Road Cycling - Upgrading to a better road bike

What bike would you recommend for a 5'6" 140 pound rider? I ride about 150 miles per week mostly recreational and some charity rides/centuries.

Currently have Trek1000 and am looking to not only get better bike (i.e. next level up) but get something that I can have for a while.

Thanks.

That depends:

- How fast do you ride?

- What do you value more, comfort or performance.

- What size rider are you...

- What's the most you'll spend on a bike.

If your comfortable with the ride of the Trek 1000, you'll be more than pleased with an Alluminum bike with Carbon Fork.

I rode a lot of bikes, but my decision came down to the Trek 2200/2300 and the Cannondale R1000(thought the R800 is nice as well). I decided on the R1000 as it showed a noticable different in ride/performance. My test ride of the 2300 didn't show a noticable improvment over what I had. I'm a faster rider(19-21mph).. and larger (6' and 190lbs). I wanted climbing ability and speed while maintaining a reasonable ride quality.

What bike would you recommend for a 5'6" 140 pound rider? I ride about 150 miles per week mostly recreational and some charity rides/centuries.

Currently have Trek1000 and am looking to not only get better bike (i.e. next level up) but get something that I can have for a while.


Didn't you just buy an R800? At least that's what I thought you wrote in another thread.

Do you need a triple chainset, fenders, a lugagge rack, wider tyres for winter?
If so then a light-touring bike, designed for fast, light century rides may be the thing for you. This is not the same as an expedition touring bike, designed to carry a camping load across a continent.
Light-tourers are very versatile machines. Strip them down and fit thin tyres and you go about as fast as a racer. Fit fenders adnd a rack, and go on a hostel tour. They are practical in winter, and as commuter bikes.
See the Gunnar Sport for this pattern of bike.

That depends:

- How fast do you ride?

- What do you value more, comfort or performance.

- What size rider are you...

- What's the most you'll spend on a bike.

If your comfortable with the ride of the Trek 1000, you'll be more than pleased with an Alluminum bike with Carbon Fork.

I rode a lot of bikes, but my decision came down to the Trek 2200/2300 and the Cannondale R1000(thought the R800 is nice as well). I decided on the R1000 as it showed a noticable different in ride/performance. My test ride of the 2300 didn't show a noticable improvment over what I had. I'm a faster rider(19-21mph).. and larger (6' and 190lbs). I wanted climbing ability and speed while maintaining a reasonable ride quality.

On my Trek1000 (without clipless pedals and just using sneakers) I was riding into the high 17MPH range. I am 5'6" 140 pounds so I was thinking the carbon in the Trek2200 would absorb more of the road shock which might affect me more as a smaller guy. I want a performance bike but I feel as if the R800 is making me work to hard to move it down the road even with the Look pedals I know use. I would spend about $1500 which is what I could get the 2200 for.

Didn't you just buy an R800? At least that's what I thought you wrote in another thread.

Yes, I saw the same thread. R800 is a nice choice... but it might NOT be for his style of riding style.
I think he liked the bike, but was concerned with the Parade Wheels. They only have a 16 spoke count.. but if he's just 140lbs, I wouldn't be concerned at all. I test rode the R800, they seemed durable enough and stuff under my 190lbs... I was on th fence with them with my weight, and avoid at higher weights, but not at 140, 160, or 175. I DO feel that if the money is there, the Mavic Ksyium Elites are the price of the R1000.

The Trek 2000 line is a good place to start seeing as you've already experienced the Trek brand. If you aren't so brand loyal, I'd recommend checking into the multitude of aluminum and carbon combinations that are out there. For $1500, one could easily get a high-end ALU/Carbon combo, including rear stays, with full Ultegra and still have some money left over for upgrades and accessories. Good luck.

55/Rad

Didn't you just buy an R800? At least that's what I thought you wrote in another thread.

Yes but I can exchange it for 30 days. I am trying to narrow down my choices.

On my Trek1000 (without clipless pedals and just using sneakers) I was riding into the high 17MPH range. I am 5'6" 140 pounds so I was thinking the carbon in the Trek2200 would absorb more of the road shock which might affect me more as a smaller guy. I want a performance bike but I feel as if the R800 is making me work to hard to move it down the road even with the Look pedals I know use. I would spend about $1500 which is what I could get the 2200 for.

