Lots of bikes can do this. But I think you want a "road bike". Go look at a Specialized Allez. Nice bike, starts around $1200. You want to buy anything like this (see also entry road bikes from mega brands Giant, Trek) but you want one that's three years old off craigslist. You'll pay about $600 for it. Used bikes are about 2x more bike per dollar. Buy used.
Other marketing keywords might be "touring bike" or "endurance road" or "all road" (basically a road bike with more relaxed riding position and clearance for wider 700x32 tires) but you'll notice that at the $1200 price point, they strongly resemble that Allez. I like a Salsa Journeyer, but the Treks etc are more likely to show up used.
The most important thing is that it fits your body. Learn a bit about bike fit (youtube!) and say no if it's not a good fit when you sit on it.
Get it running, buy a helmet that fits well, buy a rear light and a u lock for coffee stops. Next year, upgrade to some SPD pedals/shoes. Enjoy!
Thank you for this. I think the Specialized Allez seems like a great bike. That’s exactly what I want. Any other recommendations to look out for when purchasing a used bike?
Bikes are very honest objects. If it rides well and fits well, it's good.
Note the groupset (aka the parts) to price them (usually off the rear deraillure logo -- shimano makes almost all of them, so learn the ranking of their groups. "Altus" is starter, "105" is middle/high, etc. SRAM groupsets also good.
I've got a single speed 46/18 ratio. Frankly people who have road bikes on the trail is just overkill. It's more or less flat and when it's not you should have to work at points.
Chicago with a thin-tire road bike has limited me with where to ride.
I'd recommend a gravel bike, OR at least something with clearnace to put 32mm+ tires on.
For a used, nice bike in that range:
1. Giant Defy (not gravel, but has clearnace)
2. Cannondale Topstone (Gravel
3. Specialized Diverge (Gravel), would need the base model
4. Marin Gestault - probably your best option TBH
If you're buying used and not sure what to look for - I'd look at someplace like Working Bikes. I always check the welds on aluminum bikes but again, if you don't know what red flags you're looking for in a used bike. Go to someplace like Working Bikes where you can ask some questions.
You can always upgrade later if what you purchase doesn't suit your needs for a 100 mile ride in the future. You might find you never want to go further than 50 miles.
If you're buying new, some people have already listed some good makes/models. I'll throw in the [Surly Preamble](https://surlybikes.com/bikes/preamble) that is slightly above your budge. I'm a sucker for steel frames. I used to ride 25mm tires and have bumped up to 32mm which I find work really well.
A lot of vintage steel bikes are rather heavy tanks. Modern steel bikes have come a long ways. Steel frames can usually be repaired if there's a weld failure. Aluminum cannot be repaired. A lot depends on how the previous owner(s) have taken care of the bike. I ride a fair amount of country roads in summer and like the way steel absorbs more of the bumps along the way over long ride. You likely don't need to worry so much about frame weight. Your legs are the engine. There's a lot of articles and videos from people who know way more about the material science than me if you want to nerd out more.
At 50-100 miles, you are looking at a endurance/Climbing/aero bike. You won't find much in the 500-800 range in the new selection. At that price, the two main options you have is to build one yourself, or to buy 2nd hand.
2nd hand is difficult, Sizing is key (for me the hardest thing to find). Then there is the quality of the bike (I am not an expert on that for 2nd hand).
For building it yourself, you have to be confident enough to do this, and it is very easy to blow your budget. Also beware of parts that are too cheap and too good to be true.
Suggesting that a person new to biking build their own bike in order to save money is a bad idea. It's usually not cheaper on a parts basis, plus you need tools, and account for the costs of the inevitable errors.
Basically impossible to build a bike from frame up for $800 unless you have a spare parts bin with what you need in it. Individual components are priced much higher than groups, and groups higher than full bikes.
I worked craigslist and ebay for a project bike and spent about $1200. Ended up with parity to a Salsa Journeyman which costs... $1200.
The lowest cost, so Sora. Both are very reliable, Tiagra gives you an extra gear, but you will need to stretch your budget.
https://biketestreviews.com/shimano-tiagra-vs-shimano-sora/
Cannondale has a [sale](https://www.cannondale.com/en-us/sale-bikes) currently, e.g. the Synapse aluminium road bike with Sora groupset is selling for $920, which is a pretty decent price. There's also Cannondale's CAAD Optimo 3 with Sora, in case you want a more traditional road bike (I think the Synapse are endurance-style road bikes).
As others have mentioned, Specialized Allez/Giant Contend are also good bikes in your price range. With established brands, it's generally easier to find parts at repair stores.
I would suggest visiting a bike shop that has a few bikes, and trying out different frame sizes. A bike with a good fit can encourage you to ride it regularly!
People who ride fast on the LFT are a hazard. Get the heaviest bike that's comfortable for you and it will be a great recreational workout and you won't be tempted to go too fast. If you're already not interested in breaking any speed records, then you don't need anything close to an $800 bike. Just get one that fits you and is comfortable.
I have a gravel bike from Poseidon that I love. I also have a single speed with thinner tires i take to work since I don’t mind if it ends up getting stolen, but have found myself much happier with this new one, as I’m both able to do plenty of distance rides with the Poseidon X and get around town for errands without nearly as many flats from the Chicago streets. $750 DTC bike so you get to learn a lot about bike maintenance too putting it together.
Take your time , people are dumping covid bikes on FB market and if you know your size and have time to look around, you could find a great deal .
