what kind of road bike frame should I buy?
109918
Go to reputable shop. Think of the shop as a dating service and they will set you up so that you can pick your new love. Do not buy from the internet! Find the shop that will spend time to get to know you and your individual needs. Injury history and biomechanical issues will influence your choice. I agree with the other answer, ride before you buy. And though it is tempting, buy from the shop and not from the 'net! You get an education and countless perks and make actual friends. Well worth the few extra dollars. \nThe right frame will come to you and you will share many miles of freedom with your steed!
1137640
For a road bike, look at something in the range of 56cm to 58cm.  For a mtn bike, look at something in the range of 16.5 in to 18 in.
517534
I dont know a whole lot about dirt bikes, but there was an article on consumerreports.com that said the following. Hope it helps!\n\nBikes\nWhether you plan to hit the road or the trail, you'll get more bike for your buck than ever before.\n\nIf you're planning to buy a bike, chances are your new ride will have an aluminum frame, even if the bike costs less than $500. It might even have disc brakes or 27 gears. These features, once found only on more expensive bikes, bring the benefits of lighter weight, better braking in sloppy conditions, and more efficient pedaling to cyclists with a modest budget.\n\nHigher-priced bikes are getting better, too. The best of the $1,000-and-up models in our most recent tests had the shock absorption and handling previously found only on bikes costing two or three times as much.\n\nWhichever bike you choose, there's good reason to buy it from one of the nation's 5,300 bike shops, rather than from a department store or toy store. And you don't have to spend a fortune. We found fine choices for pavement rides that cost less than $300 and very good bikes for off-road cycling for $440. The bikes for serious trail riding cost $1,000 or more.\n\n\nWHAT'S AVAILABLE\n\nBrands include Bianchi, Cannondale, Diamondback, Fuji, Gary Fisher, Giant, GT, Iron Horse, Jamis, Klein, Landrider, LeMond, Mongoose, Raleigh, Schwinn, Specialized, and Trek.\n\nFull-suspension mountain bikes. These bikes are best for rough terrain with steep slopes. You'll get a shock-absorbing suspension fork and rear-suspension frame, which provide the best control and comfort on the roughest terrain. Most have 27 speeds and 26-inch wheels. All have wide, knobby tires; narrow or moderate-width saddle; and flat or riser handlebars.\n\nPrince range: $1,000 to more than $4,000.\n\nFront-suspension mountain bikes. These bikes are best for less-rugged off-road trails. You'll get a shock-absorbing suspension fork and rigid frame, fine for tamer trails. These bikes need less maintenance and are more efficient on smooth terrain than full suspension mountain bikes. Most have 24 or 27 speeds; 26-inch wheels; wide, knobby tires; narrow or moderately wide saddle; and flat or riser handlebars.\n\nPrice range: $400 to more than $2,000.\n\nHybrid bikes. These bikes are best for moderate-speed riding on pavement and smooth dirt paths. A cross between comfort and road bikes, most hybrids have a shock-absorbing suspension fork and seatpost; 24 speeds; 700C wheels (a designation from the French system, indicating size and width; it's about 27-inch); midwidth, fairly smooth tires; moderately wide saddle; and riser handlebars.\n\nPrice range: $400 to more than $500.\n\nComfort bikes. These bikes are best for casual cycling on pavement and smooth dirt paths. Most comfort bikes have a shock-absorbing suspension fork and seatpost; 21 speeds; 26-inch wheels; wide, relatively smooth tires; wide saddle; and riser handlebars. Generally have most upright riding position, which casual riders often find most comfortable.\n\nPrice range: $250 to more than $400.\n\nRoad bikes. These bikes are best for fast and/or long distance rides on pavement. Most have a lightweight frame with no suspension; 18 to 30 speeds; 700C wheels (about 27-inch); narrow, smooth tires; narrow saddle; and drop handlebars. The bent-over riding position reduces wind resistance at higher speeds, while the narrower seat facilitates pedaling.\n\nPrice range: $500 to more than $3,000.\n\n\nIMPORTANT FEATURES\n\nBrakes. Long-arm cantilever brakes (V-brakes or linear-pull brakes) are fine for most uses. For rough, sloppy terrain, go with disc brakes, which will spare your wheel rims from the abrasion of muddy braking. Some bikes are sold with your choice of brakes. Discs add $100 or more. You can retrofit some bikes with discs; ask at the bike shop.\n\nHandlebars. High-rise handlebars let you sit fairly upright. With low-rise and flat handlebars, you lean forward.
