road bike for rider (Roubaix, Allez, Bianchi, and LeMond)

[Reza]

Hi -- I want to buy my first road bike. I'm interested in the
$1000-1600 price range and want at least 105 components. I intent to
use the bike for long solo rides and possibly training with a few
friends for a race. I'm not a competitive biker and don't think that
I'll become one.

I'm down to 6 bikes: Specialized Roubaix, Allez, and LeMond Big Sky.
I'm also considering the Allez and binanchi vigorelli, veloce, and
giro.

I care a lot about comfort. I'm a little confused.

Any thoughts on the whole 105/ultegra debate would be appreciated. Is
ultegra worth an extra $400?

thanks a lot

 

[Pat]

> Hi -- I want to buy my first road bike. I'm interested in the
> $1000-1600 price range and want at least 105 components. I intent to
> use the bike for long solo rides and possibly training with a few
> friends for a race. I'm not a competitive biker and don't think that
> I'll become one.
>
> I'm down to 6 bikes: Specialized Roubaix, Allez, and LeMond Big Sky.
> I'm also considering the Allez and binanchi vigorelli, veloce, and
> giro.
>
> I care a lot about comfort. I'm a little confused.
>
> Any thoughts on the whole 105/ultegra debate would be appreciated. Is
> ultegra worth an extra $400?
>
> thanks a lot

I have had the Bianchi Veloce since 2001 and I really like it. I ride club
rides and various centuries. Next week, in Waco, I will ride my 6th 100 mile
ride on this bike. No complaints at all. The geometry fits me like a glove,
and the bike is quick handling without being twitchy. I have never had any
problems with the Campy components, either. Nothing has ever gone out of
alignment or needed to be worked on. I have changed the saddle. The one
that came with the bike is attractive, but it didn't suit my needs for long
distance riding.

Pat in TX

 

[B i l l S o r n s o n]

Reza wrote:
> Hi -- I want to buy my first road bike. I'm interested in the
> $1000-1600 price range and want at least 105 components. I intent to
> use the bike for long solo rides and possibly training with a few
> friends for a race. I'm not a competitive biker and don't think that
> I'll become one.
>
> I'm down to 6 bikes: Specialized Roubaix, Allez, and LeMond Big Sky.
> I'm also considering the Allez and binanchi vigorelli, veloce, and
> giro.
>
> I care a lot about comfort. I'm a little confused.
>
> Any thoughts on the whole 105/ultegra debate would be appreciated. Is
> ultegra worth an extra $400?

I was exactly where you are early last summer ('03). Started out thinking
around $1,000-1200, and ended up /considering/ a titanium LeMond that went
for $1999 on special.

I bought a Klein Q-carbon Team -- full Ultegra (triple) with Bontrager
RaceLite wheels -- for $1600 due to a paint chip in top tube (sale price was
~1839 or something like that).

In your price range I think you should go all or mostly Ultegra; however,
also opt for quality wheels! You'll be much happier in the long run with
the nicest stuff you can afford. (For example, I've splurged for a lot of
DuraAce components already, and a pair of Velomax "race wheels"; would have
saved quite a lot by buying the higher level goodies from start.)

My advice: buy the bike that "speaks to you" -- that makes you want to jump
on it and ride every time you look at it.

Bill "neglectful owner of two mountain bikes" S.

 

[Harris]

Reza <[email protected]> wrote:
> Hi -- I want to buy my first road bike. I'm interested in the
> $1000-1600 price range and want at least 105 components. I intent to
> use the bike for long solo rides and possibly training with a few
> friends for a race. I'm not a competitive biker and don't think that
> I'll become one.

> I'm down to 6 bikes: Specialized Roubaix, Allez, and LeMond Big Sky.
> I'm also considering the Allez and binanchi vigorelli, veloce, and
> giro.

> I care a lot about comfort. I'm a little confused.

You need a bike that fits your needs. If you will be climbing a lot of
hills, look for a triple. Since comfort is a priority to you, make sure
the bike has clearance for at least 700x28 tires. Choose a shop that you
trust, test ride some bikes, and make sure you get fitted correctly.

> Any thoughts on the whole 105/ultegra debate would be appreciated. Is
> ultegra worth an extra $400?

Is the price difference really that much? Definitely not worth it. Go with
105.

Art Harris

 

[rcoder]

I have a 2002 Bianchi Imola, and recommend it highly. It's got a 105
groupo, which is more than sufficient for my commute (5mi.) and
recreational (30-40mi.) riding. My roommate also just bought a
brand-new Vigorelli, after riding everything up to a Klein Quantum XV.
The steel frame/carbon fork combination is definitely something I'd
recommend highly for distance riding.

Really, it seems like the more important decision you should try to
make isn't 105 vs. Ultegra -- the basic feel of both sets is similar,
it's just a matter of a slight difference in weight and shift
noise/effort. I would worry more about whether you prefer the feel of a
compact frame or diamond geometry.

