Road Cycling - Best racing bike - choosing a new bike.

Hey i went to my LBS the other day and they had three road bikes in my price range. I am just curious which one is a better bike considering i'm only really interested in the speed, and racing and dont really care for comfort. Here they are:

2005 giant ocr1. Yeah its got carbon seat stays, fork, and seat post, but i hear the brakes are poor and that it is comfort geometry so it doesnt perform as well as the other two when racing (i plan on club races) due to its longer wheelbase and more upright position, is that true?

2005 Felt F70. I have had no experience with felt at all is it reputable? but this looks like a pretty good bike with as much carbon as the giant but with a traditional geometry, the LBS said this and the specialized would perform better in races, is that true??

2005 specialized allez elite. This seems to be a favourite in this forum but it doesnt have the carbon seat stays as opposed to the other two. Also i dont think it comes with pedals. But the guy said this would perform better than the giant but its a toss up between it and the felt.

I really only have a budget of about $1000-$1100 for the bike with pedals. what do you guys think i should go for? considering i want it to be as fast and responsive as possible. Thanx. :D

I would go with the Felt or the Specialized.. I agree with the bike shop. The Felt is a solid, excellent performing, great value, made in America. :)

The OCR frame is the same for the whole line of OCR bikes, so it might be worth it to go with that and upgrade over time...

come on guys, lets get some opinions!

Hey i went to my LBS the other day and they had three road bikes in my price range. I am just curious which one is a better bike considering i'm only really interested in the speed, and racing and dont really care for comfort. Here they are:

2005 giant ocr1. Yeah its got carbon seat stays, fork, and seat post, but i hear the brakes are poor and that it is comfort geometry so it doesnt perform as well as the other two when racing (i plan on club races) due to its longer wheelbase and more upright position, is that true?

2005 Felt F70. I have had no experience with felt at all is it reputable? but this looks like a pretty good bike with as much carbon as the giant but with a traditional geometry, the LBS said this and the specialized would perform better in races, is that true??

2005 specialized allez elite. This seems to be a favourite in this forum but it doesnt have the carbon seat stays as opposed to the other two. Also i dont think it comes with pedals. But the guy said this would perform better than the giant but its a toss up between it and the felt.

I really only have a budget of about $1000-$1100 for the bike with pedals. what do you guys think i should go for? considering i want it to be as fast and responsive as possible. Thanx. :D



Assuming components that are up to the task 105 minimum.

I don't think anyone has ever said this before.

The one that fits you best will be your best choice.

Consider finding a good used bike.

You will get the most bang for your buck buying a used bike somewhere like eBay.

come on guys, lets get some opinions!

You can get an Orbea Volata for $1200 with Campy mirage that is race fast...and nobody else will have the same bike

I have an '04 OCR Elite which sounds like it's compariable to the '05 OCR 1 frame wise. The '04 OCR 1 had tektro brakes that did suck imo. However, the LBS was willing to upgrad those for me if I bought that bike. I was also going to ditch the adjustable stem in favor of a fixed one. As far as the Geometry goes I've been told buy some of the club racers here that I have a race ready frame. That being said if you want a more racy geometry Giant try the TCR line. The club racers here mostly ride TCR Composites. I road the Felt F60 when I looked at the Giant and it had the same crappy brakes as the OCR1. It also didn't fit me very well. That doesnt mean it won't fit you well though. It's already been said but I'll say it again. Buy the bike that fits best. You'll probably perform better if your bike fits. And it's not the bike it's the engine!

If your serious enough to race,you should be able to pick a bike without a poll. First you said just speed, then fast and responsive. Pedals,most come without or nothing you would want to race with. Are you sure you want to race right now? Maybe just ride alot for awhile. Oh,carbon seat stays most likly wont make you any faster,but a good engine will.

dont really care for comfort

Oh yes you do. Using this philosophy, you could get the best, coolest looking, racing ski boots around. But if you foot is crushed into oblivion such that your eyes tear ... your lift ticket will be RUINED. You should get the bike that FITS you best so that you will perform at your best: short or long, flat or hilly, solo or group ...

From you list, I'd go with the Felt. I did look on eBay (as previously mentioned) and say a nice Kestrel for less than $900 which was WAY BETTER than any of those 3 you mentioned. However, having never bought a road bike on eBay, I can't recommend that that purchase would be successful.

I just don't think it is wise to buy a bike and then have to tell yourself "I can learn to like riding this thing." ooooh yuuuuuck ! :eek:

Best.

I know you said that "you don't care about comfort" but I'd like to echo the sentiment of others here. Comfort is the most important factor in buying a road bike. If it doesn't fit well, you won't want to go out riding as often. How good is a bike that you don't want to use.

Fit and comfort are entirely different than the difference between touring and racing geometry. It is possible to get a comfortable bike with aggressive racing geometry.

You sound like you want to get into racing. That said, pick the appropriate geometry for the type of riding that you want to do and find the most comfortable bike.

To gauge the comfort level, don't just sit on it in the store. Ask the LBS if they'll let you take it out for a 20 mile ride, then decide.

Never bought a bike on Ebay.....wondering if it is like the components marketplace. I can't believe how inflated the seller's prices get. Most of the time the components go for more than new.

My recommendation for a great/quality bike in your price range is the Tommaso AS2, from getawaybikes.com, in Pompano Beach FL. They sell the bike on Ebay for less than $1000 (plus pedals), and it's an Easton aluminum frame, Ultegra drive train/components, carbon fiber seat post, front fork, stem and handlebars. I couldn't find anything comparable for less than $1400-$1600 at local bike shops - many were higher than that. Getaway will build up the bike, true wheels, adjust all cables and test drive it for you then just knock it down enough for shipping (I have been to their store and have seen all this for myself.)

It is possible to get a comfortable bike with aggressive racing geometry.

Yes and no. If we're talking about immediate comfort when you sit on the bike, or rides over relatively short distances, then yes. However, the more aggressive racing geometry will become more uncomfortable the longer the ride. It's not a function of fit, but of handling. Less aggressive geometry will require less constant rider input. It more easily cruises in a straight line. The more aggressive bike will require a great deal more rider input to maintain a straight line, and that can become tiring, especially under certain circumstances.

I have a bike with very aggressive geometry. However, it is exceptionally comfortable fit-wise. It's when there are high winds that I become fatigued on longer rides. I have to constantly keep the bike on course because it immediately responds to the slightest input from either me or the wind. It might best be described as not ever being able to completely relax. If there's a 30 mph side wind, a couple of seconds of blank thought could spell disaster. In fact, I recall a ride where I swear it seemed I was leaning the bike into the wind in order to go straight.

In sum, either bike can be "comfortable." The more relaxed geometry will be more comfortable for longer rides. However, it will not handle as responsively. The bike with the more aggressive geometry will be no less comfortable immediately, but it may fatigue you on longer rides. In exchange, you get superior handling.

Now, all that said, think about something somewhere in the middle for now.