"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Pick my new racing bike...

OK. My Tarmac is getting retired sometime towards the end of this year (or really, getting relegated to rain/etc duty). Whatever I get isn't going to get built up until SRAM Red comes out, and won't be complete until the new Dura Ace 7850 Wheels come out, but i'm gonna start looking for a good deal on whatever frame I pick now since I have to find the right size, etc, etc...

In the end, the vote works out like this: You guys: 10%, Me: 30%, Coach: 50%, Price: 10%, but hey, you still have a 10% say in this, and i'm really interested in what other people have to say.

I'm thinking right now of either an S-Works Tarmac, Scott CR1 (or possibly an addict), Look something (565? 585?), Pinarello F4:13, or a BMC *gulp*. Price is a consideration, but I want to get something that is nice and won't be obsolete tomorrow.

If you'd like to suggest something else, here are the qualifications:
1) CF only... Sorry, no Ti!
2) MUST be a race geometry (no Trek Pilots, Specialized Roubaix, etc)
3) No Treks, Cervelos, or Times (personal preference, sorry!)'

OK. Flame away (or better yet, give real opinions and experience!), but make it exciting... I'm bored at work!

The way I look at the precentage breakdown, You could want a frame real bad, it could cost 10 bucks, and we could unanimously agree on it, and your coach can stil make this a 50/50 proposition.

This is why Austin is weird.... (but I really enjoy it there)

I am biased.

Care to expand on the use? Weight and riding style?

Yeah, I know it could be 50/50, and that's OK, because that guy knows his stuff!

Biased is OK...

Crits and Road Races. Much more of a TT rider than a Sprinter. 150-ish lbs..

That help?

Go ride a 565 or a 585.

Decide if the cost is worth it to you.

I'm 215 and the CR-1 is great, but likely overkill for you. Better suited to RR IMHO, but a great all 'rounder. It beat the Tarmac in my shopping.

A Look 585/595 may well be an even better choice. Cypress has one and is closer to your dimensions so perhaps he can expand on that.

BMC is the odd duck. I've only seen two on the road.

DP is your source for the Pinny.

Not a dog in the bunch at the end of the day.

I don't think that you can go wrong with any of these choices. Can you test ride them all? One of them might just fit a bit better.

being fond of isp I would go addict limited(and with the new red kit way light), derosa idol(never see them around) or if you get a look 595 ultra. You are looking at $3k+ frames, is price really an option? Also I wouldn't put your coaches opinion over yours. At the end of the day it is you butt in the saddel not his and your $3k.

a crack-and-fail, simply because i really like mine and theyve always done their own thing, I just like the company really.

What is the most expensive frame listed? I'm curious.

Voting for a R3 or Soloist :)

B-m-c! :)

If your old Tarmac worked for you and you liked the fit...why fix what ain't broke? S-Works was my vote....

BMC timemachine ftw

What are you doing with it? Your weight and height?

I think i'm gonna nix the BMC and Pinarello due to prices.

If I were to go with a Look, it'd likely be a 585 unless I can find a crazy deal on a 595.

I must admit that i'm leaning towards either a CR1 or Tarmac because there's local dealers here where I could ride either. I also have a current team affiliation with Specialized (though not spectacular, so it's not really a cheaper option). The team i'm hoping to go with post-graduation has a Scott affiliation, sooo...

I think this is gonna come down to what I like the ride of more, but I just wanted to see what everyone else's take is, and your opinions are helping! Thanks!

What are you doing with it? Your weight and height?

Primarily road races and crits . I have a dedicated TT bike, so it'll never get used for that kind of stuff.

I'm 5'9", 150-ish.

I think i'm gonna throw a compact on the Tarmac and use that for rainy days, and anything with crazy climbing, but it's pretty much not gonna get ridden otherwise.

I voted other. TCR Advanced Team. If you're willing to forgoe the cache, you can get a very good deal on a very good bike, made by the best carbon fiber manufacturer in the world.

Why not wait until the new Madone comes out and see how it rides. The you could have half of BF bust your shoes for buying a Trek.

Is Crumpton in Austin?

Just some nums:

I ride the 56 CR1 SL. 5'10" with an inseam of around 30". Hate to say it but, it's too big. Head tube is longer than many others and tends to stand you up. Just something to be aware of when sizing. I'd love to try the Addict as the geometry looks like it would lay you out more and put you in a more aero position as compared to the CR1.

I'm down to the smallest spacer I can find (2.5 maybe)? And my knee bend is pushing it at 33 degrees or so. Anywho the above issue was an oversight by me, and I really love riding the bike. Have had no mechanical issues with maybe 750 hours on the frame.

New to the forum. Hope this helps.

BTW: I'm backing the Looks on this one. I just like them for some reason.

One thing though: obsolete frame? You've seen me race on my 7-year-old 9-speed Ritchey a couple times now, right? ;)

Sounds like I need to take the Look 585 seriously here then. Time to find someplace that stocks them!

My frame's not obsolete, but having no expenses and being in school gives me one last opportunity to spend way too much on my bike that'll hopefully stay (near) cutting edge for at least a few years...

One of my lunchtime training partners has a Look. I'll ask him where he got it.

I just built up a LOOK 585. The bike is very impressive. When you stand the bike launch's, yet is is very smooth on bumpy roads. Its also very light. I built a XXL under 16lbs without getting all weight weenie stuff to do it.