Long Distance Cycling - Looking for a comprhensive list of light/comfy road bikes

Hi,

I'm pretty new to biking but I really fell in love with it this year. I picked up an old cheap hardtail for weight control and have had a blast. But as I'm starting to find what kind of biking I like I'm realizing I want a new nicer bike.
I guess I enjoy endurance riding. I really like riding all day and sight seeing. The MTB I have is great for when i end up on some dirt but it isn't the most comfortable bike. I find myself asking questions more like, "How can I make this more comfortable?" than "How can I go faster?"
So I guess what I'd like to ask long distance riders what are some of the most comfortable and reliable light weight endurance bikes you've owned?
My friend (and a lot of online reviews) suggest the Specialized roubaix series. This looks like a great bike and I plan on testing one but what else is out there? I'd like to really do my homework before I drop 3k on a bike. And of course I'd rather pay less if I can. I like the idea of carbon but really it's the light weight and comfort I'm interested in and if I can get that in another type of frame I'm open to it. I won't be racing or anything. But lastly I want to get a bike that will last me a long time. So for instance while it might not matter to me what kind of gear system I'm using (b/c franky I don't know the difference between say Sram and 105) I don't want to be upset that I got the wrong one in a couple of years. Hope that all made sense :)
I'm average height but heavy and I cycle in S. Korea.

Thanks in advance,
Gareth

Steel.

can you suggest a model or two?

did you look through this thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=270172) ?

I don't think that is really a question people can answer for you. Whatever bike you get, you probably need someone to help you with your position.

thanks that is helpful. i also have a thread going on the road bike section that's helping me a lot.

I'm not too sure about the newer models, but generally I would recommend something more tour/sport tour like, maybe even an older mid-80's tourer.

I've got a Schwinn Voyageur from 1986, with Columbus tubing, and I could ride that bike for days at a time without pain or discomfort.

The key is, the lax geometry in the frame. It isn't too aggressive, and you sit a bit more upright, while still be able to ride quickly and comfortably.

Trek made a number of tourers from that era, and I'm sure everyone has other ideas. I mentioned steel because the ride (and for your size) might be a little bit more to your liking and a bit more durable for touring/long-distance.

Nice thing about a vintage tourer, is you can probably pick up a really nice one for under 350 dollars, and even if you upgrade down the road, you could probably resell it for about the same price you paid.

I second your recommendation of an old tourer... I ride an old steel Raleigh touring frame with very relaxed angles and a long wheelbase...


It's very comfortable on long rides because it soaks up road irregularities like a sponge.:)

OP: Since you have little experience riding a variety of road bikes, it's imperative you find a way to test ride as many different ones as you can. Many of us had steel road bikes from the 70s and 80s to give us a benchmark. I rode mine for 30 years (off and on), so when I began riding again with a vengance last year, I was better prepared to sort through what I wanted in my next bike. Just keep in mind that whatever it is, it will be a compromise.

Things I learned in the last year or so:

1) Fit is paramount. A proper fitting cheap bike will feel much better than the best ill-fitting bike. Just as a ballpark place to start, go to Competitive Cycling's site and follow the instructions for their fit calculator. This doesn't take the place of a proper fitting at the LBS, but at least gives you a place to start the conversation when you're there.

2) There really are differences in geometries for bikes targeted at racing, endurance riding, touring, and casual Saturday afternoon rides in the neighborhood. Endurance riding is generally more palatable with a "relaxed" geometry that moves the bars up and a little closer than on an out-and-out racer. The Roubaix is an example of this.

3) A good carbon fiber frame can be as (or dare I say more) comfortable as a steel frame. The weight difference might be important if you ride lots of hills.

4) I haven't sampled them, but it's my understanding (and that of the shops I visit) that once you get to the 105 level of components, upgrade differences become small. Important, still, to an advanced rider, but not so much to a new one.

5) Once the bike fits, tires have more to do with comfort than frame material. Carbon fiber bikes take the back seat here, as most (all?) do not allow very wide tires.

My own choice became a Roubaix Elite (carbon frame; 105 groupo) with "oversize" 25 mm tires, and an old leather saddle. Rides at least as smooth as my old steelie, and is WAY more responsive. Even at that, I still want another steelie as a second bike. :)

To address your question in your title (a list), Machka gave the answer: look at the sticky of LD bikes posted there.

Hi,
I'm pretty new to biking but I really fell in love with it this year. I picked up an old cheap hardtail for weight control and have had a blast. But as I'm starting to find what kind of biking I like I'm realizing I want a new nicer bike.
I guess I enjoy endurance riding. I really like riding all day and sight seeing. The MTB I have is great for when i end up on some dirt but it isn't the most comfortable bike. I find myself asking questions more like, "How can I make this more comfortable?" than "How can I go faster?"
So I guess what I'd like to ask long distance riders what are some of the most comfortable and reliable light weight endurance bikes you've owned?
My friend (and a lot of online reviews) suggest the Specialized roubaix series. This looks like a great bike and I plan on testing one but what else is out there? I'd like to really do my homework before I drop 3k on a bike. And of course I'd rather pay less if I can. I like the idea of carbon but really it's the light weight and comfort I'm interested in and if I can get that in another type of frame I'm open to it. I won't be racing or anything. But lastly I want to get a bike that will last me a long time. So for instance while it might not matter to me what kind of gear system I'm using (b/c franky I don't know the difference between say Sram and 105) I don't want to be upset that I got the wrong one in a couple of years. Hope that all made sense :)
I'm average height but heavy and I cycle in S. Korea.
Thanks in advance,
Gareth

You are going to get much better answers if your questions are more specific. Instead, your questions are pretty-much "tell me everything you know about bicycles"!


