Road Cycling - Like a Virgin

Well, I am rather new at this and had several questions.

I've got the cycling fever and cant wait to get a bike. I have been down to the local shop and rode Specialized Allez, Trek 2200 and 5300, and love the kleins. But I went online and saw the other half of it(mostly Italian). I fell in love with a Colnago Asso, '03 model - last year I guess they're putting them out-, and from all the threads Ive read seems to be a bike I can ride now without any experience up until the day i decide to go pro.

Shimano or Campy- another big question rolling through my head~~~

Remarks Appreciated

"peace is something rest is everything" -Stuart Wilde

Josh

you're not really asking for anything specific -

search the existing topics on this forum. there's hundreds of "so i've seen this bike and that bike and i wondered about any others i might not have noticed"

it's less possible to be helpful with something so general as this than you'd think.

campy and shimano are both great - especially as found on $2500+ bikes like the Asso and the 5200.

if you're shopping used and fancy, just try to test ride something close to what you're buying so you get a good idea of fit.

lastly, if you don't currently ride then you're not going to be able to appreciate a lot of the advice about ride characteristics.

basic advice for newbie shopping:
1) test ride as many bikes in your size as you can (noting different frame materials and component groups and prices)
2) try to get a Shimano 105 component group or better if you can as this is the sweet spot for value

IMO campy is superior to shimano.

Bikes are a personal preference. The bike you love may be the bike I despise(I highly doubt it though) so go out and test ride as many bikes as possible. The most important thing IMO for road bikes is fit and frame quality, all other components/accesories can be swapped out later.

As to being more specific...

1)looking for a comparison btwn the predominantly US bikes to the Euro models
2) is there a significant diff in performance btwn campy and shimano according to price?

Shimano or Campy?
I have both, and each has their advantages. If you a newbie, go with Shimano, nothing lower then 105, or if you can afford it, the '05 Ultegra 10sp. Campy is nice but more complicated to own, it is more expensive to maintain, and less flexible with upgrades mixing and matching with other Campy groups....
In my opinion there is a slight difference between Campy and Shimano performance where Campy is "better", but it is so slight, and as I said it is my opinion. You will ask other people they will tell you the opposite.. Hey Lance Armstrong is doing just fine with Shimano.. no? :)

campy colnago-nuff said

IMO campy is superior to shimano.
no way man, Dura Ace is far far superior to Veloce.

no way man, Dura Ace is far far superior to Veloce.

Dura Ace to Veloce is not a comarision price or quality. Dura Ace to Chorus is on price and quality very caomparable. only go to Record when you go pro and the team has it or when you get the job that lets you spend lots of money. As for maintanance $$ is probly going to even out with shimono going to 10spd for lower maintaince go with 9spd groups.

A EU bike disirves an EU group. Most US bike are made in Asia so Shimono seem apropreate.

frankly, i thing the whole debate is sofa king we todd ed... which is why I made such an obviously (perhaps not?) ******** statement.

Opie, I got the joke!