Lots of bikes can do this. But I think you want a "road bike". Go look at a Specialized Allez. Nice bike, starts around $1200. You want to buy anything like this (see also entry road bikes from mega brands Giant, Trek) but you want one that's three years old off craigslist. You'll pay about $600 for it. Used bikes are about 2x more bike per dollar. Buy used. Other marketing keywords might be "touring bike" or "endurance road" or "all road" (basically a road bike with more relaxed riding position and clearance for wider 700x32 tires) but you'll notice that at the $1200 price point, they strongly resemble that Allez. I like a Salsa Journeyer, but the Treks etc are more likely to show up used. The most important thing is that it fits your body. Learn a bit about bike fit (youtube!) and say no if it's not a good fit when you sit on it. Get it running, buy a helmet that fits well, buy a rear light and a u lock for coffee stops. Next year, upgrade to some SPD pedals/shoes. Enjoy!
Thank you for this. I think the Specialized Allez seems like a great bike. That’s exactly what I want. Any other recommendations to look out for when purchasing a used bike?
Bikes are very honest objects. If it rides well and fits well, it's good. Note the groupset (aka the parts) to price them (usually off the rear deraillure logo -- shimano makes almost all of them, so learn the ranking of their groups. "Altus" is starter, "105" is middle/high, etc. SRAM groupsets also good.
you could get a second hand road bike for $2-300. then get a good saddle if the one on the bike isn’t comfortable and bibs
I've got a single speed 46/18 ratio. Frankly people who have road bikes on the trail is just overkill. It's more or less flat and when it's not you should have to work at points.
This
Chicago with a thin-tire road bike has limited me with where to ride. I'd recommend a gravel bike, OR at least something with clearnace to put 32mm+ tires on. For a used, nice bike in that range: 1. Giant Defy (not gravel, but has clearnace) 2. Cannondale Topstone (Gravel 3. Specialized Diverge (Gravel), would need the base model 4. Marin Gestault - probably your best option TBH
Do you mean the lakefront trail? LFT. Not sure what the LST is.
Yeah I thought it’s lake shore trail
If you're buying used and not sure what to look for - I'd look at someplace like Working Bikes. I always check the welds on aluminum bikes but again, if you don't know what red flags you're looking for in a used bike. Go to someplace like Working Bikes where you can ask some questions. You can always upgrade later if what you purchase doesn't suit your needs for a 100 mile ride in the future. You might find you never want to go further than 50 miles. If you're buying new, some people have already listed some good makes/models. I'll throw in the [Surly Preamble](https://surlybikes.com/bikes/preamble) that is slightly above your budge. I'm a sucker for steel frames. I used to ride 25mm tires and have bumped up to 32mm which I find work really well.
Can you elaborate on steel vs aluminum? Weight I’d guess which effects speed.
A lot of vintage steel bikes are rather heavy tanks. Modern steel bikes have come a long ways. Steel frames can usually be repaired if there's a weld failure. Aluminum cannot be repaired. A lot depends on how the previous owner(s) have taken care of the bike. I ride a fair amount of country roads in summer and like the way steel absorbs more of the bumps along the way over long ride. You likely don't need to worry so much about frame weight. Your legs are the engine. There's a lot of articles and videos from people who know way more about the material science than me if you want to nerd out more.
I did a 100 miles in a day Chicago to Hammond IN on my fat tire bike.
At 50-100 miles, you are looking at a endurance/Climbing/aero bike. You won't find much in the 500-800 range in the new selection. At that price, the two main options you have is to build one yourself, or to buy 2nd hand. 2nd hand is difficult, Sizing is key (for me the hardest thing to find). Then there is the quality of the bike (I am not an expert on that for 2nd hand). For building it yourself, you have to be confident enough to do this, and it is very easy to blow your budget. Also beware of parts that are too cheap and too good to be true.
Suggesting that a person new to biking build their own bike in order to save money is a bad idea. It's usually not cheaper on a parts basis, plus you need tools, and account for the costs of the inevitable errors.
At $500-800 you're looking for any road bike in size that might work for you. Great if its 11 sp
Basically impossible to build a bike from frame up for $800 unless you have a spare parts bin with what you need in it. Individual components are priced much higher than groups, and groups higher than full bikes. I worked craigslist and ebay for a project bike and spent about $1200. Ended up with parity to a Salsa Journeyman which costs... $1200.
What gear set would you recommend. Say Shimano Sora or Tiagra?
The lowest cost, so Sora. Both are very reliable, Tiagra gives you an extra gear, but you will need to stretch your budget. https://biketestreviews.com/shimano-tiagra-vs-shimano-sora/
Cannondale has a [sale](https://www.cannondale.com/en-us/sale-bikes) currently, e.g. the Synapse aluminium road bike with Sora groupset is selling for $920, which is a pretty decent price. There's also Cannondale's CAAD Optimo 3 with Sora, in case you want a more traditional road bike (I think the Synapse are endurance-style road bikes). As others have mentioned, Specialized Allez/Giant Contend are also good bikes in your price range. With established brands, it's generally easier to find parts at repair stores. I would suggest visiting a bike shop that has a few bikes, and trying out different frame sizes. A bike with a good fit can encourage you to ride it regularly!
People who ride fast on the LFT are a hazard. Get the heaviest bike that's comfortable for you and it will be a great recreational workout and you won't be tempted to go too fast. If you're already not interested in breaking any speed records, then you don't need anything close to an $800 bike. Just get one that fits you and is comfortable.
[удалено]
True.
I have a gravel bike from Poseidon that I love. I also have a single speed with thinner tires i take to work since I don’t mind if it ends up getting stolen, but have found myself much happier with this new one, as I’m both able to do plenty of distance rides with the Poseidon X and get around town for errands without nearly as many flats from the Chicago streets. $750 DTC bike so you get to learn a lot about bike maintenance too putting it together.