Back in the Saddle - Need Advice!
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 5
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Back in the Saddle - Need Advice!
After a long hiatus, I'm riding once again. Last year I bought a used Cannondale CAD3 Team Saeco (with Dura Ace) off ebay. I wanted to test my committment to the sport before spending a lot of money. I have a Cannondale mountain bike (which I love) so I thought - why not? For $750 it was a great deal. Now that I know I'm sticking with this, I need to get a bike that fits and is comfortable. The aluminum frame of the Cannondale really beats me up on long rides. In fact, I'm black and blue from yesterday's ride (oops! thats because my back wheel came off!). Not to mention the bike is way too big (54 cm when I should be riding 50 cm). The problem is, I don't know that much about bikes. I used to rely on my ex for information (when he wasn't my ex) but that's no longer an option. Back in the late 1990's I rode a Trek 5500 and loved it but I want to investigate other bikes before going back to the Trek based on familiarity. I really want a bike that is going to be comfortable mile after mile after mile. I'm facing 40 in a few months (better than ever, of course) and I'm not able to take the miles like I used to. Ten years ago, I would have said I wanted a bike that was fast and faster! Now I want something that has a comfortable ride even if I have to give up acceleration and speed. Money is not really a barrier except that morally I'm having trouble convincing myself I should spend $5,000-$6,000 on a new bike (I looked at the Odanata by Seven). I also looked at Cannondale's new carbon fiber bike and at least as far a appearances go - its hot!!! Realistically, I would feel comfortable spending $3,000 but I'm not sure what decent bikes are in this range. Any help whatsoever would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!
#2
DEADBEEF
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Catching his breath alongside a road near Seattle, WA USA
Posts: 12,234
Bikes: 1999 K2 OzM, 2001 Aegis Aro Svelte
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
4 Posts
In that price range, I'd like to put my vote in for Aegis. I have an Aro Svelte and it's a very smooth and fast bike. As far as comfort goes, I can ride it all day long too. For a little over USD $3000, you could pick up an Aro Svelte with an Ouza fork, and Shimano Ultegra or Campy Centaur setup. Another model you might want to look at is the Victory... same prices apply. Also, forgive me if I'm mistaken but you sound like you're female. I know some females feel more comfortable on 650C bikes... especially in the 50cm and under sizes. If so, then you might want to check out the Swift as well.
Yet another option is to go custom (you already mentioned the Seven). Have you checked out Calfee for CF or Serotta and Litespeed for ti? If you want to get pretty good bang for the buck, you might want to check out Habanero Cycles. USD $695 for 3Al/2.5V Ti frame and USD $995 for one with the custom option. Full Campy Chorus bike for just around USD $3000.
Yet another option is to go custom (you already mentioned the Seven). Have you checked out Calfee for CF or Serotta and Litespeed for ti? If you want to get pretty good bang for the buck, you might want to check out Habanero Cycles. USD $695 for 3Al/2.5V Ti frame and USD $995 for one with the custom option. Full Campy Chorus bike for just around USD $3000.
__________________
1999 K2 OzM 2001 Aegis Aro Svelte
"Be liberal in what you accept, and conservative in what you send." -- Jon Postel, RFC1122
1999 K2 OzM 2001 Aegis Aro Svelte
"Be liberal in what you accept, and conservative in what you send." -- Jon Postel, RFC1122
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Southern Maine
Posts: 8,941
Mentioned: 130 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12192 Post(s)
Liked 1,495 Times
in
1,107 Posts
Hi,
I had a Cad 3.0 and the damn thing beat the crap out of me.
Get a bike! That thing belongs in the Spanish Inquisition. We can offer some suggestions. What is your price range, and what are you going to do: tour/race/fast group rides??
I had a Cad 3.0 and the damn thing beat the crap out of me.
Get a bike! That thing belongs in the Spanish Inquisition. We can offer some suggestions. What is your price range, and what are you going to do: tour/race/fast group rides??
#4
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 5
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by late
Hi,
I had a Cad 3.0 and the damn thing beat the crap out of me.
Get a bike! That thing belongs in the Spanish Inquisition. We can offer some suggestions. What is your price range, and what are you going to do: tour/race/fast group rides??
