Anybody out there have any suggestions as to which brand or even better which model of which Brand I should "test ride". I want a light all carbon road bike with high quality components.
2007-01-09 06:38:47 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Cycling
The component part of your question is easy for high performance Campagnolo Record or Shimano Durace. For wear and tear go one level below.
As for the frame there are frames and there are FRAMES.
The first level of carbon frames is merely carbon tubes glued into fittings and are quite frankly terrible.
The next level of frames are monocoque (one piece) construction and vary depending on type and size of the carbon thread and resin used.
The third level are made from different sizes and types of thread in the one frame and usually involve several resin treatments.
What do you want to do; a time trail, a hill climb, all round, a short course, or ride to the latte shop.
A time trial frame will make sacrifices to put you in an aerodynamic position
A hill climber will sacrifice aerodynamics to give a light stiff frame
An all rounder won't be particularly good at anything but not bad either
A short course frame tends toward 650c wheels because they accelerate better
To ride to a latte shop a Trek or Cannondale are usually acceptable. (Before everyone gets upset both are very good bikes which is why the latte set accept them)
Not knowing you preferred discipline or budget it is impossible to give you a worthwhile recommendation.
An even more important element that you neglect to mention is wheels and again the best wheels for you will depend on your discipline.
There are many victims of bling culture. (I want the latest and greatest but I'm not sure why.) This is detrimental to the sport I love, as it makes the sport seem expensive and deters many from taking it up. While just about everybody will be quicker on a more expensive bike the benefits are usually very small to neglectable. The exception is competition, races are often won by hair widths.
2007-01-09 16:19:47 · answer #1 · answered by Glenn B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The most important aspect is that the bike is the right size and that it fits you, (and not the other way around). So make sure the frame geometry and the frame size are the right ones for you. Go to a good shop and get some advice on this issues. The hardest thing to change in a bike due to cost is the frame. So make sure you get as good a frame as you can. Aluminium, steel of carbon fibber components are more a matter of personal choice. There are advantages and disadvantages to them all. Once again, according to budget and needs, get good advice from a reputable bike shop. Other components are easier to grade up, but after the frame get as good as you can gearing. Decide before any thing else if you only need(want) two chain rings in front or three, for they are also hard to change in the future (money wise). If you have the right size frame, the geometry is comfortable for you and the proper gearing has been chosen, the rest will "fall " into place. There could be room for up grading if necessary, but it will be easier and cheaper to do in the future. Do not be flash by shiny colours, paint jobs, etc. some not so flashy bikes could be as good or better than more flashy looking ones. Also it doesn't matter if it is a 2008 model or not, maybe it dosen`t even matter as much if it is brand new, as long as the criteria established before is met. Once again, go to a reputable bike shop, the best way not to go wrong, and then ask and ask, and ask again. Take your time once you are there. If necessary tell the clerk when will it be a good time to come and devote his attention to your needs. They will appreciate this and help you out better too. That is my view point, hope it helps.
2016-05-22 23:25:30 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Most successfull selling carbon road bike in history IS the Trek 5200 model - it has since been replaced with the Madone 5.2 after a brief come-back in 2005. <== START HERE!!!
Bike a bike based on fit not what it has. Ultegra(2yr warr.) and Durace(3yr Warr) are both top notch and if you were blindfolded, YOU COULD NOT TELL THE DIFFERENCE - You'll notice more of a difference out of a wheel upgrade than entire drivetrain - unless you're running older 8 speed stuff!
Also, you need to SEE how the Trek is built(framewise) compared to other's monocaque designs - boy that center seam all the way down the middle of the frame produce a LOT of unwanted FLEX... ;-P
TREK is family owned and operated... Not corperate - they answer straight to the consumer, not a Bean Counter!
Also you want to check the Warranty Coverage - I can tell you that Trek has:
Lifetime Warranty on the Frame - and you don't have to wait for it to come in from China!
Bontrager Components - unprecidented FIVE year warranty for everything Bontrager, Wheels, Bars, Stems, etc.
Crash Replacement Program!!! See who else is doing this - not anybody else I can think of - You are covered if YOU crash the bike... You pay a silly low price to get the frame replaced.
So, as a Shop Manager, the only thing I hear people say they don't like about a Trek is - "Everyone has one..." After reading this post, do you wonder why any more..?
2007-01-10 14:33:37 · answer #3 · answered by bigringtravis 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hey Dude,
With bikes the sky is the limit. You can spend a small fortune on them. And I know other cyclists will agree with me when I say that even when you have spent plenty of cash, there is always something better that you want!!
