DaveLeeNC

This is kind of yet another 'what is the right bike for me'. But not exactly. My history is important here, so .... And this is really long and maybe too much information. But I typed it so here goes.

I hit age 65 later this year. I have always been a endurance sport oriented person, but mostly a runner. And there have been SIGNIFCANT periods of time where my weight and conditioning were most definitely horrible. I've been through a 'number of cycles' and am currently in good shape (from both a cycling and general weight perspective), although almost all of my cycling conditioning at this point is on a spinner bike - not a real bike.

In a previous 'cycle' in the mid-late 90's, I ended up with a pretty nice bike bought at a California LBS. I even raced a bit on this bike and (this is important, BTW) this timeframe is possibly the most pleasant period of time in my life (biking and otherwise). Other than these two years my biking is ZERO although I have a ton of running across my lifetime.

I am now back on my California bike and hope to be there until I can no longer pedal. I like being trim and in shape and biking is fun. Running is also fun but my knees/ankles are as old as I am and running is no longer in the picture. But I really don't view biking as a compromise here - it is something that I really enjoy.

Bear with me - there is a question coming up. My Ca. bike (I now live in NC) is a Bianchi Nivacrom/EL-OS frame with full Campy/Chorus components. I bought it because I had been having continuous running injuries (age 50'ish) and was continually having to spend time on an exercise bike while recovering from the running problems - so let's just be a biker.

I went to a local LBS in Pleasonton, Ca. and asked for a bike that was potentially raceable, but no more than that. My impression was that the owner (a bike nut even by LBS standards) 'built' this bike. But I didn't know a damn thing about bikes so I bought what he built ($1500 or so with helmet, pedals, and shoes IIRC) back around 1997. I rode relatively seriously for a couple years (even entered a couple of CatIV races and at least was able to stay with the pack in the Master's class). Then life and motivation happened and this Bianchi Nivacrom EL/OS, Chorus, lived in various attics until earlier this month.

My intent is to again be 'serious' about biking. But this form of 'being serious' will probably take the form of an occasional 'hard club ride' and one or two 'serious centuries' per year. For the most part I am a loner and the vast part of my training will be on my own.

FINALLY - getting to a question. And the question is 'should I stick with this bike'. And despite me being an analytical kind of guy, this is not exactly an analytical question. First of all this bike seems to 'work for me', although it is the ONLY road bike that I have ever ridden more than 2 miles at once. Still I am comfortable on this bike.

Next it somehow 'brings back pleasant memories'. Those couple of years in California where I was riding were most pleasant. This bike somehow reconnects me to this timeframe and feeling.

From what I can tell from studying/research this frame is maybe 1.5 pounds heavier than its 'affordable' carbon fiber alternative. This is not inconsequential but is hardly the end of the world. In the long run the gearing will need changing. It is 53/39 on the front and 12/25t (8 speed full Chorus) on the rear. Even in Ca. hills this was workable for me at age 50. But I am no longer 50.

I have no idea why this is true but I was always most competitive as a climber. Back in the day I was 5'10" at 165-170 pounds so hardly a Pantani clone. I now weigh 5 pounds less (would probably drop another 5-7 if headed for a serious event). But still I am not a lightweight. But I was always a good climber and enjoyed the process. I would occasionally do hill repeats with a couple of Cat II/III guys and could at least stay in contact.

However the area of NC where I live is rolling and there is nothing that I have encountered that I consider a serious climb. I rode 90 minutes the other day and only left the big ring once. But assuming that I were to take on some 'serious centuries' they would be (at least sometimes) in some serious hills. The net of this is that at my age I think that I need something lower than 39 front/25 rear. If money were no object 52/36 on the front and 11/27t rear would work for me, I think.

Lastly (and finally) I have never been a 'status guy' (at least from a material perspective). E.G., I wear a $14 Timex black plastic digital watch no matter 'what the event that I am attending'. But there is something about owning a 'pretty special' Bianchi based bike that, surprising to me, I want to hang onto.

So I am considering spending a ton of money to upgrade the groupset to Chorus 11 speed (Campy record - not sure that I see the value/cost tradeoff here) and, down the line, probably do a wheel upgrade as well (currently on Mavic Open Pro clinchers of 1997 vintage - they are in good shape).

So given all this I'm curious as to what other "real bikers" (as opposed to what I am - at least right now) would view this. Obviously there is no right or wrong decision here. But maybe there are considerations that I haven't thought about. But mostly I am just curious as to how the 'serious biking community' would make these kinds of trade-offs.

Thanks for the patience of those who waded thought this excessively long post.
dave

Lazyass

I can't think of any carbon bike I would take over an EL/OS frame. I had a Rossin with EL/OS tubeset and will always regret selling it. I would upgrade the parts, but if you go with 11 speed you will need to upgrade the rear hub. I'm sure you could find a 10 speed Chorus group on ebay.

DaveLeeNC

Thanks for the comments. I don't know a whole lot but am trying to learn. So I have a question about your comment. From what I know 10 speed or 11 speed (or 9 speed for that matter) rear cassettes will require a hub or wheel change (when coming from an 8 speed). Are you saying something different - thanks.

dave

rpenmanparker 

8, 9, and 10 speed systems use the same hubs and wheels in general. 11 speed is different.

Lazyass

Assuming you have an 8 speed currently, a 10 speed cassette will fit but not 11. I prefer 10 over 11 anyway. The cycling industry is getting out of control with all these gears you don't need, in my opinion.