I had a Cad 3.0 and the damn thing beat the crap out of me.
Get a bike! That thing belongs in the Spanish Inquisition. We can offer some suggestions. What is your price range, and what are you going to do: tour/race/fast group rides??
#5
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 5
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by khuon
In that price range, I'd like to put my vote in for Aegis. I have an Aro Svelte and it's a very smooth and fast bike. As far as comfort goes, I can ride it all day long too. For a little over USD $3000, you could pick up an Aro Svelte with an Ouza fork, and Shimano Ultegra or Campy Centaur setup. Another model you might want to look at is the Victory... same prices apply. Also, forgive me if I'm mistaken but you sound like you're female. I know some females feel more comfortable on 650C bikes... especially in the 50cm and under sizes. If so, then you might want to check out the Swift as well.
Yet another option is to go custom (you already mentioned the Seven). Have you checked out Calfee for CF or Serotta and Litespeed for ti? If you want to get pretty good bang for the buck, you might want to check out Habanero Cycles. USD $695 for 3Al/2.5V Ti frame and USD $995 for one with the custom option. Full Campy Chorus bike for just around USD $3000.
Yet another option is to go custom (you already mentioned the Seven). Have you checked out Calfee for CF or Serotta and Litespeed for ti? If you want to get pretty good bang for the buck, you might want to check out Habanero Cycles. USD $695 for 3Al/2.5V Ti frame and USD $995 for one with the custom option. Full Campy Chorus bike for just around USD $3000.
#6
DEADBEEF
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Catching his breath alongside a road near Seattle, WA USA
Posts: 12,234
Bikes: 1999 K2 OzM, 2001 Aegis Aro Svelte
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
4 Posts
Originally Posted by wmessersmith
Thank you very much!!! I checked out the Aegis website and I love the look of the bike. Plus, based on my experience with the Trek 5500 OCLV, I know I like carbon fiber. And yes, I'm a female so I may check out the Swift for smaller riders. Funny thing is, I've never even heard of these bikes - this is why I need help! Again, many thanks.
__________________
1999 K2 OzM 2001 Aegis Aro Svelte
"Be liberal in what you accept, and conservative in what you send." -- Jon Postel, RFC1122
1999 K2 OzM 2001 Aegis Aro Svelte
"Be liberal in what you accept, and conservative in what you send." -- Jon Postel, RFC1122
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Southern Maine
Posts: 8,941
Mentioned: 130 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12192 Post(s)
Liked 1,495 Times
in
1,107 Posts
Hi,
couple of thoughts. Many bike makers do a less than spectacular job at making bikes in smaller sizes. My wife is 5' 2",and we found bike shopping a little frustrating. So, with a few exceptions like Aegis, a test ride is imperative. Personally, I like titanium bikes. Here are some companies that have caught my eye Habanero/Seven Cycles/Litespeed (Tuscany)/Airborne. But I have no idea how good a job they do making a 50cm frame. The Habanero is considerably cheaper than the others. Seven and Serotta have a good reputation for custom work.
couple of thoughts. Many bike makers do a less than spectacular job at making bikes in smaller sizes. My wife is 5' 2",and we found bike shopping a little frustrating. So, with a few exceptions like Aegis, a test ride is imperative. Personally, I like titanium bikes. Here are some companies that have caught my eye Habanero/Seven Cycles/Litespeed (Tuscany)/Airborne. But I have no idea how good a job they do making a 50cm frame. The Habanero is considerably cheaper than the others. Seven and Serotta have a good reputation for custom work.
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Mentioned: Post(s)
Tagged: Thread(s)
Quoted: Post(s)
The two frame materials with the best reputation for comfort are Carbon Fiber and Titanium. Trek makes good carbon fiber frames that have a lifetime guarantee. Litespeed makes titanium frames that are also guaranteed for life. Specialized makes Carbon Fiber frames called the Roubaix Pro that are specifically designed for comfort on fast rides like you describe. They also are guaranteed for life.
There are many other manufacturers that make bikes that may suit your needs. All the above manufacturers have very extensive dealer networks that should allow you to find a dealer for sales, support, and service in your area.
