Guillermo

I have been looking around for a little while now for a first road bike. I've been a mtn biker for years, and recently started riding a lot more on the street, and became interested in road bikes. I would ride 3-5 times per week for a min of 25 miles. Riding would be primarily for fitness. I'm looking for an Aluminum frame, carbon fork, tiagra to 105 components. Budget would be ideally less than $ 1500, as I'm not sure yet how much use I will actually get out of this bike. These are the bikes I've found.

Cannondale R500 - $ 960
Cannondale R700 - $ 1350
Giant TCR2 - $ 1250
Specialized Allez Sport - $ 1199
Bianchi Giro - $ 1350

And then one that does not fit within my criteria, but was an amazing ride: Lemond Chambery - $ 1899.

I haven't been on the giant or Bianchi yet. Of the others I have been on, the Lemond was my fav, then the R700.

Does anyone have opinions on these bikes to share or other recommendations?

TIA,

Dax

Anastasia

My recommendation, the Bianchi by far - Italian made vs. Taiwan made Giant.

Have you given any thought to buyin a used bicycle? You might be able to find a well - made used bicycle in your price range.

Guillermo

I have. I like the idea of purchasing new though to have a relationship with the local dealer. They offer free tune-ups, discounts, etc. But if a good deal on a used bike presented itself, I would certainly oblige. Other than eBay though I have not found many sources for used bikes. Any suggestions?

Dax

Anastasia

Dax -

In the age of the internet, my next idea is definately "low - tech" but has merits - the classifieds in your local newspapers as well as any local bicycling "magazine" where I live, we have a publication called "CrankMail" - you can find out if your area has this sort of thing at many of the LBS's in your area.

I understand about the desire to buy new, however.

Good Luck in your search!

Guillermo

Thanks for the kind words

I have actually come full circle in my search for a road bike. I am now seriously considering steel and Titanium, and have narrowed choices to the following:

Lemond Zurich

Lemond Chambery (Al, but I really liked it)

Lemond Victoire

Litespeed Tuscany

I may start a new thread to get some opinions on these bikes. I'm sure I can't really go wrong with any of these, my concern is whether the extra cash I would spend over the Zurich would prove to be money well invested.

Thanks,

Dax

Anastasia

Litespeed is welded in Taiwan. I am not sure about LeMond, if this is something that matters to you email them.

I emailed all the manufacturer's I was interested in before I ever laid down the money.

I chose custom made because I had some components left over from the bike that was totaled - and I am short.

Do your research. I spent alot of time reading the manufacturer's websites, when I'm in a LBS, it is soooo easy for me to get "hooked" by the feaverish way they can sometimes do things.

What is your main use for this bicycle to be? How experienced a rider are you? There are tons of other questions to ask.

Also, does your LBS use a size cycle to get a perfect fit? The LBS I finally chose uses one on every bike they sell, and I believe that it makes all the difference.

Best of Luck Again - and have FUN...

Guillermo

Whoa! Interesting information, and something I had never even considered. Every day this search becomes more complicated :confused: . I think I need to simplify.

This will be my first road bike. I have been Mtn biking for several years, recently became interested in road bikes. I will ride primarily for fitness. This is why I question whether spending the extra money for a Ti bike is worthwhile - probably a question only I can answer!

Thanks,

Dax

condor

Guillermo,

If you're interested in comments on a steel bike, I just bought a Fuji Roubaix Pro. Has a neat French name on the frame (Roubaix, not Fuji).

Reynolds 853 frame, 105 group. Rides great.

I was happy to survive a feverish LBS experience, as Anastasia calls it, and escape with this bike instead of a more expensive aluminum model.

If I'm not mistaken, the Fuji distributor's warehouse is in Chicago, and I see you're in Chicago, so maybe you guys can connect.

here's the web site:

https://www.fujibikes.com/2002/usa/ht...roubaixpro.htm

I beg the forum's forgiveness for hyping my bike; but it's new and I'm still in that New Buyer Confirmation Seeking mode, or whatever marketers call it.

Condor

daniel_cox

I have been riding a Cannondale for many years. Great bike, very stiff, but kind of harsh on rougher roads. This year I bought a Trek 2200, aluminum frame with carbon fork. Ultegra components (except 105 brakes and front derailleur - no big deal). Great bike, stiff but comfortable. I got mine for $1500 from the LBS. This is at the top end of your budget, but a lot of bike for the money.

dirtbikedude

My suggestion would be to find a bike that fits, is in your price range and from a reputable company. Since you are using the bike for training all of the bikes you mentioned would work if they fit. I my self am a mountain biker that turned to road riding to increase endurance. I was not concerned about having the best road bike, just one that got the job done and since most mtn. bikes are 25+ lbs the weight of the road bike is not much of a concern. I can go out on my Giant and keep up with the guys I ride with that ride $3500.00+ bikes. If you do feel as though you might want to race(much diff. then training) , then I would suggest custom made with top-o-line components.
Cheers

condor

[QUOTE]Originally posted by daniel_cox
This year I bought a Trek 2200, aluminum frame with carbon fork.


I like Treks. I bought a BOTTOM-end Trek on sale a few years ago, a 320 Road series steel bike. Weighs about a ton. Think it was the last year they made a steel bike. Very entry level, but had brake lever shifters and a triangle-section down tube.

In spite of its weight, this was, and still is, a very nice bike that gave me miles of pleasure. I recently had it overhauled, so it's in top condition. I used to throw it in the trunk of my Camry when I went to Wal-Mart for an oil change. I'd take the bike out, leave the car, and ride to the library or to class or wherever.

The steel Trek was a great, dependable, get-around bike that never got stolen, but if it had been, would not have been a national disaster. I would feel much more antsy owning a 2200. Must be a nice bike, the 2200. The 320 was kind of a throw-in-the-trunk workhorse.

RiPHRaPH

you must really like the relaxed geometry of the LeMond bikes. But they are nice. and many LBS's in the chicago area carry a line of them now. you can find many reviews of the lemond line on www.epinions.com

when buying steel beware that when they say 853, i do not believe that it implies 853 throughout the entire frame. the bottom bracket area may be made of a different steel. i think that is what i remember when i tested the lemond when deciding on a bike. to me the bottom bracket area is the place where i need to know about the strength.

all in all the whole lemond line is sweet. let us know what you decided. i'd also like to know which shop you got the good service from.

Guillermo

THanks for all the replies guys

I did find the Lemond geometry to be particularly comfortable, so I've narrowed it down to the CHambery and the Zurich. The two are available in my size at similar prices at one local bike shop.

I like the explosive feel of the aluminum Chambery, and dislike the potential harshness and long term deterioration of the metal. This is something I think I'd like to get more opinions on.

I like the classic look and feel, reliability of the steel Zurich. I don't like the (albeit marginal) extra weight of the Zurich (the weight difference really isn't much to frown about, but it is a way to favor one over the other!).

I think Titanium would be ideal, but for my first road bike, might be a bit of a stretch financially, and just not necessary.

Does anyone want to steer me in one direction?

riphraph, I will PM you about Local shops


Dax