Road Cycling - COMPACT FRAMES...your opinions!!!

Hey! I'm a newbie here and have been a roadie for quite a few years...I'm 22 and began riding a lot at the age of 16. A few years and a few thousand miles later, i'm in the market for a new bike. i currently own an older Faggin frame complete with a mix of dura-ace and ultegra components. its been a great bike, getting me thru many centuries and many college road races...but its definately time to look for something new. a close riding friend recently upgraded his older allez frame to the newer "compact" geometry, and i began looking into these bikes...

honestly, i haven't reached my goal yet of what i can spend for a new bike...but i don't think i can go over 3K...and i've always wanted a newer italian frame such as an aluminum Colnago or Fausto Coppi...but these newer american ones are awfully tempting...

i was just wondering what your opinions are of the newer compact frames like GIANT TCR's, SPECIALIZED S-WORKS, CINELLI STARSHIP, SANTA CRUZ ROADSTER, etc...

any help would be appreciated, i'd love to hear your stories about them or if you own one...i tried to do a search but didn't find what i was looking for...or if i posted this in the wrong section...please lemme know..thanks again!

opps...sorry if this has been a repedative thread and debate...after some more searching i found some threads to keep me busy reading about compact vs. traditional...

if anyone has anything else to add though (if you own one) feel free to chime in...

I have a Giant TCR and love it! In fact... I've gotten a new one each year for the past three years. Before the TCRs I on a raced a Cannondale R800... I like the compact geometry soooo much better than the traditional getty-up. Of course, everyone will say something different, but from my perspective (that of a racer), they corner better, climb better, sprint better... and dog gone it... they look better! :)

They only way to truly find out for yourself is see if you can find a dealer that will let you take one out for a day, to test ride. Sometimes bike dealers will rent one out to future customers.

Good luck!

Originally posted by mwillbrand

They only way to truly find out for yourself is see if you can find a dealer that will let you take one out for a day, to test ride. Sometimes bike dealers will rent one out to future customers.

Good luck!

thanks for the reply doooood. yeah, i really wanna test one out...and at least get fitted for one. i've called around to some New Jersey shops that deal Giant...although none have any in stock...guess i'll have to keep searching :D

Compacts? Sure! Just be sure to get the right length top tube and that you like the ride.

Ride Your Way
Pat

I ride a Cinelli Starlight. This is a sweet ride.
I have the Muscle fork and a carbon seatpost to dampen road "buzz" and this rides better than the Cannondale that I swore I would never replace.
For my type of riding (big hills) this is the frame for me. If I were a sprinter, I'll bet I would be very happy with this same frame. If I were touring or riding crits, forget it.
Good luck with your choice. The best advice I ever got concerning buying a new bike,"Ride everything you can get your legs over, then choose".