first road bike...need advice
06-24-11, 01:18 PM
#1
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first road bike...need advice
I started on a $100 Target brand MTB.
I moved up to a Specialized Sirrus hybrid...and I love it. It's going to be my commuter.
I need a road bike for the trail and touring rides. My original pick was the Cannondale Synapse, but I saw a Jamis Ventura Race and fell in love. While at my LBS I also saw a nice Raleigh...don't know much other than I like the way it looked. I'm open to any brands and my budget is about $1500, would go up to $2000 if it was going to make a HUGE difference. I really couldn't care less if a $2000 bike is 300 grams lighter than a $1500 bike. I just want a good, quality bike that will last a while and be comfortable for long distances at higher speeds than my hybrid.
And please don't tell me $1500 won't buy a good bike. I'm not buying this for you, if you think I should spend more, send me a PM and I'll give you my address so you can mail me a check.
I moved up to a Specialized Sirrus hybrid...and I love it. It's going to be my commuter.
I need a road bike for the trail and touring rides. My original pick was the Cannondale Synapse, but I saw a Jamis Ventura Race and fell in love. While at my LBS I also saw a nice Raleigh...don't know much other than I like the way it looked. I'm open to any brands and my budget is about $1500, would go up to $2000 if it was going to make a HUGE difference. I really couldn't care less if a $2000 bike is 300 grams lighter than a $1500 bike. I just want a good, quality bike that will last a while and be comfortable for long distances at higher speeds than my hybrid.
And please don't tell me $1500 won't buy a good bike. I'm not buying this for you, if you think I should spend more, send me a PM and I'll give you my address so you can mail me a check.
06-24-11, 01:32 PM
#2
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1500 will definitely buy you a nice, good quality bike... it will be AL instead of carbon though, not a big deal unless you were expecting carbon for that price... any of the big brands will have a nice bike in that price range... that it getting into higher end AL frames and will definitely get you Apex/105 (maybe even rival) components... if you want to go up a little to the 1800ish range you can get into nice Apex equipped entry carbon bikes from most of the big names, they are quite nice bikes... only you can determine if those carbon bikes are worth the extra $$ or not... its not about weight really, AL bikes can be very light, carbon brings some more not so quantifiable aspects such as ride quality and etc to the game... test em and get what you like...
06-24-11, 01:40 PM
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Choose the bike that you think you'll like. Get fitted. Give up the $2000. Ride.
$1500-$2000 will buy a great bike...but in all fairness, the bikes within that price range should all be great bikes. you have to try really hard to find a lousy bike within that budget. It is a matter of your taste and preference.
$1500-$2000 will buy a great bike...but in all fairness, the bikes within that price range should all be great bikes. you have to try really hard to find a lousy bike within that budget. It is a matter of your taste and preference.
06-24-11, 03:11 PM
#4
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If you want one that will really make a difference and will be fast for $1700, you can do what I did and buy a Motobecane LeChamp Ti. It has a Titanium frame, weighs 18 lbs. with pedals, is fitted with Ultegra/FSA components, has a semi-compact frame and it is damn fast if I do my part. You will not get this much bike for that price anywhere unless you buy used.
OTOH, Performance bike sells the Scattante Pro Carbon with Ultegra/FSA parts for $2000. It has a carbon Fiber frame and I'm sure it's fast too.
Both of these bikes, due to their frame material will have a nice ride and be lightweight. I prefer the Motobecane LeChamp Ti because it's Titanium. Motobecane makes the same bike in Carbon Fiber for the same price. I also like the Motobecanes because they have a semi-compact frame, which gives them additional comfort.
There are other bikes in that price range that will be fast. But they will either be AL frames with Ultegra level components, or CF with 105 level components. Something has to give at that price point. The Motobecanes gives you the upgraded frame material AND the Ultegra level components.
Motobecanes are only sold online at Bikes Direct. www.bikesdirect.com
No I don't work for them. I just bought my bike from them that's all.
OTOH, Performance bike sells the Scattante Pro Carbon with Ultegra/FSA parts for $2000. It has a carbon Fiber frame and I'm sure it's fast too.
Both of these bikes, due to their frame material will have a nice ride and be lightweight. I prefer the Motobecane LeChamp Ti because it's Titanium. Motobecane makes the same bike in Carbon Fiber for the same price. I also like the Motobecanes because they have a semi-compact frame, which gives them additional comfort.
There are other bikes in that price range that will be fast. But they will either be AL frames with Ultegra level components, or CF with 105 level components. Something has to give at that price point. The Motobecanes gives you the upgraded frame material AND the Ultegra level components.
Motobecanes are only sold online at Bikes Direct. www.bikesdirect.com
No I don't work for them. I just bought my bike from them that's all.
06-25-11, 02:11 AM
#5
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You said you want it for touring and trail rides, so: Surly Long Haul Trucker?
It is not racing fast, but it will carry loads well. You're asking for quality, durability, and comfort. So, it fits on those points pretty well. I got one to use for rando rides and touring, and it is faster than my mountain hybrid, and comfortable to ride all day. It's very rugged and reliable.
It's about $1100 with everything but pedals. With pedals, maybe a Brooks saddle, and a few accessories, you are still in the $1500 budget. If you want a racing bike, then it's not the right choice. If you want a touring bike, then maybe it will suit you. Good luck.
It is not racing fast, but it will carry loads well. You're asking for quality, durability, and comfort. So, it fits on those points pretty well. I got one to use for rando rides and touring, and it is faster than my mountain hybrid, and comfortable to ride all day. It's very rugged and reliable.
