What carbon bikes should I consider?
04-26-21, 07:32 AM
#26
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I am very pleased with a Bianchi Infinito CV Disc. Smooth as silk, nimble and fun to ride. Looks good also.
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04-26-21, 07:54 AM
#27
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I am fairly financially comfortable (though make far less than many of you) and have a great (Mosaic) titanium bike I love. I suppose I could be happy forever with my Mosaic, but that would violate the N+1 rule.
I had a 2012 Cervelo R3 I really liked, but the limitation of 23mm tires got old. (Mosaic has recently been found to take 28s.)
Suppose I have more money than sense. (That likely says more about my sense than my money.) If I want a carbon fiber bike, what should I get? (Don't 'splain to me, just answer the question.) I would like to go fast and comfortably. I will want a power meter and nice deep wheels (if I have to add on, okay). Looking online, Trek Madone is highly recommended (although I must admit I don't love the looks), Cannondale SystemSix and SuperSix Evo, and Specialized Aethos and S Works Creo (okay this is getting even more expensive than my imagination, but if it's that good, let me know). Some of the Canyon bikes look pretty great too, but I'm shy about ordering online. What bike would make you envious when you see a rider less talented than you riding it? That's my goal!
I had a 2012 Cervelo R3 I really liked, but the limitation of 23mm tires got old. (Mosaic has recently been found to take 28s.)
Suppose I have more money than sense. (That likely says more about my sense than my money.) If I want a carbon fiber bike, what should I get? (Don't 'splain to me, just answer the question.) I would like to go fast and comfortably. I will want a power meter and nice deep wheels (if I have to add on, okay). Looking online, Trek Madone is highly recommended (although I must admit I don't love the looks), Cannondale SystemSix and SuperSix Evo, and Specialized Aethos and S Works Creo (okay this is getting even more expensive than my imagination, but if it's that good, let me know). Some of the Canyon bikes look pretty great too, but I'm shy about ordering online. What bike would make you envious when you see a rider less talented than you riding it? That's my goal!
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04-26-21, 09:06 AM
#28
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About the only thing I gather from the OP is that he wants something that other people would be jealous of. Pretty hard to make any recommendations based on that. You have a nice Ti bike, so what is it that is lacking that makes you want another bike? disk brakes? electronic shifting?
Figure out what you really want in a new bike and that will help narrow the choices. It also sounds like you aren't constrained from a budget standpoint and don't want to buy online so go to some shops and see what they have and do some test rides. Buying what other people want could result in some serious buyers remorse.
Figure out what you really want in a new bike and that will help narrow the choices. It also sounds like you aren't constrained from a budget standpoint and don't want to buy online so go to some shops and see what they have and do some test rides. Buying what other people want could result in some serious buyers remorse.
04-26-21, 09:43 AM
#29
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Trek Domane SLR7 with Dura-Ace power meter. Less aggressive geo than Madone. It'll go as fast as the engine and the IsoSpeed is nice.
04-26-21, 02:58 PM
#30
Senior Member
I don't think we have enough information, OP. Before dropping your money on a bike, get a bike fit from the ground up and get the fitter's advice on picking out the bike. They'll probably be able to pick out the type of geometry that would work best for you(Race or Endurance).
If you want to throw money at a nice bike, pick any brand(Trek, Specialized, Giant, Cannondale, Cervelo, Scott, Orbea, Focus, Wilier, Bianchi, Colnago, Felt, etc), buy the most expensive or second to most expensive model, problem solved. They'll all ride well, be stiff, efficient, and reasonably comfortable. You could also look into getting a custom carbon, or another custom ti or custom steel.
I would not be envious of any rider that's on a bike that's clearly not right for them. A slow, out of shape rider riding a top tier bike with Dura Ace Di2 and carbon wheels would just reaffirm my belief that the rider matters more than the bike. I believe 3-4k(in 2021, at least) gets you a bike that gets you 95% of the way to a great, functional, and efficient bike to not slow you down unless you're racing CAT1 or racing professionally. Throw in a nice set of deep carbon wheels, and you're 98% there. For the marginal gains of professionals, top level frame and components are the way to go. For everyone else, we can stay under 5k, go on our 30 mile rides on the weekend with more than a few dozen extra pounds on our bellies.
If you want to throw money at a nice bike, pick any brand(Trek, Specialized, Giant, Cannondale, Cervelo, Scott, Orbea, Focus, Wilier, Bianchi, Colnago, Felt, etc), buy the most expensive or second to most expensive model, problem solved. They'll all ride well, be stiff, efficient, and reasonably comfortable. You could also look into getting a custom carbon, or another custom ti or custom steel.
I would not be envious of any rider that's on a bike that's clearly not right for them. A slow, out of shape rider riding a top tier bike with Dura Ace Di2 and carbon wheels would just reaffirm my belief that the rider matters more than the bike. I believe 3-4k(in 2021, at least) gets you a bike that gets you 95% of the way to a great, functional, and efficient bike to not slow you down unless you're racing CAT1 or racing professionally. Throw in a nice set of deep carbon wheels, and you're 98% there. For the marginal gains of professionals, top level frame and components are the way to go. For everyone else, we can stay under 5k, go on our 30 mile rides on the weekend with more than a few dozen extra pounds on our bellies.
04-27-21, 03:47 AM
#31
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