I'm looking to get my first road bike. Thing is, I am of the belief that I would rather spend money on an upper level bike now rather than buying a "entry level" bike for 1000 dollars this year just to spend another 2-3 thousand dollars in a year or two to upgrade. I am an athletic person in good shape--run, swim, workout on a daily basis. Once I get a bike, I will mesh it right into my routine and plan on riding very often for medium to longer distances--it will take the place of some of my running as well. The bike I am currently considering is a Scott CR1 SL. My local bike shop has one on sale and will give me a discount on top if the sale price. I know this is a high end bike and was wondering if there is such a thing as to much bike for a new rider. I'm concerned that maybe because this is an advanced bike that it will not be to forgiving to my rookie mistakes and, hopefully not, falls/crashes. So, is there such a thing as to much bike for a first bike? Thanks in advance for the input.

Just make sure it fits you before you buy it.

Honestly, I've never ridden a Scott but lots of people have said good things about it. What you need to do is ride a couple of other different bikes from the shop before really getting down and riding a lot on the Scott. Then ride the Scott for a 1/2 hour to feel the differences. If they have them, try some of the more relaxed geometry bikes that are designed to be more stable and allow the rider to be more upright. Try out a couple of upper end aluminum (edit: or other materials, doesn't really matter, just want to try varying geometries) jobs of varying types. If you have the time, and the shop doesn't mind, a 1/2 hour on each bike will allow you to make comparisons in handling and feel. Also, make sure to do about 10 minutes of slow speed stuff in the parking lot to see how the bike handles at low speed manuevering. The Scott isn't necessarily too much bike, but some bikes are definitely designed more along a race style than others. This can make a bike feel a little twitchy or too quick to change position on the road for some beginners where as for a racer this is a great thing for rapid changes in a paceline. Make the comparisons and see what you think.

Not really such a thing as too much bike, except that noobs buying custom isn't necessarily a great idea.

As mentioned above, fit is paramount. The difficulty comes because a noob's idea of good, comfortable fit is often different than an experienced rider's. There's some chance that a bike you buy today might not be the bike you'd buy a year from now, based only on a changing notion of what constitutes 'proper' fit.

Similarly, while the Scott is by all accounts a great bike, it's a wide universe, and the chance to try/test/think about more bikes and how you really want and need to use them might change your mind.

A lower-level bike might give you an opportunity to sort all of that out, then spend big on a confidently 'right' bike next season. I'm not saying that's the right path, but it is something to think about.

Spending that kind of money on a high end bike is sure to make whoever you sell it to at a huge loss in a couple of years once you figure out what you really want really happy. If you buy a less expensive bike now your loss in a year or 2 will be a lot less. Almost all new riders change bikes in a short time once they catch on to what they like and don't like about riding.

As you spend more money on a bicycle they become less of a general purpose bike and more of a bike designed to do one thing well.

Since you haven't been riding a lot yet you don't actually have enough on bike experience to know what you actually need/like/want. Gear range, steering, rider position, handling, stability, aerodynamics, ability to carry stuff and accept aftermarket parts are all things that experienced riders consider.

Another thing to consider is that more expensive bikes are designed for experienced riders. The manufacturers expect that someone who rides one of their high end bikes will be comfortable with quick steering at high speeds. They expect that the new owner will understand when a part needs to be adjusted (saving expensive repairs). They expect that the new owner will have enough time on a bike to be comfortable with a stretched out low riding position.

I think that you will likely find that high end bike to be uncomfortable for long rides, have too hard a gear selection if the area you ride in has any hills that are steep or long and that you will have wheel and flat issues on those high performance components.

OTOH I do like and ride expensive bikes.

Unlike with skis, there is no such thing as "too much bike" in terms of rider ability, etc. OTOH, personal preferences can start to develop and you hate to have dropped a bunch of coin on one kind of bike and develop a different preference down the road.

So, is there such a thing as to much bike for a first bike?.

But there's such a thing as two bad spelling. (sorry to be a smart*ss -- couldn't resist).

One thing I'd say would make a bike bad news for a beginner is if it didn't have a replaceable derailleur hanger.

I think the CR1 falls into this category.

Everyone falls sometimes, beginners more than many. If you don't have a replaceable D/R hanger, one small crash can easily mean Sayonara $3000!
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The other thing is don't fall for the "I want a nice bike now so I don't have to upgrade later" trap. You will always want to upgrade later. :)

Can you pick up a cheap used bike for $350 or less? Ride that while researching...

Then drop what you need to on what you really want.

Don't cheap out on what you really want. Just make sure you know what you really want. Are you still going to be riding in a year or two?

Unlike with skis, there is no such thing as "too much bike" in terms of rider ability, etc. OTOH, personal preferences can start to develop and you hate to have dropped a bunch of coin on one kind of bike and develop a different preference down the road.

make sure it has good breaks and petals.

