"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - $1500-$2000

ok, so i was offered, as a gift for my 30th birthday, a brand new road bike of my choosing, between $1500 and $2000. i'm looking for a bike to start racing on. i'm 6'2 and 210 at my racing weight, so i think i'm staying away from full carbon. any suggestions? trying to stay away from trek, as everyone has one. and i'd prefer traditional geometry. felt has really piqued my interest, as has leader. any input is appreciated.

thanks.

www.rideblue.com/ (http://www.rideblue.com/)

Value similar to Felt but better looks.

You could get a sweet CAAD series Cannondale for that. Especially right now.. All of the '06s are being closed out.

Hi,
find an 2006 $3k bike on sale, chip in a few hundred of your own bucks, and smile.

I had a $2k max budget a year and a half ago for a new race bike. I test rode a ton of bikes and bought a Felt F55 that has served me well. In the end you'll find a lot of worthy bikes in your price range; buy one that fits well.

Had a similar budget a few years ago, went with the Cannondale R1000 CAAD8, I am 6'2" 220 and I couldn't/can't find anything wrong with it. I did get mine end of the season for closer to $1,500. I started racing on it this summer and love it.

i'm looking for a bike to start racing on. i'm 6'2 and 210 at my racing weight, so i think i'm staying away from full carbon. any suggestions?

1) If you've never raced before, how do you know what your racing weight is? I'm guessing you could dip below 200 with ease. You will lose unnecessary muscle (and fat) with time.

2) Why do you think that carbon won't be able to handle your weight, versus any other material? Someone has led you astray. I've seen much bigger dudes on carbon frames without problems.

3) There are many good brands out there, don't focus on just one or a couple. Find a good deal on a bike with Ultegra or Centaur components, within your budget, that FITS.

check the steals & deals section at R&A cycles website.

I have to second the CAAD series of bikes....there really isn't a better race bike for the money.

check the steals & deals section at R&A cycles website.

good stuff there... thanks for the pointer.

--jim

My BMC streetfire SSX with 105/ultegra mix came out to just under 2000. It is a great race bike, super stiff and I love it.

THat said, search around a lot and find the one bike that you like the most because there are dozens of great bikes in that price range

www.rideblue.com/ (http://www.rideblue.com/)

Value similar to Felt but better looks.

I like mine. When I was shopping for a new race frame, the RC-4AL seemed to be one of the best deals around.

I'll echo the suggestions of Cannondale CAAD bikes. Great stuff!

You could get a sweet CAAD series Cannondale for that. Especially right now.. All of the '06s are being closed out.
If you coudl still find them in your size, and components you want. All the bike shops around here are out of them. :(

2) Why do you think that carbon won't be able to handle your weight, versus any other material? Someone has led you astray. I've seen much bigger dudes on carbon frames without problems.

+1 When I was a junior racer I had a German exchange student stay and train with me for a year. He was a fast but heavy (230 lb) rider and he rode a full carbon Mongoose (not the best quality). He broke plenty of parts on his race bikes, but never the frame, and he was strong, winning the prestigious Rund Um Koln a few years later in their esprit age category.

Also, +1 for Cannondale. Quality racing bikes at decent prices, but there are other brands out there. Test ride as many as you can. And finally, will they allow part of that budget to be used on a second set of wheels? As a racer, you'll want a racing set and a spare set in the wheel pit in case of a flat. Also, you might need to change your cassette if they still have junior gear restrictions.

If you coudl still find them in your size, and components you want. All the bike shops around here are out of them. :(


Tell me what size and component package you are looking for, my sponsor still has a few 06 bikes on the floor.

I think an aluminum Cannondale or Blue is a great suggestion

thanks for all this input so far. i like blue, but nothing in my area to actually try on. same thing i feel about leader. i'd rather try on a few as opposed to going with a mail order thing and not actually feeling things out. thanks for the a&r input.

anyone have any input on the cervelo soloist team? at $2200MSRP, i might be able to push the limit. seems like a steal, with a mostly ultegra drivetrain, and race proven performance.

ok, so i was offered, as a gift for my 30th birthday, a brand new road bike of my choosing, between $1500 and $2000. i'm looking for a bike to start racing on. i'm 6'2 and 210 at my racing weight, so i think i'm staying away from full carbon. any suggestions? trying to stay away from trek, as everyone has one. and i'd prefer traditional geometry. felt has really piqued my interest, as has leader. any input is appreciated.

thanks.

'I'm staying away from full carbon'

But WHY??? Any particular rationale for that?

I'd echo the others here who think you'll be under 200 lbs in fairly short order if you start racing. George Hincapie is 6'3" and 175lbs. I'm 5'11" and under 170lbs (and I'm no featherweight). I wouldn't be surprised if you wind up @ 190 or less.

You can buy an Ultegra equipped Cannondale Six13 for about $2K or so. But shop around.

If you are going to race criteriums, you might want to get a steel bike. When you crash (not if you crash) if your frame is damaged, you can usually just bend it back. Say goodbye to a carbon or alu bike if you crash it.

Get a 2006 E5. Last model year for one of the best racing frames ever made.

If you are lookign still (I doubt it) look at the Specialized E5 full dura Ace bikes. They are sweet, light and alloy not full carbon. I have one for sale if you want to upgrade or get in aroudn 2,000.

ok, so i was offered, as a gift for my 30th birthday, a brand new road bike of my choosing, between $1500 and $2000. i'm looking for a bike to start racing on. i'm 6'2 and 210 at my racing weight, so i think i'm staying away from full carbon. any suggestions? trying to stay away from trek, as everyone has one. and i'd prefer traditional geometry. felt has really piqued my interest, as has leader. any input is appreciated.

thanks.

F $1500. Spend $2000. Start from there.

http://scifipedia.scifi.com/images/8/82/Zombie1.jpg

I pointed this (http://www.nytro.com/2007_Kestrel_Talon_Road_Bike_p/kes07talroad.htm) out to someone last week which I thought was a good deal. I'm 6'0", 210 lbs., and my Talon has been nothing but solid and dependable.

I wanted a full carbon bike but the cost was a little out of my ability at this time. I ended up on a new 2007 LeMond which is part carbon and part aluminum. I'm 6'3 and 235 and the bike fits me great. I paid 1250 for the bike and another 90 for pedals. All in all not a bad deal IMHO.

I wish you the best of luck and I hope you find exactly what you want.


peace,


Dean

http://scifipedia.scifi.com/images/8/82/Zombie1.jpg

Resurrection ain't just for Zombies.

Such threads should never be brought back from the grave.

Here you go:

http://www.racycles.com/CerveloSoloistTeamUltegraBike-idv-5943-255.html

http://scifipedia.scifi.com/images/8/82/Zombie1.jpg

Where can I get a zombie for $1500-2000?

Just try to act like one of them.

http://gizmodo.com/assets/resources/2007/06/shaun_of_the_dead_xl_02.jpg

Just try to act like one of them.



^^ best zombie flick in a long time ^^