Kindaslow

I am thinking about this Venge, because I am set to get a great deal, as a bike to take out for an hour or two just to fly along. There is a great, straight, trail in the valley that folks fly along. Also, there are bike lanes along a rolling route to a beautiful park on an island just 15 or so miles from my house. I am more of a MTBer, but this is looking like a fun option. And, yes, I have considered other bikes, like the Tarmac. The Tarmac would likely be a better all-a rounder, but that is not what I am looking for. I road the bikes back-to-back and enjoyed the Venge more.

Thoughts....

Dan333SP

Sounds like your mind is made up. Get it. You might get some people posting saying that it's too harsh/expensive/whatever for your only road bike, but if you already rode it, can afford it, and think it looks great, then it's a no-brainer.

TrojanHorse

Yeah, don't get what I want, get what you want.

Nikephoros

I'm tempted to think this is a troll post.

Kindaslow

Seriously?

i was out riding.

Kindaslow

I think I have made up my mind. When I posted this, I was more on the fence, but as you noted leaning to one side .

Thanks.

Dan333SP

Now you just have to get some bling wheels and post it on one of the many "look at my bike!" threads, I think Venges are cool.

Dunbar

I bought an aero road bike and it's now my main rig. I would make sure you get on with the ride quality of the Venge before you buy it. The one I rode was quite a bit stiffer than the Tarmac I rode right before it. Specialized just announced the new Venge so I would expect deals on the old model will not be hard to come by.

Jeremy_S

If you want it get it, that's always my thoughts on bikes. Who cares what anyone else thinks? I'm the one writing the check and the one looking at it, killing my legs on it, loving it, so hell yes I get what I want.

Kindaslow

It comes with pretty nice wheels. I might post a pic focusing on the pedals though. My knees are such that I have given up on clipless (rode clipless for years), so I will have WI pedals with clips and straps. That will just kill some of the snobs. Heck, the first ride might be with the plastic pedals.

rebel1916

Clipless allows for more float than clips and straps. So know we know this is a troll thread.

Kindaslow

I will gladly post a pic, in about a week. And, the bigger issue than float, for me, is torque to release. Some of the roadie crowd goes to rude mode and never thinks to ask a question. If it would make you happy, I could post a pic of the pedals from my commuter.

Kindaslow

Depending on shipping, these will also be on the Venge in about a week.

gregf83 

Thoughts are, in general, most people would be better off with a Tarmac unless they are racing. The Venge is optimized for aero and is less compliant than a Tarmac. The improved aero performance will result in marginally faster times but if you're not racing that's largely irrelevant. You won't feel the extra speed so it won't be any more 'fun' than a Tarmac but you might notice the increased stiffness.

Not sure about capacity for wider tires but you might wan't to check that as well.

Kindaslow

I rode them back-to-back, and I enjoyed the Venge more. Also, it really did seem to get to speed quicker and maintain the speed easier. It will not be an all around bike for me, but instead a bike for specific routes and just 1-2 hour rides trying to hold higher speeds. And, as of today, it is mine and just waiting for pedals and some fitting. I will probably bring it home Tuesday.

colnago62

The roads in the the Puget Sound are pristine compared to a lot of places. The lack of freezing temp. or super hot highs means the roads don't have the types of issues that eastern Washington has, for example. You can ride a pretty stiff bike on the roads around here without getting beat up. The island referred to has roads that are as smooth as some concrete velodromes.

Kindaslow

I am totally excited to do laps of the island with this bike, it should be perfect for it. Plus, I can ride to and from the island from my front door.

Stucky

There's really no downside. The Venge is fast, stiff and yet comfortable, and at least it looks a little different than most of the other road bikes. I'm just selling mine because it's more bike than I need, and I prefer old-school metal. Performance is flawless. IMO, for modern CF bikes, Venge is at the top of the list. (Now I'm having second thoughts about selling mine!)

Kindaslow

Don't sell it, use it like I will mine. Mine will be overkill for me, too, but why not. It is fun to ride, and that is why I ride. I have my SS for short rides that speed is not a plus and my commuter for longer rides.

Stucky

Believe me, I'm tempted.... but I'm too much of a cheapskate. I got the bike used, for a great price...so I figure if i sell it now, I can at least break-even- if not make a profit....as opposed to keeping it and watching it depreciate, while enjoy riding my old Klein just as much if not more.

Best thing about the Venge: It's just cool! It's like having a Ferarri or high-end Benz- even if you don't get to use it to it's full potential, it's neat just having it sit in your driveway to look at!

Dunbar

I've used Speedplay Light Action and they require very little torque to release.

Kindaslow

Those were the last clipless that I used, and the closest to working for me. But, at times, I was still left with a couple of days of hobbling if during I ride I needed out quickly and things just did not line up perfectly. Just not worth it for me anymore.

Alias530

If it fit me, I'd get a Venge. Even their biggest size is too small for me though.

Slackerprince

People used to win Grand Tours with that set-up. Ride what you like.

S

HardyWeinberg

Excellent. On today's TdF stage they made a big deal about Peter Sagan switching from whatever his (their) regular/climbing bike is to a venge for the final dash once they got up to elevation and moving toward the final sprint.