Help me select a new road bike
- Thread starter amazinmets73
- Start date
It's an interesting build with the SRAM crankset. This looks like the 10-speed Ultegra 6700 drivetrain. MSRP on this was $2450, which would put the street price at $2200-2300, and the Bicycle Blue Book values it at $1370-1439 for excellent to like-new condition. I'm a little surprised because the 2014 version has the new 11-speed drivetrain and retails for $180 less. Anyway, if there are no dings or scratches as the seller states, this looks like a good deal.
The cockpit on these is fairly aggressive (long and low). Ride and handling are neutral.
I've never ridden a bike worth more than 400 bucks. What can I expect when I get in the cockpit of one of these beauties?
That should read, I've never ridden a bike that wasn't made after the 1970s. Since you haven't been coddled by modern "endurance" geometries, you should experience nothing but more responsiveness and easier controls. In general, this bike has more in common with what you're used to, but better. There's been a lot of improvement over the last 40 years.
Found a bike I'm pretty interested in. Lemond Tourmalet, with Scram Force carbon group set 2x9. Seller claims bike is 18.5 pounds
The last Tourmalets made were constructed from Reynolds 853 steel. Very possible that's the correct weight. 853 is an excellent grade of frame material. And IMO steel is the safest frame material to buy used, from the standpoint of irreparable frame damage being hidden from a buyer.
BTW, unless you're being deliberately facetious, the group is SRAM.
Force is second only to Red in SRAM's line up. It's a very good group.
New steel bikes (especially the ones with expensive tubing) are pretty expensive new. Maybe similarly priced with carbon bikes.
They are supposed to have a very good fatigue damage resistance.
Since the material is so strong, the tubing sometimes has very thin walls. Probably not very crash-proof...
The frame is '90s vintage, showing the slack seat tube and long top tube LeMonds used to be famous for. I don't know how he got 2x9 gearing out of SRAM Force. SRAM for road only does 2x10 and 2x11. It's very likely you'll find this bike to fit more like a 57 or 58 because LeMonds are measured center-to-center and because of the longer top tube.
I like SRAM--flame on. But I'd want to know why the seller didn't finish the job and get a 10-speed cassette and chain.
The OP has another thread posted on another site, with an update on the Tourmalet. It's mostly Force, with a Red cassette. Definitely 10 speed. I think the seller just made a mistake with the 2x9 gearing. Supposedly a new drive train, never ridden since the re-build. I'd grab it, if I had the chance.
More people voted for the CAAD though. Wonder why, who'd go for Tiagra over Force? Guess some people value frame more
CAAD 9s were the last Cannondale road frames made in the US. That may be the reason. Plus there's this whole "cult of CAAD" thing going on.
BTW, going back to the thread on the other place, the seller is wrong about that being a 2011 CAAD 9. I'm pretty sure that 2010 was the last model year. In 2011, production was shifted to Taiwan, and C-dale's top aluminum frame was the CAAD 10.
Couple bucks? A full ultegra set is anywhere from 500 to 1,490 on EBay. I wish I could look at that kind of cash as a coule bucks
Why do you need the full group, and why do you need Ultegra, why not 105? Why not Veloce? Calipers are calipers, a crank is a crank. RD, FD, and brifters bada bing. And there's really nothing wrong with Tiagra if you've got the legs.
Shimano 105 ($450) http://www.ebay.com/itm/Shimano-105-5700-Silver-groupset-8-components-cableset-/141184993653?pt=AU_Sport_Cycling_Parts&hash=item20df480975
Personally I would take up an extra paper route and pony up the extra $100 for this...