Thanks for the feedback--all good info. to take into consideration. Argentius--the non-replaceable derailleur hanger is definitely a concern. Fits in with the newbie lay it down factor that I am worried about. After doing some research on this forum and others, it appears that Scott now has a procedure for replacing the hanger should it get damaged. Don't know if this is true or not, but I'll ask the bike shop and call Scott directly to find out. Thanks.

What's your goal?

As a new rider you won't be able to tell the difference between an "entry level" $1k bike and a top of the line race bike, except the top level race bike will probably feel twitchy and harsh riding to you.

If your goal is to ride then buying an "entry level" $1k bike now and a nicer bike later is better. Not only will that give you some riding time to figure out what "nicer" is to you, you'll wind up with two bikes. So you can have one ready to ride at all times, or a rain bike and a race bike, etc. Having only one bike means that any problem must be fixed right now today or you'll be missing tomorrow's ride.

If your goal is to have a nice bike and ride it sometimes, then go buy a top of the line bike right away.

Bolt30,

For reference: I bought a CR1 SL mid April and put a little over 260 hours on it to date. Prior to that I had a Specialized Allez elite that I rode for a year and a half with just under 500 hours a year on it. Prior to that I rode mountain only and usually rode 10 hours/week for a couple years. I live and bike in the southwest. Middle aged male. 5'9".

1. The saddle is a bit lighter than my old San Marco but, it just doesn't fit the same. Duh. So take the advice from several above and ride the bike for as long as you can before the shop gets mad.

2. I went from riding 105 to the full Dura-Ace which is standard on the CR1 SL. IMHO, the DA shift much nicer and feels stiffer (for example the BB/cranks don't flex nearly as much). I'm on my 3rd chain, but that's nothing against shimano just me trying to save life on the rings and cassette. Replaced the cables one time so far and have no creaks or cracks or other problems that I know of.

3. The Mavic K's that also come standard should be a good wheel for you as again IMHO they are fairly durable, spin up ok, fairly stiff and seem to be very durable. They are still true. While I'm building up my tools and learning to do my own work, I had the shop pack the bearings and BB and they said all was in "really good shape". I'm sorry I don't have much else to offer, but I'm learning too. They have been vitually free of maintenance.

4. I have a 56 which measures closer to a 55. Others I know who own the CR1 SL say their bikes measure a touch smaller as well. Nothing wrong just so you are aware and can compare with other 56's...er 54's...

What little riding I've done, I was glad I bought an entry level bike first for several reasons: First, while riding my bike I also continued to ride other freinds bikes here and there to see if I could feel a difference. Second, being new to the game, it gave me time to continue to research and learn as much as I could about different bikes and components. Third, I was only out $500 after I sold the Specialized and put that money right into the Scott. Lastly, there are guys on this board and elsewhere that can feel if a cone is wearing on one side or the other. I can't, but in general I can feel the difference in cornering, shifting, basic differences in geometry, components thanks to riding the entry level bike and many others before buying the Scott. And as far as the price is right, right now game, I bet every year there will be super deals on bikes. This years rock bottom price will be next years '07's...

Best regards,

Woodys

Ericm979 hit the nail on the head with the idea that the $1k entry bike makes a great rain bike in the future. It is also a learing tool. In my experience, buying that "Entry Level" bike turns out to be a excellent investment, not a waste of money. You will learn what you like so after a couple years, when you do decide what you want in a high end bike, you will end up with YOUR idea of what is a really nice bike. Not just a generally nice bike you saw at a shop.

The high end bike you put together 2 or 3 seasons from now will have much more meaning and significance to you then buying a high end bike now. A couple seasons from now you will know every part you want to use to build the bike up with, from selecting the frame to selecting every individual component, down to the skewers, cables and fasteners.

I could skip the petals cause they wilt and shrivel up, but I love breaks. 'Specially at work.

Just want to thank everyone for their feedback. Definitely leaning now for a "lower end" bike to "learn the ropes" on. Thanks again.

There is no such thing as "Too Much Bike"........... or "Too Much Cow Bell":thumbsup:

This is a great thread for beginners. I have always been looking for a medium range bike that I would not have to update for 4 or 5 seasons. I never thought about getting a lower entry bike so I could determine what I liked and disliked. I never saw the reason to have two bikes either. A rain bike is a perfect idea. That is why this forum is so valuable. I am a mountain biker, but ride it on the roads. So I have been looking for a road bike for a few months now for next season. I really have it narrowed down to an Orbea and a Specialized Tarmac Comp. But now maybe I should start out by getting a lower bike to see what I really need. I am just like the original poster. I didn't want to have to spend more money on another bike for a 4 or 5 years, so I was looking to spend more money on one now. This thread has almost changed my mind though. There are some good points here.