Bike testing
#1
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Bike testing
I have been searching through these forums quite abit lately and have read alot of great information. I am getting ready to buy a road bike here in the next few days and have narrowed my choices down to 4 bikes. I have tested each out and each bike was really quite comfortable to me. All have nice components and a similar price. So, I am sort of at the dilemma point. Which bike to choose. Here are my final choices.
Trek 1500
Bianchi Eros
Giant OCR1
Cannondale R600
Is there anything else I should really be looking at other than comfort and components? I am having a heck of a time deciding between the 4 of them. I would really appreciate any comments and advice you guys have. Is there a build quality issue with any of the above referenced bikes? Anything standout about them that would sway you one way or the other if they all rode and fit well? Thanks for your help.
Ryan
Trek 1500
Bianchi Eros
Giant OCR1
Cannondale R600
Is there anything else I should really be looking at other than comfort and components? I am having a heck of a time deciding between the 4 of them. I would really appreciate any comments and advice you guys have. Is there a build quality issue with any of the above referenced bikes? Anything standout about them that would sway you one way or the other if they all rode and fit well? Thanks for your help.
Ryan
#2
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i would look at these 3 things:
1. wheelset
2. the shop from where these bikes are
3. warranty on the frame
id personally go with bianchi for the 631 steel frame and italian name and components
1. wheelset
2. the shop from where these bikes are
3. warranty on the frame
id personally go with bianchi for the 631 steel frame and italian name and components
#3
Former Hoarder
Second on what Redfooj wrote. All things being equal, start looking at trivial stuff like which one LOOKS better to you.
55/Rad
55/Rad
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My LBS has a brand new Eros (must be a 2003) that has begging to be purchased for the last year or so. They've brought the price down to under $900 and I bet they would take $750 for it. It's a 53 and I'd be happy to send you their info if you're interested.
-mark
-mark
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Originally Posted by rydwhite
I have been searching through these forums quite abit lately and have read alot of great information. I am getting ready to buy a road bike here in the next few days and have narrowed my choices down to 4 bikes. I have tested each out and each bike was really quite comfortable to me. All have nice components and a similar price. So, I am sort of at the dilemma point. Which bike to choose. Here are my final choices.
Trek 1500
Bianchi Eros
Giant OCR1
Cannondale R600
Trek 1500
Bianchi Eros
Giant OCR1
Cannondale R600
The Trek has a mix of 105, Tiagra and Ultegra -- higher level than the OCR1 which is straight Tiagra I believe. Cannondale is 105 and Tiagra.
The Cannondale and the Trek have schnazy low spoke wheels, the Giant and the Bianchi come with (possible more stable) more standard spoke count wheels.
The Giant is the lone compact geometry.
How about this, do you prefer TMobile, USPS, Saeco or Alessio?
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#9
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Geneman you have a PM regarding the Bianchi you mentioned. Just so happens that 53 is my size in Bianchi.
Phatman and PriO, why do you suggest the R600 over the others. By the way the R600 in question has all ultegra rather than the 105. It was a freak bike that the shop got in and they are selling for the same price as the R600 with the 105 setup. Does this change anyone's opinion? I actually was leaning towards the R600 because of the ultegra components for the same price.
I have sort of narrowed it to the Bianchi and the Cannondale R600 I think. I keep thinking about the Trek, but it felt a little slower to me than the R600 and Bianchi, even though it was just as comfortable to me. I think I have ruled out the OCR1.
Thanks for all your responses.
Phatman and PriO, why do you suggest the R600 over the others. By the way the R600 in question has all ultegra rather than the 105. It was a freak bike that the shop got in and they are selling for the same price as the R600 with the 105 setup. Does this change anyone's opinion? I actually was leaning towards the R600 because of the ultegra components for the same price.
I have sort of narrowed it to the Bianchi and the Cannondale R600 I think. I keep thinking about the Trek, but it felt a little slower to me than the R600 and Bianchi, even though it was just as comfortable to me. I think I have ruled out the OCR1.
Thanks for all your responses.
#10
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Well my opinion is bias because I have a R600, with 105 components.
But with Ultegra components, id definetly go for it
But with Ultegra components, id definetly go for it
#11
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Originally Posted by rydwhite
Geneman you have a PM regarding the Bianchi you mentioned. Just so happens that 53 is my size in Bianchi.
Phatman and PriO, why do you suggest the R600 over the others. By the way the R600 in question has all ultegra rather than the 105. It was a freak bike that the shop got in and they are selling for the same price as the R600 with the 105 setup. Does this change anyone's opinion? I actually was leaning towards the R600 because of the ultegra components for the same price.
I have sort of narrowed it to the Bianchi and the Cannondale R600 I think. I keep thinking about the Trek, but it felt a little slower to me than the R600 and Bianchi, even though it was just as comfortable to me. I think I have ruled out the OCR1.
Thanks for all your responses.
Phatman and PriO, why do you suggest the R600 over the others. By the way the R600 in question has all ultegra rather than the 105. It was a freak bike that the shop got in and they are selling for the same price as the R600 with the 105 setup. Does this change anyone's opinion? I actually was leaning towards the R600 because of the ultegra components for the same price.
I have sort of narrowed it to the Bianchi and the Cannondale R600 I think. I keep thinking about the Trek, but it felt a little slower to me than the R600 and Bianchi, even though it was just as comfortable to me. I think I have ruled out the OCR1.
Thanks for all your responses.
Hmmmm an R600 with full ultegra ... sounds good to me. The caad5 frame is a keeper.
-mark
#12
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Originally Posted by 55/Rad
Second on what Redfooj wrote. All things being equal, start looking at trivial stuff like which one LOOKS better to you.
55/Rad
55/Rad
Also, we are talking about enjoyment here. A friend of mine used to say that the MOST important thing about a bike is the COLOR.
#13
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If I was going strictly on color I would probably go with the Bianchi, you can't beat the Celeste. The R600 looks good though with a nice candy red clear coat. But, I really don't care about the color much. My LBS sold the Bianchi I test rode, so if I want to get one, I am going to have to drive up to South Bend which is about 3 hour drive or else order one from another shop and have it shipped to me. The R600 with Ultegra is still at my LBS, so that may actually be my determining factor.
#14
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Well, I went ahead and bought the Cannondale R600 with the Ultegra components. I decided that I liked the bike and it was really comfortable, so go ahead and get it. Thanks for everyone's comments and suggestions, they were much appreciated.
Ryan
Ryan
#17
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Originally Posted by PriO
good choice!
now pics!!
now pics!!
Cannondale R600 with Look A5.1 Pedals.
Last edited by rydwhite; 07-15-04 at 08:04 AM.
#18
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Is that an Ultegra crankset? Doesn't look like one.
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I was mistaken earlier. The only Ultegra component on the bike is the rear derailer. When they were manufacturing the bike they ran out of 105 rear derailers and used Ultegra instead. The crankset is TruVativ Elita I believe.
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Oh ok. You had said earlier that the R600 was all Ultegra.
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#21
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Doesn't the standard R600 have 105/tiagra mixed components?
#22
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Originally Posted by WildBill
Doesn't the standard R600 have 105/tiagra mixed components?
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You'll have to let us know how you like it...I was looking at an R800 the other day, but then started going down the R1000-2000 route...the 2000 is calling me big time.
I dunno, I like Trek, Specialized, Giant, etc...but that Cannondale just has something about it.
I dunno, I like Trek, Specialized, Giant, etc...but that Cannondale just has something about it.