Glad you're back to riding and enjoy your shopping spree!
There are many other manufacturers that make bikes that may suit your needs. All the above manufacturers have very extensive dealer networks that should allow you to find a dealer for sales, support, and service in your area.
Glad you're back to riding and enjoy your shopping spree!
#9
human
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: living in the moment
Posts: 3,562
Bikes: 2005 Litespeed Teramo, 2000 Marinoni Leggero, 2001 Kona Major Jake (with Campy Centaur), 1997 Specialized S-Works M2, 1992 Specialized Rockhopper
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
$3000 buys a lot of bike, and assuming you get a bike that fits, all bikes in that price range will be pretty much of an equivalent [high] quality. the differences between frame materials -- steel, aluminum, titanium and carbon fibre -- and component brand are very much a question of personal preference, particularly at the $3000 price point. so the best advice anyone can give you is to go out to a bunch of bike shops and try a bunch of bikes in your size and price range. when you find one that sings to you, buy it.
no one can tell you what bike to buy. people who do are expressing their own preferences and seeking validation of their own choices. only you can decide what bike works for you, and you can only do that by trying them.
if you find two or three bikes that you like equally, but can't decide between them, choose on colour.
no one can tell you what bike to buy. people who do are expressing their own preferences and seeking validation of their own choices. only you can decide what bike works for you, and you can only do that by trying them.
if you find two or three bikes that you like equally, but can't decide between them, choose on colour.
__________________
when walking, just walk. when sitting, just sit. when riding, just ride. above all, don't wobble.
The Irregular Cycling Club of Montreal
Cycling irregularly since 2002
when walking, just walk. when sitting, just sit. when riding, just ride. above all, don't wobble.
The Irregular Cycling Club of Montreal
Cycling irregularly since 2002
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Maryland
Posts: 152
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
In the $3000 range, the Trek 5200 or 5500 would be great, as you already know. On the ti side, my preference would be to go with something like the Litespeed. The Lemond bikes (Carbon mix and ti) and the Giant TCR carbon composite also are very nice and worth a look.
Also, make sure to check out steel, as it will give you the ride you seek. A nice custom steel bike like a Waterford should come in somewhere around your budget and provide a very satisfying bicycle.
As it seems you know what you want, will stick with the riding, and can afford it, I would seriously consider a custom ti like the Seven, Serotta, Merlin or Maybe Moots. It would meet your criteria - fast and comfortable - and would be fitted specifically for you.
The new Cannondale 613 does seem interesting. Only time will tell if it is as comfortable as a ti bike (I suspect not).
Bottom line - create a list from the bikes mentioned and then narrow it down by seeing what is available in your area. Then try and ride a few. As you probably know, some manufacturers are making women's specific bicycles (proportioned for a woman's physiology). Those probably are worth strong consideration if you don't go with something custom. Trek has a WSD in their 5200/5500. Lemond and Cannondale have some women's specific designs also. In titanium, you might check out the Terry Titania (www.terrybicycles.com), which is a WSD for about $4k.
Have fun looking and let us know what you decide.
Also, make sure to check out steel, as it will give you the ride you seek. A nice custom steel bike like a Waterford should come in somewhere around your budget and provide a very satisfying bicycle.
As it seems you know what you want, will stick with the riding, and can afford it, I would seriously consider a custom ti like the Seven, Serotta, Merlin or Maybe Moots. It would meet your criteria - fast and comfortable - and would be fitted specifically for you.
The new Cannondale 613 does seem interesting. Only time will tell if it is as comfortable as a ti bike (I suspect not).
Bottom line - create a list from the bikes mentioned and then narrow it down by seeing what is available in your area. Then try and ride a few. As you probably know, some manufacturers are making women's specific bicycles (proportioned for a woman's physiology). Those probably are worth strong consideration if you don't go with something custom. Trek has a WSD in their 5200/5500. Lemond and Cannondale have some women's specific designs also. In titanium, you might check out the Terry Titania (www.terrybicycles.com), which is a WSD for about $4k.
Have fun looking and let us know what you decide.