Veloce ($545): http://www.ebay.com/itm/Campagnolo-Veloce-10-Speed-Black-Alloy-8pc-group-Complete-Groupset-for-Road-Bike-/271349932068?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3f2db76024
But this is more along the lines with what I had in mind:
This guy's selling the combo for $310
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2013-Shimano-105-5700-Shifters-Front-Rear-Derailleur-Group-set-3pcs-2x10s-Black-/331022392466?pt=US_Shifters&hash=item4d1278dc92
But in 3 minutes I was just able to build the same for almost $100 less (total $215):
Shifters ($150): http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Silver-Shimano-105-ST-5700-Shifter-Brake-Lever-Set-3x10-FREE-SHIPPING-/151230485179?hash=item23360a12bb
RD ($41) :http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Take-Off-Shimano-105-RD-5700-SS-Short-Cage-10S-Rear-Derailleur-Black-/191067183842?pt=US_Derailleurs_Rear&hash=item2c7c7ddae2
FD ($24) http://www.ebay.com/itm/Shimano-105-Front-Derailleur-FD-5700-10sp-Braze-on-Double-Drivetrains-Black-86g-/380831772022?pt=US_Derailleurs_Front&hash=item58ab57ad76
In the world of $1000+ bikes, $215 ain't bad for a significant upgrade. If I went for "slightly" used stuff I could probably get the same setup for less than $150. With a wig and some high heels you could earn that in a couple hours.
But seriously, you seemed to be responding to another thread and I don't even know what the other frame is. But yes, some people value the heart and soul of a bike, "the frame", more than it's components - you did put that out there. The frames I have enjoyed riding over the years, there have been about half a dozen, have seen multiple component iterations pass through their hallowed threads. And my latest, a beautiful SuperSix, which has no threads (it's a BB30 with integrated headset), will likely also see a component upgrade (I'm thinking Record or Super Record... when I can afford it) in it's lifespan before I render it's modulus inept from the massive powah ouput my quads put out, purchased on the cheap off eBay of course.
Just joshing, that's the great thing about bikes, so many ways to float one's boat. What floats mine might not float yours. If you are looking I hope you end up with a bike you look forward to riding every morning, components, frame, and all. If you have already found that special bike, life is good.
Shimano 105 ($450) http://www.ebay.com/itm/Shimano-105-5700-Silver-groupset-8-components-cableset-/141184993653?pt=AU_Sport_Cycling_Parts&hash=item20df480975
Personally I would take up an extra paper route and pony up the extra $100 for this...
Veloce ($545): http://www.ebay.com/itm/Campagnolo-Veloce-10-Speed-Black-Alloy-8pc-group-Complete-Groupset-for-Road-Bike-/271349932068?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3f2db76024
But this is more along the lines with what I had in mind:
This guy's selling the combo for $310
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2013-Shimano-105-5700-Shifters-Front-Rear-Derailleur-Group-set-3pcs-2x10s-Black-/331022392466?pt=US_Shifters&hash=item4d1278dc92
But in 3 minutes I was just able to build the same for almost $100 less (total $215):
Shifters ($150): http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Silver-Shimano-105-ST-5700-Shifter-Brake-Lever-Set-3x10-FREE-SHIPPING-/151230485179?hash=item23360a12bb
RD ($41) :http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Take-Off-Shimano-105-RD-5700-SS-Short-Cage-10S-Rear-Derailleur-Black-/191067183842?pt=US_Derailleurs_Rear&hash=item2c7c7ddae2
FD ($24) http://www.ebay.com/itm/Shimano-105-Front-Derailleur-FD-5700-10sp-Braze-on-Double-Drivetrains-Black-86g-/380831772022?pt=US_Derailleurs_Front&hash=item58ab57ad76
In the world of $1000+ bikes, $215 ain't bad for a significant upgrade. If I went for "slightly" used stuff I could probably get the same setup for less than $150. With a wig and some high heels you could earn that in a couple hours.
But seriously, you seemed to be responding to another thread and I don't even know what the other frame is. But yes, some people value the heart and soul of a bike, "the frame", more than it's components - you did put that out there. The frames I have enjoyed riding over the years, there have been about half a dozen, have seen multiple component iterations pass through their hallowed threads. And my latest, a beautiful SuperSix, which has no threads (it's a BB30 with integrated headset), will likely also see a component upgrade (I'm thinking Record or Super Record... when I can afford it) in it's lifespan before I render it's modulus inept from the massive powah ouput my quads put out, purchased on the cheap off eBay of course.
Just joshing, that's the great thing about bikes, so many ways to float one's boat. What floats mine might not float yours. If you are looking I hope you end up with a bike you look forward to riding every morning, components, frame, and all. If you have already found that special bike, life is good.
http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/bik/4325607104.html This seems to be a better candidate for upgrade
