Road Cycling - I'm new... any carbon bicycles?

Hello. I am new to these forums. I ride an old Look. I was just wondering if anybody can give me some ideas on some carbon bicycles out there. I will def have to upgrade to the 10 speed DA. THat's nice stuff. Any input would be greatly appreciated. T E X.

Was just at the LBS and lifted a Kestrel Evoke - unbelievably light - made me want a new bike. Owner said it was wonderfully stiff, but forgiving, that I would be able to climb any hill two gears higher - made me want another bike more. Said I could come back for test ride anytime - we'll see. Don't know if I'm gonna be able to sell another $2K for frame-only to wife (non-rider)...

Yeah I have heard about the Evoke. No Kestrel sold where I live. :( They look really cool. I need something that is very stiff, not lots of flex, and can mute road vibration. Is there a bicycle out there for me?

Does anybody have expierience with the Giant TCR Composite frames? What's good and bad about them? They are supposed to come out with TCR Advanced. Thanks. - T E X

Does anybody have expierience with the Giant TCR Composite frames? What's good and bad about them? They are supposed to come out with TCR Advanced. Thanks. - T E X

might be the wrong place to ask - a lot of folks on this forum have this sort of Euro/American bias - thinking somehow a small company in either region must be better than a corperation with more resources than Trek.... c'est la vie - just go test ride it and let the ride tell you what you think.

Yeah but Trek's kill me with the prices... I might just have to bite my tongue and get the Madone 5.9. I have ridden it 5 miles. Nice bicycle. By far the fastest one I have ever ridden. Take that back... Colnago Ferrari edition. I have heard that the madone is a cheesy frame. I toally disagree... For 110 OCLV which trek would you recommend. Can the LBS's order 04 models? Mabye I can get a litte discount?

Does anybody have expierience with the Giant TCR Composite frames? What's good and bad about them? They are supposed to come out with TCR Advanced. Thanks. - T E X

Not sure of your price range but I've been considering a Composite 2 because I just can't find a better value. Full Ultegra with Carbon frame and the LBS told me they went down to $1899 on the last one they sold... My only concern is the LBS indicated the warranty was 5 years (info in owner's manual) but the Giant website (in their FAQ section) indicated lifetime warranty on frames (with no disclaimers about "excluding carbon frames" - not sure what the disconnect is).

Get whatever you like, save your money, and just smile :D when you hear the guy that spent thousands more than you say "Per favore di rallentare più".

the trek dealer is selling '04 5200's for 1999, smokin deal!!! baton rouge la.

Yeah but Trek's kill me with the prices... I might just have to bite my tongue and get the Madone 5.9. I have ridden it 5 miles. Nice bicycle. By far the fastest one I have ever ridden. Take that back... Colnago Ferrari edition. I have heard that the madone is a cheesy frame. I toally disagree... For 110 OCLV which trek would you recommend. Can the LBS's order 04 models? Mabye I can get a litte discount?


Wow, I just saw the CF1 and CF3!!!!
I am awe-struck, unbelievable....

Being such a staunch Ferrari fan, of course I think this is the most beautiful bicycle
I have ever seen! Wow. I must have one! If it takes me years and years..
I am on a quest to get one. Bellisimo...

the trek dealer is selling '04 5200's for 1999, smokin deal!!! baton rouge la. I Was thinking more along the lines of a 5500 to an 5900 to Madone 5.9 price type.

Just to throw a couple of more brands into the mix...

I'm a happy owner/rider of an Aegis Aro Svelte. You don't see too many of them around but Aegis has a strong reputation and are one of the pioneers in the world of carbon fibre bikes. You might want to check them out. Also, the Scott CR1 is a pretty sweet bike that's selling really well. They might also be worth a look.

search for giant tcr in search the forums / i love mine.

Well, since you ride an old LOOK why not a new LOOK (http://www.lookcyclesusa.com/)?

