Cyclists: Road Bike Recommendations?

Question

Hello party people in the place to be!

I've been slowly transitioning my passion from mountain biking to road biking on a mountain bike, and now I'm planning to get a road bike.

I'm wondering if anyone has any recommendations based upon my criteria below:

I like to bike long distances 40-100 miles per ride.
I like to climb relatively steep grades 6-10 degrees.
I love to ride really fast on both flat and slight in/declines.

The bike:
Must be full carbon or at least carbon tubes.
Preferably should be a race bike, not a leisure bike.
Should have be least Ultegra component group.
Compact gears would be nice, but are not requisite.

Price wise, I'm looking at $2000-$2600 out the door, including clipless pedals.

Any ideas...recommendations?

So far, I'm looking at:
Specialized Tarmac
Trek Madone

BTW, I am looking for specific Make and Model recommendations. Such as Trek Madone 5.2SL, for instance.

Also, if it matters for your recommendations, I am 6'2.5", 188lbs, 33.5" inseam.

Sorry...price wise, MSRP would be in range of $2400-$3000. A lot of the retail pricing is significantly lower than the MSRPs, but for argument's sake, let's look at MSRP.

Answer 1

What you'll have to do is get in a big shop with a lot of various road bikes and see what fits you. There isn't a "best" bike for any one individual as far as manufacturers are concerned. Trek, Giant, etc., they all have a range of low end to high end bikes with different features. You need to shop to see what you like best. And then....you're just talking the frame. Get measured up for that by someone experienced.
After you've picked out a frame, then you have to custom fit what other equipment best fits you. Shifters (Shimano is a good place to start). Wheelsets. Gear ratios. Pedal and shoe type (you even have a lot of options there - the shoes and pedals have to match). Aero bars you like.
EVERY road bike is custom, and every detail differs for every rider. You have set in your mind that you'll buy a bike and walk out of the shop with it. Wrong. You'll buy a bike and be in the shop every week tricking it out with something different you want to change. It will take at least a full season, maybe 2 or more, to figure out what you like and how you like it.
Last of all, and MOST important, is the SEAT. A great seat can make a 40 mile ride seem like a short excursion. A seat that doesn't work for you is a torture device. For a starter seat, I recommend ARS. Anatomical Relief Saddle. It's cheap and popular. I tried a lot of seats, some expensive, and found this one to be the best fit for my rear. Even 100 mile rides aren't bad on it.
If you get your bike set up the way you like it, 100 mile rides can go fast and easy. But.....it will take you months to get it right.
Best of luck! - kevin

Answer 2

Best Answer - Chosen By Voters

How about Facts on the Madone:

*Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

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:

A FRAME MADE IN THE USA - the Madone series and the 2100~2200 are made in the USA, thank you!

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.

Shimano Drive Train Components are TWO years Durace is THREE years, Sram Family of products - AVID, TRUVATIVE, ROCK SHOX, SRAM are two years as well.

I hope this helps you - No matter what you buy, ALWAYS check the warranty policy!

They also have a VERY GOOD Crash Replacment Policy - Who else has that!?! You basically pay a silly low price to get a new frame - it works out to be equal to an industry employee purchase, which is a whole lot better than FULL RETAIL!

The only bad thing I hear about Trek is that everybody has one - if that is you, I would encourage you to check out The Project
One website - they are doing $99 custom paint jobs right now!

http://projectone.trekbikes.com/

The ride of the Madone is super compared to others around the same price - Look at the 2007 Madone 5.0, it has FULL Ultegra Group.

I've been in bikes 21 years, The Madone WILL REPLACE the most successful selling road bike in history, THE 5200...

Now that you know the FACTS - I hope it's easier for you to make your decision.

Answer 3

There are many bikes in this price range. It is difficult to buy a bad bike on ultegra or dura-ace components.(or the campy equivalent). I'd advise to stay with a Monocoque (one piece) frame if your keen on carbon. Tube piece frames can come apart.

