't quite as versatile, but is set up for LOADED touring or commuting. Longer chainstays, lower BB, and more braze ons. You can buy either one for around $900 bucks. That's a super deal for what you're getting. I just special ordered a 58cm Crosscheck through my local bike shop, and spec'd it with mostly mtn. components (avid, salsa, xt wheels, xt derailleurs, lx hollowtech II's) and some road stuff (dura ace down tube shifters, salsa cyclocross bars, aero levers). It's supposed to be ready tomorrow, and I can't wait! I live in AZ, so rust isn't as big an issue as it is up there. Frame saver, and liberal greasing should be enough to keep a steel frame alive in that crazy wet seattle weather, but I don't know for sure. I guess aluminum would be pretty hard to beat on the coast. There's always titanium...
Good Luck.

Answer 2

ohh how i miss riding in seattle. by far the best road riding in the nation. terric terrain and the most bike friendly traffic ever. i am jealous. as for the bike, im going with the above. ride what fits. i started on a raliegh sport (bottom of the bottom of acceptable) it worked well untill i picked a fight with a civic and the bike lost. i kicked the hell out of it for 25 miles a day for quite a while. for the type of loads you are talking about i would definatley recoment a steel frame , aluminum at least. thats alot to ask of carbon. you may also consider a cyclocross set up provided that the forks and frame will accomodate racks and panniers.
just find some thing that fits. there are alot of great bike shops in seattle and im sure with some leg work you could find the perfect bike. fit is the key so shop around.

have fun biking my favoorite city.

Answer 3

Since there is no one size fits all road bike:
Best way is test ride them. Then get one you can handle the easiest i.e. both feet touch the ground when seated on the bike. One you can back out of a parking place easly. One you feel comfortable in traffic with because it has enough power to stay with flow of traffic. etc.
Then if you like weekend trips is it big enough to carry you, your girlfriend or wife, and your gear.
Then if you like riding the switch back mountain roads is it nimble enough to handle easly on them.
Your highway cruisers such as your big Hogs, Gold Wings, etc are great on the freeways but murder on switch back mountain roads.
Your smaller 450's and 500's are great on mountain switch backs but have a lot to be desired on long trips.

Your larger bikes are also as a general rule more stable in the rain. than your lighter bikes or road rockets.
Hope that helps to give you some things to look for.
Oh! forgot to mention my bike of choice is the old 1,000 cc Harley Sportser. Big enough to handle the freeway but still light enough to handle the curves on back country roads.

Answer 4

specialized TRICROSS>> set up to take racks and fenders.
I love mine and tour with it often