Nah... I rode the Cervelo Solist? Very nice but it's not carbon. I would like some Euro Carbon.

steelrider, which lbs in SJ did you go to? i would like to go check out the Kestrel Evoke. i'm in SJ as well. thanks!

rui

Dude Italian Crmo are stronger and will last longer, they are also recyclable and just plain cool.

Dude Italian Crmo are stronger and will last longer, they are also recyclable and just plain cool. Pinarello?

Pinarello?

Sounds good man and I think anybody is better off with steel the italians are the masters at making featherweight steel bikes.

Sounds good man and I think anybody is better off with steel the italians are the masters at making featherweight steel bikes. I totally agree but I have had a steel bicycle before and I perfer carbon.

So... looking for Euro carbon?

A friend of mine is building up one of these framesets right now...

Cinelli XLR8R2 (http://www.cinelli.it/eng/bici/telai/corsa/index.html)

http://www.cinelli.it/snap/prodotti/telai/zoom/XLR8R2_04_Z.jpg

steelrider, which lbs in SJ did you go to? i would like to go check out the Kestrel Evoke. i'm in SJ as well. thanks!

rui
Check out Gary over at Bici Bike on Cottle Road across from IBM - there's an Erik's DeliCafe on the corner on Cottle in the same strip mall as the shop, which faces the side street, and an Orchard Supply across (same side of the street). He's the owner and one-man show in this closet-of-a-shop, but he carries some outrageously beautiful hardware. Specializes in Serotta, Colnago, Litespeed, Bianchi, Kestrel, DeRosa and a few other, mid-level brands. Came upon almost by accident, as a friend of mine bought a Litespeed from Gary and another friend, who was a track racer, used to work with him once upon a time.

He's a super quiet guy, but he's a straightshooter and knowledgeable. The first time I went in I got talking to him about what he calls his "company car" - a Serotta Ottrott with FSA carbon compact cranks (we should all be so lucky...) - and noticed how he puts components together on his builds that are super functional and reasonable cost, although you can have anything you want. I just took my Eisentraut in there for a full overhaul and when I called about completion, he said it would be only 1/4 the estimated cost because he didn't need to break the seals on the hubs or bb and couldn't functionally improve them by taking them off. Gotta like that.

Anyway, take a look and you might be impressed.

So... looking for Euro carbon?

A friend of mine is building up one of these framesets right now...

Cinelli XLR8R2 (http://www.cinelli.it/eng/bici/telai/corsa/index.html)

http://www.cinelli.it/snap/prodotti/telai/zoom/XLR8R2_04_Z.jpg

Dang that is a SUH-WEET frame. How much is that? What is the weight for frame and fork?

Dang that is a SUH-WEET frame. How much is that? What is the weight for frame and fork?

I think the frameset goes for around $3500. I'm not sure about the weight.

Cervelo R2.5 carbon team with Dura-Ace 10 - $3899.

Asian-made frame, but brilliant design and high-quality. Hangs with US and Euro-made bikes costing 2-3x as much.

Frame is listed at 1450g for size medium (2003) and the fork at 310g. Who knows if it's spot on, but it does seem to be a bit heavy.
http://www.cinelli.it/eng/bici/telai/Corsa/2003_Carbon_XLR8R_.html

Have you guys seen the prototype R1 from Cervelo? http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=tech/2004/news/apr06 ---> Soloist tubing w/ R2.5 design. Anybody know about this? Wonder about its weight and price. The Cinelli is REALLY REALLY out of my price frame for just a frame. That R2.5 sounds like a winner. I would like to know more about the R1!

http://www.scottusa.com/northamerica/

This is almost the lightest carbon bike out there, it's amazingly, I couldn't believe it when I saw the frameset at the shop.

http://www.scottusa.com/product.php?UID=5430

This is almost the lightest carbon bike out there, it's amazingly, I couldn't believe it when I saw the frameset at the shop.

http://www.scottusa.com/product.php?UID=5430

Yeah... my FBS can't keep them in stock. They are selling them at the rate of two a week at least.

I would ride a 52 CM. That's illegal for USCF I believe. That would be seriously light. I LIKE IT! HAHA. That's on my list with the R2.5.