Road Cycling - Bike Decisions (long)

So I am looking at new bikes....

If dad decides to part with some cash, I can get a bike towards $3,000NZD without selling the Apollo. If not, I either have to get a $2,000NZD bike or sell the Apollo.

So far I have these options:
Reiker Cycles (NZ frame builder)
http://www.reikercycles.co.nz/pics/thumbs/RP011.jpg
RP011 - Reiker Vortex
7005 Double Butt Alloy Frame
Shimano Ultegra 9-speed groupset
Shimano WH-R540 Wheelset
Shimano PD-R540 Pedals
Complete bike ready to race

$2500.00
http://www.reikercycles.co.nz/pics/thumbs/RP008.jpg
RP012 - Reiker Sprinter
7005 Double butt Alloy Frame
Shimano 105 9-speed groupset
Shimano WH-R540 Wheelset
Shimano PD-R540 Pedals
The best value racer on the market!

$1995.00


I will sell the R540 Wheels and use my current training wheels off the Apollo untill I can afford Ksyriums. But is it worth getting the bike with Ultegra? I'd be better off spending the money on wheels etc wouldn't I. (im not a weight weenie for the sake of maybe 200g! on the groupo) But I will probably only be able to afford the 105 bike because I will need the wheels of the Apollo, so I can't sell that.

Then there is their other 105 bike, with only one left in a 56cm! my size! I can get it for $1800 because it's been a shop show bike (they do mail order etc)
http://www.reikercycles.co.nz/pics/thumbs/105.jpg
NOT AS SEXY!!!and the guy that I emailed said that this frame wasn't as stiff as the other models (note: TIME TRIALLING)
Easton ultra lite frame, carbon fork. Full Shimano 105 Groupset. Look pedals. CXP30 Rims. ITM Pro260 bars. Stunning in silver with blue decals


Moving right along now there is the Cervelo Soloist 105. *wolf whistles*
http://www.cervelo.com/images/2004/2004-SL105-click.jpg (http://www.cervelo.com/images/2004/2004-SL105-full.jpg)
Now this bike is built for road riding yet also the occasional TT and Tri etc. I thas a reversible seat post head for getting the seat forward and your arms onto aerobars, and the downtube seat tube and seat post are all aero.
Fork Project Zero 2
Seatpost Cervélo Aero Aluminum
Shift/Brake levers Shimano 105 STI Black
Front derailleur Shimano 105 9-speed Black
Rear derailleur Shimano 105 9-speed Black
Brake calipers Cervélo dual pivot black
Crankset FSA Gossamer
Bottom bracket Shimano 105
Headset Cane Creek 1inch
Dropbars 3TTT THE
Stem 3TTT THE
Saddle Selle Italia C2
Wheels Velomax Vista
Tires Rubino Pro

I can get this bike for $2,700NZD

Specialized.....I can get the Allez Elite for about the same as the Cervelo (2,700) if I can remember correctly.
AllezEliteDouble (http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/2004/bikes/04AllezElite18INTLblu_l.jpg)
Specialized Carbon-2 carbon fiber fork
New Shimano 105 Black Finish 18/27-speed component group
Specialized Comp oversized 3D forged adjustable “flip flop” forged alloy stem with Specialized Comp light weight oversized handlebars and Bar Phat thin gel handlebar pads, Specialized Pavé advanced composite seatpost
Alex ALX-330 superlight high-performance wheelset with lightweight Specialized aramid-bead 700 x 23c Mondo Pro SL 120TPI tires
Smooth-welded DB A1 Premium Aluminum frame with replaceable derailleur hanger and hidden rack mounts
Specialized Carbon-2 carbon fiber fork

Any suggestions and thoughts on each bike would be much appreciated! I am very keen on getting the Cervelo If I can. Of course I will test ride them before buying! But I may end up putting some other bikes on the list.... :O like:
Fuji Roubaix $2500
KHS 700 $2500
Genius Granfondo $3000 - this is a new company and can't find their website....?!
Maybe a cannonsnail?

Brendon

Cannondale R600 at 25ooNZD now on list also

Brendon

Dont know if those are sold as prebuilt bikes but they are certainly good frames and would be worth building up. I have one made for defunct Mercury cycle team (branded as Fuji Team) that I like.

Dont hear mention of these frames often but they are in your area.

Good Luck!

Think about getting one imported from the States, even second hand. Especially with the relatively weak $USD, they are a real steal compared to what we get over here (Aus and NZ).

Just picked up my new Casati today. :)

how many USD does the NZD buy?

That cervelo has almost exactly the same components as my lemond, and they all work well. add to that the fact that the cervelo is the more TTish frame there, I'd say go with that one, if it fits you well.

how many USD does the NZD buy?

That cervelo has almost exactly the same components as my lemond, and they all work well. add to that the fact that the cervelo is the more TTish frame there, I'd say go with that one, if it fits you well.

Right now, the NZD is equal to about $1.52USD., so the Cervelo would cost about $1775.

The Reiker Vortex and Sprinter frames remind me of Lemond's.

Cervelo

Cervelo

Potato.

The cervelo retails at $3,200 or so, so I am saving a good $500 on it already. I just dont want the hassle of buying online, shipping costs, import taxation, warranty issues etc. By the time it got here it would be about the same to buy locally I think.....might look into it though. Although I want a proper bike fit and all which I can get from the store I am buying at..... I am upgrading from a too big standard frame to the Cervelo compact frame so it's gonna be tricky to work out without the bike....and i want to test ride one.

Brendon

Add: Trek 1500...but it's looking like the cervelo.

If I were to take my standard 32spoke wheels, do you think the shops would allow me to put on the cassete and use my wheels so I can make a better comparison of all the bikes? because the wheels would make the bike very different in feel from bike to bike because there are so many types!

Brendon

I dont think so but ask.You could send cervelo your measurements and see what they say for the right size.

Cant you keep the Apollo, toss the frame and forks and maybe just spring for a nice custom frame and forks and a few parts instead?

man that cervelo looks like some good stuff. if it were me, i'd definately go with that.

I assume you have already looked at Avanti's http://www.avanti.co.nz

CHEERS.

Mark

Since you actively race, I would go with the local frame builder. If something goes wrong, they will be more likely to give you quick service than an "off shore" builder.

Just on fat guys opinion...:)

I assume you have already looked at Avanti's http://www.avanti.co.nz
blweck! never liked the avantis....plus EVERYONE here has them it seems, and thy are heavier than other bikes....by up to a kilo in some cases.

Brendon

I would do a custom build frame with a local builder (I know of one just up the road) but I like the TT characteristics of the Cervelo as I am a TT man!
From what I hear the Cervelo Tech team is quite good....they have a large QandA section on their site, and one of the guys from the main factory/office actively participates in an online owners group on Yahoo. One guy was complaining of bad shimmying on decents and this guy (Gerard) said to email him and they will replace the ENTIRE bike, and check it out. Wow!

It looks like I will be able to get a loan/gift of the extra $700 I will need to get the Cervelo without selling the Apollo. What I am going to do with it I am unsure about completely. I know I WILL sell the frame and get one that fits better! But I dunno if I should get a standard road frame, and save up to upgrade it to Shimano 105 9spd or get a touring type frame and save up and convert it to a mix of Shimano 105 Triple and Deore 9spd groups, and have it as a tourer that I can use for cyclocross?! would that work? I could still race road on it if I wanted.... although a dedicated second roadie might be good..... I am not sure!

I want these types of bikes.

Road/TT setup (cervelo)
Touring
Cyclocross or MTB
Track

Suggestions for this will be great...this will be a longrunning thread as this is a longterm "operation" shall we say!

Brendon