Road Cycling - New bike decisions !!!!!!!

Hi everybody,
I'm 37, 6'', 175lbs. and i do about 2000km/year for fun.

I'm going to buy a Marinoni bike in a couple of weeks. :-) To replace my old 1987 modified Nishiki Tri-a (some Shimano 600ex parts, some old Ultegra, Mavic wheels)
However before the big day i have some questions .

I have the choice between an all Steel frame or Aluminium with carbon fork.(both 57cm)
And the choice between Campy Veloce or Shimano 105 group.
Wich options should i choose and why ?????????

Finally is there any advantage to a frame with a top tube with a slope (BMX style)

I want to ride this bike for at least the next 10 years.
So any suggestions ??? I'll be less nervous !!!!!
Thanx






:confused:

Originally posted by Steph3dfx
I have the choice between an all Steel frame or Aluminium with carbon fork.(both 57cm)

I'd say aluminum with the carbon fork. The carbon fork makes for a more forgiving ride, and it will most likely be lighter than the steel.

Welcome to the forums.

I agree with Velo. And I would go for the Veloce over the 105. Properly maintenainced, I think it will last longer.
The disadvantage to Campy is that not all shops stock parts, but they are readily available.

Well, someones gotta say it...might as well be me! I'd go for the steel, without a moments hesitation. Steel is more resilient than aluminum, thereby giving a more supple ride. Frame falures, while rare, are usually catastrophic with aluminum, whereas steel might start a with crack, and still give the owner a chance for a repair. Modern steel frames are only marginally heavier than aluminum...for me a very small price to pay for comfort and longevity. I am still at the point that I worry more about the extra pounds I am carrying around rather than the few extra grams that my frame might weigh! My two road bikes (12 and 13 years old!) are magnificent machines and I would not for a second consider changing frame material. Of course, that is just my opinion........

The sloping top tube or microstyle frame will produce a shorter, stiffer traingle with shorter tubes (lighter) more clearance, and a longer headtube.
They are usually stiff and responsive and good climbers. They are a bit more difficult to shoulder. Sometimes the pannier eyelets are down low on the seat-stays, so you need to bend the pannier stays down and lose triangulation.
A moderately sloping tube can be a good thing, esp in larger frames.

Steel vs Al is a pretty pesonal choice. I would suggest steel for longer duration rides, and Al for faster shorter rides, and big climbs. You can fit the C fork to a steel frame for reduced weight.

big fan of steel road bike frames checking in!!!!

Weight penalty is minimal and the ride is much more forgiving (i.e. comfortable) on longer rides 50 miles plus!

The sloping top tube frame is called a "Compact" frame. Like stated above, it's supposed to be a little stiffer and slightly lighter.

WARNING - RANT COMING!!!

I have to argue this point however, with a frame like this, you've got a huge seatpost sticking way up in the air! Might I add, an unsupported seatpost sticking way up in the air. Any strength
gained in the frame is lost by such a long seatpost.

Rant over!

I guess if you've got a short inseam and a long torso, this may be the bike for you, but I guess I'm more of a traditionalist when it comes to my road frame!

L8R

The increased strength of the frame comes from its ability to resist bending and twisting along the main axis (rear dropouts to headset), not from vertical loading. The seatpost in a compact frame is stressed more, but I dont think that is a problem. is it ?

Thanks for your input .
I must add some precisions :

I'm ''longer legs shorter torso'' type.
Usually i do short ride but often (20km 3-5 ride per week)
I prefer the look of the traditional frame(no slope).

I forgot to tell you that i can choose to put the carbon fork on the steel frame. A good match ??

Steel: Columbus Zona
Aluminium : Columbus Zonal

Thanks again.

I ride a Marinoni Leggero [Zona steel]. It is an outstanding bike. It's a 50cm and weighs about 18.5 lbs. In fact, about half the guys I ride with ride steel 'nonis, and not one of them has ever complained. I've even seen one guy who has a 30-year-old steel 'noni and it rides beautifully.

One thing that Giusseppe Marinoni knows is steel. His Alumnum bikes are, I'm told, excellent, but people go to him for steel. A steel 'noni will probably outlive you. I guess you know what side I'm on here... IMO, by the way, Zona steel is a far better frame material than Zonal aluminum.

