Confused Shopper - Road $1,500 to $2,000

[mphew1]

Hi all,
I've been snooping this forum for a few weeks now and thought that I could do with some learned advice. I'm currently riding a Giant Boulder 50km a day commuting to work and the poor thing is beginning to suffer. I want to upgrade to a road bike, however I am a little worried about durability, maintenance etc.

I'm leaning more towards a road bike than a hybrid mainly due to speed. I want to cut my commute down to 45mins from the current hour.
I also used to ride a kmart road bike when I was a kid and I put a lot ks on it so I know I won't feel too uncomfortable moving from an MTB to a road.

I've gone in to several shops and have been told too many different things and am starting to get very confused. My Boulder is really suffering at the moment so I need a quick buy.

What I know so far is that I should be looking at at least Shimano 105 components to get a bit of durability, however given the huge range out there I am still a little stuck.

So far I am thinking of:
Avanti Vivace or Giro
Scott S40 or S30
Specialized Allez Elite

I'm going to spend this weekend trialling bikes (I've also discovered that you should get the bike that feels the best) and would really appreciate some input as to what to look for.

Thanks.

 

[sogood]

Many options and the value ones tend to be those mass market models. So check out Giant's OCR range as well Trek offerings. They are pretty solid. You can look at some of the other brands if you want something different. At that price point, you'll be looking at alloy+carbon.

 

[mphew1]

Thanks for that sogood. I'm now going to try to check on almost everything. I have a list next to me of 7 bike shops around me and the bike brands that they stock. I'll be doing a lot of driving tomorrow morning.

Should I be phoning the shops today telling them that I want to test ride the bikes or should I see what they recommend when I get there?

 

[sogood]

Just show up and see. Test ride the ones you want. You should bring along your helmet for those test rides. Your own pedals if you use clipless.

When you are visiting so many stores looking at same or similar bikes, the contradictions in the sales pitch of the various salesmen would amaze you. With a little bit of background knowledge of the various groupset and other technical info, it won't take you long to sort out the BS from the bad. The honest dealer would stand out very quickly.

Good luck!

 

[MTBRaider]

Hi all,
I've been snooping this forum for a few weeks now and thought that I could do with some learned advice. I'm currently riding a Giant Boulder 50km a day commuting to work and the poor thing is beginning to suffer. I want to upgrade to a road bike, however I am a little worried about durability, maintenance etc.

I'm leaning more towards a road bike than a hybrid mainly due to speed. I want to cut my commute down to 45mins from the current hour.
I also used to ride a kmart road bike when I was a kid and I put a lot ks on it so I know I won't feel too uncomfortable moving from an MTB to a road.

I've gone in to several shops and have been told too many different things and am starting to get very confused. My Boulder is really suffering at the moment so I need a quick buy.

What I know so far is that I should be looking at at least Shimano 105 components to get a bit of durability, however given the huge range out there I am still a little stuck.

So far I am thinking of:
Avanti Vivace or Giro
Scott S40 or S30
Specialized Allez Elite

I'm going to spend this weekend trialling bikes (I've also discovered that you should get the bike that feels the best) and would really appreciate some input as to what to look for.

Thanks.

You have to ask yourself, power and speed, or comfort?

I've ridden C-Dales for years and they respond when you step on the pedals, good for speed. I'm 6'5" 205 and the C-Dale Caad 9 doesn't flex when I hammer away and it takes off fast. The Caad 8 Optimo 1 runs full 105 and is tagged at $1300 or so.

I'd like to comment on comfort, but I've never really known comfort, besides feeling a bit more comfortable on my System-Six that I race in most races over 70km while my aluminum Caad 9 sees the short races and the Crits, it has more explosive power. But, I'm probably too far ahead for you.

Why not try a cross bike? More durability and comfort and built to take some of the harshness out of the roads with its fatter tires. If you're commuting 45 mins a day and don't plan to do longer rides on weekends and such, go with a cross bike. Scott makes a good product, as does Norco, KHS, and Bianchi.

Happy Hunting

 

[mphew1]

I suppose the main thing that I am after is power and speed. I'm really only wanting to spend 45mins to an hour on the bike each way. I'm currently coping with an old MTB and only suffer the occasional soreness.

I looked into some cross bikes and I was impressed, although the paths that I am on are pretty good and I do see a lot of road bikes (usually rapidly overtaking me) on my route. I just think that the compromise of the heavier cross bike would slow me down. My main objective is to get into work and back home again as quick as possible. I'll still have my old MTB at home for riding on the weekend with the kids when I will need to jump kerbs and stuff.

