Road Cycling - Personal oppinions for newcomer.

Hey everyone, brand new to this forum, and starting off wtih an oppinion question for everyone.
So I'm not new to cycling in general, I've been mountain biking for years. Now, growing slightly out of my self destructive days, I want to get back into cycling. I also want to get back into shape, but that's a whole nother story.
So, to the point. I've become entirely overwhelmed by the road bike industry. I'm looking for a moderate entry level bike, that can also be used for small local type races. I've been looking into just about anything and everyone I can find. So the main purpose here is to ask everyone's oppinion on what is best, and if I'm completely off my gord.
I've been looking into frames from Bianchi, Pinarello, Colnago, Litespeed, Kestrel and others of the like. Am I getting carried away? Or am I on the right track.
Also, groupos. I've always known and respected Campagnalo, but have heard that Shimano's upper end groups are just as good.
What about Rims? Mavic, Campy, Spinergy?
To many choices. So I post this question to everyone. For an mid entry level type bike, for the occasional local race, what should I build? Or have I gone overboard, and should just go to the local bike shop, and pick up the prepacked bike?

Thanks for feedback. Since its beyond cold out, with snow on the ground, I'm hopeing to have my mind made up by spring so I can pick up my new toy and have some fun.

There are two schools of thought on this. One says: go for the best frame you can buy, then go for upgrades later. The other says: almost nobody keeps a frame for a lifetime or even more than a few years---so get the best overall bike you can afford and trade it out later. My belief is that a beginning roadie will have quite different needs and expectations from his bike, than an experienced rider.
If I could go back in time and counsel myself as a beginner, I'd recommend a mid-level steel frame (say Reynolds 631), with Shimano 105 level drivetrain...lots of bang for the buck. There are lots of aluminum frames out there, but the decnt ones are pricey. Ti and carbon bikes are for the more fanatical roadies who don't mind spending a grand or two just on the frame. You can get into the whole Campy-Shimano debate later---just keep an open mind.
Also I'd avoid any trick wheelsets, untill you've been around for awhile. They have their uses, but there are many pitfalls.
Your most important decision will be the bike shop you buy your road machine from! If they don't spend half an hour with you, taking measurements and asking questions about your riding experience and needs...well, you're just not going to get the right bike withe right fit.

Originally posted by Poppaspoke

If I could go back in time and counsel myself as a beginner, I'd recommend a mid-level steel frame (say Reynolds 530), with Shimano 105 level drivetrain...lots of bang for the buck. No 530.....try 520 or 525

Originally posted by Poppaspoke

There are lots of aluminum frames out there, but the decnt ones are pricey. APPLeSAUCE.....Cdale,Giant Specialized and Trek are just some examples of good moderately priced aluminum frames.

Originally posted by Poppaspoke
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Also I'd avoid any trick wheelsets, untill you've been around for awhile. They have their uses, but there are many pitfalls.
[/B]This one really stinks.

Originally posted by WillieCoyote
So the main purpose here is to ask everyone's oppinion on what is best, and if I'm completely off my gord. You are kidding yourself.There is no best.Buy something mid level in steel or aluminum that fits well, and that is the key, and go have fun.You don't know enough about frames and geometry and sizing to be thinking of building a frame, unless you find something you really like at LBS and can buy it as a frame and build it yourself. The campy/shimano BS is personal preference.It would be hard to go wrong with a Cdale caad5, Specialized, Lemond or Bianchi,depending on what fits best and fits your budget.

Are you confused yet, WillieCoyote? Remember everone has their own experiences and passionate views...that's part of the biking experience. One person's great aluminum bike will be another's teeth-jarring nightmare...you can only decide yourself by riding, and riding a lot.

On this aluminum aspect, I too was leary to buy an aluminum framed bicycle just because of all the negative press they receive, even though I had never ridden one (roadbike alum.) I ended up buying a 2001 Bianchi SL Daytona and am very pleased with my choice. It doesn't feel overly harsh to me, sprints and climbs very well, is equiped with Campy Daytona drivetrain that has worked so far just perfect (6 months) This was my first road bike, and just like you I have been an avid mt. biker for a long time, and I know how overwelming it can be when you start to experience the road bike world!

Originally posted by JohnnyFausto
On this aluminum aspect, I too was leary to buy an aluminum framed bicycle just because of all the negative press they receive, even though I had never ridden one (roadbike alum.) I ended up buying a 2001 Bianchi SL Daytona and am very pleased with my choice. It doesn't feel overly harsh to me, sprints and climbs very well, is equiped with Campy Daytona drivetrain that has worked so far just perfect (6 months) This was my first road bike, and just like you I have been an avid mt. biker for a long time, and I know how overwelming it can be when you start to experience the road bike world! Everyone is different on the aluminum stuff.That's why you have to try and decide.It will typically be lighter and often stiffer.That's why many racers prefer it.It also depends on the specific frame,and the riders size and weight and often their basis of comparison.

