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.TxH
07-22-04, 11:03 AM
Hey guys,
After some looking around, I think I've narrowed down my bike choices to two bikes, and need some help making the final decisions. First, to give you some quick background on me:
*first roadbike in 20 years
*been riding mtb off and on for past 10 yrs, but only once a month or so
*got into riding on road this spring, was doing 100+ miles/week on my Gary Fisher hard tail mtb with slicks
*Did a century ride (first day of MS150 Houston to Austin), and want to do more of that type of ride
*intent of riding is combo of fun/weight loss
*I am Super-clydesdale proportions: 6'3" 285 lbs, but still fairly athletic (doing the century on my mtb after just 1 month of road training was actually relatively easy), and not too old (37).
*Even after (hopefull) significant weight-loss, I will still be a Clydesdale (for me 225 lbs would be serious fighting weight given my frame)
*I have a long torso / shorter legs "personal-geometry", so found in mtbs that I needed a long top tube so I didn't feel all bunched up
*Would like to start out with a more relaxed road bike position, as the "full-race" doesn't feel completely comfortable to me
*Just moved from Houston to CT (lower Fairfield Cty), so these hills are a new thing to me for daily riding (you couldn't find a hill in houston if you had to)
SO, after some looking, I've narrowed it down to two bikes.......I think:
Specialized Roubaix Elite
Full ultegra
will upgrade wheels to deal with my size
$1600 plus swap differential on wheels
knowledgable shop
De Bernardi Zonal Aluminum / CIOCC COM (Steel)
Full Ultegra
includes Mavic Open 36 wheels, custom fit bars, etc
knowledgable shop, fairly detailed custom fit process
I have not been able to ride the De Bernardi, but the shop that sells them (Northeast Cycles in Stamford, CT) is making a convincing argument that given my size, a custom built bike is the way to go.
My concerns are:
*I like the roubaix concept of high grade components with a more relaxed geometry. I don't want a full-race-position for right now, but I also don't want (or feel like I need) the "extra" brake levers as found on a Trek 1800C, etc
*I Like the carbon stays damping effect on the roubaix, but concerned about the bonding btw alum and CF given my size.
*Since this is my first road bike, I am sure after a year or two I will figure out that I want something different. Half the fun of having a hobby as an adult is getting to buy cool toys as part of it. It seems like a Roubaiz would likely hold its value much better for when I will want to trade up.
*I could care less about the "prestige" of an italian frame, but am concerned about durability, lack of flex, etc in whatever I pick given my size. Is there really any difference in the frame quality at these similar price level?
*Is there a difference in durability (size related, not 5k miles vs 8k miles wear and tear) between paying the extra ($400?) cash to go ultegra vs 105?
*How can I figure out what a the De Bernardi would ride like without buying it? they don't have one in anywhere near my size.
Sorry for so many questions, but I've learned a sh~tload on this board over the past 4 or 5 months, and just want to make sure I haven't missed anything when I drop some fairly signficant cash for a bike.
Oh yea, suggestions for people's fav LBS in Stamford/Westport/Darien/etc area would be appreciated
TIA
TxH
After some looking around, I think I've narrowed down my bike choices to two bikes, and need some help making the final decisions. First, to give you some quick background on me:
*first roadbike in 20 years
*been riding mtb off and on for past 10 yrs, but only once a month or so
*got into riding on road this spring, was doing 100+ miles/week on my Gary Fisher hard tail mtb with slicks
*Did a century ride (first day of MS150 Houston to Austin), and want to do more of that type of ride
*intent of riding is combo of fun/weight loss
*I am Super-clydesdale proportions: 6'3" 285 lbs, but still fairly athletic (doing the century on my mtb after just 1 month of road training was actually relatively easy), and not too old (37).
*Even after (hopefull) significant weight-loss, I will still be a Clydesdale (for me 225 lbs would be serious fighting weight given my frame)
*I have a long torso / shorter legs "personal-geometry", so found in mtbs that I needed a long top tube so I didn't feel all bunched up
*Would like to start out with a more relaxed road bike position, as the "full-race" doesn't feel completely comfortable to me
*Just moved from Houston to CT (lower Fairfield Cty), so these hills are a new thing to me for daily riding (you couldn't find a hill in houston if you had to)
SO, after some looking, I've narrowed it down to two bikes.......I think:
Specialized Roubaix Elite
Full ultegra
will upgrade wheels to deal with my size
$1600 plus swap differential on wheels
knowledgable shop
De Bernardi Zonal Aluminum / CIOCC COM (Steel)
Full Ultegra
includes Mavic Open 36 wheels, custom fit bars, etc
knowledgable shop, fairly detailed custom fit process
I have not been able to ride the De Bernardi, but the shop that sells them (Northeast Cycles in Stamford, CT) is making a convincing argument that given my size, a custom built bike is the way to go.
My concerns are:
*I like the roubaix concept of high grade components with a more relaxed geometry. I don't want a full-race-position for right now, but I also don't want (or feel like I need) the "extra" brake levers as found on a Trek 1800C, etc
*I Like the carbon stays damping effect on the roubaix, but concerned about the bonding btw alum and CF given my size.
*Since this is my first road bike, I am sure after a year or two I will figure out that I want something different. Half the fun of having a hobby as an adult is getting to buy cool toys as part of it. It seems like a Roubaiz would likely hold its value much better for when I will want to trade up.
*I could care less about the "prestige" of an italian frame, but am concerned about durability, lack of flex, etc in whatever I pick given my size. Is there really any difference in the frame quality at these similar price level?
*Is there a difference in durability (size related, not 5k miles vs 8k miles wear and tear) between paying the extra ($400?) cash to go ultegra vs 105?
*How can I figure out what a the De Bernardi would ride like without buying it? they don't have one in anywhere near my size.
Sorry for so many questions, but I've learned a sh~tload on this board over the past 4 or 5 months, and just want to make sure I haven't missed anything when I drop some fairly signficant cash for a bike.
Oh yea, suggestions for people's fav LBS in Stamford/Westport/Darien/etc area would be appreciated
TIA
TxH