Road Cycling - building the perfect bike

Thinking of building a road bike. But short on funds.
Frame: Trek 5200 OCLV 120
Wheels: Rolf Vigors RS
Drivetrain: Shimano 105

What are the thoughts out there... any feed back would be greatly appreciated.
Using the bike for training rides/commuting/racing

oclv - good..
rolf wheels.. good
105 gruppo.. good

I think you're in the right track.. keep on riding..

Try broading up your choices.. There are lots of grear bikes, in that price range.. You should look around, and ride as many bikes as you can.. then choose.. :)

Finally someone sees the light and wants some Rolfprima Vigors. Top choice.

Now, as for that plastic POS Trek......

EDIT:

Waitaminute. 850 buck wheels on a 105 equipped Trek???? What exactly IS your budget?

If you have to buy the 105 group, go the extra mile and get the Ultegra. It's not that much more if you shop around. Although the 105 is a fine group, down the road you'll be happy you did.

55/Rad

'03 Trek 5500
'02 Lemond Poprad

I have one thought. Get a beater to commute on. It doesn't have to be fancy, I use a 20 year old touring bike. It's got big panniers which prob won't fit on your OCLV anyway; which lets me carry some groceries. It has rugged tires (Conti TT) so I don't have to worry much about flats on the way to work. And if it gets beat up riding around the city, it's not like I'm gonna care.

There is no perfect bike.

1. While very minor incremental differences in performance do exist, this isn't a sport where you can buy yourself a trophy so it's really mostly a style issue.

2. Regardless of your budget, you will always have some individuals who will quibble with some of your choices. You have to learn to just blow those people off.

3. Within a year, you will start quibbling with some of your own choices and start looking for something different and somehow better. You can't just ignore your own self so you're screwed.

It's a terrible disease that we have and there's no cure.

Waitaminute. 850 buck wheels on a 105 equipped Trek???? What exactly IS your budget?


bump :rolleyes:

Finally someone sees the light and wants some Rolfprima Vigors. Top choice.

Now, as for that plastic POS Trek......

EDIT:

Waitaminute. 850 buck wheels on a 105 equipped Trek???? What exactly IS your budget?

Trek 5200 is a POS ? you gotta be kidding! I've been on one for some time now and find that statment amazing ! but after checking your profile I guess I will just consider the source..........

Finally someone sees the light and wants some Rolfprima Vigors. Top choice.

Now, as for that plastic POS Trek......
Rolfprima Vigors? - Why would you want these POS's? (And if I ever ride them, that'll confirm my opinion)

Too many Treks in this world for ya?

55/Rad

Another lemming jumping off the TREK cliff.

Use your imagination and get anything but that piece of wooden crap.

Who cares what you slap on it, when the foundation is old and outdated then the whole thing is a waste of good parts.

You will at least look like all the other wannabe's out there.

Rolfprima Vigors? - Why would you want these POS's? (And if I ever ride them, that'll confirm my opinion)

Too many Treks in this world for ya?

55/Rad

Very well said, very nice.....
:)

Rolfprima Vigors? - Why would you want these POS's? (And if I ever ride them, that'll confirm my opinion)

Too many Treks in this world for ya?

55/Rad

funny that the rolf vigors and the bontrager race lites look nearly the same, and use the same paired spoke technology...

i question the "short on funds" statement made by the original poster too. $850 for a wheelset is not what i'd consider "short on funds."

treks? i could take them or leave them. i'm not a big fan of crabon fiber anything. i have no need for plastic bike parts. give me steel any day over CF.

Another lemming jumping off the TREK cliff.

Use your imagination and get anything but that piece of wooden crap.

Who cares what you slap on it, when the foundation is old and outdated then the whole thing is a waste of good parts.

You will at least look like all the other wannabe's out there.