Originally posted by JohnnyFausto
On this aluminum aspect, I too was leary to buy an aluminum framed bicycle just because of all the negative press they receive, even though I had never ridden one (roadbike alum.) I ended up buying a 2001 Bianchi SL Daytona and am very pleased with my choice. It doesn't feel overly harsh to me, sprints and climbs very well, is equiped with Campy Daytona drivetrain that has worked so far just perfect (6 months) This was my first road bike, and just like you I have been an avid mt. biker for a long time, and I know how overwelming it can be when you start to experience the road bike world!

Are you referring to ride quality or durability in aluminum frames?

Like pokey said, (Dear Lord, I'm agreeing with pokey), it mostly depends on the rider you ask. Some don't like the way a typical aluminum bike rides. I for one do. Too many factors to really give you an answer to the question which one is best, though. Like has been mentioned, get to know a roadie or two at your local shop, get a bike that fits you right, and go from there. Your own experience over the years is the best teacher. Most of it really is preference; shifters, frame materials, etc.

I'm with impreza on all he said. I sell bikes for a living, haven't been in it as long as some. But I do. I'm also a racer. From both aspects I see there are so many different things people like. Us on the forum can only tell you what each is like, and why we like it. The best thing you can do is go test ride, test ride everything you can get your hands on. Every bike shop in a 50 mile radius, all your friends bikes, and all your friends friends bikes. It is the only way you can find out what YOU like.

I love a steel bike, but I also like a bike with some carbon in the seat stays and what not. I've road some aluminum bikes that feel nothing like a normal aluminum. I swear by campy, and hate any petal that isn't a Look. This is me though, this is what my body likes, and what feels right to me. So go test ride, have fun and don't hurt any of them cuz you'll be buying a bike you don't like :D

Hope that helps.

Willie,

Yes, way too many choices. I spent hours and hours researching new road bikes and then a lot of time test riding.

My goal was to buy too much bike for me, and one...grow into it, and two...have an awesome bike that I really wanted to ride.

I first test rode aluminum (Cannondale CAAD7)...stiff and fast...liked it.

then I test rode steel (Lemond Zurich) liked it better, more comfortable for me.

then rode a Ti (Litespeed Veneto) liked it even more and was going to go for it, but decided that since I was in this $ stratosphere I better ride a carbon bike before I make a decision.

then rode a Calfee Luna Pro, well I was in awe, and am expecting delivery in a few weeks.

Clint Eastwood
Opinions are like @$$holes... everybody's got one

Here's mine (opinion, that is). I mostly agree w/poppaspoke's initial response. Go for a good quality, entry to mid-range bike. IMO, your first serious road bike is for really finding out about fit, feel, and what works for you. If all goes well, you may ride it for years. In any case, you can upgrade in a year or two with a lot less guesswork. And you'll already have shoes, helmet, shorts, and other gear that add to the initial investment. Regardless of what you buy initially, you'll do well to get even 1/2 what you paid trade in (except, maybe, Ti frames)... don't use that reasoning to rationalize dumping a lot of money into a top-line bike.

Thanks for all the helpful??? advice :D No seriously, thanks for the posts. Everything posted has made me think a little bit longer and harder about this. The only unfortunate thing, is there's already snow on the ground around here, so test rideing anything is out of the question for now. Plus, all the bike shops around here are also ski/snowboard shops, so all the bikes are off the floor. I'll still probably head in to the shops, maybe start asking some questions, feeling the shops out, get them to measure me up so I know what I'm looking for measurement wise at least.
One additional question, what would be some good sites online to check out? Go to manufacturer's homepages? Or retailers? I've checked out Wrenchscience, Bikewholesales, GVH, and a couple others I can't think of at the moment.
Unfortunatly, by nature, I'm a fairly mindset individual, in that once I get my mind on something, that's what I work for. And for the most part, it happens. So any fuel I have to help lead me down that path to my mind set, before I stupidly pick something myself would be great.
Thanks again. Being a newbie, everyone's been a big help, glad to be here.

Dang, Pokey I just wanted to ask a question or two of you, if you will...Do you race on the road?? and if so do you consider yourself a sprinter??

Benjamin

The manufacturer's sites are somewhat helpful once you kind of know what you're looking for. They're there to inform, yes, but mostly to sell their product over someone else's. Read with a grain of salt, just like you would most of the posts on here that tell you what to do. I've found, from working in a shop and selling bikes to buying them, that most LBS employees will be a little less biased. Just watch out. Some of them will take advantage of a n00b and put you on the wrong size bike just to walk it out the door. Do your research, check out some manufacturers and review sites, talk to shops. It's not a short process, but it's worth it to do it right.

Before long, you'll be set in your ways and telling everyone that no frame is a good frame unless it's aluminum/carbon/steel/ti. Then you'll be one of those annoying people on a message board that posts crap about how the only thing to get is aluminum/carbon/steel/ti. Or not.

Thanks again everyone. I can see I've got quite the decision to make. But at least I have some time, as there's no riding to be done outside right now. But the slopes are calling, so I can't complain.

Try Masi; I recently purchased the Masi Vincere, and am totally happy with it. I percieved it to be a great value.

FONDRIEST!!!!!!!!