326988
As a former bike shop employee and NORBA racer I can tell you there are alot of great bikes out there. Trek is and always has been a good bike. Owning one will not make you Lance.Alot of all brands of bikes are made by China-bike for their entry to mid level bikes.Specialized is a great bike.Raleigh bicycles are wonderful machines I own a R-600 road model.But!....In my opinion and I have had,Schwinn's,Diamonbacks even a Pro-flex, Cannondale Bicycles are in a class of their own. They are hand made in America by bicyclists for bicyclists.Oh....yeah I have one....a Cannondale Super V-1000.........you need one too.
987459
I think that you need to consider the type of riding you will do.  A mountain bike will look cool, but if you are riding on streets, skinny tires can go faster.\n\nThe most important thing is to buy a bike that fits you, and is the highest quality frame that you can afford.  I think that you will probably be happiest with a bike that makes YOU look good.  Even the coolest looking bike will make you feel silly if you are always trying to catch up.\n\n\nBelow is a link to some articles written by a very funny bike expert.
949940
What do you need to know?  Frame size, use, price range etc would be useful.
575058
Choose a hybrid if you want comfort and efficiency first, and the toughness and durability to manage tracks second. The hybrid will not be able to go everywhere that a mountain bike does.\n\nChoose a mountain bike if you're willing to trade on road efficiency for the ability to go anywhere. A mountain bike is not so good for commuting and city-based recreational riding (that said, modern MTBs can be pretty good all rounders and you can always buy a second set of wheels - one lot with city tyres and a set of knobblies for the weekend).\n\nHybrids are sometimes merely mountain bikes with slimmer, tyres. Avoid these, because the frame geometry is wrong for street use. Go to a good dealer and try out genuine hybrids from manufacturers like Cannondale, Specialised and Trek.\n\nWhether you go for a hybrid or an MTB, buy the best you can afford from a well known bikemaker and a good, high end shop. Go for the best componentry you can afford (gears and brakes) because cheap components go wrong or work badly and this will put you off cycling.\n\nI recommend you go for good front suspension, but avoid rear suspension - for your requirement it is pointless, adds weight, goes wrong, reduces ride quality and adds price.
224711
A hardtail (front suspension) mountain bike would be best for road and occasional rough terrain riding. Get a pair of either slick or semi-slick tires, they're a lot faster on the road, and semi-slicks have plenty of tread for control on loose terrain.\n\nDon't worry too much about what brand to get, go to your local bike shop and they can set you up with the right bike for your needs.
946534
visit manufacturers websites for:\n\nYakima   www.yakima.com\nThule  www.thule.com\n\nThese should NOT be hard to find, the the style of bike doens't matter.
1146798
Believe it or not, you are not that heavy...  any good quality bike should work for you, but you might want to start on a mountain bike.\n\nTake a look at www.specialized.com and ride safe!
765109
It was £1600 new, aluminium frame, should be kitted out with XT level components, its was an excellent bike at the time. It is quite old now so it might only be worth a shade over £200 these days. If you don't know much about bikes then it might be an idea to stay clear of it as it could end up being a lot of work if the pivot is on it's way out and the components are worn or, it could be totally mint and be a bargain. Difficult to say without seeing it I'm afraid.
