Originally Posted by echappist

I'm looking for a new bike, primarily for spirited group rides. I haven't been on many, and was dropped in my last one but clawed back and finished with the group. My current bike is an old Giant OCR. I would like to know if a lighter, more aero bike might help. On one group ride, I attacked the group when we were stopped at a red light and got a large gap, but i was eventually reeled back. Maybe some zipp 404 tubulars would help me stay away?

Also i see that a lot of cyclist have these weird cranks on their bikes. I can't really explain what they are, but i was told that they are "quirky." Would they help me spin faster like Lance on the hills and would they help me ride farther? I would like to break 19mph for a 80 mile ride some day.

Finally I have about $8000 to spend on my bike but do you guys think I deserve to have a lighter, more aero bike with zipp 404 tubulars and this quirky crankset? My goal in the next two years is to finish top 10 in my local hammer ride. Right now when i'm on the road, no one waves back at me. I hope when i get good enough people will start to wave at me and then i will have the option not to wave at these riders who are slower than i am.