Hi all,
I've been riding the last couple of seasons with a 2005 Specialized Allez Sport. It has gotten me around, and was fine for longer solo rides. Last year, I got to ride a cheapish (Fuji SL 3.0) on a long ride in San Francisco (paradise loop) and rode my neighbor's older Cervelo team a couple of times. Those rides cemented in my mind that I would be more comfortable on a smaller, lighter bike. So, I've budgeted up to $1500 for something a little more sporty, that will last me for a few years before I decide if I want to spend REAL money on something.
So, my investigations have let me from a new Motobecane to used bikes like :
http://www.ebay.com/itm/54cm-2008-Cervelo-Soloist-Team-S1-Aero-Road-Bike-Alloy-Cycling-Shimano-Ultegra-/110995770869?pt=Road_Bikes&hash=item19d7dd0df5#rpdId
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2007-Orbea-Orca-Road-Bike-54-cm-/300850035482?pt=Road_Bikes&hash=item460c0f3b1a
So, I guess I'm wondering what people think are the highest priorities for a first more serious bike. I'll probably be putting on 100 mi / wk when it's warm including 50 milers on weekends. I doubt I'll race this year, but I've thought about it for 14. (A sprint Tri or two is not out of the question this year.)
Also helpful is if someone says "Buy that bike up there, it's a sweet deal / that's my LBS and they rule" etc.
Thanks!
I've been riding the last couple of seasons with a 2005 Specialized Allez Sport. It has gotten me around, and was fine for longer solo rides. Last year, I got to ride a cheapish (Fuji SL 3.0) on a long ride in San Francisco (paradise loop) and rode my neighbor's older Cervelo team a couple of times. Those rides cemented in my mind that I would be more comfortable on a smaller, lighter bike. So, I've budgeted up to $1500 for something a little more sporty, that will last me for a few years before I decide if I want to spend REAL money on something.
So, my investigations have let me from a new Motobecane to used bikes like :
http://www.ebay.com/itm/54cm-2008-Cervelo-Soloist-Team-S1-Aero-Road-Bike-Alloy-Cycling-Shimano-Ultegra-/110995770869?pt=Road_Bikes&hash=item19d7dd0df5#rpdId
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2007-Orbea-Orca-Road-Bike-54-cm-/300850035482?pt=Road_Bikes&hash=item460c0f3b1a
So, I guess I'm wondering what people think are the highest priorities for a first more serious bike. I'll probably be putting on 100 mi / wk when it's warm including 50 milers on weekends. I doubt I'll race this year, but I've thought about it for 14. (A sprint Tri or two is not out of the question this year.)
Also helpful is if someone says "Buy that bike up there, it's a sweet deal / that's my LBS and they rule" etc.
Thanks!