365785
It depends on your requirements.  If you're racing, there are still a fair number of European builders making steel frames in the classic geometry.  If money is no object, there are some good American custom builders.  Co-motion makes the Espresso, a 16.5 pound screamer.  \n\nFor loaded touring, there is the Co-motion Americano (top of the line, bullet-proof, big bucks) and the Surly Long Haul Trucker (one heck of a machine, frame is less than $400).  \n\nIn short, there is no one "best" steel frame bike, but a lot of excellent ones depending on the use, requirements, and budget.
582406
I would agree with the bear on this, Full suspension is great for off roading BUT if your only thinking of spending 300 then look for something with front suspension only,\n \nOR look at buying a bike with no suspension, and a set of front forks separately, if you have just got into trail and off road riding then even the most basic rockshox/marzocci/RST forks will suit.\n\nThe reason for this is for 300 you will get a pretty decent rigid bike with quite high spec components and if you speak to the bike shop you are planning to buy the bike from about fitting front forks then they may do you a deal!\nthat way you can guarantee that you will get the right size forks for the bike you choose\n\nThen as you get into the sport you can upgrade your front forks to suit!!
555142
The Schwinn hardtail mountain bike from Wal-Mart is very inexpensive, has good quality shifting, good components, and is one of the few very inexpensive bikes that I could possibly praise in this way.  It does have front suspension that is suitable for mild trails and a cushy ride in the city.  This represens a well done $139 product.    \n\nHowever, a trip to the bike shop might be more educational and much more fun.  There's something special about a real bike-store-bike.  ;)  \n\nLast time, I bought an all-alloy 7 speed crusier, and it turned out to be a tad faster than my road bike.  I was so very surprised!    \n\nRevo-shift/grip shift isn't bad, and it is nicer than the SIS lever shift.\n\nIf you're looking in the "inexpensive" market, DO read the brand name from the rear derailer to make sure that it says "Shimano" or "SRAM" and never "Falcon".  That will save you a lot of money despite the tiny additional price.
887497
it all depends if you are a seasoned cyclist ? if you are not, i would recommend you to go to your LBS and get the bike guys over there to help you choose a bike within budget, you don't need to go high end as you are a beginner and you dont need those really high end frames as you would not be able to tell the difference. \n\nif you are a seasoned cyclist, i believe you would have gone to Ebay and look for some really good used bikes, and your budget would have gone twice the amount. anyway LBS is the best bet as they are able to tell you when people around the area have group rides and you are able to join in. Kick back and Enjoy the new bike you purchased. Cheers
697015
haro V4 but u might want to consider the following\n\nu should consider getting companys like haro,kona,norco,specialized,tr... and gt. start with kona, specialized and giant they make good bikes and they are cheap for bikes within the same range. for kona look for stuff, lavadom or scrap\nnorco:shore series\nharo:v series\nspecialized:any thing they are all good and cheap\nironhorse:make almost unbreakable bikes but they are heavy\nbanshee:morphine series\n\n\nbefore buying the bike make sure that the dimonds of the frame should be small and points upwards the tyres should be wide and with lots of rubber studs. the fork should have atleast 100mm of travel better if beond 130mm. the suspention brand that you should look for is marzochii or rock shock they are the most common ones. if you dont like the suspention then you might consider spending an other 500$ on bomber shocks they are good qualityed stuff. i recomand a hard tail because they are easier to ride up hill and gives lots of air. and is cheaper and lighter. you should look for disk breaks but if the bike dont come with them v breaks are good too exept over time they dig into your rim and shorten the rim's life.
278067
There is no 'best' road bike.  There are a lot of great ones and most reputable cycle shops will have at least on model (probably hanging in the front window) that'll set you back upwards of Fifty or Sixty benjamins that represents the forefront of cycling technology.  It might go fast but it also might fall apart when you are not being trailed by a van of expert cycle mechanics with unlimited top of the line parts. It might also be viciously uncomfortable.\nForget about finding the 'best' and find the 'best for you'.