litespeed arenberg...
#1
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litespeed arenberg...
i'm currently looking to buy a used 2001 litespeed arenberg.
here are the specs:
Full dura-ace group (hubs, 170 cranks and chainrings, cassette, derailers, 9-spd sti shifters)
New cinelli cork tape
control tech stem
chris king head set
carbon fork
cateye computer
fizak: pave saddle
mavic open pro wheels
michelin axial tires
2 water bottle cages
it's being sold for $1500. approximately 2000 miles, all original. 1 owner (who says she spent 3000+ for it). so basically, is this a good deal or not?
one concern is that i heard that the bikes aren't that great for heavier people because they "flex." well, i have no idea what that means (the only thing it brings to mind is the titanium bending, which is riduculous), but it doesn't sound good. i'm 200lbs, but the bike is only 49cm, so should i have a problem?
i want to give the seller a decision soon, so please respond if you can give me any insight! thanks
here are the specs:
Full dura-ace group (hubs, 170 cranks and chainrings, cassette, derailers, 9-spd sti shifters)
New cinelli cork tape
control tech stem
chris king head set
carbon fork
cateye computer
fizak: pave saddle
mavic open pro wheels
michelin axial tires
2 water bottle cages
it's being sold for $1500. approximately 2000 miles, all original. 1 owner (who says she spent 3000+ for it). so basically, is this a good deal or not?
one concern is that i heard that the bikes aren't that great for heavier people because they "flex." well, i have no idea what that means (the only thing it brings to mind is the titanium bending, which is riduculous), but it doesn't sound good. i'm 200lbs, but the bike is only 49cm, so should i have a problem?
i want to give the seller a decision soon, so please respond if you can give me any insight! thanks
Last edited by caapn_jazz; 03-17-07 at 06:27 PM.
#3
Chepooka
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Seems high.
A 49cm bike?This would put you roughly 5'-2 to 5'-4. Seem right? How does it feel?
The open pro's would be ideal for someone 200 lbs and up.
The Arenberg does have a reputaion for seeming flexy in larger sizes. Mine is 53cm and I don't notice any objectionable flex at all (I'm about 165lb).
A 49cm bike?This would put you roughly 5'-2 to 5'-4. Seem right? How does it feel?
The open pro's would be ideal for someone 200 lbs and up.
The Arenberg does have a reputaion for seeming flexy in larger sizes. Mine is 53cm and I don't notice any objectionable flex at all (I'm about 165lb).
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Flex means that when you stomp on the pedals, a noticeable portion of your energy is wasted causing the bottom bracket to wobble instead of turning the pedals. How much of a problem this is depends on a number of factors. If you are a muscular 200 pounds, you may have a problem, even on a small frame. If 50 of your 200 pounds are fat, then maybe you won't have a problem. Can you take a test ride?
Note that the Arenberg was replaced by the Litespeed Firenze, which has a beefier down tube and bottom bracket to avoid the flex problem. The component spec on this bike is not as nice as your full Dura-Ace, though you should get a 10 speed group. You should test ride one of these and compare. Price on the Firenze used to be around $2000 (I have not checked lately).
Note that the Arenberg was replaced by the Litespeed Firenze, which has a beefier down tube and bottom bracket to avoid the flex problem. The component spec on this bike is not as nice as your full Dura-Ace, though you should get a 10 speed group. You should test ride one of these and compare. Price on the Firenze used to be around $2000 (I have not checked lately).
#5
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I love my Arenberg. Problem is they are kinda rare and hard to come by now. I hardly ever see them for sale any more.
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#6
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Originally Posted by StupidlyBrave
Seems high.
A 49cm bike?This would put you roughly 5'-2 to 5'-4. Seem right? How does it feel?
The open pro's would be ideal for someone 200 lbs and up.
The Arenberg does have a reputaion for seeming flexy in larger sizes. Mine is 53cm and I don't notice any objectionable flex at all (I'm about 165lb).
A 49cm bike?This would put you roughly 5'-2 to 5'-4. Seem right? How does it feel?
The open pro's would be ideal for someone 200 lbs and up.
The Arenberg does have a reputaion for seeming flexy in larger sizes. Mine is 53cm and I don't notice any objectionable flex at all (I'm about 165lb).
#7
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I am not an expert of bike sizing. I am a beginner road biker and am still making adjustments after 650 miles. Google some sites on bike sizing and titanium frames and you will learn a lot. You said you weigh 200lbs. More important is how long your legs are. A 48cm bike is pretty small. As for the brand, my wife has a litespeed and it is a great bike.
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Wow - my wife's 5'5" and rides a 49cm Tuscany. Same geometry, different tubes.
But she's a buck and a quarter. I test rode an Arenberg and (at 6' ~220) it was a bit flexy. If you're 200 but have a goal of something closer to what at 49cm rider should weigh, you'll be OK with an Arenberg when you achieve your goal. If you're the right height for 200#, that bike is way too small for you! And if you don't achieve your goal... well, I guess that means you're not riding it anyway, right?
But she's a buck and a quarter. I test rode an Arenberg and (at 6' ~220) it was a bit flexy. If you're 200 but have a goal of something closer to what at 49cm rider should weigh, you'll be OK with an Arenberg when you achieve your goal. If you're the right height for 200#, that bike is way too small for you! And if you don't achieve your goal... well, I guess that means you're not riding it anyway, right?
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Originally Posted by caapn_jazz
I'm 5'8", but my inseam is comparatively small, although i can't remember what it is..
thanks for the replies so far
thanks for the replies so far
Some racers do get extra small frames and mount their handlebars 6 inches below the saddle height. That is a very fast riding position, but very uncomfortable at speeds less than 25mph. If you're not fit enough to ride at 25mph all the time, then a higher handlebar position would be a good idea.
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i measured myself before i went to the lbs to get my first (current) bike.
i told the guy the results and he actually set me up with a 46cm.
my brother got a bike the same day and he's 5'11" and the bike guy set him up with a 46cm too.
horribly incompetent, or trying to take advantage of people that don't know any better?
either way, pretty funny in retrospect.
i told the guy the results and he actually set me up with a 46cm.
my brother got a bike the same day and he's 5'11" and the bike guy set him up with a 46cm too.
horribly incompetent, or trying to take advantage of people that don't know any better?
either way, pretty funny in retrospect.
#12
Senior Member
Originally Posted by caapn_jazz
my brother got a bike the same day and he's 5'11" and the bike guy set him up with a 46cm too.
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#13
Chepooka
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Originally Posted by caapn_jazz
i measured myself before i went to the lbs to get my first (current) bike.
i told the guy the results and he actually set me up with a 46cm.
my brother got a bike the same day and he's 5'11" and the bike guy set him up with a 46cm too.
horribly incompetent, or trying to take advantage of people that don't know any better?
either way, pretty funny in retrospect.
i told the guy the results and he actually set me up with a 46cm.
my brother got a bike the same day and he's 5'11" and the bike guy set him up with a 46cm too.
horribly incompetent, or trying to take advantage of people that don't know any better?
either way, pretty funny in retrospect.
Even bikes with traditional geometry are sometimes difficult to compare, as some are c-c (center of bottom bracket to centerline of top tube) and some are c-t (center of bottom bracket to top of top tube)
The Arenberg is traditional geometry, so the likelyhood that a 5'-8 person would fit on a 49cm bike is rather remote. You would probably be better with a 53cm or possibly a 51.