Huh? don't the parts come off like on all of my bikes? How is it they are "a waste"? Good parts are good parts, I don't get it. "wannabe's"? omg help me out here. Have you noticed the new Treks latley? Hello?? Mine is black carbon! This is all getting way too stupid for me. Aaaahhhhhhh......
The more I come here the more I wonder just how many people here really do ride road or EVEN OWN BIKES! Possibly here playing some kind of game? Starting to wonder why I even come here...! Maybe its cause the weather stinks and I can't ride right now? don't know but I think I've about had my fill of reading the nonsence from people sittin around on their butts and over and over trying to pick specks of fly $hit out of the pepper.OMG! Just get physically fit, get a good bike and RIDE!.... it's not Rocket Science! Like a bunch of old women....God!

like, OMGLOL! LoneRider, welcome to the internet...like, someone asked a question, and then OMG!!!...some other people responded with their opinions!!....like...that's the way message boards work!!!

After the first $800 or so, it's the motor and the gray matter, not the bike. Except at the most elite level, the differences between riders can't be overcome by differences in equipment. The guy on the club rides who thrashes you on the hills will keep doing that even if you do buy a high-dollar, (we hope) ultralight bike. You can't buy speed.

That said, the 5200 and the 105 are good rational choices that will not hold you back. You will have to blame yourself for any shortcomings. I don't know anything about the wheels, so I won't say.....

You'd be better off with two bikes at half the price. That way you wouldn't have to worry about your commuter being too trashed to race on the weekends. Then you can get your commuter/climber with the triple, and the racer with the double crankset. And you can steal the wheels to keep the one you want running on short notice.

My trek 2200 has all 105. My friends 2300 has all ultegra. When I ride my friends bike, I can't tell any diff at all in the gruppo's. Shifts, peddling, braking with ultegra feel no diff than my 105. Maybe I'm not sensitive enough or something, but if money's tight, 105 is as good to me as ultegra. And I gotta say that my 105 feels as good today as it did 2500 miles ago. 105 even looks as good, shiny, very well machined.

Another lemming jumping off the TREK cliff.

Use your imagination and get anything but that piece of wooden crap.

Who cares what you slap on it, when the foundation is old and outdated then the whole thing is a waste of good parts.

You will at least look like all the other wannabe's out there.

The problem here, Ewitz, is that your "opinion" comes from nowhere and with no support. If you think the "foundation is old and outdated" and that Trek's are POS's, then tell us why. Without any reasoning behind your argument, you're the one who comes off as the disgruntled wannabe.

55/Rad

like, OMGLOL! LoneRider, welcome to the internet...like, someone asked a question, and then OMG!!!...some other people responded with their opinions!!....like...that's the way message boards work!!!


Heh heh heh.

woooooo....you can tell some people are chugggin' their energy drinks and gnawin' on protein bars 24/7...calm down...the dude was just asking if it would make a good bike...and some of ya are acting like you work for Shimano/Trek/Rolfowheelo's...or you're working for the ANTI-Shimano/Trek/Rolfo group...

Personally...I don't know jack about ya wheels...never rode em', so there...The Shimano 105 stuff is great...just like any serious Shimano stuff...can't say anything is any better/worse cause I've never owned SRAM above some grip-shifts on my old lady's ride...As far as the Trek...alot of people have em/love em/ride the piss out of em'...Unless you're fat/round/heavy, it'll probably work great...if you're fat/heavy/round, then carbon fiber may be too flexy...I know my 220-lb butt will work on one...if that's the case, find some steel or ti...

Softride Rocket TT7 with DuraAce. Best bike in the world.

The problem here, Ewitz, is that your "opinion" comes from nowhere and with no support. If you think the "foundation is old and outdated" and that Trek's are POS's, then tell us why. Without any reasoning behind your argument, you're the one who comes off as the disgruntled wannabe.

55/Rad

Don't you just love it? A couple of real pieces of work on this one for some reason. My ti bike is great, but so is my OCLV but in a different way, having said that, how could I say someone else's steel ride is a POS. Why should I care? I'm happy. And who could help resenting someone saying what one is fond of is a "POS"!, such nonsense! The real deal here is fitness for the engine, something the sawed off pimp squeek snotty pukes can't relate to because really getting fit can be very painfull; more than their type of character (or lack of it) could tolerate.

