Road Cycling - Which One Would You Buy?

I finally found what I am looking for (I think). I can either buy a slightly used white 2003 Santa Cruz Roadster with Mavic Ksyrium wheels and full Ultegra components for 1,300 shipped. The frames go for 1,000 new. The only thing is that I prefer black. http://i7.ebayimg.com/02/i/01/6d/47/a2_1_b.JPG Here are the frames (http://www.santacruzmtb.com/bicycles/roadster.php)

Also, I found a shop that has a new leftover 2003 Cervelo Soloist for 1,399.00 (hopefully 1,299) with the components found on a stock 105. I got the email from them 2 seconds before I was about to seal the deal with the Santa Cruz. Is it a fate thing or am I just nutz?

I like both bikes the same and they are both my size (58cm) but I am not too sure which is the better deal (I like deals and I love both bikes). I like the Santa Cruz because not too many have them but I like the soloist because it is a good reputable bike. They actually both are but I am just confused.

Any input may help me out...

Thanks

I'd go Santa Cruz I guess. Like people were saying earlier, rare bikes are nice as long as you know they are quality. I like the cut out on the Santa Cruz as well as the Mavic rims(as compared with the Velomax's on a Soloist). The only thing a soloist seems to have on the Santa Cruz is how the seat post fits into the seat tube(aero to aero). I'd say Santa Cruz if you're confident in the company as a whole(it seems to be more bike for the money). Go Cervelo if you like to rely on a popular brand name and I would think better customer service because you'll be buying new.

I'd go Santa Cruz I guess. Like people were saying earlier, rare bikes are nice as long as you know they are quality. I like the cut out on the Santa Cruz as well as the Mavic rims(as compared with the Velomax's on a Soloist). The only thing a soloist seems to have on the Santa Cruz is how the seat post fits into the seat tube(aero to aero). I'd say Santa Cruz if you're confident in the company as a whole(it seems to be more bike for the money). Go Cervelo if you like to rely on a popular brand name and I would think better customer service because you'll be buying new.

Thanks for your reply. I've ridden Santa Cruz bikes before and wouldn't hesitate on getting another one (first road bike). The componentry on the SC is a plus for the $$$

What do you think about the color of the SC? I like it but I really like the black one. I guess I could always have it painted. I said that I would have my Brooklyn Machine Works DH bike painted from yellow but I never did it.

I'm gunna say it again (and again):

Let's not forget the Soloist passed the EFBe fatigue test!! :D (I can here the frame builders groaning)

I reckon the Cervelos looks better; whether it's the blue one or the red and black one.

I'm gunna say it again (and again):

Let's not forget the Soloist passed the EFBe fatigue test!! :D (I can here the frame builders groaning)

I reckon the Cervelos looks better; whether it's the blue one or the red and black one.

aw $heet... I was hoping for another one for the SC....

Sorry, here's another: Cervelos will be ridden in the Tour de France this year by the CSC team

Sorry, here's another: Cervelos will be ridden in the Tour de France this year by the CSC team

Damn you Aussie! Give me some favor in the SC before the guy gets back to me... I'm not a hardcore roadie (yet) as I am transitioning from park/DH to road...

My neighbors are in Australia right now. We're watching their cats. She was born in New Zealand though.

Really, what do you think of the deal on the Santa Cruz. It is in perfect condition and hardly ridden...

Ok, the Ksyriums are coooool lookin' and are obviously very good, Ultegra looks sexier than 105, and you might be saving a hudred bucks. If it were me, it could come down to the wheels. What wheels and other stuff is on the Cervelo?

Are Cervelos ubiquitoius in the US? I've only seen one out on the road here in Melbourne.

Ok, the Ksyriums are coooool lookin' and are obviously very good, Ultegra looks sexier than 105, and you might be saving a hudred bucks. If it were me, it could come down to the wheels. What wheels and other stuff is on the Cervelo?

The cervelo is all 105's with the Shimano 540's (it's also last year's model). If I want this years model, it is 1700 and comes with Velomax. I can't spend 1700 though.

The 1300 will either get me the 2003 SC or the 2003 Cervelo. The Cervelo is actually 1399.

Also, the Ksyriums are the Elite not the Equipes ($200 difference) and it comes with the Speedplay pedals (I think the X2's)

The cervelo is all 105's with the Shimano 540's (it's also last year's model). If I want this years model, it is 1700 and comes with Velomax. I can't spend 1700 though.

