Road Cycling - Old Roadie bike question

I am coming back to serious riding after a 10 year layoff. I am currently riding my old Cannondale Crit 600, with Down tube shifters and Shimano 600...yes, I know...rough ride. Although the bike suits me pretty well, the old school aluminum and the super tight geometry of the frame is kicking my tail...

Here's what I'd like to know...I have a good local shop I am working with, and because it's ALL climbs around here I am considering a triple this time...what road bikes in the 1,000-1500 before upgrades to components range do folks here like...and I mean like to ride...not just think are really cool.

I also should tell you that I worked in bike shop and had access to very expensive stuff and FWIW, worth, I really loved the older Colnago and Bianchi steel bikes...

The Cannondale weighs in at about 18 lbs..

The local shop wants to put me in a used Orbea that has Campy stuff and a racing triple (whatever that means...nobody I ever raced with back in the day had a triple...lol). I like the ride, but want some other options...and it's been a long time since I looked at bikes...so things have changed.

Now, fire away, please...

Z

I'm in almost the same situation, except that my old bike is a comfortable steel bike. I've been looking around, although I haven't test rode anything yet. The Orbeas are nice, there are Treks, Specialized, Giant, Litespeeds, Cannondales, and lots of others out there. My Davidson was top of the line custom made for me back in 81 at about $1400 total, for that amount now you can get a mid-level off the rack bike. But the off-the-rack bikes are much more bike than what was available back, so I'm finding it very hard to compare. I should just blank out my mind on the past.

I've got this thing for "oldschool" road bikes. My current ride is an '85 Trek 460 road racer. It may not be what is known as a road racer level bike today but back then it was a great bike. Steel frame, suntour and dia-comp....all alloy parts, just a nice bike. Figure out what frame you'd like and build the bike of your dreams.


Olds

I'm in almost the same situation, except that my old bike is a comfortable steel bike. I've been looking around, although I haven't test rode anything yet. The Orbeas are nice, there are Treks, Specialized, Giant, Litespeeds, Cannondales, and lots of others out there. My Davidson was top of the line custom made for me back in 81 at about $1400 total, for that amount now you can get a mid-level off the rack bike. But the off-the-rack bikes are much more bike than what was available back, so I'm finding it very hard to compare. I should just blank out my mind on the past.

Sets my mind to spinning. I'm impressed with the work on the new bikes...and there is so much carbon out there it's insane. If I had built the Orbea I am looking at back in the day, it would have cost 4500 easy.

I am coming back to serious riding after a 10 year layoff. I am currently riding my old Cannondale Crit 600, with Down tube shifters and Shimano 600...yes, I know...rough ride. Although the bike suits me pretty well, the old school aluminum and the super tight geometry of the frame is kicking my tail...

Here's what I'd like to know...I have a good local shop I am working with, and because it's ALL climbs around here I am considering a triple this time...what road bikes in the 1,000-1500 before upgrades to components range do folks here like...and I mean like to ride...not just think are really cool.



Z
The Bianchi Giro is $1499.00 Aluminum frame carbon fork, carbon monostay seat stay, shimano 105 group in a 9 speed triple. :D

Check out the Specialized Roubaix series of bikes. Road racing bikes designed for comfort.

www.specialized.com

I also like the Bianchis but think you might get more comfort from a steel frame like the Veloce or Imola:

www.bianchiusa.com

Felt F50. Full Ultegra (triple), carbon fork and seatstays, carbon FSA crank. VERY SMOOTH ride. Fast uphills and down. I got mine for $1539. They also have a model lower (F60), which is the same frame, mixed Ultegra and 105 for about $1200.

Check 'em out yourself. www.feltusa.com

Check out the Specialized Roubaix series of bikes. Road racing bikes designed for comfort.

www.specialized.com

I also like the Bianchis but think you might get more comfort from a steel frame like the Veloce or Imola:

www.bianchiusa.com

Do you ride this model? I noticed it in a shop the other day, but the sales staff was too busy deciding who was a roadie and who was a fred, so I left...

Hi,
there are so many flavors to chose from now it's crazy. Waterford is making some great midprice frames under the name Gunnar. I love the Sport; the Roadie is high perforance. Both ride nice.
WHen you said serious riding; are you going to compete? Or do you want a fast and fun bike (or in between). The SPort is a fun bike that also works as a credit card tourer. Like I said, many flavors, some new.

Do you ride this model? I noticed it in a shop the other day, but the sales staff was too busy deciding who was a roadie and who was a fred, so I left...

I have owned three Bianchis in my life, and currently own and ride two those, a 1983 Bianchi Campione Del Mondo and a 2002 Bianchi Pista. Bianchis are very well designed and built bikes with their own special ride.

I don't own a Specialized because their top tubes are longer than I like, but I am in love with their design concept, which is a comfort oriented race bike, long overdue in the market in my opinion. The geometry on those bikes is very well thought out. If you research that bike at the Specialized website and the www.cyclingnews.com website, you'll get some good info on it.

I also own 2 Titanium frame bikes which are solid, very comfy bikes, and while they are somewhat out of your price range :) , a Titanium bike that you may be able to squeeze into your price range is the Litespeed Firenze. You can do a search here at the forums and get some good info on it. Titanium bikes are every comfortable, durable bikes.

I have owned three Bianchis in my life, and currently own and ride two those, a 1983 Bianchi Campione Del Mondo and a 2002 Bianchi Pista. Bianchis are very well designed and built bikes with their own special ride.

I don't own a Specialized because their top tubes are longer than I like, but I am in love with their design concept, which is a comfort oriented race bike, long overdue in the market in my opinion. The geometry on those bikes is very well thought out. If you research that bike at the Specialized website and the www.cyclingnews.com website, you'll get some good info on it.

I also own 2 Titanium frame bikes which are solid, very comfy bikes, and while they are somewhat out of your price range :) , a Titanium bike that you may be able to squeeze into your price range is the Litespeed Firenze. You can do a search here at the forums and get some good info on it. Titanium bikes are every comfortable, durable bikes.


Thanks...it's sick, I live where they make Litespeeds...think they'd sell me one just for being a local...I like Specialized's philosphy as well...I will gte back into road racing someday and need to accomodate my beaten up body...

Thanks again,

Z

Hi,
there are so many flavors to chose from now it's crazy. Waterford is making some great midprice frames under the name Gunnar. I love the Sport; the Roadie is high perforance. Both ride nice.
WHen you said serious riding; are you going to compete? Or do you want a fast and fun bike (or in between). The SPort is a fun bike that also works as a credit card tourer. Like I said, many flavors, some new.

Lose some weight, not much thankfully, start climbing regularly, and compete...

Hi,
the Litespeed Tuscany is a killer, try one.

i think geometry differences become a lot more apparent when youre climbing... so in this case i woudl DEFINATELY take these bikes out for long rides on the hill... or, better yet, go custom :D