Road Cycling - New Bike Purchase Question

Hi all,

I know I probably get all kinds of opinions, but I think that is valuable when trying to make a decision, so here goes.

This past year I have been getting back into riding, after not riding my 15-year Bianchi in years. I used to only ride recreational and for commuting in college. I got it tuned up and have been riding it for about a year now and I will be doing my first triatholon at the end of September. So I have been thinking about picking up a new bike. I love my Bianchi and plan on keeping it, but it is a little out-of-date (down-tube shifters, 7-gear rear cassette, heavy, etc.) So here's the question:

What are your thoughts on this dillema? I cannot decide whether I should buy frame-based, component-based or both. I want to spend in the $1500 to $2000 range. I have test ridden a few bikes (all road, as I want to use it for both fitness, recreation and the tri), including the Kestrel Talon, Lemond Buenos Aires, Specialized Allez Comp, Scattante CFR and LE, and Cervelo Soloist. All great bikes with advantages to each. I really felt good on the Cervelo Soloist Team and I think deep down that is the bike I really want, but have gone back and forth on the subject. Anyways there is a side of me that says buy the Scattante CFR and then if I really stick with riding for years, I can upgrade the frame using the Ultegra parts on the new frame. Another says, buy the Soloist 105, great frame lower components, and then I could always upgrade the components down the road. The third voice (please make them stop) says go for the Lemond, which is really nice, but the frame is not as good as the Cervelo and the Components are mixed Ultegra and 105.

Obviuosly, the best thing to would be to buy the Cervelo Soloist Team, top frame and Ultegra. But that is $2400 for the bike. Maybe I should what for a clearance one to come along now that the 2005 are out. Dam, now I have another voice.

Anyways, sorry for the long post, wanted to get as much detail in as possible. Thanks in advance for any and all help/opinions.

Haz

Hi all,

I know I probably get all kinds of opinions, but I think that is valuable when trying to make a decision, so here goes.

This past year I have been getting back into riding, after not riding my 15-year Bianchi in years. I used to only ride recreational and for commuting in college. I got it tuned up and have been riding it for about a year now and I will be doing my first triatholon at the end of September. So I have been thinking about picking up a new bike. I love my Bianchi and plan on keeping it, but it is a little out-of-date (down-tube shifters, 7-gear rear cassette, heavy, etc.) So here's the question:

What are your thoughts on this dillema? I cannot decide whether I should buy frame-based, component-based or both. I want to spend in the $1500 to $2000 range. I have test ridden a few bikes (all road, as I want to use it for both fitness, recreation and the tri), including the Kestrel Talon, Lemond Buenos Aires, Specialized Allez Comp, Scattante CFR and LE, and Cervelo Soloist. All great bikes with advantages to each. I really felt good on the Cervelo Soloist Team and I think deep down that is the bike I really want, but have gone back and forth on the subject. Anyways there is a side of me that says buy the Scattante CFR and then if I really stick with riding for years, I can upgrade the frame using the Ultegra parts on the new frame. Another says, buy the Soloist 105, great frame lower components, and then I could always upgrade the components down the road. The third voice (please make them stop) says go for the Lemond, which is really nice, but the frame is not as good as the Cervelo and the Components are mixed Ultegra and 105.

Obviuosly, the best thing to would be to buy the Cervelo Soloist Team, top frame and Ultegra. But that is $2400 for the bike. Maybe I should what for a clearance one to come along now that the 2005 are out. Dam, now I have another voice.

Anyways, sorry for the long post, wanted to get as much detail in as possible. Thanks in advance for any and all help/opinions.

Haz

Buy frame-based. You can easily upgrade components as your budget allows or as you wear them out. My experience is that you'll be waiting a long time to wear out anything that is 105-level or higher though (other then cassettes, chains and brake pads of course). High-level components is the last place to spend your money. Get the frame that works for you -- the one that feels right, fits right, rides right, etc. Wheels come second. The rest of the drivetrain comes a distant third.


Anyways there is a side of me that says buy the Scattante CFR and then if I really stick with riding for years, I can upgrade the frame using the Ultegra parts on the new frame.
The problem with this is that unless you're mechanically inclined, stripping a bike and rebuilding another one is a lot of work. You'd need new cables / cassette / chain anyway, plus bike shop labor charges. It's not going to be much cheaper then buying the one you wanted right from the start.

Question, if you buy a carbon fiber Scattante, why would you want to upgrade? It IS carbon fiber.

Question, if you buy a carbon fiber Scattante, why would you want to upgrade? It IS carbon fiber.

That's a good point. The only reason I thought I might was because when I rode it, it was after I rode the Cervelo, Kestrel and Specialized. It was very nice, and the carbon fiber quality looked very good, but it did not feel to be in the same class as the others. The turn in wasn't as sharp and it did not accelrate as easily (but that could be the wheels and tires package) and it felt heavier (not heavy). It is a great deal though, and who knows maybe it was just in immediate comparison to the others. All of them left my current bike in the dust. It's amazing what time does.