It's about $1100 with everything but pedals. With pedals, maybe a Brooks saddle, and a few accessories, you are still in the $1500 budget. If you want a racing bike, then it's not the right choice. If you want a touring bike, then maybe it will suit you. Good luck.
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06-25-11, 04:40 AM
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I would recomend a Caad 105 for $1,300 or a Scott CR1 elite for$2,200
https://www.scott-sports.com/us_en/pr...1/55724/218102
https://www.scott-sports.com/us_en/pr...1/55724/218102
06-25-11, 07:05 AM
#7
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Hre is my ride review of the Synapse, I hope it helps.
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ort?highlight=
Cheers,
Brian J.
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Last edited by baj32161; 06-25-11 at 07:08 AM.
06-25-11, 05:02 PM
#8
The Drive Side is Within
Think seriously about a modern lightweight steel bike.
You're going to tour and ride trails recreationally as well as look towards learning what serious road riding is all about. Now full disclosure, I'm biased as I'm only able to ride $3-400 bikes and steel is the right price compromise for me. But even with that budget I have a 19 pound bike that is comfortable and sturdy. (Jamis Satellite with upgrades)
The idea here is that if you buy a seriously nice steel bike now with slightly relaxed geometry for light touring and easygoing century rides, once the bike acquisition bug bites again-- in a few years when you've got more experience and know what you want-- you'll buy yourself that Carbon or Titanium bike and still have a nice high end steel bike to hang on to for non-race use.
To my thinking, if you jump right on a race oriented bike, or even a relaxed geometry aluminum fake-race bike, you're still going to want to upgrade to a more serious bike, and your "old" bike won't be worth having around because it won't have the long distance comfort or load hauling capability of a steel bike.
The above advice isn't always popular in the road bike forum, but then I spend most of my time in C&V...
...as a matter of fact, I think I'll dare you to go cross-post the same question in that section of BF. (Classic and Vintage) Bikes from the 1980's were more often designed with riders like you in mind. And in my experience, having a comfortable and practical bike winds up putting me in the saddle for more hours, and that makes me faster than if I had some carbon uber bike.
Another option, and I've just done this to my hybrid after adding an xtracycle-- is to change out the front suspension fork on your hybrid for a suspension corrected regular fork.
https://www.ebikestop.com/dimension_7...ack-FK0086.php
That switch made my bike lighter and faster. I can keep up with local roadies at 22mph on that bike now, even with the xtracycle, and can average 17mph on my 16mile ride in to work carrying lunch, coffee, tools, and a change of clothes.
You don't need $2k to start being more comfortable and start going faster.
But if you do want a nice road bike for the type of riding you're looking for, ask your Raleigh dealer local bike shop to order one of these in your size:
https://www.raleighusa.com/bikes/steel-road/clubman-11/
Good luck!
You're going to tour and ride trails recreationally as well as look towards learning what serious road riding is all about. Now full disclosure, I'm biased as I'm only able to ride $3-400 bikes and steel is the right price compromise for me. But even with that budget I have a 19 pound bike that is comfortable and sturdy. (Jamis Satellite with upgrades)
The idea here is that if you buy a seriously nice steel bike now with slightly relaxed geometry for light touring and easygoing century rides, once the bike acquisition bug bites again-- in a few years when you've got more experience and know what you want-- you'll buy yourself that Carbon or Titanium bike and still have a nice high end steel bike to hang on to for non-race use.
To my thinking, if you jump right on a race oriented bike, or even a relaxed geometry aluminum fake-race bike, you're still going to want to upgrade to a more serious bike, and your "old" bike won't be worth having around because it won't have the long distance comfort or load hauling capability of a steel bike.
The above advice isn't always popular in the road bike forum, but then I spend most of my time in C&V...
...as a matter of fact, I think I'll dare you to go cross-post the same question in that section of BF. (Classic and Vintage) Bikes from the 1980's were more often designed with riders like you in mind. And in my experience, having a comfortable and practical bike winds up putting me in the saddle for more hours, and that makes me faster than if I had some carbon uber bike.
Another option, and I've just done this to my hybrid after adding an xtracycle-- is to change out the front suspension fork on your hybrid for a suspension corrected regular fork.
https://www.ebikestop.com/dimension_7...ack-FK0086.php
That switch made my bike lighter and faster. I can keep up with local roadies at 22mph on that bike now, even with the xtracycle, and can average 17mph on my 16mile ride in to work carrying lunch, coffee, tools, and a change of clothes.
You don't need $2k to start being more comfortable and start going faster.
But if you do want a nice road bike for the type of riding you're looking for, ask your Raleigh dealer local bike shop to order one of these in your size:
https://www.raleighusa.com/bikes/steel-road/clubman-11/
Good luck!
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06-27-11, 07:16 PM
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i just had this whole thing typed out about why i picked the bike i picked, but my internet messed up and i lost it. not typing it again.
i put a deposit on a caad10 4. will probably have it paid off by the end of july. cant wait. was 18.2 lbs for a 56 cm. carbon synapse 6 in a 54 cm was 20 lbs.
i put a deposit on a caad10 4. will probably have it paid off by the end of july. cant wait. was 18.2 lbs for a 56 cm. carbon synapse 6 in a 54 cm was 20 lbs.
06-27-11, 09:32 PM
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i just had this whole thing typed out about why i picked the bike i picked, but my internet messed up and i lost it. not typing it again.
i put a deposit on a caad10 4. will probably have it paid off by the end of july. cant wait. was 18.2 lbs for a 56 cm. carbon synapse 6 in a 54 cm was 20 lbs.
i put a deposit on a caad10 4. will probably have it paid off by the end of july. cant wait. was 18.2 lbs for a 56 cm. carbon synapse 6 in a 54 cm was 20 lbs.
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