fishboat

Hi..I've been helping a friend buy a new-to-her bike and it's given me the bug. I've been riding the same (nice) bike for 35+ years and still do. I'm looking for makes-models that would be good options for me to consider. I've continually ridden all these years, but haven't kept up with the several generations of new bikes since. The only non-steel bike I remember from the era when I bought my road bike was a Klein. Cannondale was just entering the market. At that point I stopped keeping up with the latest & greatest.

I currently have a road bike (1979, 57cm, Columbus SL doubled butted-lugged frame, all campy record, 39.5 inch wheelbase) and a '91 mountain bike. I'm looking for a touring bike now, but I know what I need to know & that's a separate topic.

my specs:
>5'11"
>225 lbs
>currently ride up to 50ish miles in a day..13-16mph average (not what I once was, I'm old, but recently retired so I should get more miles in & improve this)

Looking for:
>road bike, day-ride use
>Make-model ??
>used
>not looking to buy a frame & build up a bike
>carbon - aluminum - steel ?? ( I assume carbon or aluminum)
>55-57cm
>less than $1500(-ish)

I've looked into a Synapse so far (alloy). Used, they look to be in the $600-$700 range..at least the couple I've come across. They seem to be well thought of. I think the CAAD series frames are more racing oriented(??)..not sure that's necessary. I have no preference to any particular manufacturer...just a good frame & component group, comfortable, light, fast, fun. If it looks hot, that's ok too.

What do you think?

corrado33

I'd have a hard time recommending a specific bike to you, but I will say this. Don't discount steel. It's come a LONG way since the last time you bought a bike. Today's steel bikes are much lighter than the early 80s bikes. At $1500 you have a pretty good price point. I personally recommend going in to all of your local bike stores and riding as many bikes as you can. You are a veteran bike rider, so you'll know what feels good and what doesn't.

Don't just ride bikes around $1500. Ride cheaper bikes so you know what a cheaper bike feels like. Ride a $2500 bike so you know what a really nice bike will feel like. (All new bikes will probably feel light and fast to you, learn to differentiate between the nice and not-so-nice feeling bikes.) When you find one that you like, ask the shop if you can take it on an extended test ride and take it for one of your normal day rides.

Today, the main difference between many of the manufactures is their frame. Most use the same components. All of the frames are competent. They'll all perform well, you just need to find the one that works best with you.

Since this is the beginning of the season, almost all of the bikes are likely to be full price. However, you can ask if the shop has any of last years bikes and how much they'd take for it. They'll probably be very eager to get rid of it.

And, of course you already know this, but size rules everything. Buy a bike that's your size first, everything else is secondary.

fietsbob

Go find your favorite bike shop to do business with , that means more than what brand .


My LBS is a Trek dealer , + several other lines..

I like quality steel frames , but carbon is the trendy .. buy New, not someone else's damage that carbon is prone to .

New frames have warrantees used , none.

molten

That's quite personal. That's the whole package. That's NOT a tire, etc.
You gonna have others make up your mind??? You already know it's not for all-new-Campagnolo, like the name that you are leaving.

fishboat

Ahh..no. I'm quite capable of doing lots of research, riding, and making up my own mind. I'm a big boy. I'm just looking for suggestions of well-thought of makes-models, from experienced riders, to start the search. Not looking to start any brand wars..I assume they happen here.

For example, given my blank-slate on modern bikes (as in..I don't know), if folks agree carbon frames are not made for a guy my size..then ok..that saves me time finding that out for myself...possibly after I spend a wad of money..sort of makes sense to ask those more fluent to help narrow the search before I dig in. (that was helpful though)

Retro Grouch 

That's what I think too.

If you are looking to move up technology-wise, you have to go to where you can see the different genre's of bikes that have developed in recent years. You mentioned "road bike" but that might not be a specific enough term anymore. You mentioned frame material but there's also more gearing, geometry and tire options than we used to enjoy. I always tell people to shop for a bike shop first. Visit a number of shop in your area until you find one with people who you can identify with and who ask the "right" questions.

Once you find the right shop, buy a brand that they carry at a price point that you are comfortable with and you'll never go wrong.

fishboat

I do understand the value of a LBS & this is excellent advice, but as I stated in post #1 , I'm not buying new...not gonna happen. I also respect people's time. I'm not going to burn a shop's & a sales-persons time if I have no intention of buying new. I wouldn't appreciate it if the roles were reversed..."do onto others..". Everyday is Saturday..I have lots of time to ID bikes on the used market and try them out, but I like to avoid running down rabbit holes where I can.

Seemed like a simple enough question..guess not. This is a learning curve, my error...I'll continue my research. thx

Homebrew01

Consider Ebay. You can limit to "X" miles near your Zip Code so that you can look at the bike before buying, and avoid shipping costs

Wildwood 

IMHO, find a vintage touring bike. You know how to shift from the downtube, so go that route. Money saved can go for racks, bags, etc.

What city are you near?
What size frame?

ironwood

I haven't been impressed by many Twenty-first Century bikes, ( and for that matter with most things going on in this century so far) so maybe the best place to look is on the C&V forum. There are still a lot of bikes from the eighties in good shape.

A lot of new bikes are a few pounds lighter, but that isn't going to make much of a difference if you are 35 pounds overweight. That also applies to me.

