Road Cycling - Your thoughts on Devinici bike

test test

test test

Originally posted by Amir R. Pakdel
Are they good for beginners? Are they something I can grow with?
Sorry... I missed this one...

Yes. Yes.

I test-rode a Devinci last year. It was the Podium model. I found it to be a rather good entry-mid-level bike. It was laterally very stiff, quite well specced with Shimano 105 throughout, with an overall good finish. It was comparable to any other bike in the same price range -- Trek, Specialized, etc. -- with a frame made in Canada [Devinci OEMs frames to a number of other manufacturers, including Argon 18]. The ride quality was better than I had expected from an aluminum bike with a compact frame and an aluminum fork. My main complaints:

1. The aluminum fork. This has been upgraded to carbon for this model year, and I'm sure the ride quality has been consequently improved.

2. The compact frame geometry. I'm not a fan of compact frames, but that's pretty subjective. I'm not a huge fan of the four-sizes-fit-all philosophy, but if you can find a fit, then I'm sure it'll be alright.

3. The pedals. Upgraded to Look CR2 this year, so that's good.

4. The weight. The bike I tried was about 20 lbs, which was heavier than I would like, but pretty much par for this price range.

Devincis are actually pretty common in Montreal, and I know someone who rides a converted Devinci tourer as a cyclocross bike and loves it. My opinion is that they make a good bike, and a very good value in Canada.

Thanks dude.

About the weight, yeah it seems a tad heavy. 22 lbs. for the Apex model compared to other similarly priced roadies.

But what I would like to know is that at what level do you really start noticing the difference weight makes?

I'm pretty much a road noob, and my own weight alone fluctuates 5-10 pounds now and then, so I'm a bit confused when it comes to weight considerations

Weight is a strange thing. If it's a question of 4 lbs, then the pounds that count are the ones on your gut, more than the ones on the bike. Having said that, The times you notice weight are climbing and in sharp accelations, like sprinting. If you plan to spend most of your time in the hills, you MIGHT want to consider a lighter bike, but that'll be more expensive.

Another thing to bear in mind is HOW MUCH MORE those 4 lbs are. Sure, a 22 lb bike weighs 20% more than the 18 lb bike -- and that sounds like a lot, until you realize that you're not just carting the weight of the bike when you ride, but the weight of the bike and the rider. If you weigh 160 lbs, then the difference [168 lbs vs. 182 lbs] is more like 2%. In most situations, particularly on the flats, you'll find that difference to be negligible.

On the other hand, if you like the Devinci, and it fits, I would strongly suggest looking at the Podium. It has a much better component spec. The jump up from Tiagra to 105 is definitely worth the money.

[And I made a mistake on my first post; these bikes do not come with carbon forks. I would suggest that you see about upgrading that when you buy. They are stiff frames, and the carbon fork will be a great improvement, especially on long rides.]

Thanks again.
Going to test ride them next week and see how things go.