BTW, thanks for the quick replies.

if you like the cervelo, get the cervelo. get it with 105 parts, that's a good deal.

you need to get a bike that you love to ride. if you don't (say, a scat -- "scat" for that very reason alone i wouldn't get the bike :p), it'll be no surprise if you stop riding...

and THAT said, any bike will do :)

sd

if you're not adamant about getting a full CF bike, you may want to check out the Trek 2100 or 2200. aluminum frame with CF seat stays, cf seatpost, and cf fork. ultegra components except front deraileur and brakes (105). Closeout it's hanging around the $1200-$1500 (2200) mark. The 2100 has 105 components and tiagra fd and brakes i believe and is hanging around the $1000-$1300 mark. it feels heavier than the allez comp, but i feel as though i have more directional stability instead of being really twitchy on the allez. i have no regrets buying the 2200.

melloboy

My .02

I have the CFR and love it, love it, love it. Sure, some jackholes are gonna mentally turn up their noses at it because it does not have much in the way of heritage. But that is actually the best part because you know that not only are you making them suffer physically, but you are putting some mental hurt on them too.

I agree with buying what feels the best.

But don't shy away from the CFR because of a non-prestigious name. It is built by Martec Industries in Taiwan, the same company that does the outsourced carbon work for Kestrel and Look. In other words, they know what they are doing. It is very strong and light. Some better wheels would make it a rocket. The full Ultegra is bombproof. If it feels good, buy it.

Otoman,

I disagree slightly. Not with the notion of not caring about other people's idea of a "name-brand" bike. I don't really care about that. I disagree, because from the research I have done the Scat is based on the EPX with has an excellent pedigree. The only thing it doesn't have is the race team sponsership. I really thought it was a nice bike and like I said I had a feeling the sluggishness was probably related to the wheel/tire combo. It's just that the other's blew me away a little more. I liked the Scat a lot and nearly walked out of the store with it.

Haz

You sound a little budget squeezed. There is not much difference between Shimano 105 and Ultegra except Ultegra weighs a bit less. This is only a factor if you are in competition on a mountain stage (weight really counts in climbing). If you are a recreational rider, the functional differences between 105 and ultegra and dura ace are not that big a deal.

Pat, I didn't realize that about the components. Aren't we all budget squeezed? LOL Seriously though, it is not quite that, it is that I am trying to rational about this and not make a impulse buy. I have a bad habit of doing that. If I drop $2700 dollars on the Soloist Team (bike plus tax, aerobars and pedals) I would hatee to see it collecting dust anytime in the next 5 years. Hmmm! That actually is shap-d's point in his post.

hey HJR, i guess i just say that because i used to have a mountain bike that didn't fit, was fly, and i never rode it. it went down the tubes.

in actuality any bike that fits you (which is, in my opinion, basically any of the bikes yo'ure looking at) will ride well. since i wanted "top" stuff i got a used serotta (1999 titanium) for my first roadie and i don't regret it, it was $1000-1500 with campy record components (similar to shimano dura-ace). if you're willing to get used, and you know what fits you, you can save a bundle and still get excellent components. (i also have a $400 1980s pinarello, which i love just as much as my serotta, rides just as well if not better, and also has what was then top-o-the-line components).

i just didn't mention this, because the cervelo frame is hard to get used... anyway, i'd say less time thinking and more time getting that bike and getting on the road! any bike will do.

sd

edit: then again, if you were _blown away_ by certain frames, that should tell you something right there.

Shaq-d

I've tried to look at used bikes, but whenever I come across a model I am interested in it is the wrong size. FOr example there is a Soloist Team on eBay right now but it is a 51. I need a 56. I'm still riding my Bianchi, so there is no rush. I'm trying to make a smart decision and the Frame vs. Components question continues to linger in my mind. I had one friend say component and another say screw it buy high quality both, because you had the Bianchi for 15 years, a few hundred bucks won't matter in 5 or 10 years from now and if I keep 15, I'll be too old to remember the price. LOL

Melloboy

I looked at the 2200 and it is very nice. I also looked at the 5000. and liked it a lot. It seems as though the list is getting longer rather than shorter.

There were a few posts here I can sympathize with.

I bought a mountian bike that was top of the line (Klein Mantra Pro) and I had two problems with it.
1. It was top of the line, I had nothing that I could upgrade, update on it. I like doing that, it keeps my interested and excited (cars and bikes.)
2. I was never comfortable on it. It is currently collecting dust in my basement, I am about to pull the old Bridgestone MB-3 out and start riding that instead. My advice is to go for the frame, upgrade the components as you get tired of them or break them. The frame is the heart and soul. Buy the one that makes you love to ride it, replace the pieces that you don't like.
That being said, if you aren't the type who loves to upgrade, buy the upper level frame and components.
Me, I think my next bike, and probably my wife's too, will be the Cervelo Soloist 105. Still working on that though.

Hey, I too am looking at getting a new bike, and I really have my eyes on the Soloist Team, but I can't believe how much it is going to cost. I do a lot of road riding, but I also have recently gotten into triathlons, and the Soloist seems to be the best bike on the market for doing both.

Let me know what you decide! I wish I had seen that 51cm bike on Ebay (if you see that again let me know!).

For about $1400, check out this bike:
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/mercier/draco_ltd.htm

I have a Fuji Team SuperLite which I love, and this frame and geometry as the Team SL and comes from the same factory. a little lower components, but about 80% is Ultegra.. There are also other bikes on that site worth looking into..