DaveLeeNC

rp/LZ - thanks for clarifying. I think that I was confused.

dave

bruce19

Before you get caught up in the cult of weight weenie please read this....How Lightweight Do You NEED Your Bike To Be? It may help put things in perspective. I used to ride a MAZA (no not a MASI) that was made with TSX by a small Italian shop run by two guys (Mattioli & Zanasi...thus MAZA) rumored to have worked for Ferrari. It had a killer Italian paint job complete with engraved BB, lugs, etc. This thing was beautiful. I had outfitted it with Campy Athena friction gruppo. This was back in the 80's. Then I stopped riding and didn't get back on the bike until about 10 yrs. ago. I was then 58 and the world had changed. Indexing, sloping TTs, etc. I convinced myself that I needed a new lighter bike. So, I sold my MAZA. To this day that was the single worst decision I have ever made with regard to cycling. It's painful for me to even type this out. Just a friendly warning.



This is the only pic I could find on-line.

https://www.google.com/search?q=maza...ml%3B800%3B600

krobinson103

That frame is a thing of beauty. You don't want a carbon frame over that! Just update the group to 10 speed of your choice. The difference between 10 and 11 is small and then you won't need new wheels.

datlas 

Keep it. Ride it as it is. Eventually you may wish to upgrade to 10sp but it's fine for now.

RollCNY

You wrote the answer to your own question, but hid it among a lot of other words.

RPK79

Thanks for that. I didn't read the OP at all since it was way way way too long.

gc3

If spending money on bikes isn't a hobby, and you really don't care about "having the latest stuff" or trying to maximize your capability from an equipment perspective. then my suggestion is just keep pedaling what you have.

But don't forget to wave....

DaveLeeNC

OTOH, this is the ONLY road bike that I have ever ridden more than a mile or so. So there is ample reason to question my own answer.

dave

DaveLeeNC

It isn't that I'm unwilling to spend money for performance. But when all is said/done I believe (but cannot say authoritatively) that this is about 1.5 to 2 pounds. Performance to be gained, but not a bunch (I think).

dave

RollCNY

Dave,
In my experience, you are in a spot that can be tough, at least for my personality type. You like what you have, but wonder if there are improvements to be had. You wonder if you have sampled enough of the pool to know, because technology marches on and there must be improvements. And you will never know until you plunge.

I took that plunge, and have cycled through 8 bike builds in 5 years. Partly because I like building bikes, but mainly because I expect to stumble on the perfect combination. I currently have 3 bikes, a steel single speed, an aluminum Italian mid-life crisis bike, and a carbon stay aluminum rain bike. Every time I walk into the garage, I have to pick a bike to ride, and 95% of the time I take the single speed, because it is the most comfortable.

DaveLeeNC

Roll, you have built more bikes than I have ridden. Interesting (and thanks for the comments).

dave

Reynolds 

I wouldn't sell that Bianchi. If I felt I needed a lighter bike, I'd try to buy another one, but keep the Bianchi.

gc3

no, i don't agree that its just about the weight...

...having said that, in all honestly for you to tell if there might be "something" in a new bike is to go take a few test rides for models in your price range...see how it feels relative to the old one...all the forum opinions and recommendations are at best points of reference, and at worst totally useless and baseless opinions of strangers...

cbresciani

Dave, that is a great frameset you already have, if I were you I would upgrade the components and wheels and call it good. I love my EL-OS frame and will more than likely never sell it. Carbon fiber is nice but it's probably something that could wait for now. Ride your Bianchi and if you find yourself needing an N+1 then explore the world of carbon fiber.

DaveLeeNC

Just for purposes of closing this thread (interesting/useful for me, but possibly no one else), 'the plan' is to stay with this bike, most likely for the duration, at least given the current state of bicycle technology. I'll probably upgrade when there is a real reason to do so (e.g. some event which precludes effective riding such as a hilly event with my current gearing).

Now - would it be sacrilege to put a Shimano groupset on this bike :-)

dave

RollCNY

My gods would be okay with it.

rpenmanparker 

I like the perversity of doing that. Spit in their eye as it were.

WestPablo

I'd keep that Bianchi Nivacrom exactly they way it is, the way you originally received it! If nothing else, for purely the purpose of nostalgia.

I would most definitely not bastardize the componentry! If anything, I'd replace the original componentry with exactly the same groupset.

However, I would purchase a brand new carbon framed road bike with a 105 gruppo, or better. At least that'll give you a taste of what all the competitive millennials are working with in the sport. Then once you've gotten a belly of it, sell it, and get back on to what you truly enjoy and feel comfortable.

The Bianchi is your true reality!

zymphad

It's just preference and what you are looking for. It's not just weight for costs, it's design, geometry, stiffness, and many other factors that affect the ride. Ride whatever is comfortable for you, especially considering you say you are suffering knee problems. I wouldn't worry about latest materials etc, comfort would be my priority in your situation.

I also don't see how upgrading to 11 spd would improve your ride other than provide maybe tighter, smoother gearing and possibly snappier shifting?

I'd go with gc3's suggestion if you really want to see what spending more money will get you, just try and ride the new expensive bikes. And yeah, I'd put Shimano on any Italian bike.

surgeonstone

OP, brevity is beauty and ultimately will get more people paying attention. Many here will look at a post that long and say screw it.
Chorus is a great grouppo and differs only in titanium from the record. I would get the 10 and in a compact 50-34. Good luck. Keep the bike, I still ride my Italian bike from 1976, now with the chorus compact 10. A good friend of mine who is an astute and excellent bike mechanic tells be the 11 will just get you more problems and a lighter pocket.
Good luck.