AffordableRoadBikeReview.Wordpress is our offering of reviews on affordable, budget friendly road bikes.
It’s designed to be an antidote to ‘Bike Snobbery’ – the affliction that seems to infect many discussions or comments regarding the choice many cycling enthusiasts make to buy & ride brands of bikes that are outside the “LBS – Local Bike Shop, only” distribution chain.
Yes, there is some basis for preferring a bike procured from an LBS, but it’s not what many imply it is. To listen to the ‘bike snob’ prattle on, the steel, aluminum or carbon fiber or paint used to pretty up the LBS bikes is of a wholly different & higher level of material. Nonsense.
True, the components can be, and often are of a higher level of quality in the LBS, but directly related to their price point. One does, ‘get what you pay for’. Note this in no way means that the lower priced bikes fail to function, leave their riders stranded, or have frames that de-materialize at a certain number of miles covered !
Yet, in countless online cycling forums, this latter attitude is the prevailing assumption – and it’s certainly more based in arrogance & tribal exclusivisim than reality.
The main difference we see between the LBS brands & ‘big box / online stores’ bikes or one built up from separate frame, wheel & components is the level of competence in assembly & proper adjustment of the bike when initially unboxed & newly ridden.
Secondarily, if there are three basic levels of quality: say, Entry, Medium & High, the BBS / Online retailers generally offer: Entry /Medium, whereas the LBS ignore the Entry level altogether, and focus soley on the Medium / High levels.
This is seen in the fact that, for example, nearly all LBS’s (check in your area if you doubt….) lowest priced road bike will be in the $ 650-700 range, as of 2011 (Edit: Still true now, in 2017).
Whereas, the local BBS (big box store) will have entry level road bikes around $ 200 or a bit less !
That is a huge gap in retail pricing, to have a jump of 3.5 times higher in entry level ANYTHING (bike, blender, coffee maker, etc), that is a normal, retail hard good.
This huge price disparity forces the consumer to make a potentially distateful choice between marginal quality on one hand, and overpriced equipment on the other.
We believe this is an illusion; the BBS sourced bike is not marginal quality (in most cases) but may suffer from poor assembly and / or the occasional low quality part which detracts notably from the bikes’s inherent performance potential.
What this means for the quality & yet budget conscious consumer is: Are you willing to enjoy the benefits of a lower cost road bike, if you’ll need to be willing to double check (& rectify, if necessary) the assembly & adjustment of your new road bike ?
Are you willing to take the BBS / Online sourced bike into your local LBS, and hire them to do the assembly & adjustment if you’re not competent to do it ? [There should be no shame – this is so common, most LBS have a set price for “setting up” a bike from Walmart, Target, Amazon, BikesDirect or RoadBikeOutlet.com bike]
Additionally, are you willing to make minor tweaks / upgrades, where needed, to raise the level of performance in areas where the BBS bike may be lacking ?
A personal example, our GMC Denali had terrible stock tires. Heavy, clunky, not truly designed for a serious road bike. Replacing them with entry level, but genuine road bike tires cut almost 2 # off the weight & cut (seemingly) the rolling resitance in half, ressulting in a bike that feels much, much closer to a high dollar road bike !
(Another Key example, true in either BBS or LBS: Seats. Most stock bike seats are terrible. For the same reason: they’re giving you a ‘cheap seat’ mainly to sell the bike & provide reasonable comfort on a quick test ride. Over 20 + miles, you’ll learn why a proper seat designed to accomidate your anatomy is a must.)
If your answer is yes, then maybe these reviews can do you some good, as we’ll endeavor to highlight some affordable road bikes, that either we own already, borrow from friends, or maybe ones you’ll suggest & provide yourselves. Please contact us at the email link with any ideas, suggestions or thoughts !
Best Regards,
David in East Texas
affordableroadbikereview 
Hello, thanks for taking the time to write this blog – it’s about time we get a blog that doesn’t attempt to make those who purchase & ride entry level bikes feel foolish.
I’ve always marvelled at the ability of us humans to draw a circle, based on an arbitrary trait or experience (like, say, how much $$$ and WHERE we buy a bike, for goodness sake), and then proceed to make not our mutual enjoyment of such experiences the common ground with like minded folks, but our mutual hatred & disdain for any who decide to make other choices, which we deem inferior.
In any case, your decision to author this blog is a breath of fresh air !
I hadn’t heard of the GMC Denali, until I read your review. I did ck the online reviews, over 250 of them at Walmart.com, and they’re right in line with your take – it’s a great value & making a lot of new Road Bike riders out of folks.
Surely many of those thousands who are buying this budget friendly road bike now, will decide to ‘move up’ and will undoubtedly find their way to a Local Bike Shop for a higher priced / higher performanc model.
This means the LBS owes a debt of some magnitude to the, I think you called it, ‘Big Box Stores’ – discount retailers, for providing a entry level product at price point they’re unable (or unwilling ?) to provide to consumers.
What goes around, comes around. I’m sure there are some folks who grasp that concept !
