new to forum and biking

billychum said:

I feel blessed to find this forum. I've been looking at road bikes for the last week and have found the selection to be a little overwhelming. So many great bikes out there. Would like to spend $1500.00 to $2200.00 for a bike but everytime I get into a store I gravitate toward the $3000.00 and up bikes. I run now and was looking to ride to help stay in shape. I'm a 47 years old male, 5' 9" and 140 lbs.

Stick with your original price bracket. There are plenty of good bikes in your price bracket that'll be just fine for a 47 year old fitness rider. Get out and test ride some of your favorites, and buy the one that rides best. Most of the equipment differences between a $2000 and $3000 bike are just marketing/bling, or stuff that only matters to the 5000 miles a year club. Make sure the bike shop goes over the bike and fits it to you. The right adjustments to the seat (up/down and front to back) are critical. Save your extra money for some good shoes, bike gloves and bike shorts. Once you get some mileage on the bike you might find yourself looking for a better seat and maybe a different length stem.

Thanks Steve. Found a Trek demo 04 5200 at my LBS today. Not quite what I want in the looks area but full ultegra and race light wheels for $2029.00 out the door. Seems like a good bike for the money. Thanks again for your advice. I'm sure that you all get tired of new people like me asking the same old questions. By the way I read back through some of the old post at this site and found a lot of helpful info. Thanks again.

Billy <><