Road Cycling - OK folks, I need your help in bringing me up to date

My 51st birthday is next month, and I plan on treating myself to a new road bike. I’ve been riding since college – the days of friction shifting 12 speeds, leather hairnets, and toe clips. I’m currently riding an 18 y/o steel bike with first generation indexed shifting, with 52x40 and 13x21.

My riding habits: most of my rides are 25 to 50 miles in length over rolling hills, with occasional centuries and club rides during the season. I’m a 5’ 8” male, 155 lbs. I’m looking for something fun and fast, so please don’t suggest something “comfy” with a triple chainring. I want something that climbs well and responds quickly when I get out of the saddle and hammer. I’m old enough that I once competed in a triathlon with some 14 year old kid from Plano named Lance (yeah, he kicked my butt) but I don’t intend to ride like a fat old guy until I have to. Any suggestions? I’m looking to spend around $2,500, but that’s negotiable. Also, I’ve got tools and am willing to buy a frame and build my own.

there's nothing about you that stands out except you have a nice healthy budget. there are so many threads with this same 'i'm an average size roadie of an average age with standard healthy riding habits' setup - to just lay that out and then say "any suggestions?" is pretty vague.

not trying to criticize you personally or anything - i'm just saying that you'd be pretty unlikely to find anybody here who dropped your kinda cash on any make/model of bike and wasn't thrilled with it.

if it was me i think i'd look at a Lightspeed, or a Habañero to see what Ti frames were like without breaking the bank. i'd also check out the Trek 5000 or 5200 or other carbon bikes with classic geometry. and i'd be interested in Waterford or a custom job from Vanilla cycles or something.

but even though i'm just basing this on pure speculation and web research since my bike is crap and i haven't even bought my new bike yet - i think you can put any fears to rest that you'll spend $2500 and get a bike that's not responsive.

go ride some high-end bikes at your LBSs - don't be afraid to drive around to find some worthy test rides. then come back and talk about what you liked and didn't like about fit and handling of each and the folks here will probably have better advice for you.

eddie merckx Ti w/ ultegra for $2250 (click on Special Deals)
http://www.gvhbikes.com/

Lightspeed Firenze Ti w/ ultegra for $2000
http://www.coloradocyclist.com/common/products/productdisplay2_v2.cfm?PRRFNBR=30917&CGRFNBR=273&CRPCGNBR=273&CI=1,223,273&TextMode=0

Trek 5200 for $2500
http://www.trekbikes.com/bikes/2004/road/5200.jsp

Habañero Road bikes for around $2200 (click on link at bottom of page)
http://www.habcycles.com/road.html

ugly website for finding Waterford dealers
http://www.waterfordbikes.com/2004/data/index.php

Dagnabit!!! Don't forget Airborne!

http://www.airborne.net/eready/janette/home.asp

Great Ti bikes. I own one. You can "custom" build your own bike, and it will instantly tell you price and weight.

Start here ....

http://www.bicycling.com/article/0,3253,s1-6355,00.html?category_id=363

um.. hey Late - that link is way OT buddy - no offense.

If you want something light, fast and responsive and unique (iaw, not your neighbors Trek), take a gander at the Fondriest Website (http://www.fondriest-usa.com/index.php). They still have some '03 framesets at great prices. I used to own, until it got stolen, a Carb level and it was, without a doubt, one of the finest handling framesets I have ever ridden. Very nimble in the corners yet, super stable at high speeds. The craftsmanship and paint are second to none and, once again, it's not like your neighbors Litespeed :D

Since they only sell framesets, you will have to build it up yourself but that way you can choose the components you want and not what the manufacturer wants to push on you. If you want to read some additional comments, visit the RBR Reviews section.

regards,

i built my own 17lb giant tcr with mostly dura ace drivetrain and velomax wheels for under $2000. it's nothing unique, but it corners, descends, TT's, climbs and accelerates like no ones business. i love it, and ride as a commuter/racer 250-300 miles a week with zero problems. i'm similar in build at 5'7" 140 pounds. worth a look.

No offense taken,
but I would suggest you read the article. There was nothing like that in the 'good old days', not the tour, and definitely not the Litespeed Tuscany Mike was riding. I didn't just tell him what bike to get, I conjured a paean to it's greatness, and showed him possiblities that truly brought him up to date.

I got a Litespeed Tuscany in 2001 when I was 56 years old. Awesome bike! :love:

I had two friends who rode Litespeeds to "inspire" me. One rode a Litespeed Ultimate and the other rode a Litespeed Vortex. I couldn't afford the Vortex :cry: so got the Tuscany.

looking to spend around $2,500, but that’s negotiable. Also, I’ve got tools and am willing to buy a frame and build my own.

If you don't mind Ti, you could try one of these:

http://www.hi-techbikes.com/cgi/display.cgi?5

You could call and see what sizes they have left.
Last 2 years, Sep has been the month when they have good discounts on Litespeeds and Merlins. There is also Giant (the TCR Composites are nice) and there's some Performance 10% coupons floating around here. I know DA 10 is the rage, but I'd go with a great (or really really good) frame and an Ultegra build than a moderate frame with a DA build.

Best.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. Boze, I didn't mean to be vague; I tried to describe myself and my riding habits. Tell me what else can I say that could be helpful and I'll post it.

I stopped by my local bike shop and rode a Litespeed Tuscany and a Trek 5200. I liked the way the Litespeed climbed, and I liked the way the Trek handled. Those were the only good bikes that were close to fitting me. The search continues.