Many thanks, Colorado Roadie
Hey David – I wonder if Alivio trigger shifters could be fitted in the Denali’s bar curve or there are also Tourney class integrated trigger shifter/brake lever that might be utilized. I’m going to be rebuilding a UniVega Grand Turisimo (there’s one for a review) & am looking at various options for it.
You know my thoughts about bike snobs & their misguided preconceptions. My purchase of a Deception in Oct 2010 was a test of my interest in the sport & a way to lose weight. Now, over a year later, I’m 35 lbs lighter – still dropping – and have become a fair bike mechanic. The Walgoose Deception is getting a well deserved makeover & the Genesis 29er keeps me in peddles during the rebuild. More on that soon in the BBB forum. Good luck with the blog!
Desertguns
Hey Desertguns:
Thanks for your comment, friend. I know you from the http://www.bigboxbikes.com forum site. Thanks for coming over to visit !
I think the idea of the trigger shifters would only work on the Denali if one were to switch to a flat bar handlebar – then it would probably work very well.
I’m in the middle of testing the A050 paddle shifters – I’ll try to post some pics if they work out.
Congrats on the weight loss – biking seriously is a great ‘weigh’ to take it off. (bad pun !)
I’ve lost almost 60 lbs, partly due to eating changes & definitely exercising, a huge part of which has been road & mountain biking.
Keep it up !
David / EastTexasRider
Hi, I would like to know what is the size of the Schwinn Varsity Carbon Fiber Road Bike that you have at the top in the picture? I am 5’8″ and I have seen this bike only on 56cm, but I am not sure if it will be too big for me, what do you think? thanks.
A great site..:-)..
We are all looking down the barrel of $6 per gallon gasoline, so the idea of riding a bike is a good one.
It is possible to have a BBS road bike and have it pay for itself, in just gasoline savings alone.
Present bikes owned:
1972 Motob. LeChampion 531 DB tubing, built up by me from a bare frame, in 1972.
Wife’s MTB a Walmart 26″ Roadmaster Mt. Sport
One of Gary Turner’s BMX bikes, originally owned by my son, made of Cro-Moly steel.
A Gitane, a 1973 small frame of lightweight tubing.
Dream Commuter bike: an all black Schwinn Wayfarer from K-Mart.
Hi Dave,
Not sure if you’re still monitoring the site, but I figured I’d try. I appreciate your positive contrarian style, and I’m partial to your devotion to scripture as well.
After biking 300+ miles per month for 6 months on my $500 Trek urban bike, I’m ready for my first road bike. I’m right around your age. I’ll use it to take 3-4 20-40 miles per week (recreational and training, not commuting.)
I have $500 to spend. I cannot afford the bikes in my LBS.
I’m looking at the following two. Do you have a reccomendation?
1. Vilano Forza 3.0
http://www.amazon.com/Vilano-FORZA-Aluminum-Carbon-Shimano/dp/B00PUGUFIQ
2. Giordano Libero 1.6
http://www.amazon.com/Giordano-Libero-Mens-Road-Bike-700c/dp/B00P0KEH8Q
Initially excited about the Giordano, I’m now inclined toward the Vilano. Components seem superior and the bike is a few pounds lighter. Though I enjoyed following your descriptions of swapping out parts and modifying your GMC Denali, I’d love to start with a bike that doesn’t require quite as much work up front.
What do you think?
Shalom,
Rabbi Hal Greenwald
Hello Hal:
Thanks for your nice comment sir !
I think I will tell my dear wife your diplomatic characterization of my ‘positive contrarian style’ lol – others have said I’m just ‘Contrary’ !
(But in a culture that has so much wrong with it, how can one not be contrarian ? So were the Prophets, and so was Jesus too ! Status quo ? Meh !)
But, enough gratuitous editorializing – to your question:
I checked out both links, and my impression is the Vilano has more to offer, carbon fork, better range of frame sizes & more speeds, and that was just a quick glance.
It would seem a very suitable ride for someone who is, by your description, gaining in their fitness & road riding ability. I daresay you could even do some light racing on that machine, if so inclined.
I’ll also add: bike fit on a road bike especially, is VERY important. The urban / hybrids are a little more lenient on getting sizing in a range.
On a drop bar road bike, not so much – the rider fit is more precise. I’d heartily suggest you be sure to get the right size frame. I’m happy to help if you can tell me your height & inseam, or there are lots of articles a click away on ‘Road Bike Fit’, etc.
A visit to an LBS – local bike shop – could be helpful as normally they will advise on basic bike fit to allow a test ride, for example.
Another thing on getting a great value, don’t forget your local Craigslist.org bike section. There are so many ‘garage queens’ – expensive bikes that have 100 miles & a couple of years of dust on them – and they go for around 50 % of a new bike. It’s worth considering.
Meanwhile, I’m off for our Thursday club ride. It will be about 30 miles with hills.
I’ll be riding my favorite new bike, the Giant Anyroad 2. It’s a new category of bike (especially for me), it’s called a ‘gravel bike’ with endurance geometry. Google it if you’re curious.
