Road Cycling - New cyclist, new bike

I'm new to cycling (ex-runner) and am planning to spend $2500 or so on a new bike. I've been advised to avoid Cannondale and other stiff aluminum bikes because of ride quality issues. I currently ride a 20-year-old Bianchi with a chrome-moly frame, which, I'm told, has a plush ride (it's the only bike I've ever ridden). I plan to do mass-start races as well as time trials. What's the most bang for the buck? All opinions would be appreciated.

Whoever told you that is an idiot. Cannondale frames are very nice frames. i love the ride, some hate it. It is more personal preference than anyhting else.

The quality of the ride derives from the design of the frame, more than its material. And it's further influenced, quite heavily, by the choice of wheels. And finally, the rider's size, build, and style really matter. And it's all a waste if the bike doesn't fit you properly.

You have a sufficient budget to go to a good bike shop that specializes in road bikes (and that's critical; the run-of-the-mill bike shop may sell road bikes, but knows little about fitting and setting up racing bikes). Talk to local racers and find out where they go. Get a fitting. Ride a bunch of bikes. Take your time.

RichC

Are you comfortable on the Bianchi? If so, you know your size (assuming you don't have either no seatpost or two feet of seatpost showing or a 200mm stem or some other weird thing). If you know your size you can get a wonderful, high-end bike on eBay. Any of the good names are good bikes. Litespeed, newer Cannondales (they ride better than the old, I am told), Colnago, Trek, Serotta, Lemond etc. All the more recent vintage brand-name bikes (since about '98) are well designed and should give you a good ride and high quality. The mid-to-lower end bikes from Giant and Specialized tend to be "stiff", in my experience, though. Their high-end stuff is considerably better.

Steel still provides the most plush, day-long ride, but you will pay a very small weight penalty. Doesn't really matter unless you are absolutely fit and don't need to lose a pound or so, yourself. But may matter if you plan on doing long rides (including long time trials).

There are several bike fitting routines on the web. Search the forum and you will come up with at least half-a-dozen. All are acceptable. But, if your Bianchi fits, you will not need.

For $2500 you will be able to get a one or two or three year old top-end bike with many, many miles left in it and great gear (Campy Record, Chorus, Daytona or Centaur. Shimano DuraAce or Ultegra).

Or, buy a frameset and build your own. For instance, I just bought a '98 Serotta for $255 (am I excited - YES) with a carbon fork. I will build up with a Campy Centaur 10-speed group (same level as a Shimano Ultegra, but one more speed) and Ksyrium wheels and for about $1,400 I will have a killer flatland bike to go with my Record equipped Scapin climbing bike.

Stay with brand-name gear (I prefer Campy, but Shimano is also very good. Mavic, VeloMax and Bontrager wheels, as well.) and you can't go wrong. That includes shoes and clothes. Doesn't mean it won't break or wear-out. Just means it will be less trouble and you will enjoy your ride much more as you can concentrate on the ride and not worry about the gear.

Sounds as if you are about to embark on a great journey. Have fun!!

Before spending $2500 invest some SERIOUS time studying every bike you find appealing.
That would be a very expensive mistake if you bought a bike you didn't like after a few weeks of riding.

I suggest you read the Rivendell Bicycle Works Web site. You might find out that your Bianchi is worth refurbishing. Or check out the Romulus/Redwood bikes they sell. I just bought a Romulus, a terrific sub-$2,000 bike.

My advice with Rivendell is to heed their advice about frame size and not insist on sticking with your "normal" size. My last two bikes have been 58cm. I was shocked by the new Romulus' 61cm frame size, 11cm stem and 46cm handlebar until I rode the bike for a week. Now it feels perfect for me, just as RBW said it would.

Photo attached (apologies to those who've seen it before).

I had not thought to mention having your Bianchi refurbished and built up with modern gear. Lugged Bianchi framesets, especially those made out of Columbus SLX tubing from the late 80's-early 90's are wonderful frames. You can have it completely overhauled and upgraded for to full Campy Centaur for about $1500-1800 dollars. Again, you will give up about 3 pounds in weight to a modern, thin-walled steel tubeset and about another 1/2 pound to the carbon/ti/aluminum framesets, but you will have a wonderful bike. That is sort of what my Serotta will be. A newer lugged frameset with all modern gear. Will most like weigh about 19.5 pounds. You can even put a carbon fork on the front.

If you are planning to race, I think a more modern choice may be more appropriate.

Basically, these days, pretty much any bike worth $2500 with a decent groupset on it will be a good thing. You just have to shop around and find one that suits all your little kwirks. Look for Campy Record/Chorus or Shimano Dura Ace/Ultegra. Otherwise, compare framsets and wheels on the package and get value for your money!

Just make sure you tell your LBS that you're in the market for a $2000 bike, these things have a way of escalating no matter what your starting point. :p

In fact, speaking from experience (and following minesh1's advice), by the time you're done accessorizing or spec-upgrading, you'll easily add a couple hundred to the total price tag beyond your starting price point (including dreaded sales tax, of course).

Add pedals, computer, new helmet, chain lube, spare tube, shoes etc ( i dont know what you already have) and your talking alot of additional expense, tell them 2000 for sure.

So tell me more about your Bianchi - :=)

I just upgraded it to an 8-speed Shimano with triple chain rings (I know, I know) and Speedplay x2 pedals (which I love). I had no idea how bad it was living with down-tube shifters!

Hey what size do you ride? I have a 1 year used Litespeed w/ultegra for sale. It is a 57cm(c-t). If you are brand new to cycling look at starting with something mid range..chances are if you really like cycling you will be upgrading in a year or so anyway. Feel free to contact me if interested in my ride. Bripeters@email.com

Would you consider selling your Bianchi? If yes, can you send pics of it?