Road Cycling - Wowweeeeee!

I was just at the Trek dealer down the street for the first time in a while and they have the new 04 bikes out in force. For the first time I was actually able to get a close look at a CF bike. They had the Trek 5000 & 5500 both on display. I had no idea how light, LIGHT really was until I picked up the 5000! :eek:

At $2000.00 for the 5000, I guess I'll be riding my 1978ish Raleigh Grand Prix for a long time to come. :(

It sure was nice to be able to tie some of the things I read here on BF to something physical like that.

I picked up a merlin last month, I think it was called a super lite, and almost jammed it into the celing thinking it weighed more :)

I picked up a merlin last month, I think it was called a super lite, and almost jammed it into the celing thinking it weighed more :)

Yea. I knew everyone said how light the new bikes are, especially the CF ones, but I did not expect them to be that light.

It really makes me curse my 54# commuter bike.. :mad:

I believe the merlin was Ti. The tubing must of been quintuple butted ;)

When I got my new Litespeed, I spent the first three or four days picking it up and thinking, WOW.

Meh, weight weenies. ;)

When I got my new Litespeed, I spent the first three or four days picking it up and thinking, WOW.

I do that with my Raleigh Mustang ATB that I use for commuting. Only I can't believe how HEAVY it is. :rolleyes:

I do that with my Raleigh Mustang ATB that I use for commuting. Only I can't believe how HEAVY it is.

LOL :D

That would have been the Merlin Extralight; very nice and light bike indeed.

It really makes me curse my 54# commuter bike.
54# ???
I guess I'm just a weenie. I used to complain about my ~35# commuter. :o

Well, if some of us ride bikes for the EXERCISE and FITNESS, which bike will get you more fit?

1. N7CZinMT's 54# commuter bike

2. Or the Marlin or Trek Ti and CF?

In weight lifting we try to add MORE weight.

In biking we try to get LESS weight.

Hhmmm!!

Yet we are trying to get fit with both exercises.

<snip>
Well, if some of us ride bikes for the EXERCISE and FITNESS, which bike will get you more fit?

In weight lifting we try to add MORE weight.

In biking we try to get LESS weight.

Hhmmm!!

Yet we are trying to get fit with both exercises.

Truly a paradox. :)

The reason I ride my old 54# Raleigh ATB is because it will make me a much stronger rider. I agree 100% that the heavier bike will get you more fit. Lord knows I sure need it. But man, some days I really do curse the bike. (I have special encantations for such curses)

I still drule over those new bikes.

Lighter weight= more speed at the same power expenditure! Heck you can get fit with either, you just go faster on the lighter bike. I have a light weight road bike and an old Trek 850 turned commuter/townie/touring/just get out and ride bike that has more gadgets on it than you can shake a stick at. It is a heavy weight, but I love riding it, matter of fact I rode it 14 miles to work this morning! :p My first commute this year, I know, fair weather commuter! ;)


Speeking of light weight Treks. I was in the local shop here Thursday and the owner has some kind of 1 of 500 special Madones. Talk about prety! Talk about light! Talk about BUCKS!!!!! $9-10,000 dollars worth! :eek: There is no way I would ride a bike like this! Holy Crap! I would be afraid a rock would jump up and chip it or something!

BTW, I haven't been able to find even a picture of this bike on the NET anywhere, not even on the Project One sight.

I dont think that 5000 is a trek frame,its by giant. My bad. They were saying the 5000 was better then the TCR2,the whole bike. I'll take the TCR1 over the 5200.

I dont think that 5000 is a trek frame,its by giant.
That makes no sense. It uses the OCLV 120 fram just like the 5200 and the 5500. The only road frame Trek has made overseas is the 1000 I believe.

at this one bike shop I went to, there was a bike for sale that one of the mechanics had been racing on for the past couple of seasons, it was a s-works specialized. It was at least 3-4 pounds lighter then my road bike though. It was beat to hell though, probably had around several thousand hard miles on it. I probably wouldn't buy it though.

1 of 500 special Madones. Talk about prety! Talk about light! Talk about BUCKS!!!!! $9-10,000 dollars worth! :eek: There is no way I would ride a bike like this! Holy Crap! I would be afraid a rock would jump up and chip it or something!

BTW, I haven't been able to find even a picture of this bike on the NET anywhere, not even on the Project One sight.[/QUOTE]

Here is the link

http://lancearmstrong.com/lance/online2.nsf/html/LABike

Truly a paradox. :)

The reason I ride my old 54# Raleigh ATB is because it will make me a much stronger rider. I agree 100% that the heavier bike will get you more fit. Lord knows I sure need it. But man, some days I really do curse the bike. (I have special encantations for such curses)

I still drule over those new bikes.

The other paradox is our rough and tough he-man mountain bike riders who spend hundreds and even thousands of dollars on front, rear, seat and who knows what else types of suspension so that their ride will be smoother!

1 of 500 special Madones. Talk about prety! Talk about light! Talk about BUCKS!!!!! $9-10,000 dollars worth! :eek: There is no way I would ride a bike like this! Holy Crap! I would be afraid a rock would jump up and chip it or something!

BTW, I haven't been able to find even a picture of this bike on the NET anywhere, not even on the Project One sight.

Here is the link

http://lancearmstrong.com/lance/online2.nsf/html/LABike

I found that pretty absurd as well. It's sort of like the Pinerallo Dogma Ego, a pretty expensive bike, with an even more expensive paint job:)

That's the bike! She shore is pretty paw! :D Can I keep her?

No son, I'm afraid she's outa yor league! :eek:

Well at least I got to touch it!!!!! I would be thrilled with a new 2300. ;)

Well, if some of us ride bikes for the EXERCISE and FITNESS, which bike will get you more fit?

1. N7CZinMT's 54# commuter bike

2. Or the Marlin or Trek Ti and CF?

In weight lifting we try to add MORE weight.

In biking we try to get LESS weight.

Hhmmm!!

Yet we are trying to get fit with both exercises.

In answer to the question, which bike will get you more fit? The answer is, the bike that you ride more. I'd MUCH rather play on my Trek 5200, than feel like a slug on a 54# bike. That would be like the difference between driving a Porsche sports car, and a dump truck.

<snip> That would be like the difference between driving a Porsche sports car, and a dump truck.


Good analogy. It really is as you describe. But I can assure you that pushing the heavy bike makes me stronger and faster on the my lighter bikes. I like to call it "rolling resistance training." :p