TacoPropelled

I don't think you can beat either of those guys. Maybe in aesthetics, but both of them make a way solid racing bike.

kabex

Not to downplay their supreme, unparalleled craftmanship but now-a-days the "best" racing bike is the latest aero-stiff-light wonder. Those guys stand no chance against an S3, R5ca, Venge, F01 etc. They're just "obsolete" compared.

Nice bikes, yeah. Cutting edge? Hah.

TacoPropelled

Newest does not equal best.

nosaj

Perhaps not in quality, style or visual appeal.

But in quantifiable performance? Absolutely.

kabex

Exactly. Get on a velodrome and do a 10k tt on one of those bikes, then do it on the latest 15k aero superbike.

jmagruder10

I think the Focus road bikes offer alot of bike for the price. Check them out before you buy.

ilovecycling

-Time
-Colnago
-Look
-De Rosa
-Parlee
-Pinarello
-Bianchi
-Cervelo
-Cannondale
-Specialized

I consider all those to be "top brands," and I would not hesitate to ride any of them. Of course, this is an entirely subjective response.

mustang1

I checked out the site, looks good. What does it mean by "a lot of thought gone into the bike"... you mean geometry, kind of ride, what?

Blackdays

SuperiorLite just beat out Fezzari for worst bike name.

the_don

Klein is the best brand.

Shame they went under. It would be nice if they kept on making their Alu framesets today. They ride so good and look so good. Put on a new groupset and they look as modern as ever.

This one below is 12 years old!









Mine doesn't look anywhere near as good as that, but I need a black saddle and tape...

NathanC

That orange Klein from Weight Weenies is just brilliant. What's the frame weight on a quantum pro?

the_don

frame only


and fork

roadwarrior

I disagree....I would suggest that the Super Six at $1,999 is a nicer frame than the Madone 3, or the higher priced Madone 4. In fact, the Super Six, one step below the Super Six High Mod is the equivalent of the Madone 5, a much higher priced frame/bike.

Aluminum, CAAD10 everyone else gets in line behind that.

roadwarrior

So you are saying that Giant makes these frames? Because they do all the Trek aluminum road bikes.

roadwarrior

You might have to look hard for a Pontiac or an Oldsmobile.

patentcad

What's the difference between a Hoover and a Harley?

On a Hoover the dirtbag is on the inside.

X-LinkedRider

What I mean is, he doesn't just take your "good bike frame" match it up with Good bike fork and slap some stuff on it and call it day. Tom completely understands the concepts of balance, weight ratio, and material to strength concepts as well. Not to mention the certain aspects of putting a bike together that is more than just hiring somebody (like me) with a bike mech certification and pay them to put stuff together. He builds the bikes, his frames are completely his design, molds are his and with the ability to understand how one part effects the other, his proprietary components really help compliment the entire build. Unfortunately, so many of the things that make REALLY good bikes, REALLY GOOD BIKES don't translate into pictures. It is nearly impossible to take a quality picture (with my photography skills) of some of the curves and bends and minute details that you just fall in love with every time you get on the bike. Most of the big brands pay more attention to selling the "beauty" of the bike as well as who they pay to ride them, as though lance or contador riding the same bike as me is going to help at all.
Lastly, he only builds good stuff. There is no such thing as low end that he makes really. Just lower end than the top end. It is easy to find a trek, giant, specialized (all good and some of my favorite brands) that you fit, because there are salesmen there telling you that you fit. Its totally different to sit on a bike that fits you.

Debusama

I find the when pricing similar bikes with similar components, the lowest price is often Giant. That may have to do with my local Giant dealer more than the company itself though. There is one dealer in town that becomes a sky shop every winter and a Jamis dealer in the spring. Since they have to clear their entire inventory at the end of every season they often offer some screaming deals in their end of season sales in order to make room for the skis and snowboards. I think all the major manufacturers make decent frames, so it’s more a matter of finding a good deal on something that fits your body and your needs.

the_don

Hey everyone!

Stop your pointless arguing about Trek and Giant, you know Klein made the best Alu bikes ever! CAAD 10 is nearly at the level Klein were 15 years ago

travkat

Ritte Racing for sure.

Just got me one of the Bosbergs in white. So Good!

Paul Y.

Trek wth all the high end Tiagra they put on.

Dancing Skeleton

zazenzach - be careful here. This forum could be called the "I hate Trek" forum by many.

I have a Madone 2011 4 series frame with a Sram Force drivetrain & Bontrager everything else. I love the bike, it's very comfortable, light and agile.
Trek will replace a broken frame years down the road, and usually give you one that's one series up from what you have. I had a component warranty issue & it was taken care of immediately. Also, on 4 series & up frames, Trek has a speed/cadence sensor port built into the chainstay. It looks great & works with either a Bontrager computer or many others, like a Garmin. It's a great feature, and avoids the hideous tie-wrap sensor needed with other manufacturers. I know several people who like Specialized as well, and I loved my old Bianchi Campione. I wish that I still had it.
Whatever you do, go to a good local bike shop, get fitted & test several models, brands & sizes. You'll get pointed in the right direction, but whatever bike feels best to you, looks good to you & is in your price range is what you should buy. If you are unsure of models & price, go with the better bike. If you don't, you'll wish that you had.
Don't skimp on pedals, shoes, shorts or gloves either. Contact points are very important, and will greatly affect how your bike feels.

Good lick,

Peter

zazenzach

thanks, i really appreciate it.

and thanks to everyone else who added in helpful information.

i knew this topic was subjective, so I was looking for personal opinions, not a rant on subjectivity and the existential existence of life :/

anyways ive gone to a few different shops and so far have tried the caad 10, a trek madone and a specialized roubaix and an allez. i think im leaning towards a specialized, ill post a thread soon of the bike i buy

Anyone able to explain what "S-Works" means? it seems specialized puts that title on several different bike models. does it mean it was made in the US or something?

kabex

S-Works is the highest end Spesh stuff(ie. pro ridden stuff).

humboldt'sroads

WORST THREAD EVER. Let's all do ourselves a favor and let this be buried into the shameful annals of bf lore. No matter what anyone says, it's all opinion and probably 100% *********** as there's no such thing as a "top" bike brand. Whatever you buy, I promise you that it will be the "best bike ever" while at the same time being "the worst bike ever". Go ride your f-ing bike.