Road Cycling - newbie needs some advice

Hi- I'm new top this forum and found it because I was looking for some help. I want to buy a new bike. My current steel steed is a 91 Bianchi w/ Ultegra. I've ridden Mt Mitchell, Cycle Across Maryland x2, Cycle NC, among my "big "rides... anyway I have about 2500 to spend and was looking at Trek 5200. What else is out there for that $. Also in the formula could possibly be a Trek 2300 and a new Mt Bike (if my wife doesn't kill me) What suggestions there? My current Mt bike is a Giant w/ Deore stuff and some orphan parts with a chain that you could bend into a circle. Sorry for the long post, but some options that are open would be helpful. Thanks

I'd say to get the best road bike you can afford [and for $2500, you can afford a lot], and just upgrade parts of the MTB -- that is, if you're mostly a roadie.

I'm not a huge fan of Treks, to be honest, and I think you'd do yourself a favour to look at bikes from some less-branded manufacturers. $2000+ puts you in a titanium price range. The Serotta Classique with Campagnolo Chorus or Ultegra would be a great ride, ditto the Dean El Diente with Ultegra.

You should also consider steel. There are some truly fanstastic bikes made from Columbus and reynolds steel. Check out the Lemond Zurich, or any of a number of bikes from Steelman, Waterford or Marinoni. Hell, for $2500 US, you can probably get a custom-built Marinoni Piuma [Columbus Ultra Foco steel] with Campagnolo Record, and still have some money left over to upgrade your MTB to full XTR...

What's important is the bike fit and ride. Try a whole bunch of different bikes. If the Trek still sings to you, go for it... but think outside the box a bit.

You can try the route I did and go to a custom shop. From there have them do a search with their importers on getting last years model frame that they need to clear out. It worked for me and I picked up a Zullo for about $400 and a Pinerello for $300... both brand new. You might have to make a few concessions like color availability. The Zullo was 1 cm over my ideal size but it didn't present any riding or safety problems when built up. I put a Superbe Pro grouppo on the Zullo and Campy Record on the Pin. I doubt if I have $2500 spent between both bikes and the Zullo is a sub-20lb. bike for being Columbus steel with the Pin weighing in a close second place (difference being tubulars on the former vs. clincher on the latter).

Thanks for all of your help. What I ended up with is a Wilier- aluminum frame and CF fork built up w/ mostly Ultegra but a Dura Ace bottom bracket and rear derailleur. Haven't gone for a long ride yet, but the frame seems like a perfect fit. It came w/ SPDR pedals which I approach with a little trepidation but will check them out for the investment of new cleats over new pedals.

Good choice! Wilier Triestina makes a very fine bike. The Setriere is one of my dream bikes...

Sunnybear,

Congrats on your new purchase.
Personally I'd recomend Speedplay pedals (the X series, not new
zero's) if you're going to start using clipless.
They are easy to clip into and also get out of.
Took me about an hour to get used to em
(YMMV).

Marty

I've heard lotsa great stuff @ Speedplay...
I had Looks on my Bianchi so just got back from LBS with a new set of Looks that will match color scheme on Wilier

Sunnybear,

I spent lots of time waffling between looks and speedplays.
What finally convinced me was my 47 year old knees.
I like the float I get on the speedplays,
been using them about a year with
no knee pain.

Marty

Congrats on the purchase and welcome to the Forums.

Post some pictures if you can.

Greg- thanks
hard for me to post pics as no dig. camera- I like your 'chops- David Millar-ish- there is actually a cycling club (I've just read in procycling) that htere is a pork-chop sideburn(sp?) cycling club somewhere in Britain..
maybe they would extend membership to Ca.