Frame differences?
 

'ello everyone! Here's the scoop: I've been riding a Nishiki mountain bike since 7th grade (I'm now 22 :p ), and am looking to upgrade to a "road bike". Last summer, on average I rode my Nishiki 10+ miles 3-4 times a week. As much as I enjoyed having to peddle downhill to keep from coming to a complete stop... I'd like something a little smoother (so I can increase distance, etc.)

This forum has been a tremendous help (by browsing through posts alone), but unfortunately there are a few questions I have regarding frames. It pretty much seems to be everyones trend to recommend buying a bike based on the frame alone, but it seems everyone is pretty vague on what actually makes a frame good. The brands the local LBS' carry (that I could afford) are: Specialized, Felt, Trek, and Lemond. I've already kind of decided to stay away from Trek, so really the three choices I have are Specialized, Felt, and Lemond. Lemond seems a little pricey, so if it were really worth the price I might be convinced to go that route. I'm torn between the Specialized Allez and the Felt F90, as both bikes have good reviews on this forum. Which, in your opinion, has the better frame? The LBS salesman recommended the Allez, saying "the frame is similar to mountain bikes" which is nice (if true) since that's what I've been riding forever.

BTW, this is my first post on BikeForums! w00t! :D

To me an aluminum frame is an aluminum frame. Unless you can tell any specific geometry differences (which is probably the case for the LeMond), there won't be much difference between brand X and brand Y's frame. Maybe if you were buying steel or titanium you might want to take a closer look, but any aluminum frame should last quite nicely.

The Specialized Allez is a great, solid choice for a first road bike - the geometry fits most people and it's decently light as well. The frame is aluminum with carbon forks, which is pretty much the industry standard for entry level road bikes (though I ride a steel bike w/ carbon forks - I find the ride is nicer). The Felt F90 also has an aluminum frame w/ carbon forks - however, it has a double crankset (only two gears in the front instead of three) which will make hills harder to climb if you're used to dropping down into the small chainring on slopes.

Lemond is basically Trek; they're the same company and the components are very similar.

Yes the aluminum Lemonds are basically Treks, but for a few bucks more, depending on your budget, the steel Lemonds differ from the Treks. Just about everything above the aluminum line differs in the frame.

I am pretty sure that is not true. According to the F90's I have ridden, the F90 on felt's website, and the ones I have seen, they are all triples. And even if it were a double, I would say thats better! I wish I had a double!!! (I will in a few days). I put my vote in for the F90, although as this price point all the bikes are very similar. Get whatever looks and rides best in your opinion. Also, look at Masi and Bianchi. I ride a Masi Alare that I am selling because I bought a new race bike:D . I have always enjoyed the look and ride of the bianchis I have ridden. One more option is to go to bikesdirect.com and figure out the geometry of some of the similarly priced tiagra equipped motobecanes, fujis, etc. and figure out what the geometry of those is and then buy the one with the geometry most similar to the bike you test rode and liked the most. It would save you a lot of cash! Just some thoughts...my only advice: Dont buy anything too expensive for your first bike. I am glad I didn't. I fell a couple times my first time on clipless pedals and I wouldn't have wanted to do that on my more expensive bike.
~Nick

Only three things matter: good fit, good fit, and good fit.

Some companies have frame geometry that varies from the industry "average" in some way. Push the seat back closer to the rear wheel. Longer top tubes for a given size. Or the opposite.

Mountain bikes, compared to the "average" road bike, have a long wheelbase, long chainstays, and relaxed geometry. The road bikes that share those features are the road bikes that are designed for loaded touring. Unfortunately, loaded touring bikes have become rare (Trek offers just one) and tend to be expensive.

As the wheelbase and chainstays get shorter, the geometry becomes more upright, moving the seatpost closer to the front wheels. The rider begins to feel every bump in the road...he suffers...by George, his suffering makes him a true roadie.

Most bike branks have on-line spec sheets. If you want a road bike that rides like a mountain bike, look for the models with the longest wheel base. Those models will also have more relaxed seat tube and head tube angles.

And, yes, a good steel frame and fork has a ride quality that is far superior to that of an aluminum frame and aluminum fork. But, like loaded tourers, bikes that have both a high quality steel frame and fork have become rare and expensive.

Lemond have some cool carbon/steel and carbon/titanium road bikes but by the sounds of it your price range is around 700$, in which case either of those bikes you mentioned are going to offer almost the exact same ride. Maybe ask to try them both out for 5 minutes on a street next to the store see if one hit's your fancy, if not, my coin toss goes to the allez.

Ar, my bad. The F90 has a triple option. If I'm not mistaken a large part of Felt's road lineup is double-only, though.

If you're really interested in investing in a good bang for buck frame though, i'd look at the F75, with the carbon seat stay's, bike also comes with 105 10spd, and it's cheaper then the comparable allez comp. Just FYI

While LeMond is owned by Trek, their frame geometries are different. LeMonds tend to have a longer top tube, which is nice for folks with a long torso, but maybe a little stretched out for a short-torso.

As mentioned, components at the entry level are pretty similar among different brands.

Thanks for all the help guys! I'm actually really tempted by a deal I found at a not-so-local bike store (about 50 miles away) - the deal:

'04 Specialized Allez Elite for only $799 (the sale ends tomorrow :()

Any reasons why I should go for an '06?

Well i was just looking at the specs side by side, and the 2004 actually looks nicer to me, it has 9spd 105 hardware, whereas the 2006 you mentioned has sora/tiagra 8spd, i think the wheels on the 04 are a little nicer too. If the other shop isn't to far out of your way, as in you can just hop on a highway then you might want to call them tomorow and try and snag it if you think that's the best deal you'll get around your place.

2004 Specialized Allez Elite Double

2006 Specialized Allez Triple