Lewis72

Way back when I used to be really into bikes (late '80s) how good one's bike was used to be pretty much determined by the value of the Reynolds tubing used (453 -> 753) and the value of the Shimano gear you had on it (105 good, 600 best anything else...pah!) Now when I walk round a cycle shop I wouldn't really know where to start. The Shimano 105 is still there and the 600 is now Ultegra, with Dura Ace trumping both but what should one look for when assesing, say, two road bikes at a similar price? What are the key specs and frame details to watch for?

wahoonc

Lewis,
I agree that the market has changed drastically. I worry less about frame materials and componetry than do the ergonomics work for me, and is it comfortable for me to ride. If you are buying a decent quality bike the componetry pretty much takes care of itself. Last "good" road bike I bought had Suntour on it and Campy was king of the hill I think the quality of the mid priced stuff has really improved in the past 20 years. I currently run Shimano Deore LX and have been very happy with it. Next up will be a Nexus hub...can't afford the Rolhoff.

Aaron

Banzai

That's a big question, Lewis. Ok, here we go.

Generally, if you're purchasing the bike from a good bike shop, and from a reputable manufacturer, the quality pretty much takes care of itself. Of course, that depends on what kind of riding you want to do.

As far as frame materials: When it comes to steel, Reynolds 531 and Cro-Moly (Chromium Molybdenum) are pretty much the standard there. If anyone tries to sell a frame advertising "Hi-Ten" steel, run away quickly. That means "high tensile", which is really no more special than the stuff they put in rebar.

Aluminum is generally found in 60xx and 70xx alloys. Without getting into the naming conventions, here's what you'll see. 6061-(T6): Alloyed primarily with magnesium, and the T6 indicates thermal hardening after the fact. 7005: Also alloyed with zinc (approx 4%)...slightly lighter/stiffer than 60xx. You won't see the T(x) there, because this particular alloy doesn't really require that.

I don't like carbon.

Components. With a road bike, I'd say go no lower than Tiagra on your component group, and you'll be set. If you go to Shimano's website, you can view them "in order". I personally like 8 speed stuff, but I can't recommend the Sora line because of the cheesy breakable brifters they have. Shimano also makes an 8 speed brifter (the R-500) that is of Tiagra/105 quality...but it isn't stock on any bike, so you'd have to special order and shell out 300 more dollars. Not worth it.

Hope that helps.

Lewis72

Thank you very much for your responses.

I have a 1989 Raleigh Record Ace with Reynolds 653 tubing & Shimano Sante (white 600) groupset. I'm thinking of treating myself to a new road racer and wanted to ensure that the cycle I bought now was much better than the one I bought 17 years ago. Being patriotic & all that I was hoping to get something British for say 800 - 900 quid or so but don't really mind going for the main names in that bracket which seem to be Giant, Specialized, Trek, Felt etc. The UK Raleigh range seems somewhat diminished now but it seems to be much more extensive in the US. Claud Butler seem to be flying the flag well but I have little idea how their cycles compare to Giant, Specialized etc.

Banzai

I'm not familiar with Claud Butler. I'll have to look that up.

On buying British...

I'd love to do that too...probably before buying American, even. But, I think Raleigh quit making bikes at their Nottingham factory quite awhile ago. So, unfortunately the British jumped into "globalization" right along with us, so you'll have to buy a Chinese bike, and just choose whether you would prefer to make a British CEO rich, or an American CEO rich. But I digress.

Giant, Specialized, Trek...all good. I prefer Specialized to Trek, and have little experience with Giant. I believe Raleigh is actually owned by Kent out of Washington state, but I may be mistaken on that.

Consider Fuji in the mix of bikes you're looking at. Years back they were the last Japanese manufacturer to outsource to Taiwan, and did not develop a good working relationship initially, so the quality suffered. However, their current bikes are of very competitive quality, and often slightly less expensive than an equivalent Trek, etc. as they don't have the same "name" at the present.