My ride is a Specialized Tarmac S-works that runs a full Shimano Dura ace grouppo. This is a super lightweight bike (around 7.2kg fully assembled), perfect for racing, and looks sweet to boot.
Gerolsteiner ride them, and Quikstep has signed with Specialized for the 2007 season. One of the Gerolsteiner riders, Leipheimer, actually had to strap 2 spanners to the down tube when his bike was weigh because it was below the minimum weight specified by the UCI.
Campagnolo is reportedly a good groupset, Record, but i have been told that it mainly caters for people with smaller hands.
Having said all this, a bike is a personal thing, and it all comes down to what feels best, looks best and your own preferences.
Take some bikes for a test ride and remember, lightweight doesn't neccesarily mean fast
2007-01-10 17:27:27 · answer #4 · answered by bulldog 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
For components, start with Campagnolo Record (if you want a tad cheaper: Shimano DuraAce; if you want different:SRAM).
Possibly the best "racer's" bike would be a Cervelo but be aware that they have supply difficulties. Other's that are just as good but in a different way are: Cannondale System6, Derosa Tango, Merckx AXM, Ridley Super Noah, Orbea Orca, BMC (Floyd Landis' ride), Isaac, Steelman (yep, Steelman), Cycles LaPierre, and Colnago. Of these, I enjoyed the Cannondale and Orbea the most but it may be because they fit me the best. All are excellent. At this level, the best bike for you is the one that fits you best. The Derosa, Merckx and Ridley were particularly the bikes to lust after, I think. Have fun!
Oh yeah, how can I forget Calfee. Not my cup of tea in looks but what a ride!
2007-01-09 08:09:38 · answer #5 · answered by Ben P 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well there are millions of possiblilities and they depend on your budget and purpose. I've riden Treks up to Colnagos, so I might have a little exerience on various brands (cheap and expensive). Many people will recommend brands that look good but are pure advertisement. Currently I'm riding a Blue RC-6 (Team Collavita) and in my opinion there is no difference between it and my Colnago C-50 on comfort, speed and agility on sprints. Colnago its more of a tradition and evenhotugh they are great bikes its like if 50% of the frame price goes to cover the sponsorship if the teams which use it. Stay away from luxurius frames. Many brands are very rare in the US and may lack support from the manufacter (Guerciotti, SOMEC, Daccorddi, Kuota just to name a few). These companies produce great frames but they lack customer support. A couple of years ago my Trek 5.2 had a problem on the dropout and the frame was replaced in less than a month (no questions asked). As for the contrary I was unable to relace my Daccorddi after submmitting a long letter. They responded that it was due to frame wear and tear (yeah right! like if I was going to push a $3,500 frame to its limit). Other points to consider is who is making your bike. Many Eddy Mercks frames (some Merck fans won't admit it) are made by other company which is not Merck. Isaac does the same. Isaac frames have a twin which are Stevens (from Denmark). Even Performance bike has a Carbon frame which is made in Japan and is marketed in Spain under Ditec (www.ditecbikes.com) .
Based on budget:
-Trek 5.2
-Blue (RC-6)
-Specialized (Non S-Works)
-Giant
-Fuji
If Money is No Problem
-Trek 5.9 SSL
-Colnago (Any of them)
-Specialized (S-Works)
-Cervelo Soloist (Watch out for availability and history of recalls)
-BMC (Pro Machine SLC 01)
-Ridley (Noah, Damocles)
-Scott (CR-1)
-Look (one of the finest carbon frames ever made)
-Pinarello (frame a little heavy for the price)
-DeRosa
As for parts Record or Dura Ace... nuff said. But if money is no object and want to be unique on your sunday ride try SRAM.
They are other million brands which I did not mention but keep an eye open for them since what I listed you is just a suggestion.
Happy Shopping and My Condeolences to Your Wallet!
2007-01-09 20:41:33 · answer #6 · answered by mimosaico 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Colnago, Felt, Look and Bianchi all make very nice carbon frames, and if you want the best components look no further than Italy.
Campagnolo all the way!
Be ready to open your wallet W-I-D-E!
2007-01-09 11:07:45 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
what do mean "best"? what is your budget? you can pay $10,000 for a road bike
2007-01-09 11:27:42 · answer #8 · answered by Nick F 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
carbon sux!
2007-01-09 07:21:40 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