The Frame design is really special and it’s not a ‘road race’ bike, but rather a ‘Go Anywhere, do anything’ bike. Our roads here in East Texas range from nice to nasty, potholes to gravel to dirt to smooth tarmac, all in one ride. Recent Texas storms have torn up the pavement, so this bikes heavier rims & 28C tires, disc brakes & wide gearing are helpful.
The most amazing thing, to me, is the handling. It carves up the road like nothing I’ve been on, yet the ride isn’t harsh at all. Anyhow, I do plan to do a post on this machine, when time allows.
For now, that’s the update.
Hal – I hope this is helpful & even a bit inspiring to you sir. It’s great that your fitness is gaining steam – keep it up Brother !!
Please get back to me here anytime to tell us what you’ve chosen & if you’ve any questions or comments, even just to ‘chew the fat’.
Iron sharpens Iron, as the Word says !
At Your Service & His…
David in East Texas
Dave,
Thanks so much for the lengthy and helpful response – you’re a real mensch!
You confirmed my own feelings, I was also leaning toward the Vilano. In the meantime, though, I came across excellent deals on a few models of the Fuji Sportif. Sits a bit more upright, rave reviews. Components equal to the Vilano, and I can go into a Performance shop and get properly fitted.
I will let you know how it goes! Enjoy your Giant, and thanks for your exuberant bike evangelizing!
Hal Greenwald
Dear Hal:
Thank you for the ‘flowers’ – I’ll tell my 5 children I’m a “Mench” and they will think, “wow, cool,…..hey, what, exactly is a Mench ?” (Ha Ha)
I think you’re on the right track. I am an occasional Performance Bike customer myself, good folks, good stores, nice selection of bikes !
You’re sure to be treated right & fitted well !
(In fact tried to buy a Fuji Cyclo X bike there in the San Diego Performance Bike, but wasn’t in in my size, that led me to consider the Giant Anyroad.)
Please do let me know how things go with your endeavors.
I’m not sure where you hail from, but hereabouts the nice Fall weather is just beginning – it’s my favorite time, bar none, to ride a bike.
Crisp, cooler nights & mornings, the massive heat & humidity fading quickly – Praise the LORD – (we enjoy sweltering humidity May-Mid September, oy vey !).
Will you do any organized rides ? We plan to do some ‘T-Shirt rides’.
For example our local “Pineywoods Purgatory” ride, is first Saturday October, all 6 of us will ride, where mom & the 2 little girls do 35, Myself & my older 14 year old daughter will do 52 or 72 & my 19 y/o son will do the 102 mile.
We have a road tandem if we feel crazy enough for that !!
.David
Hey Dave!
It’s been several weeks since my last conversation thread with you. That time has featured lots of riding, then the t-boning of a car, and finally a flying leap over the handlebars culminating in a few fractured ribs and a concussion.
So, a few pretty good weeks.
Part for the course in Los Angeles. I grew up in Georgia, where every road feels like an alan jackson song. Now in LA, every road feels more like something Wagner might have scored – his tragedies, mind you. 🙂
Most importantly – pulled the trigger on a bike. Cannondale 8. A bit more than I had planned to spend, but within seconds of riding I knew it was meant to be. I’m sidelined for the moment with the ribs, but can’t wait to get out there and hit the road.
Question for you – how did you get your daughters interested in cycling?! My 10 year old is a bit …. unenthusiastic. Would love for her to have fun biking.
Hal
Hal:
Been a long time, sir ! But glad to have unearthed your comment, and giving a tardy, but sincere reply.
Hope your LA inflicted wounds are now well healed. I suggest you head East – I bet you already have. LA is best appreciated from a Distance – Georgia is a safe distance !
Seriously, we escaped Southern California in 2007, and the weather is a what we miss, but not much else !
On getting kids interested in cycling, I’d try to do fun activities that center around what you can do on bikes, could be a trip to the beach then up & down the boardwalk (pick an un-crowded time) maybe on a camping trip, or just a trip down to the corner store or pizza parlor.
Our little girls saw me & my son, their older brother, having fun riding our bikes & wanted to join in on the fun. It grew from there !
We sought out & began doing Saturday morning Group Rides with our local East Texas Bike Club. It builds a nice sense of camaraderie to ride with others. You can learn so much from ride techniques to Gear Ideas and a lot more.
Most sizeable cities have Bike Clubs.
Do a web search to find out what exists in your area. Also an LBS, Local Bike Shop, will frequently host rides on weekends, and at busier shops even weekday ‘group rides’. I know for a fact that most ‘Performance Bike’ Stores – they have a chain of like 100 shops nationwide – host Saturday Group rides.
These can be fun, and even seem safer in that you can ride with others, and they normally have different speed rides from beginner to Full Race rides that resemble Training for the Tour De France.
Personally, I pick the ride that’s in the middle of those two options !
So, I hope that helps you out Hal. Give me a shout when you have a moment my friend !
God bless – David in East Texas