The 1300 will either get me the 2003 SC or the 2003 Cervelo. The Cervelo is actually 1399.


AAAAAAGH...STOP, STOP!! That's it!! Those Shimano wheels are apparently SH1T!!
The deal is done; get the SC.

AAAAAAGH...STOP, STOP!! That's it!! Those Shimano wheels are apparently SH1T!!
The deal is done; get the SC.

They are crap wheels. I like the way they look but that's about it. The Ksyriums are the $500 Elite's... He is taking a big hit by selling it for 1,300.00 but I did the same thing when I sold an older bike...

here's a recent discussion: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=51206&highlight=540
Check mine and TriDevil's post. He doesn't provide any detail but I've never heard that about Ksyriums.

But seriously, I'd go for Ksyriums. I've heard mostly bad things about all those Shimano wheels, but I've heard nothing but good things about the Mavics.

here's a recent discussion: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=51206&highlight=540
Check mine and TriDevil's post. He doesn't provide any detail but I've never heard that about Ksyriums.

But seriously, I'd go for Ksyriums. I've heard mostly bad things about all those Shimano wheels, but I've heard nothing but good things about the Mavics.

I had Mavic 223 Disc on my old FS MTBand they were great. I like Mavic's a lot. I made the deal on the SC for 1300.00. I think I made out ok. Given the condition and all the components, I'd be into a bike for over 2 grand because I like the better components. I have all XTR and other high-end comps on my Park Bike. I use Atomic Labs Trailpimps for rims and those are indestructable...

http://img70.photobucket.com/albums/v214/CRSO57/IMG_0316.jpg

The SC! come on now. We all love CSC but they lost Hamilton so lets just tell this guy what he wants to hear. The SantaCruz has better components, better wheels, more aero frame and is quite possibly cheaper. As far as the colors go, I'd say changing the grip tape would do a lot for the bike, white just tends to get a funky color to fast. The only reason Soloists look so cool is how aggresively they are set up in pictures that are in magazines and the Cervelo website. If the SC in this picture had the stem parallel to the ground and handlebars a few mm lower it would look much cooler but most people can't ride that aggresive of a bike. It sounds like you made up your mind on the Santa Cruz, so go for it.

The SC! come on now. We all love CSC but they lost Hamilton so lets just tell this guy what he wants to hear. The SantaCruz has better components, better wheels, more aero frame and is quite possibly cheaper. As far as the colors go, I'd say changing the grip tape would do a lot for the bike, white just tends to get a funky color to fast. The only reason Soloists look so cool is how aggresively they are set up in pictures that are in magazines and the Cervelo website. If the SC in this picture had the stem parallel to the ground and handlebars a few mm lower it would look much cooler but most people can't ride that aggresive of a bike. It sounds like you made up your mind on the Santa Cruz, so go for it.

I made the deal and I am happy. I can't wait to get it... Oh, the white grip tape is looooong gone. I have a long torso so I would have to adjust the hell out of it when I get it.

I made the deal on the SC for 1300.00. I think I made out ok.

Cool. :) We all understand pre-purchase anxiety

Cool. :) We all understand pre-purchase anxiety

What type of shoes do I buy for the Speedplays? Are they road specific? I have no experience with clip-ins

I was going to purchase the eggbeater MTB pedals with Diadora MTB shoes. I heard that road-specific shoes / pedals are less forgiving on comfort. Plus, they are all pink and purple. That's a big no no.

What type of cleats or shoes do I buy for the Speedplays? Can I use my mountain shoe (Diadora Gecko's)? Or are they road specific?

That's out of my domain.......sorry, "ball park"

What type of shoes do I buy for the Speedplays? Are they road specific? I have no experience with clip-ins

I'm assuming you're getting Speedplay's road pedals (X series or Zero series)?

You should be getting cleats with the pedals. If not then you'll have to go purchase some. I think they run around USD $45. They mount to Look or Time hole patterns thus cannot be used with MTB shoes that only have a 2-hole SPD pattern. My recommendation is to go with Sidi road shoes. They are known to work well with the Speedplays. Here's a picture of the combination of my Speedplay Zeros and my Sidis Energy road shoes.

http://www.neebu.net/~khuon/cycling/bikes/Aegis/2001-Aro_Svelte/images/PICT0008.JPG



I was going to purchase the eggbeater MTB pedals with Diadora MTB shoes. I heard that road-specific shoes / pedals are less forgiving on comfort. Plus, they are all pink and purple. That's a big no no.

