tsl

That's reasonable advice and worth considering.

Then, on the other side of the coin, we have this thread: https://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=345020

donheff

I'm still considering the Tricross Comp but I just noticed that they changed the 2008 model to a double from a triple. The Tricross Sport (lower level) is still a triple. I like the idea of a granny gear for assurance on steep climbs so I would stick with the 2007. Did they likely change to a double on the higher end model because racers don't need/want the triple?

tsl

That seems like a reasonable assumption considering that in CX races, when it gets steep, they dismount and run up the hill carrying their bikes.

TruF 

Thanks, everybody. Lots to think about. What fun!

TruF 

BTW: I noticed that I'm already a "Senior Member." Bar is set pretty low in this forum! Or do they give that tag to everyone in the 50+ forum?

momof4greatkids

Truf, sounds like fun, and money's no object, either, that's a coup.

Here's what I did. I rode my Trek 7.5fx around for a year, accumulated about 4-5,000 miles in that year. Then I got a pro fitting for a Serotta (you said, price is no concern go for the Ottrot) I've been posting PR's ever since. Wed night posted a PR for speed, averaging 18mph over 26 miles.

I take a lot of good natured ribbing from my riding buddies because now I can keep up w/the "fast" group, and take my turns at pulls, and even drop one or two now and then just to be able to prove I can But I still do my recovery rides and leisurely rides w/my club mates at slower speeds, because I enjoy riding at a conversational pace, also. Plus, my hubby is much slower than me, so when we ride together, I find an easy gear and just spin. To his credit, though, he's riding the Trek now, so naturally he would be slower. He's actually quite athletic and fit.

All those miles w/the Trek helped make me stronger. When I finally got the new bike, I was able to show 2-3 mph average improvement in my times. I'm happy w/the improvements I've made w/the upgrade.

Maybe it will work for you too

Colleen

TruF 

Thanks, Colleen! I remember your post when your new Serotta arrived. Thanks for the update about how you're doing. Great to know that the honeymoon is going well! Are you still in love?

Trudie

FloridaBoy

You live close enough to Rivendell and should go there and have a look around. https://www.rivbike.com/
I think they might have exactly what you are looking for. If not you will certainly learn a lot and it will be time well spent.

Big Paulie

Yup...

Digital Gee

And ask about their white bike special. They never announce it; you have to ask.

soma5

The Bianchi and the Trek you showed have significantly different geometry. Notice how the Trek's seat tube and head tube have shallower angles (are less vertical). Also notice how the tires seem to be further away from the down tube and the seat tube. The Trek is a bike that should provide a lot more comfortable ride than the Bianchi over long distances. It should also be easier to keep in a straight line - it likely won't be as "twitchy" as the Bianchi. I would say that of the two, it seems that the Trek would be a better choice for you based on what you write. The Trek has what we used to call "touring geometry." I have a bike from the '70s that is a thing of beauty and it was a road racing bike in its day but the geometry is more elongated like the Trek. I can ride it "no hands" for an indefinite time. It is rock steady and comfortable over distances. I have a bike that I got in the '90s that is a pure racing machine. It is like a sportscar: twitchy, fast, rewarding if that's the way you ride. I have to admit that I like the "sportscar" more, but I can still appreciate the qualities of the older bike. My guess is that the Bianchi would ride more like my racing machine.

-soma5

Big Paulie

OK Gary, make all the cute little jokes you want about white bikes...but leave Rivendell out of it! This is sacred territory...consecrated ground, not suited to the comic stylings of a frustrated Cleveland Indian fan with delusions of purity!!!

Entrance to Valhalla, AKA the Rivendell shop in Walnut Creek...