Oh, and et the carbon fork. It's a Columbus Carve and it makes a difference.

BTW, have you considered ordering a custom frame?

Well, here's my 2 cents
Steel vs. Aluminum:
Aluminum is really lightweight, responsive and great racing frame material. It doesn't rust. No "frame flex" which can cause unintentional shifts, chain rub, loose handling,etc. There are alot of good reasons aluminum is so popular and it can see many good years of service.
Steel is really popular now/again. Maybe a backlash to how common aluminum is now. Steel is comfortable, resilient, repairable (the cost of a new frame maybe cheaper than repair/repainting an old steel frame, but thats another topic). Although I have never seen a aluminum frame go catastrophic, I have seen many frames crack(of all materials)-basically throw-away at that point for aluminum or carbon.
I will say the benefits of both materials exggaerate on larger frames. I prefer aluminum (not just because of racing). I like the idea of steel but it annoys me when I ride a steel frame for any length of time. A well sorted aluminum frame is comfortable and stiff. This is really a personal preference issue.

Campy vs. Shimano
Veloce is a good group for the money. 105 is common so parts will be easier to find. With Campy, you have the option of upgrading to Daytona/Centaur (9 or 10 speed) which performs just as well as Record. The components also look beautiful. Shimano looks, well, common. You don't loose either way, but I would hang Italian stuff on that Marinoni. If you do go with Campy, I would recommend upgrading as you need/want to Chorus or Record. Once you have C/R, it will last as long as the frame.

compact vs. standard
The benefits of compact frames exaggerates with larger frame sizes. The long seatpost (especially if it's carbon fiber) flexes/absorbs some and takes the edge off. The compact geometry stiffens up the rear triangle making the drivetrain efficient. It is a climber's dream. It's also a style and preference thing too.

Standard frames...everyone knows about that. Nothing to add about that.

carbon vs. steel forks
Carbon forks are wonderful. Light, shock absorbing and fairly cheap now.
Steel forks are actually making a comeback too. Retro-cool, I guess. If you go with a steel frame, a steel fork maybe a good match if you like the ride.
Either way, I would say get a 1 1/8" headset. In a few years 1" headsets will be REALLY hard to find.

My recommendation would be:
Aluminum frame/carbon fork/Campagnolo group or
Steel frame/carbon fork/Campagnolo group

Tell us what you decide and post a pic of your bike!

Youpi .....I finally bought my new bike !!!!!!!!!!!

Yesterday i want to Marinoni in Lachenais (Quebec province,Canada). I spent 2 hours+ with Robert a very friendly guy who helped me greatly. I'm now conviced that for the long term steel is the way to go, and for a racer who change frequently his frame (every 2-4 years) aluminium is good.

So my new bike will be a Marinoni Legero with a Zona steel frame and an Evo carbon fork. The 55cm frame will have a slight slope on the top tube (5 degree). Metalic blue with 3 white faded stripes.

For the group i decided to go with the Campy Veloce.
$200ca less than the Shimano 105, a better finish and longuer durability where strong arguments for the Veloce ensemble.

I also decide to go for the Ambrosio Focus wheels for $55ca more
instead of the Ambrosio Evolution.
(Focus: 32 spokes, moderatly aero style. Evolution : standard 36 spokes.)

I have two more option in stand-by : Centaure hubs for $100ca more and new black Look pedals for $110ca (compatible with my shooes). Very tempting........ but i don't have infinite cashflow.

I should get my bike around may 15th. Ho boy , i can't wait. :-)

A big thanks for everyone who gave me their input. :beer:
Stephane.

I bought a 105 equipped bike(Panasonic4000) in 1987 put over 30,000 km on that group and had no problems. I now ride a Pinarello with Campy chorus(steel frame and fork) the most comforable road bike I've ever been on. I love the ergo shifting(3 years and the shifting is as crisp as the first day I road it. I would go with Campy on either frame. Campy will out last Shimano in the long run! Good luck and have fun picking out your dream bike.

I believe that the Centaur hub is the same design as Chorus and Record, while the Veloce is different. The former have a reputation as the best hubs available, so you might want to spring for the Centaur.

OTOH, I suspect that for any but racing use, almost all of the bits from Veloce up would be more than enough.

Cheers...Gary (who loves his Centaur 3x9 gruppo)