Homebrew01

Although I rode and raced many years with downtube shifters, I am happy to be rid of them and now use modern integrated shifters on my vintage and newer bikes.
Personal choice, since some people are perfectly happy with downtubes.

bikemig 

I'd look for a modern bike that can take a little fatter tire like a 28c (you want to be comfortable, right?) and has a wide range of gearing (no big deal with modern gearing if you get a bike with a compact double up front). You didn't give a budget, but if funds are not a problem, I'd take a long hard look at building up a gunnar frame. They're fine lightweight, steel bikes. This would be a modern day equivalent of the columbus SL bike you are currently riding. Either the gunnar sport or the gunnar cross hairs would be a fine choice.

dim

surly Long Haul Trucker for your daily commutes .... then customise it to your own personal tastes ... thats what I'm doing


and if you want something a bit faster for weekend rides, get a good 2nd hand cheaper road bike as a weekend bike for ... or if you are flush with cash, a good carbon framed road bike for the fast rides

dedhed

Update your existing bike.

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...i-s-ergos.html

1989Pre 

2001 Gunnar Crosshairs 56 5cm TT 853 Reynolds 10spd SRAM Force | eBay

bikemig 

+ 1. This is an excellent bike.

1989Pre 

It's funny, bik, I did not even see your reply before I sent mine. I just figured, this guy is going to need the strength of steel, so why not suggest the best that is in a moderate price range? Gunnar, baby!

GeoKrpan

You can get a pretty nice new bike at Bikesdirect for $1500 or less.

Titanium cylocross bike, $1399.



Carbon with Ultegra and Mavic wheels, $1499.



Reynolds steel with 11 speed 105 and Shimano wheels, $895.

StanSeven

The bad thing about buying used, particularly if you haven't ridden lots of bikes over the past few years is better the right fit. So I would spend some time trying out friends bikes including club members bikes if you belong to one.

A modern endurance style bike still provide relaxed and comfortable geometry. That with 28 tires will give you a cloud like but still performance ride. You'll get 10 or 11 speed groups and the newer lower/mid levels are substantially better than your Record.

rm -rf

More details, please. What do you want to do with the (used) bike?

Is it for typical day rides on paved roads?

Will it replace your current road bike?

~~~~~~~~~
It sounds like you might want an "endurance" bike instead of a "performance" bike.

Fitting.
I'm assuming a bike that's less than 5 years old or so.

Since you ride regularly, you should be able to decide if a used bike will fit, just by test riding it.
You probably understand how threadless stems work, and what the limits are to moving the handlebar position with a different stem.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
materials
You should be fine with carbon or aluminum at 225 pounds.
I'd look for 10 speed drivetrains, partly to keep replacement parts available for more years.

5 years ago or more, the recommendation was to get Shimano 105 or higher components. But it appears that even the lower cost groups are pretty good now.

For new bikes, wider tires, 25c, or even wider rims that are 23mm or 25mm wide. These larger air volumes are a lot better on rough roads, but aren't slower than 23c tires. But older frames often weren't designed for these tires sizes. My older bike just barely fit 25c--any little grit picked up would hit the fork.

"shallow drop" bars are found on most new bikes. I really like these, with reach around 80mm, and drop around 125mm. I can comfortably ride in the drops or on the hoods.

trainsktg

Used vs. new doesn't necessarily mean you will save money. I will offer this suggestion...look into a 2016 Giant Defy 5 with 2x8 Claris groupset for $620 new. Relaxed geometry, aluminum frame. I purchased a 2014 new and have put about 6,000 training miles on it riding through two Pacific NW winters so far. It also travels with me when I'm working away from home. 100% reliable (although I did just upgrade the drive train to 2x11 so I can swap my power meter between the Defy and my carbon bike) . I would say I got my money's worth.

Keith

ltxi

Sorta same issue I had last year except I'd been off riding at all for years. Getting back into it road bike was my trusty 35 year old Fuji. Decided to look into today stuff and ended up with a used Cannondale Synapse coming out of rental/loaner service from my good LBS. $650 and I've thoroughly enjoyed it while learning about now bikes. It will remain as back-up to whatever I road upgrade to/get next.

And an add on edit...Next, most likely this year, upgrade will be to something several $K Di2 equipped carbon. Less than that, budget limited I'd just stick with this nice couple year old Synapse.

Champlaincycler

I'm about your age I think, and got back to riding about 10 years ago. I can't tell from your post if you're looking for a touring bike or road bike. Touring bikes need eyelets for racks etc.

My opinion only (some here will hate this) is that you should have a carbon bike at least once in your life. They're so light and feel fast, even if its just imagination. You can get decent carbon bikes now that fit larger tires (up to 28's or even 32's) , many have a newer "endurance" geometry for old folks like me with bad necks etc. Compact doubles with easy cassettes for climbing. Seems each year gets harder so good gearing means a lot. Mid range bikes of around $1500 are available from most bigger brands, groupsets might be cheaper on them but the truth is that even cheaper shifters and gearing are so much better than what once was. I think Giant makes a great affordable bike. I bought a Specialized last year even though I thought I'd never do so (hate the company), but its endurance fit just worked for me. Cannondale Synapse and Trek Damones are also endurance models, Bianchi's make a pricier one. I'm sure there are others. They're probably all similar. If you can, I'd buy new as you have support from your store and at least basic fitting and a face to talk to.

Good luck, its exciting to get a new ride.