Thinking of building a road bike. But short on funds.
Frame: Trek 5200 OCLV 120
Wheels: Rolf Vigors RS
Drivetrain: Shimano 105

What are the thoughts out there... any feed back would be greatly appreciated.
Using the bike for training rides/commuting/racing

This is my perfect bike

I just don't get the 105.

Paul

If you have to buy the 105 group, go the extra mile and get the Ultegra. It's not that much more if you shop around. Although the 105 is a fine group, down the road you'll be happy you did.


Ok. Why?

I love it. As someone once said, "Opinions are like ass#*les--everyone's got one, and no one thinks theirs stinks!"

Now, for my "don't stink" opinions-
1. Trek frame is nice--stiff yet smooth, sort of glides. Very impressed with it when I rode it. And that was on a Trek 5000 with real baseline wheels, seat, fork, etc.
2. No experience with the wheels, defer to others.
3. 105 vs Ultegra vs. DuraAce 9spd--small difference between each but cumulative difference in terms of weight, technological complexity, etc. I think the post above that said spring for Ultegra is prob right, its a bit lighter, but it depends on what you want to spend your dineros on. I'd go ride a 105 bike and then an Ultegra bike and see. Pick a Fuji or a Giant where they have all the gruppos on similar framesets. Personally I prefer the DA9spd.

I have been told numerous times that its frame and wheels that make or break a bike. So, if you like the Trek and the Rolfs, you're there!

white rock cycles. see what kevin can do for ya about wheels. i don't know what kind they are. but he uses them. 214-824-5454. supposed to be easy on the ass.

Sorry. I should have been more specific about the shortness of funds.
I was offered the wheels and frame for a whopping 1200 dollars. I was offered a 105 componet set up for an additional 350.
I have been looking on the internet to see if this is a good deal. But I am not sure. That was why I was asking.
The person giving it cheap is a divorce in progress, and she doesn't want him to have it and he doesn't want her to have it.

My shortness of fund is that I only have 1800 hundred to spend on a bike plus accesories<sp?> I know this is cutting it short, but it sounded like a good deal.

For the money its a good deal
However, Even if it cost $10. if it doesn't fit you its
not a good deal.
What components are on the bike now? could you
offer the 1800 for complete bike?

I have a Trek, I love it. Its 531 steel

Marty

Ok. Why?
I suppose it's personal preference and psychological as opposed to a performance issue. 5200's come stock with Ultegra and you can buy the groupset for only a relative few dollars more. Resale value certainly wouldn't be hurt. Also, as the owner of a 5500 with Ultegra, which without Dura Ace is "only" a rebadged 5200, I can relate. But the difference in the cost between DA and Ultegra is substantial as opposed to the difference between the Ultegra and 105.

Just my opinion.

55/Rad

go get someone to make you a frame and fork out of boron manganese steel (and whatever else would make that allow stronger). that stuff is 5 times stronger than normal steel. then slap on the best campy has to offer with your preference of seat and bars and pedal and all will be well.

Merton - have you got a bike yet?

no :(. i want either http://www.khsbicycles.com/04flite700.html

http://www.khsbicycles.com/04flite320.html

i can't decide

but the way things are going... i will just have to stick to my commuter (when i have the money to buy it in 3 or 4 weeks) http://www.khsbicycles.com/04alite300.html .. i am soooo sad. :( but i should build my self up to be worthy of one of those road bike first anyway. but i would like a bike made entirely of boron/ manganese/ titanium (maybe or maybe no titanium) steel, someday when i'm making $80,000 a year. that would be sweet. ... sigh. i just think it would be more reliable. i wouldn't worry about weight so much. lances bike on the last tour de france was like 17 lbs (i think)... so what's so bad about a VERY durable 19lb bike?

oh! the $1200 range? get one of those roady's i'm looking at. then you'll have money for pedals and over priced tights and all that gobbledy gook! :D

i think i would go with the flite 700 since it has campy. i think they're supposed to be more reliable. reliability is very important when you spend a lot of money. it weighs 19 lbs and all it needs are some pedal! :D

there's this too http://www.www.fujibikes.com/road/bike.asp?category_short_name=road&myArray=87,88,89,90,91,92,93,102,94,95,96,103,97,104,106,99,98,100,105,101,107,108,109,112,110,111,1 13,114&myArrayID=8&yr=2004

nope... the khs is a better deal. seriously

It seems you are not getting a lot of answers to your questions.

