need some suggestions...

In my opinion, online should be your last resort. If your LBS is a ripoff, go out of town. Anyway, what you really want to do is actually see and test ride the bike that you are thinking of getting. If the bike shop that you choose is one of the good ones (most are), they will make sure that you are getting a bike that fits you physically and also has whatever amenities that you are looking for that will come in close to your target price. It is still a good time to shop for a bike because most of the shops are trying to get rid of previous years models.

I really cannot suggest a bike for you because there are so many good manufacturers, and the only person who knows what bike will best suit you is you. That could be another Bianchi, or a Specialized, or a Trek, or any one of hundreds of other brands.

Actually for the money, I would just retool your Bianchi. They are good bikes and a few upgraded goodies might make it feel like a new bike. But that's just me, I like giving old bikes new life.

BTW- There are no limitations on this site concerning using brand names when a request like this comes through. Even if there was, it wouldn't make much difference considering that the moderators never tend to the site anymore anyway.

thanx^

When you do find something that sparks your interest, you can check it out at the following link: roadbikereview.comroadbikereview.comOpen ↗ . You can search the brand and model and see what other people think of it. Sometimes there will be just one year of a particular brand and model bike that had problems for some reason, and at other times there will be those that turn out to be diamonds. Happy hunting!

rijowysock said:

currently have a ~5 year old bianchi road bike... have always liked it but its getting old.. thought about getting it fixed up but think maybe just better to move on..

looking for a well priced road bike, im not into competition or anything... just a daily rider to get out and relax... usually ride about 20 miles a day... when i say well priced i guess to me thats under ~500 i would spend more if its "worth it"...

everywhere local is a ripoff, figured the best bet is somewhere online.. someone discounting last years bikes or something.. you guys are the guru's of the bike world.. figured this is the best place to ask..

anyone have suggestions of bikes?
or suggestions of where online to go (im guessing since this is considered a commercial natured question response via PM on this would be ideal if unallowed here)

FWIW. Since you like your Bianchi (presumng you haven't completely trashed it) AND you are on a budget, I recommend that you reconsider your 'Plan A' & simply consider changing the shifters to Campagnolo 10-speed shifters (they mate with Shimano 8-/9-speed drivetrains ... information available everywhere) + cables & housing (the latter are often included with Campagnolo shifters) + new handlebar tape.

The new shifters will give your bike a new feel that I think you will appreciate. The cost will depend on whether you buy the shifters via eBay or mail order or your LBS and whether you opt for pre-2009 or the 2009 model -- expect to pony up between $150 to $300+.

This is a DIY project. If you need to buy a Zinn-type maintenance book, then do so, or check the PARK TOOL site (amongst others).

BTW. If you get a Brooks B17 saddle (the wider, "normal" width -- some people love them while other people hate them ... at more than 500g, they are porky), it will be a lifetime purchase (periodic maintenance IS required -- I recommend SnoSeal) and so is potentially less expensive in the long run UNLESS you end up having more than one bike & decide to put a similar saddle on the other bike(s).

Tires, etc./(other consumables) need to be "changed" as needed + periodic maintenance-or-replacement of some moving parts ... but, if you make the "upgrades" that I suggested & do the necessary maintenance, your Bianchi should be good for another 20+ years of reliable service to you.

Upgrading the wheels can make it feel like a new bike too!

My advice would be to try as many bikes as possible. Get them any way you can. Beg, borrow or buy them at a second hand store. If you don't pay very much for them its easier to move on to something else. Learn to work on them yourself so you can keep them adjusted to your needs. Most manufacturers go through good times and bad. So to say that one bike is the best is just not practical. If it fits you, then it might be the best one for you but not me, even though we're the same size. If you don't want the Bianci any more I might be interested.

I don't know if there are any decent new road bikes for under $500 (usd?)

Unless you have at least one specific reason for a new bike--like the old one never fit right, you need a triple, you have to have a carbon fiber frame, or it's so old you can't get parts for it--I recommend the budget new bike.

Get the old one all tuned and cleaned up, with new cables, chain, cassette, and brake pads. Then splurge on a new pair of lightweight tires with colored sidewalls. and a fresh handlebar wrap in a color or pattern you've never used before. Like getting a new bike.