Trek offer a life time guarantee on frame if that is any help.(But so do Motobecane)

If you like hills maybe a stiffer frame would be the go. Titanium is popular amongst hill climbers.Weight is the most important factor in hill climbing.

Weight on the flat isn't as important as aerodynamics (assuming that you solo). But unless you are in competiton not very necessary. Aerodynamics amount to squat if you ride in a group.

May not specifically answer your question but I hope this is helpful. Never been a fan of brand chasing myself. there are so many good manufactures.

Ok here are some brands just to demonstrate all of these are ridden by world class riders. Probably missed a couple (sorry)

De Rosa
Bianchi
Lapierre
Scott
Giant
Colnago
Cannondale
Trek
Cervélo
Pinarello
Décathlon
Wilier
Eddy Merckx
Time
Look
Orbea
Fondriest

Be wary of
long warranties that don't include wear and tear.
Life time frame guarantees that don't transfer when the bike is sold.

These are simple marketing ploys that rely on the fact that most riders either don't use their bike much or change the bike regularly. I've always wondered what replacement you would get in twenty or so years time if carbon is not in vogue.

Answer 4

To Ben....hats off on the Orbea, Campagnolo recommendation. I am not big on American bikes, especially Trek. Specialized, Felt and Raleigh just to name a couple being made in Taiwann. So bogus! I destroyed a Raliegh this past summer. 1 summer is all those tubes could take! I prefer bikes like Devinci, Colnago, Orbea, Principia, Eddy Merckx, Pinarello, Ridley, Lapierre. Bikes like this are expensive....but well worth the price. I don't know if I'll ever ride American again.

Answer 5

Try demo riding a Giant TCR-2 road bike and see how you like it. It might not have the Dura Ace road group but the Ultegra 10 speed works out fine. I've been riding one of these less than a year now and it's awesome! Good luck!

Answer 6

jeez, why are you looking for reccomendations? its about your comfort riding the bike, not anyone elses'. Try test riding the bikes and finding the one that you like best.

theres really not a plethora of carbon bikes dressed up for under 2600, so your options aren't really the greatest. Even at the 3K, you will need to shop around and may sacrifice quality on the components.

ask yourself why carbon? What is it about the material that you need to have? usually, someone that is looking for a good overall bike like yourself would not opt for a full carbon/tubing and for something a little stiffer.
also, if you decide on buying something like a aluminum bike with carbon acc., you will find a better price resistance, which can be put into better componentry.
good luck!

Answer 7

Orbea Onix w/ Campagnolo Centaur, handbuilt wheels (Velocity Aerohead rims/Velocity hubs), FSA compact carbon cranks, Ultegra SPD-SL pedals, Fizik Aliante: $2400 + special price on upgraded components 16.5 lbs. Very comfy yet responds like a true racing bike, climbs like a mountain goat, very solid. You can't get close to that weight at that price as light weight is very expensive. I weigh 200 lbs.

I used to ride Ultegra and I think Cenrtaur is just as good and better looking. I believe they sell Ultegra equiped Onix too.

Answer 8

You may laugh but, I would strongly suggest a recumbent. They're fast, comfortable, and you don't hurt anywhere after riding 60 or more miles! My wife and I bought them a few year ago and we rode from Buffalo, NY to Albany, NY...400 miles in 8 days along the Erie Canal. We are in our 60's and had no problems. Look up easyracer.com. The recumbent speed record now is over 80mph! I Don't think you'll go that fast on a standard recumbene but you will out race the diamond frame bikes.

Answer 9

...why you tellin' us?...go get your bike....carbon sucks...i had alll carbon, and just carbon tubes...they suck....they're ok for 1 yr, then you throw 'em away....get titanium...strong, tight, forgiving last forever...you won't break your bottle cage bosses, Boss

Answer 10

I've always loved Bianchi... you can't go wrong.