I'd like to really do my homework before I drop 3k on a bike.
Asking people general questions the first day you've registered in a forum is not "doing your homework"! Do some reading here and in other places about bicycles in general and then ask specific questions.

It really only makes sense to spend $3000 on a bike if you have experience to know what you want. At the point you are at, it would be much better to buy something much less expensive (even something used) and learn what you want from experience.


So I guess what I'd like to ask long distance riders what are some of the most comfortable and reliable light weight endurance bikes you've owned? ... But lastly I want to get a bike that will last me a long time.
In a simple sense, bikes at the same price point are going to be fairly equivalent with regards to weight and durability. Everybody wants a bike that "lasts a long time". Anyway, as long as it's not junk, bicycles last a long time if they are well-maintained. Of course, things do wear-out and need to be replaced.


thanks that is helpful. i also have a thread going on the road bike section that's helping me a lot.
This is called "cross posting" and it's really not considered good form. Anyway, post a question in one forum and give people time to respond. That way, you can learn from the responses to ask a more-specific follow-up question.

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Rather than asking for a "comprehensive list", why don't you help people by indicating what brands are available where you live? Go check out some local bicycle shops and see what they have.

Note that Specialized, Cannondale, Trek, Giant are available all over and they all make fine bikes.

I'm sorry my post sucks...

so far the only brand I've recognized here is trek. That's kind of why I was asking about other brands of reliable products. The bike shops here are full of chinese made bikes that I don't recognize. I've been reading a lot about geometry and brands lately so I have a better idea of what I want. but the retailers in S Korea seemed like they don't want me to touch their bikes unless I'm buying one. Thanks for your replies.

The reason that most bikes in your local bike shop are made in China (or Taiwan) is because that is where the technology is. There is nothing wrong with a bike just because it is made in Asia. Nearly every major manufacturer has their carbon bike made there. Judge a bike by it's quality, not where it is made...

The reason that most bikes in your local bike shop are made in China (or Taiwan) is because that is where the technology is. There is nothing wrong with a bike just because it is made in Asia. Nearly every major manufacturer has their carbon bike made there. Judge a bike by it's quality, not where it is made...

I thought they were made in China for cheap labor and fewer environmental regulations. Is it "geographic profiling" to assume that something from Japan or Germany is well made, and something from China is cheap? Probably, but I have to admit to this line of thinking.

I thought they were made in China for cheap labor and fewer environmental regulations. Is it "geographic profiling" to assume that something from Japan or Germany is well made, and something from China is cheap? Probably, but I have to admit to this line of thinking.

Tiawan has a very good reputation as a source for quality bicycles and it's been that way for years. Their manufacturing is also cheaper than many other places.


so far the only brand I've recognized here is trek. That's kind of why I was asking about other brands of reliable products. The bike shops here are full of chinese made bikes that I don't recognize. I've been reading a lot about geometry and brands lately so I have a better idea of what I want. but the retailers in S Korea seemed like they don't want me to touch their bikes unless I'm buying one. Thanks for your replies.
Doing the reading will really help you ask the right kinds of questions! Keep in mind that many people here are not going to be familiar with the bicycle market in Korea. Providing a "comprehensive list" probably won't be helpful if it mentions bicycles that you can't get!


Keep in mind that trying to get the "perfect" bicycle is going to be hard to do. It's quite possible that, with some experience, your first bicycle won't be what you prefer.

I thought they were made in China for cheap labor and fewer environmental regulations. Is it "geographic profiling" to assume that something from Japan or Germany is well made, and something from China is cheap? Probably, but I have to admit to this line of thinking.


Most Carbon actually comes from Tiawan and their labor is not cheaper than ours. They have the technology which makes the product cheaper. China won't be too far behind. It's kind of funny. It wasn't long ago that Japan was considered the land of "cheap" stuff. Yeah, you're profiling a bit. There are only a handful of bicycling manufacturers in Europe who still make carbon bikes in Europe. Even Colnago has started outsourcing thier lower end bikes to Asia...Times change, people change, things change.

I've been to a few bike shops since I posted this and also done a lot of reading. Road bikes aren't extremely popular here and anything high end or well known is marked WAY up in this country. Wish I could just order from taiwan where they make most of the carbon frames i want :) Anyway it looks like even after paying shipping and tariffs I'll save $ by ordering from the states. Ebay here I come.