By the way, with a $500 budget it's most unlikely you'll get anything nicer than the Bianchi you already have.

Between BikesDirect and Performancebike.com you have some very decent budget/closeout choices in your price range. Just be careful about sizing. If your old bike fits you well and you are very comfy on it, take a clothier's tape and measure the top tube and seat tube (center to center on both) as well as the stem rise and length and bar width. Since you are on a budget and want to avoid parts swaps, be very mindful of this. Most of these sites have geometry charts on the frames and note stem size and bar width. If you go with Performance, check the web for % off coupons or consider joining Team Performance to get 10% back in points for every purchase.

There are plenty of anti online folks out there, and I empathize, but to be frank (1) they never have anything I want as far as parts (everything is "special order"😉 (2) the prices are 2 to 3 times more than online for most (there are some deals to be had on new bikes but I rarely find them competitive on parts) (3) Except for somewhat extreme activities like cutting carbon fiber forks, I can do everything I need to. (I've spent 30 years becoming a solid bike mechanic and amassing proper tools).

If you are a decent mechanic and have proper tools, then there is nothing at all wrong with online. But, if you want and need shop support (the free tuneups for the first 6 months to a year that many shops offer are worth $50 to $100 a shot) then a shop is a very viable option, particularly in that price range where the benefit of their support is even better, from an incremental standpoint. Good luck.

freeagent35 said:

Between BikesDirect and Performancebike.com you have some very decent budget/closeout choices in your price range. Just be careful about sizing. If your old bike fits you well and you are very comfy on it, take a clothier's tape and measure the top tube and seat tube (center to center on both) as well as the stem rise and length and bar width. Since you are on a budget and want to avoid parts swaps, be very mindful of this. Most of these sites have geometry charts on the frames and note stem size and bar width. If you go with Performance, check the web for % off coupons or consider joining Team Performance to get 10% back in points for every purchase.

There are plenty of anti online folks out there, and I empathize, but to be frank (1) they never have anything I want as far as parts (everything is "special order"😉 (2) the prices are 2 to 3 times more than online for most (there are some deals to be had on new bikes but I rarely find them competitive on parts) (3) Except for somewhat extreme activities like cutting carbon fiber forks, I can do everything I need to. (I've spent 30 years becoming a solid bike mechanic and amassing proper tools).

If you are a decent mechanic and have proper tools, then there is nothing at all wrong with online. But, if you want and need shop support (the free tuneups for the first 6 months to a year that many shops offer are worth $50 to $100 a shot) then a shop is a very viable option, particularly in that price range where the benefit of their support is even better, from an incremental standpoint. Good luck.

The problem that I have with going online for a new complete bicycle is that you do not have a chance to test ride it prior to purchase. I have ridden two bikes that were identical in size and close to the same weight and there was a world of difference between the quality of the ride. And if you are buying a close out bike, you probably would not be able to return it.

Buying parts online only makes sense from the price standpoint. If you need a certain part quickly though, because you have an event in the next couple of days, a well stocked LBS is a blessing.

kdelong said:

The problem that I have with going online for a new complete bicycle is that you do not have a chance to test ride it prior to purchase. I have ridden two bikes that were identical in size and close to the same weight and there was a world of difference between the quality of the ride. And if you are buying a close out bike, you probably would not be able to return it.

Buying parts online only makes sense from the price standpoint. If you need a certain part quickly though, because you have an event in the next couple of days, a well stocked LBS is a blessing.

Certainly valid points, though at this price range I doubt ride quality will differ that much. Perhaps I've been lucky as I have purchased several frames online (1 titanium, 3 carbon, 1 steel, 1 aluminum) and have been happy with all of them (least so with the aluminum). Places like Roadbikereview.com can be of great help in this regard, at least as to overall quality, and relative ride. I have found the reviews to be quite accurate. I can say, from what I have read, Bikesdirect.com may be one of the best deals out there. For this guy's $500 they had six Shimano Sora level road bikes (aluminum or steel). Pretty hard to beat.