LynnH

I also rode my MTB bike for 2 years, and then decided I needed a faster bike and with drops. I am very glad I got to that point, I have had my Scott Contessa Speedster for alittle more than a year now, (it is white!)and I love everything about it. My sister left her Specialized TriCross Comp with me for a few weeks to try, it has eggbeater pedals on it, so I am waiting for my shoes and cleats to arrive, should be any day. And I am very excited about putting some miles on it, the little I have rode it around, I really liked how stable it feels, like no downhill is too steep. That would be marvelous, because I do love my downhills! I live about 15 miles out of town, so there are alot of gravel roads that I am hoping the TriCross will make fun to ride.

peter_d

I got a Specialized Allez Sport this past summer and really enjoy it. the stem is flipped so the riding position is quite comfortable BUT i'm already lusting after a Roubaix. The roads here are rough also and i think the Roubaix with its carbon frame and zertz inserts would be a great ride, it's also light and the riding position is quite comfortable, i'll be auditioning one in the Spring. You could check www.specialized.com for photos and to see if it comes in a WSD.

TruF 

Thanks for reviving this older post! Funny that some of you mention Rivendell. Gorgeous bikes. I had already taken note that they are not too far from me. I'll have to stop by one Saturday...

Wonder if it's mostly us +50-ers that like the looks of the Rivendell bikes? I've read a few negative comments in other forums about their retro design, as if that's a bad thing.

FloridaBoy

I got a Bleriot frame after stumbling on Rivendell via this site. https://www.freewebs.com/650b/ There is a lot of good info there. I was looking for a comfortable ride it all day on good bad and ugly roads bike. The frame is well made and nicely finished (brazed in Taiwan with Rivendell invesment cast lugs) I will post more after it is built. I am not sure if the design is retro or just good common sense. When I was younger and raced my favorite bike was a Rossin Record, a stage racing frame built with Columbus SL tubing. It really was COMFORTABLE and comfort makes you want to ride more. :-) I regret selling it but if I like the Bleriot I'll get and older British Reynolds 531 DB frame with a longish wheelbase and build it into a 650B single speed. Here is another cool 650B ride and a different design than the Bleriot that looks like a lot of fun too. https://kogswell.com/index.html

More cool stuff:

https://www.cyclofiend.com/rbw/bleriot.html

https://www.chainringtransitauthority...50b/650b.shtml

https://www.ebykr.com/?p=42

https://yojimg.net/bike/ibob/metablog/index_orig.php

TruF 

Thanks, FloridaBoy! Interesting articles. I'm looking forward to visiting Rivendell sometime after Thanksgiving.

FloridaBoy

I agree with you. There is nothing wrong with a racing bike but it makes little sense to have two bikes that are too similar in geometry and most of us in the over 50 bracket will find little use for a steep angled criterium bike. https://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/v/Freeks-racefietsen/ click on the 1985 Rossin. I had an '82 in blue and it was a great bike. (I also had a Trek with tighter geometry but it was NOT a long distance ride.) The Rossin was easy to ride no hands and was quite agile. I could ride it 100 miles and not feel 'beat up'....tired yes but I did not want to shoot the bike. I sold it when I moved back to SW Florida. Yes, I miss it. The roads here are not the best, lots of sharp shell fragments, and fatter tires are the ticket. Here is a link to older Raleigh catalogs. https://www.retroraleighs.com/index.html#catalogues Check out the geometry of the racing bikes from the 70's and early 80's. They are similar to the Rossin but have eyelets for racks and fenders. IMHO, very balanced designs. 'Funny bikes' started to become mainstream after the '84 Olympics. Personally, I prefer steel frames. As Sheldon Brown sez " ya ever seen a spring made of aluminum?"

Yen

Found this today from a search for "Surly". Lots of good stuff here -- thanks for asking, TruF!

BengeBoy 

And, coincidentally, she's back in the market for a bike again...

Mojo Slim

As you know, many manufacturers offer women-specific road bikes---Giant, Specialized, etc. You might want to look at those. I think you have the fever and should get a real good road bike and keep the 7.2. I think if you get anything less than full carbon or Ti, at least Ultegra, etc., you'll be shopping again in a year--not that there's anything wrong with that!

TruF 

Hey, Mojo. I should have left my bikes on my sig line. I ended up with the full carbon Specialized Ruby Expert that has Ultegra components. Love that road bike! But I'm shopping again in less than a year, anyway. Or at least thinking about it.

TruF 

Mojo Slim

Obviously, I didn't pay enough attention to the dates of the posts. But I was right, if inattentive.

BengeBoy 

Last time I tried that argument it didn't work for me!