delacrank

So im thinking of buying a cervelo T1 frame and throwing a pair of mavic ellipse wheels on it with sugino mess cranks and a BB (not sure about that yet), I already have a stem and handle bars, tires.

The problem is, I am not sure if I want to spend that much money on a frame yet, and if I am going to see much of a difference than if I just bought like a Super Pista, dodici or some other aluminum frame.

The bike is going to be for the street and purely for working purposes, right now I ride a regular steel pista but I have been wanting an aluminum bike for some time now. I know a few messengers that ride like a felt t3k aluminum, bianchi concept etc.

They say its much faster and not that bad on the legs once you get used to it if you have a good saddle (i use a brooks b17).

Any suggestions, should i wait and save up for my dream bike (risking it to get stolen damage etc.) or should i just get a cheaper frame 700-800 range?

redpear

If you're working with it in NYC, I would not buy a Cervelo T1. Definitely go a bit cheaper for a work bike.

Sherblock

Your dream bike should not be your working bike (unless you're a professional cyclist). If your a messenger than why upgrade? I assume you don't make much and if your bike works than save the cash and keep riding it.

GMJ

Agreed. Even though I'm pretty guilty of this, don't fix what's not broken, especially if its for work.

Santaria

Gotta agree with the other blokes, but I will say this:

If we were all car enthusiasts, we would be recommending you buy your "dream," but since we are velo-specific enthusiasts, the suggestion is "don't buy anything that you don't want to accept being stolen." Seems like we've been trained properly by society, that's all I am saying.

Sherblock

Well he can buy it, but if it's gonna be locked up everyday, ridden around on the streets, etc, than why bother?

Pizza delivery boys don't drive porsches, ya' know?

On an expensive thing when something breaks its expensive - and regular use means things will break.

HFTB

good example, Sherblock.

I agree with the rest. For just streets, that bike is over the top.

Santaria

No, I totally agree. My point is more that you wouldn't buy a Porsche to let it sit in your garage and brag to your buddies about, have them come over and look through the windows either

GMJ

I drive for Papa John's and have a '01 Monte Carlo that is literally falling apart. Lacks power steering, abs, and any kind of traction control. Another driver rents a small Kia.

I don't have another car, but I know the other driver does.

Scrodzilla

This thread could be a lot better with a few well thought out gifs. Just sayin'.

Jaytron

Why would you want your $1500 dream frame out all day in NYC waiting to get stolen? Why would you want your $1500 dream frame getting beat up each and every day working as a messenger? Are you even really a messenger?

Honestly, the best wheels you could think of were Mavic Ellipses for a Cervelo T1?


No, you're not ready for that kind of bike.

No, your dream bike won't make you any faster.


I was late.

Sherblock

But it's a cervélo...

marketing is a lie?


;_;

xavier853

700-800 is cheap?

homebrewk

[IMG]********************************data/media/2/duh.gif[/IMG]

delacrank

Ok first off where do you live not all people in nyc get there bikes stolen only idiots who free lock (wheels to their frame), second off not all bike messengers are broke, all i ask was a simple question should i buy a cervelo or a bianchi pista, I am buying a new bike reguardless for many reasons.

One if its faster, i can make more money and do more runs spending less energy. Two there are many times we have to ride more then 40 or 50 blocks to go somewhere, not everyday is grid lock traffic, there are many places where there is no traffic. Three people have been responding with a lot of negative commentary and jumping on the bandwagon saying i agree with this guy.

Whats the point of 14 people saying I agree its like ok i got the message 14 times but no one has offered any insite to my situation or alternatives for aluminum bikes. I feel that if you have never messaged before than you shouldn't give advice to a person who is messaging first off. Second off if you have and you disagree thats okay too, there are many messengers who ride ****ty bikes and thats okay too. Do those messengers make as much money as the ones with nicer bikes that could be up for debate but thats not the point.

The point is I have decided to buy a bike and have the money saved up for it and while i appreciate all the fast responses and suggestions, which are all very good some of the gifs and stuff are a little insulting and unnecessary.

Jaytron

It's the internet, you should maybe not get so riled up about it.

The Cervelo won't make you make deliveries faster. You already have your mind made up though, so hopefully you have a good lock, and don't mind when your dream bike is dinged and scratched quickly from daily use around the city. Hell, I don't even use my road bike for errands around the city. I my steel beater bike. But like I said, if you don't care about your $1500 frame getting beat to hell, then by all means go for it.

Nagrom_

You asked if you should get a T1.
They said no.

renton20

If you are serious about wanting to go faster on a consistent basis, get a geared bike. As someone who has worked on their bike through all types of weather conditions, having either a geared bike or at the very least a second bike will make you faster. Fixed is awesome for daily work as it's consistent, light, and all other things equal cheap. That being said, if you are dealing with a ****ty, windy day and are able to take some of the pain out of headwinds and get some benefit from tailwinds, you will be faster.

IDK man, not trying to talk you out of getting a nicer bike, **** get the cervelo if you want. I always say that if you really love your bike you will probably ride it harder and more often. The bike industry thrives on people buying **** they don't really need. I just try to push people to be honest about why they want a new bike.

If you really do think that you will go faster, hook up a cycling computer to your current bike and record typical data: average speed, hours logged, etc. Then if you can, borrow a friends bike that is similar to what you want and record the same data. My strong guess is that you won't see much if any difference. At the same time, if you just want a new bike, buy a new bike. I know I probably will at some point this year.

redpear

I always love threads like this. In the end it is your decision. You asked us, and we told you what we thought.

If you really want that T1, get it. But don't victimize yourself like that.

jimmytango

Get one of these and convert it. Be sure to throw a HED3 or Aerospoke on there somewhere for mad street cred.

Kinkikowboi

Thinking about Initial D...AE86 vs. Skyline R32. It's all about the driver, not the car. Just sayin'.

Scrodzilla

"Hi, BikeForums. I am a NY messenger who already knows everything but I'm going to ask a question - just to test your intelligence (naturally) - and proceed to get my skinny jeans tied in knots when you don't give me the precise answer I wish to hear".

Dude, you said yourself in your first post that you don't want to risk your "dream bike" being "stolen damage etc.", yet you go on to say "not all people in nyc get there bikes stolen only idiots who free lock (wheels to their frame)". Are you serious? Do you really think you'll be a "faster" messenger if you need to take time to carefully lean your precious "dream bike" against something and lock it up proper without scratching it? Secondly, bikes light, stiff, responsive, etc but bikes on their own aren't fast - riders are fast. You want to be faster? HTFU and ride more.

You're asking for advice but it sounds to me like you just want a pretty bike for all your other "messenger" friends to drool over. Big deal. Buy whatever you want. It's your money.

ambitions2o

First let me start off....calm down my man. Don't let the Internet ruin your day.

Second, I live in NYC and ride a ton (I will say I am NOT a messenger). Personally as I ride in NYC, lock the bike up, etc, etc I am concerned with damage and getting it stolen so that is why I didn't buy that great of a bike. Thus everyone agreeing with the Sherlock. However, it seems as you being a messenger you would use it more than I would and you already decided.

I like the Cervelo T1. Maybe wrap the areas where your lock is going to be to cut down on the dings and stuff?

Then again I own a '70 Challenger, which is my dream car, but I don't drive that to work everyday...

Best of luck.

GMJ

You better get used to it. Buy the T1.

Jaytron

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