lulu

Hi I am new here. I'm looking at getting into cycling. After reading several post, I came to a conclusion that I want a sub 18lb bike. I'm looking into doing climbing and slight racing. My budget is at $1500 give or take. I want a carbon bike, but thus far I've read a thread about the Scattante 2004 CFR Carbon w/ Double Ultegra that is under 18lbs. Is there another bike that is around my price range and requirements? I weight 155 lbs and I'm 5'8". I want something with at least a Shimano 105 or better.

Please give me your advise. Thanks.

LuLu

fogrider

weight should not be the driving factor in choosing a bike. LuLu, since you are new to cycling, and you have not shared any other background about yourself, you should try to test ride some bikes and see what you like. If you have riden before and know that you really want to get into some racing that is one thing, but to drop $1,500 bucks to try something that you've read up on doesn't make sense. I have a steel bike, a scandium bike and a carbon bike, but I consider myself a recreational rider, but I'm a rider and could not imagine myself without a bike. And it doesn't have to be a carbon bike...live to ride!

lulu

fogrider, the reason why i wanted a carbon bike is because i test rode my friend's roubaix pro... it was very sweet and comfortable. however, a roubaix comp or pro is beyond my reach. i test road the bike from supergo and felt pretty good as well.

for me weight is part of the deciding factor, cuz i've always road a heavy mt. bike before. and since i rode my friend's roubaix pro and climbed a hill... i was in love. i would love to be able to race with my friend and we've raced before and i was riding my brother's old steel bike. don't know what it is cuz he bought it repainted. but it was 22 lbs and when i rode that steelie up hill... it was all good, but when i rode the roubaix... it felt more easier.

55/Rad

Are you referring to a Fuji Roubaix Pro? One can get a brand new '04 for less than $1500. Nice 853 bike.

55/Rad

boze

maybe he meant the Specialized Roubaix Comp (i.e. a carbon bike that's higher priced than the Scattante.

to answer your question LuLu, that Scattante is the only new carbon bike you'll find for that price i'm pretty sure.

the next cheapest is probably the Giant TCR Composite 2, and after that the Specialized Roubaix Comp.

good luck in any case!

lulu

55/Rad: sorry to confuse you. but the bike i test rode was my friend's specialized roubaix pro.

Boze: the guy at our local supergo also said the same thing. he recommended the Scattante 2004 CFR Carbon w/ Double Ultegra for my price range. he even said that if the frame craps out after their warranty period, i can just move the parts to a new frame and keep on riding. that kinda made me go cuz now i really wonder about the integraty of the frame itself. i read somewhere here that it's made by a manufacturer overseas far east, and i wonder if anyone can tell me exactly whom makes it? could it be Giant?

Gustaf

If you can spend a little more, checkout the Giant TCR Composite bikes, they are super light and are relatively cheap.

Ebbtide

Get on e-bay. If you like your friends bike buy a used one from there. This is the time of year a lot of bikes start popping up "for sale". Be patient and I bet you could get a great deal.

Chef23

I think he is referring to the Specialized Roubaix Pro which is a carbon frame $3900 bike. The frame alone is $1600.

2Rodies

I doubt the Scattante CFR Carbon will be a sub 18# bike once you add pedals and cages. The frame alone is 3#'s and with the fork your looking at a 4.3# set up. With that wheelset and gruppo there is no way that bike will be 18# with pedals.

PeaceGrabber

LuLu, your old brother bike will be fine if it is really weight 22 lbs. Many new low-end model bikes weight about 20lbs to 22lbs. You can NOT buy SPEED SPEED SPEED.

lulu

2Rodies: the guy at the supergo told me it should be around 18lbs.. perhaps i should go there with a weight scale?

ehenz: yeah, i'm going to search on ebay as well. however, since i'm leaning toward carbon bike, i'm not sure how comfortable i'll be buying it from there. also, i heard a lot of company's warranty is non-transferable.

2Rodies

Around 18 or sub-18? Around 18.8 is probably doable but you are still going to need some lightweight pedals to get there. Now down the road you could easily lighten the bike up with a lighter stem, seat, seat post and wheelset. The bike does have a five year warrantee and if you stay with road cycling for that long you'll probably be buying a better bike anyway. I don't think you are going to find an Ultegra equipped carbon frame bike anywhere near that price point. I'd get it. ride it and if you really dig road biking sell it and get a better bike.

One more thing if you like the ride that carbon offers you might want to look into steel. Steel bikes are very comfortable to ride, they might not be the lightest, but they do offer an incredibly comfortable and lively ride. For $1500.00 you could pick up a very nice Le Monde with a better wheelset, stem, seat post, bars etc.

Avalanche325

The frame is built by EPX.

https://www.epxbikes.com/

They are a good deal. I looked at them myself, but it did not fit me very well. I was right between sizes.

Do a search on the road forum for Scattante. You will get lots of info.

lulu

2Rodies: yup.. my bro suggested getting a steel bike too. his is a oldie steelie painted yellow. he picked it up at a garage sale for $50. i rode that one around and it felt nice too.. just on a climb.. i feel it's harder to get to the top. but good suggestions, thanks!

Avalanche: you the man.. just what i was hoping to find. now i'm going to search the scattante in the forum now. btw.. how is epx bikes? r they reputable?