Road shoes are only less comfortable when off the bike. On the bike they're actually more comfortable than MTB shoes, IMHO. This is because they have a stiffer sole and the bolt pattern combined with the large cleats of road pedal systems distribute the load more evenly across the bottom of the shoe. With Speedplays, you will want to look for the stiffest soles possible. Road shoes are also hard to walk with because of the large exposed cleat. It takes some getting used to and you will walk like a duck for the most part. The good thing about Speedplay road pedals is that they have a very large flat cleat area made of metal that won't really be damaged by walking on them without covers. I still would recommend covers if you plan on taking more than a few steps off the bike since they also provide protection (against mud and dirt getting caked into the cleats) and supply some amount of grip. Although if you walk directly on the cleats you walk like a ballerina instead of a duck. Choose your goofiness.

I'm assuming you're getting Speedplay's road pedals (X series or Zero series)?

You should be getting cleats with the pedals. If not then you'll have to go purchase some. I think they run around USD $45. They mount to Look or Time hole patterns thus cannot be used with MTB shoes that only have a 2-hole SPD pattern. My recommendation is to go with Sidi road shoes. They are known to work well with the Speedplays.



Road shoes are only less comfortable when off the bike. On the bike they're actually more comfortable than MTB shoes, IMHO. This is because they have a stiffer sole and the bolt pattern combined with the large cleats of road pedal systems distribute the load more evenly across the bottom of the shoe. With Speedplays, you will want to look for the stiffest soles possible. Road shoes are also hard to walk with because of the large exposed cleat. It takes some getting used to and you will walk like a duck for the most part. The good thing about Speedplay road pedals is that they have a very large flat cleat area made of metal that won't really be damaged by walking on them without covers. I still would recommend covers if you plan on taking more than a few steps off the bike since they also provide protection (against mud and dirt getting caked into the cleats) and supply some amount of grip. Although if you walk directly on the cleats you walk like a ballerina instead of a duck. Choose your goofiness.

Ah, that clears a lot up for me. My problem is that I ride around Manhattan a lot and am constantly on/off my bike and walk around a lot when I go over to friends houses, etc. I was thinking of getting Diadora Gecko's and Eggbeaters. Performance has them both on sale for 119 total plus an additional 20% off...

Also, what are these hole patterns? I've been riding all my life and have never even looked at a clipless pedal.

Also, what are these hole patterns? I've been riding all my life and have never even looked at a clipless pedal.

Hole patterns are the bolt-patterns used to mount the cleat to the shoes. Road hole patterns are typically one of either 3-hole Look (triangle pattern), 4-hole diamond, or 2-hole SPD. MTB shoes and cleats generally only use the side-by-side 2-hole SPD pattern. You may want to check Speedplay's shoe compatibility guide (http://www.speedplay.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=shoeguide.searchstart). If you do a lot of walking, I would suggest swapping the pedals for ones which use SPD style recessed cleats and mate them to some Sidi MTB shoes like maybe Dominators. My personal suggestion for MTB pedals that work well on roadbikes would be Time ATACs. The new ATAC XS look really sweet. You may also want to consider the Speedplay Frogs. The Eggbeaters are also a good choice.

Hole patterns are the bolt-patterns used to mount the cleat to the shoes. Road hole patterns are typically one of either 3-hole Look (triangle pattern), 4-hole diamond, or 2-hole SPD. MTB shoes and cleats generally only use the side-by-side 2-hole SPD pattern. You may want to check Speedplay's shoe compatibility guide (http://www.speedplay.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=shoeguide.searchstart). If you do a lot of walking, I would suggest swapping the pedals for ones which use SPD style recessed cleats and mate them to some Sidi MTB shoes like maybe Dominators. My personal suggestion for MTB pedals that work well on roadbikes would be Time ATACs. The new ATAC XS look really sweet. You may also want to consider the Speedplay Frogs. The Eggbeaters are also a good choice.

Thanks for the link and the info. I was going to get the Diadora & Eggbeaters because of the combo price and good reviews.