I would expect you could get the 2200 for less than that. I know of a shop that is selling a 03 model 56 and 54 for $1289.
I'm a 50lbs heavier than you, and I noticed the opposite. I had to "work harder" to move the 2200/2300 down the road, most noticable on hills. For me, the r800/r1000 just wanted to MOVE. More power is transferred directly to the drivetrain. There are hills on my rides that I don't consider hills any longer.

I can see weight making more of a difference on feel/comfort, but I would expect that the stiff frame of the R800 would be giving you the same transfer of power. Then again, I didn't ride the CAAD5 frame

In the end, it all comes down to what bike works for you. Just ride the Trek.. not a ride around the block, see if you can take in on at least a 10 mile ride. Hit some hills. Transfer your computer if feasable to get speed comparisons. If the bike speaks to you.. swap em.

I would expect you could get the 2200 for less than that. I know of a shop that is selling a 03 model 56 and 54 for $1289.
I'm a 50lbs heavier than you, and I noticed the opposite. I had to "work harder" to move the 2200/2300 down the road, most noticable on hills. For me, the r800/r1000 just wanted to MOVE. More power is transferred directly to the drivetrain. There are hills on my rides that I don't consider hills any longer.

I can see weight making more of a difference on feel/comfort, but I would expect that the stiff frame of the R800 would be giving you the same transfer of power. Then again, I didn't ride the CAAD5 frame

In the end, it all comes down to what bike works for you. Just ride the Trek.. not a ride around the block, see if you can take in on at least a 10 mile ride. Hit some hills. Transfer your computer if feasable to get speed comparisons. If the bike speaks to you.. swap em.

Thanks for your help. I will ride and see what I think. I really liked my Trek1000 and am iffy on Cannondale R800. Any other opinions out there for a small rider?

Thanks for your help. I will ride and see what I think. I really liked my Trek1000 and am iffy on Cannondale R800. Any other opinions out there for a small rider?

One more... RIDE RIDE RIDE... Try every bike in your price range that your shop offers. You might find one that makes the decision easy.

Also note... It will take a while to get used to a new bike. I don't think you can go wrong, whether it be Trek, C'dale, Specialized, Lemond, Fuji, Giant or some others... 500 miles down the road, you'll have adjusted to your new bike... but right now, it sounds like you're "dialed in" to Treks geometry.

You're lucky to have a shop with such a liberal exchange policy.

One more... RIDE RIDE RIDE... Try every bike in your price range that your shop offers. You might find one that makes the decision easy.

Also note... It will take a while to get used to a new bike. I don't think you can go wrong, whether it be Trek, C'dale, Specialized, Lemond, Fuji, Giant or some others... 500 miles down the road, you'll have adjusted to your new bike... but right now, it sounds like you're "dialed in" to Treks geometry.

You're lucky to have a shop with such a liberal exchange policy.

That is why I go to that LBS. They want you to be happy and even though there are closer shops I really would not buy from anyone but this LBS. They let me take a 15 minute ride but even they realize that may not always be enough time. Maybe I am just used to Trek and having a hard time breaking away from that. I thought the wheels and carbon parts were better on the Trek also.

What is your price range ? That is an impressive amount of miles you are logging and I would try to upgrade into an Ultegra based bike. The shifting is so much smoother and precise and deserving for someone riding that many miles. You will pay more money for mainline brands like Trek, Lemond, Cannondale, Giant, etc. If it were me, I would look for an off brand or leftover model, or maybe off the Internet like Colorado Cyclists or BicycleBuys. Back in 2000, I picked up a Raleigh R800 with Aluminum frame/Carbon Fork/Ultegra from a Ski Shop for $999, retail was originally $ 1700. I have over 8,000 miles on that bike and it is still going strong. My 2 cents. Best of Luck

Let the feel on the test rides tell you what to do. If a bike hasen't screamed out to you yet, keep looking.

Let the feel on the test rides tell you what to do. If a bike hasen't screamed out to you yet, keep looking.

I finally decided on what to do. I test drove the Trek2200 and loved it. It rode great and I was more comfortable on it then the R800. I know the CAAD5 is more of a racing frame but I guess I just feel better on a Trek. The wheels on the R800 are not that great and trading them up as well as improving the 105/Tiagra to what the Trek has in Ultegra/105 did not seem worth it. Plus all the carbon on the Trek made for a more comfortable ride.

Trek 5900