Do you think I am being unrealistic / stupid to think I may be able to get a bike in one days shopping? I think I have a reasonable idea of what I want.

 

[MTBRaider]

I suppose the main thing that I am after is power and speed. I'm really only wanting to spend 45mins to an hour on the bike each way. I'm currently coping with an old MTB and only suffer the occasional soreness.

I looked into some cross bikes and I was impressed, although the paths that I am on are pretty good and I do see a lot of road bikes (usually rapidly overtaking me) on my route. I just think that the compromise of the heavier cross bike would slow me down. My main objective is to get into work and back home again as quick as possible. I'll still have my old MTB at home for riding on the weekend with the kids when I will need to jump kerbs and stuff.

Do you think I am being unrealistic / stupid to think I may be able to get a bike in one days shopping? I think I have a reasonable idea of what I want.

If you want a bike you will be happy with for a few years then yes 1 shopping day is unreasonable. Find something that you're attracted to both visually and physically. Try several bike types from one company and several same level bikes from various companies. Find something that responds when you step on the gas, but most importantly find something that FITS!!! Make sure the shop you buy from is willing to take your measurements and puts you on a bike that measures closest to your measurements. Don't settle for a size smaller or bigger than you need just because you can adjust the seatpost or stem or move the seat forward or back. Many adjustments can be made to a road bike, more so than can be made to an MTB.

You can find a bike in 1 day, you should be outright impressed right away. Don't just settle for a bike because it's the closest one to what you want. Ask the shop about other brands, and sizes, and specs. Good shops will give you straight forward answers that might surprise you.

Good Luck

 

[mphew1]

Well I bought a bike. Whoohoo. I have really fully tested it yet but I think I managed to get a bargain.

I ended up with a Giant TCR Aero 2 frame 2005. Which I think is exactly the same as the Giant TCR Aero 1 frame 2006. They didn't have a frame in the shop that would fit me other thant the 2005 version, so they took the components off the Aero 1 (2006) and put is on the Aero 2. I test rode it and it felt sweet, it just rocketted up hills and felt so much better than the Avanti's the Specialised and the Bianchis I'd been feeling (I think this is where personal taste comes in). The aero shape also looked pretty good.

I now own for $1450 a Giant TCR Aero with full Ultegra group set and Shimano R550 wheelset, I think even the shifters are Ultegra even though the Giant spec says they should be 105. I think I have a bargain. I started to make sure I got the 105 group set for over $1500 and I got the Ultegra for less.

Do you think I got a good deal? I am looking forward to tomorrow's commute regardless.

 

[thomas_cho]

I hope you realise that the Giant aero is designed to put you in an aero dynamic (TT) riding position. The seat tube has a 75 degree angle, while not as steep at 78 degree full on TT machines, its steeper than road bikes which typically have 72-73 degree angles.

This essentially brings the bottom bracket closer to you, giving you a better aero forward riding position.

How long did you spend test riding the bike?

I guess if you are comfortable on it, then it probably works for you. I have a Cervelo One frame (75 degree seat tube), and thats not a frame which I would commute on as I dont find it as comfortable as my other road bikes.

 

[mphew1]

I hope you realise that the Giant aero is designed to put you in an aero dynamic (TT) riding position. The seat tube has a 75 degree angle, while not as steep at 78 degree full on TT machines, its steeper than road bikes which typically have 72-73 degree angles.

This essentially brings the bottom bracket closer to you, giving you a better aero forward riding position.

How long did you spend test riding the bike?

I guess if you are comfortable on it, then it probably works for you. I have a Cervelo One frame (75 degree seat tube), and thats not a frame which I would commute on as I dont find it as comfortable as my other road bikes.

Thomas, thanks for your comment. I think you are right that I am much further forward than on the other bikes that I tried but I think I prefer that. When I was riding my mountain bike with a back pack I would get a sore lower back from the extended time. I think with the lower profile I am actually more comfortable.

I'm taking the bike in for it's 300km service (I've just done 450km in two weeks) and it feels great.

It was definitely a big jump going from a mountain bike to a ride bike to commute but I think for me I did the right thing. If I can keep at this commuting thing up I may in a couple of years start looking at other bikes and my cycling style may develop, however I'm comfortable at the moment and I think things can only get better.