Road Cycling - need help deciding...

Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.



PDA

View Full Version : need help deciding...

mingcat9
06-12-04, 04:13 PM
currently, I have a trek 1000 road bike. I want to upgrade and race, likey in crits.
i'm almost 5'4 and need a toptube around 53-54cm. I'm not really fond of the women's bike, for myself, because, I don't have a short torso and I hate the pastel color scemes. :rolleyes: and, my local bike shop will switch the seat for me if I get a unisex/mens bike. Also, I'm on a tight budget. Also, I'd love to get a steal bike, because I don't like the ride of Aluminum as much.

I'm considering the specialized allez cr-mo frame and building it with shimano 105 parts.

How does this sound if I want to race?
Are there any other bikes I should check out?
and what are some inexpensive wheelsets that would be good for crits?

I tried getting advice in other bike forums and didn't get any help. so hopefully I'll get some help here.

outashape
06-12-04, 05:35 PM
Where do you live in Michigan? You might want to try a local velo club and ask their advise. Road cycling/racing is pretty fashion conscious. In a particular club, the rage may be Krysiums, or Serrotas, in another club, everyone is on Litespeeds, or whatever.
late
06-12-04, 05:40 PM
Hi,
What is the budget? The Allez Elite comes with pretty good parts.
It would be cheaper to buy the bike complete, rather than just the frame. I'd see what the gals in your area are racing. I don't know racing, bit it's hard to beat Mavic Open Pro rims in the 'good and cheap' department.

mingcat9
06-12-04, 06:43 PM
Where do you live in Michigan? You might want to try a local velo club and ask their advise. Road cycling/racing is pretty fashion conscious. In a particular club, the rage may be Krysiums, or Serrotas, in another club, everyone is on Litespeeds, or whatever.

I live in the port huron area. there aren't as many clubs here as there are in like sterling heights or rochester. actually, there aren't many bike clubs, period. at least at the last time I checked in the LBS.
mingcat9
06-12-04, 06:48 PM
Hi,
What is the budget? The Allez Elite comes with pretty good parts.
It would be cheaper to buy the bike complete, rather than just the frame. I'd see what the gals in your area are racing. I don't know racing, bit it's hard to beat Mavic Open Pro rims in the 'good and cheap' department.

the budget is $1200. though, I'm afraid that's going to decrease... I have to save up for a family trip.
I looked at the allez elite cr-mo, and I also noted that that would be cheaper, or the same, and like you said, with good parts.