Fifty Plus (50+) - Next for a New Bike

I have been reading all of these new bike posts drooling and now I have found the funds and have the approval to pull the trigger. The fun starts this weekend as I start shopping for a new roady. The rather long short list is:

Specialized Tarmac Expert
Giant TCR 1
Kestral Talon SL
Scott CR1 Pro
Trek Madone 5.2

Any wisdom on these options that anyone would like to share will be welcome. I am fixed on getting a full carbon fiber bike with the best components I can get and a target price around $3,000. If you have something else in mind with the same specs as above let me know I am open to looking at anyting right now.

Thanks for any help in advanced

The only way to check is on a test ride.

One of the reasons I enquired about a Dale C.F.Bike was that the Aluminium frames are harsh. The rider said the bike felt dead. That is just an example of why the test ride is necessary.

With this range of bikes- you are not going to get a Duff one. The Groupset and parts will be up to standard but Just in case it does turn up on one of the bikes- Watch out for a downgraded wheelset. Hate to say it and it will upset some people but if it has Bontrager as a name- I do not go for it. Bontrager parts are not bad but they are not the top quality that they are Merchanted as and they are overpriced for the quality they are. Thats my useless bit of advice so read it and disregard if you want.

The only other thing to look at is the warranty. All the top manufacturers are Good but do ensure that it will cover the frame for a respectable number of years. Others can advise you on this as I ride Aluminium.

If you are looking at Trek, check out Lemond also. And Felt makes a good line of carbon bikes. Just two more brands to add to the confusion!

I just Googled Kestral Talon. Dayum, that's a nice looking and versatile bike. I'm sure the others are too, but I don't even want to imagine the damage that could be done to my marriage.

I am sure I will probably look at everything in the price range that the 4 or so LBS' near me carry.So far I just have been web reviewing. The Kestral, Trek & Specialized have lifetime warranty on the frames for first time owner, the Scott is a 2yr, I have not found out about Giants warranty yet.

On paper the Tarmac look like best value ($2,600 MSRP) as it comes with Dura Ace RD, FSA carbon cranks (low end) and Mavic Equipe wheels. The one thought I have is to go with the lower price Tarmac and upgrade the wheel set. Look and feel will be a big part as well. Half the fun is just in the shopping and since I have a bike I will take my time to get what I want.

Don't pop for a 2007 Trek Madone 5.2 without checking out the 2008 Madones.

http://www2.trekbikes.com/madone/

"Buy them. Buy them all." -- General Stonewall Jackson, while visiting the Fredericksburg, VA, bike stores.

I am sure I will probably look at everything in the price range that the 4 or so LBS' near me carry.So far I just have been web reviewing. The Kestral, Trek & Specialized have lifetime warranty on the frames for first time owner, the Scott is a 2yr, I have not found out about Giants warranty yet.

On paper the Tarmac look like best value ($2,600 MSRP) as it comes with Dura Ace RD, FSA carbon cranks (low end) and Mavic Equipe wheels. The one thought I have is to go with the lower price Tarmac and upgrade the wheel set. Look and feel will be a big part as well. Half the fun is just in the shopping and since I have a bike I will take my time to get what I want.

Wheels are a very important part of a bike and is not realised. Take it the wheels are Krysium elites and they are good- You will need the Carbon frame to take the harshness out of the ride so not a problem. And Lifetime warranty sounds good.

Don't pop for a 2007 Trek Madone 5.2 without checking out the 2008 Madones.

http://www2.trekbikes.com/madone/

I've been drooling over the new Madones since they unveiled them:rolleyes:

Psst! <whisperin' in stonecrd's ear> Maybe you could find a new '06 Scott CR1 SL at discount. I did. ;)

I've been drooling over the new Madones since they unveiled them:rolleyes:

I was in a large Trek dealership today and they had several '08 models in stock. In fact, during the 30 minutes I was there, someone came in and purchased one. Very pretty bikes.

Now me, I'm waiting for the new Madone hybrid line to come out! :)

Now me, I'm waiting for the new Madone hybrid line to come out! :)
Isn't that the bike with a 700C front rim and a 26" mountain bike rear wheel?

Stopped by a couple of stores last night an was somewhat disapointed as neither had the model I was looking for on the floor. One as a Giant dealer and they had TCR 2&3 but not a 1, they would order though and the price is right. Interestingly they also sell a Guru which is a custom built to your measurements and starts around $3,000.

I went to the specialized dealer and they only had the Tarmac Comp so I was not able to look at the expert. They did have a nice Madone 5.5 full Dura Ace listed at $3,500. Man, that Dura Ace crank is beautiful to look at.

I don't think 2007 models will be available until probably Sept so I don't think I can wait that long. I am hoping I can find a nice 2007 that has been sitting on the floor for 10 months that they want to move. If I could get the 5.5 for $3,000 I might jump on that.

After taking the BMC on it's first ride last night I would strongly suggest you find a dealer and try one. Just Sayin.

I was in a large Trek dealership today and they had several '08 models in stock. In fact, during the 30 minutes I was there, someone came in and purchased one. Very pretty bikes.


I need to stop at the bike shop to pick up some items for the mountain bike. It's a small shop so they probably don't have any in stock. I did notice the big Trek store in Columbus advertised they had them...maybe I'll make a trip there this weekend:rolleyes:

I nearly bought a 2006 Giant TCR-C1 in April. It came with Ultegra and a DA RD. $2500. I asked him how much to upgrade to full DA. After running the numbers for about 10 minutes, even he was amazed. I could have had that bike with full DA for $3200+tax, $1000 less than the MSRP for the 2007 TCR-C0 with full DA! :eek:

Unfortunately, the frame was yellow (the '06 C2 frame was red, but not in stock), and I wanted either black or red or black/red. I know: so OCP. But I knew what I wanted, and didn't want to settle. This was to be something for me. So, I kept looking, knowing that I could always fall back on the Giant. That's when I found my Scott (dark carbon fiber weave and dark grey, with full DA) for just a little more, so I treated myself, and never looked back. :)

Good luck with your search, stonecrd. Don't forget to ask if they have some new '06 bikes still lying around....

Tim,

I looked briefly at the BMC Team machine, itis a bit out of my price range and I can't find a distributor. They also seem to just come with compact cranks and being in Florida I need my 53 ring.

I will say it is nice shopping in a price range where I know I will end up being happy with whatever I get.

Ray

After taking the BMC on it's first ride last night I would strongly suggest you find a dealer and try one. Just Sayin.

Unfortunatly a BMC carbon is going to be a $3000 budget buster. Take a look at the Jamis carbon bikes if you have a dealer. Lots of bang for the buck.

Obviously you will get lots of advice here. When you find the one, you will know it. Keep an open mind and be realistic about your needs vs wants. $3K will buy you a very fine machine! Good luck.

maybe consider doin a test ride on the equiv model in Spec Roubaix, as a point of comparo...