bobby c

Hi,

As I age (I’m 54), comfort is becoming more and more important to me in all activities. No, I’m not ready for a nursing home, I plan on more centuries and challenging rides, but I’m finding longer recovery times for such activities. I’m ready for a new bike (my old Fuji steel bike is at the end of it’s life) and I’m thinking carbon.

Now I’m not sure whether the frame will be 100% carbon or if it is aluminum w/ carbon seat stays, forks, etc. I’ll look around and hopefully get a feel for things. But I haven’t shopped for a road bike in a long time and I’d love some suggestions. Perhaps I won’t find what I’m looking for in my price range, but any pointers on where to start would be appreciated.

As background, I’d like the bike to be available at a LBS. I’ve looked at the Motobecanes, Douglas & Scats but since I won’t be able to test ride them, I am leaning against that approach (plus the issue of communication & repair plays a part). Also I like supporting local vendors, but I’ve been known to pick stuff up on the internet.

Another point is I’d like the bike to be less than $2,000, hopefully in the $1,200 to $1,500 range. However if the right bike presents itself, I’d go higher. Or if a bike is more expensive than I want (but not too much) there are always sales, negotiations, etc.

So my questions are:

- What brands should I look for? I’m not a racer, again, comfort is an important factor
- Will I be able to get full carbon in this range?
- If not full carbon, what frames would be less stiff?

Any thoughts are appreciated!

Thanks,
Bobby

GuitarWizard

Check this out

https://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=13026

formulaben

At $1500, the 2005 Scattante CFR FULL CARBON represents an incredible value. It has Ultegra 10 speed.


Also, the 2006 Motobecane Immortal Force FULL CARBON with the same drivetrain comes in at $1795.





At this time last year, I was able to negotiate a discounted price on my Felt F2c for very close to your price range. You might be able to find a great deal on a closeout from this year or a pre-order for the '06 models.

craign04

Giant TCR Comp 3 is carbon with 105 and Xero Wheels... MSRP is $1650, should be able to find it somewhere for under $1500 now i would think.

sunninho

Yeah, the Specialized Roubaix Elite Triple or Double might be what you're looking for. Suggested retail is 2200, but you should be able to negotiate on the 05 model.

simplyred

Trek is coming out with a new TCT Carbon bike in an affordable range.
Giant has the TCR/OCR Comp 3 for like ~ 1600 US.
I think Cannondale's Synapse is offered in a 105 kit - so that may also fit your budget.

You have plenty of choices. Just make sure you get fit right..

Comfort comes from the road you take, good pair of shorts, good fit, and good fitness level.
Less stiff? You mean absorb road shock? - Hmm.. Mountain bike, dual suspension w/ slicks...
Road bikes can only absorb so much... know what I mean? There will be a insginficantly slight deviation from an alum bike vs. a carbon bike for the first 30 miles of your ride. By mile 100, comfort is about how well trained your core muscles are & what bike you are on. If you're doing that kind of mileage - then worry about comfort....

Good Luck!
-Peter

hmai18

Felt also has an expanded line of carbon bikes for '06.

bigbossman 

Don't know what part of the country you're in (or even if that plays a factor), but I'm 48 and just went through this exercise. I do one century a month, and the 1988 Miyata I have been riding was wearing me out.

I found Giant OCR 3's discounted to as low as $1320, and a Giant OCR Limited discounted to $1612. Specialized Roubaix Elite's were found in the $1800 range.

I liked the ride on the Giant better than the Specialized, and the geometry of the Giant fit me better. I was going to buy the OCR 3 until I found a Limited in my size. I opted for the Limited because it is 10 speed Ultegra as opposed to the 9 speed 105 of the OCR 3. Both are fine bikes, and I would have been more than happy with either.

The bottom line is that there are several bikes for you to choose from that meet your budget, and you will have to get out and test ride to see which one suits you best.

I suggest you make a short list of models, and let your fingers do the walking - call around and see what LBS's around you have in stock, and go ride them. You'll find out in short order what geometry/ride quality suits you best.

Regards,

John D.

popnfresh

you can look for a 2005 lemond buenos aires, all the lbs are offering deep discounts on them

its a lightly more uprgith comfy riding position
1500-1700 is a great deal for steel/carbon frame and veloce 10 speed

allgoo19

Bontrager(BF member) bought this for $1200.- plus shipping when it was on sale 20%off. It'll probably happen again at holiday season discount. Keep your eyes on it.

bobby c

Thanks for all the feedback! I was surprised by the amount of bikes that met my criteria, I thought I'd see higher prices. Over lunch I hit a new LBS, they carry mostly Treks, with some LeMonds & Kliens. They had a Buenas Aries, looks nice. I threw my leg over a Trek 2100, it looked good as well. No test riding yet, I expect this to be a process that may take a couple of weeks.

The Scat & Moto look nice, but unless I can test ride one, I doubt I'll be going down that road.

Thanks again,
Bobby

Ostuni

at this time there is a 15% supergo coupon that will lower that price even more.... i think the coupon is valid until sunday...

linux_author

- bingo. saw one last week for $1.9K, and a very nice one at that...

- i'm almost tempted, but i know that bringing it home would end my marriage...

ran1354

I've seen the Trek pilot 5.0 for $1800. also the Trek 5000 for a similar price.

RoboCheme

I was in the same situation as you (I'm 56) earlier this year and I got a Giant OCR C2. If you've got a Perfomance Bike shopnear you, check it out. They aren't going to be selling Giants anymore and they're always on sale. I got mine for 1800 plus 180$ worth of Performance coupons. You've got to join their club for $20.

The OCR composite series are really nice for old guys; upright ride, triple, full carbon. The ride is very, very smooth. They have a Limited series that goes for about $1900 MSRP with full Ultegra. The C3 is a little less expensive with Tiagra/105's.

Good luck.

bigbossman 

Like I said earlier, I bought the OCR Limited. I am Soooooooo digging it! Test it against the Specialized Roubaix, and let me know what you think. I thought the OCR rode better, and for a lot less dough.

John D.

texascyclist

Specialized Tarmac Comp. Nuff said.

RoboCheme

The OP is looking for a bike under $2000. This bike is $2200

krazyderek

So that's actually 1275$. The Ultegra 10 groupo and frame are almost worth that. Use the money you saved to get a different set of wheels if you want, or just some comfier tires and saddle.

They also have the tripple, not sure it that would benefit your more on those long hilly centuries.

As for comfort though, i'm a big fan of the trek pilot series, but kinda pricey, and the cannondale synapse... yikes, mega pricey.

Serpico

giant and specialized make some nice bikes like roubaix and tcr

go test ride them

bigbossman 

OMG!! I just went to Performance to pick up some knick-knacks for tomorrow's ride..... the OCR's have been discounted yet again! $1350 for the OCR 3, and $1650 for the OCR Limited.

Serpico

those giants look HOT everytime I see them at the shops

people wanna talk smack because they're a big company or whatever--I dunno, looks like some sweet bikes to me

samp02

anything with campy for under 2,000

krazyderek

rofl...

dragonflybikes

Look at Bianchi. They have their full carbon with Campy Veloce. The Veloce is basically the same thing as the Centaur. Veloce is 10 spd as well and if you can find the 2005 model they have some Campy G3 wheels on them and I believe you can pick one of them up for about $1500 on sale. Almost bought one myself.