In general, the Trek 5200 is a very nice frame. If you haven't ridden one, you may or may not like the carbon fiber. Most do, some don't. ABOVE ALL, don't get the frame unless you believe it fits you. A great but ill-fitting frame is not worth anything to you.

Not much feedback on the wheels, so you take your chances there.

If 105 is part of the package, take it you will be fine. If you can get Ultegra for not too much more, it is probably worth the upgrade.

The bike built up with Ultegra runs $2200 to $2700, depending on where you are. If you can get it built up for $1500-1600 and have $200-300 for accessories, you are doing quite well. If your built price is $1800-1900 with 105 (plus accessories extra), you are doing ok but not great and you might consider also looking for a complete bike at a shop with some service thrown in.

If the frame doesn't fit, don't do it.

Good luck.

Again I must apologize. These part frame and all are from a friend who has this stuff as extras. He had the frame built as a dura ace and I rode it while built it was incredible, great fit nice ride. He switched to a softride and took the dura ace parts. He had the 105 kit still in box(his friend owns the lbs) and the rims were his old ones.
I am just trying to get a nice ride/commute/training bike. I wanted to know should i buy something else new, or take what I can get kind of cheap.
Thanks for all the replies, somewhat confusing but trying to figure it all out.
Thank everyone for the help.
As to the trek haters. Why? is something wrong, or just anti corporation. Just curious.

large volume company, seen to have sold out its roots
(small semi custom steel frames rivaling most italian frames
of the era).
Kind of the starbucks of the bicycle world.

Also its an image thing, Trek lance wannabe etc.

Personally, I wouldn't worry about it.

Marty

If you like the bike and it fits, go for it. It is a really nice bike and will do all you want and much more. My only concern was fit, and you say it fits great and you rode it. It sounds like you will be well under $1800 fully built, so you will have a good deal to go with a nice bike. You won't find anything better at that price or even under $2000.

If it is the 105 you are concerned about, don't worry. It will be fine. Just ride a lot and put higher end on when the 105 wears out.

Another lemming jumping off the TREK cliff.

Use your imagination and get anything but that piece of wooden crap.

Who cares what you slap on it, when the foundation is old and outdated then the whole thing is a waste of good parts.

You will at least look like all the other wannabe's out there.




Tell me I'm not going to be a cranky old b a s t a r d when I'm 40?

The 5200 seems to be a great bike, one of my good friends has one and is in love with it. I don't know about the wheels, haven't heard too many complaints about Rolfs in general.
Now as far as the grouppo goes. I am also considering building up a road bike and you have 3 options if you're looking to 105/ultegra. The way most bike companies build up a bike, i.e. Ultegra rear derailluer, 105 front and some $10 piece of crap for a bottom bracket assuming you'll never see it. They also seem to skimp on brake calipers and headsets, usually.
Just get all 105, for everything besides the wheels stem and bars you're looking at about $400. This is a good choice, if all is new, you should be able to sell it at close a decent price on Ebay if you want to upgrade.
Just get all Ultegra, for everything besides wheels, stem and bars you're looking at about $500. Only a hundred more dollars, whether or not you'll feel the weight or performance difference I don't know but if you wanted to upgrade your shifters from 105 to Ultegra you'd probably end up spending about $60 after selling and shipping the 105s and buying the new Ultegra Shifters.
My suggestion is don't skimp on the things that a bike company usually does, get the nice BB, headset and front derailleur. The BB and Headset are key components.
(I got the prices from Performancebike.com when a bunch of stuff was on sale)(keep your eye on Roadbikereviews.com hot deals for stem, and handlebars)
All in all if the wheels are 850, the grouppo is 500 and everything else is 100 you may want to look at a used Trek 5200. you're bike is already 1450 without the frame. Well this is just some rambling I came up with for you.