I started on a compact-frame Specialized, after trying only cheaper
aluminum bikes. The Bianchi showed up at my local consignment shop, and
after I rode it, I realized that I didn't have any interest in riding a
compact frame any time soon. I'm not asserting any overall superiority
of diamond geometry, but it's a personal preference that's (IMHO) worth
figuring out before you sink >$1k into a bike.

 

[Ravi]

Reza wrote:
<SNIP>
>
> Any thoughts on the whole 105/ultegra debate would be appreciated. Is
> ultegra worth an extra $400?

why not consider a mix of different types ? like in Trek, usually, you
get a good combination of either 105/ultegra or 105/dura-ace in a single
bike.

+ravi


> thanks a lot

 

[Booker C. Bense]

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In article <[email protected]>,
Reza <[email protected]> wrote:
>Hi -- I want to buy my first road bike. I'm interested in the
>$1000-1600 price range and want at least 105 components. I intent to
>use the bike for long solo rides and possibly training with a few
>friends for a race. I'm not a competitive biker and don't think that
>I'll become one.
>
>I'm down to 6 bikes: Specialized Roubaix, Allez, and LeMond Big Sky.
>I'm also considering the Allez and binanchi vigorelli, veloce, and
>giro.
>
>I care a lot about comfort. I'm a little confused.
>

_ I would take a really close look at the LeMond Big Sky. It was
definitely built with comfort in mind. It's got a relaxed
geometry, long chainstays, an adjustable stem and the ability to
put fat tires on it if you wish. The last is a refreshing change
from the majority of road bikes out there these days. Most will
not allow a tire larger than 25-28mm. As far as comfort goes,
nothing is more comfortable than fatter tires. It's built to do
exactly the kind of riding you are talking about.

_ As far as 105 vs Ultegra, I would not worry about that much
and pay much more attention to the frame and fit of the bike.
I suspect if you do some test rides, one of those bikes will
stand out as the one for you. Comfort on long rides is about
getting the right fit more than anything else, you want to
buy a bike that can be made to fit you in the style you want.

_ Booker C. Bense

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[[email protected]]

Harris wrote:
> Reza <[email protected]> wrote:
> > Hi -- I want to buy my first road bike. I'm interested in the
> > $1000-1600 price range and want at least 105 components. I intent
to
> > use the bike for long solo rides and possibly training with a few
> > friends for a race. I'm not a competitive biker and don't think
that
> > I'll become one.
>
> > I'm down to 6 bikes: Specialized Roubaix, Allez, and LeMond Big
Sky.
> > I'm also considering the Allez and binanchi vigorelli, veloce, and
> > giro.
>
> > I care a lot about comfort. I'm a little confused.
>
> You need a bike that fits your needs. If you will be climbing a lot
of
> hills, look for a triple. Since comfort is a priority to you, make
sure
> the bike has clearance for at least 700x28 tires. Choose a shop that
you
> trust, test ride some bikes, and make sure you get fitted correctly.
>
> > Any thoughts on the whole 105/ultegra debate would be appreciated.
Is
> > ultegra worth an extra $400?
>
> Is the price difference really that much? Definitely not worth it. Go
with
> 105.
>
Agree, fit is the number one criteria for whether you will be
comfortable! As Art stated, find a good shop that knows how to fit you.
I would recommend you read the following:

http://www.rivendellbicycles.com/html/rr_comfposition.html

http://www.rivendellbicycles.com/html/rr_stems.html

http://www.rivendellbicycles.com/html/bikes_framesize.html

In fact, if you can find a dealer near you, another bike in your price
range is the Rivendell Romulus:
http://www.rivendellbicycles.com/html/bikes_romulusframes.html

 

[Blair P. Houghton]

B i l l S o r n s o n <[email protected]> wrote:
>My advice: buy the bike that "speaks to you" -- that makes you want to jump
>on it and ride every time you look at it.

Sorry. It's with me now.

I've owned that bike since 1986.

--Blair
"Could do with a new chain, maybe."

 

[DT]

While it was not on your short list don't rule out Giant. This summer I
took the leap from hybrid to the Giant OCR2. I prepared myself for
disappointment just in case there was little in terms of performance
improvements. But I could not have been more surprised by the incredible
performance differences. So far I've logged 1,100 km on it an just love
it. I've ridden it hard and have no problems yet except for the need to
make minor adjustments to gears and brakes to keep in tune.



"Booker C. Bense"
<[email protected]> wrote in
message news:[email protected]...
> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
>
> In article <[email protected]>,
> Reza <[email protected]> wrote:
> >Hi -- I want to buy my first road bike. I'm interested in the
> >$1000-1600 price range and want at least 105 components. I intent to
> >use the bike for long solo rides and possibly training with a few
> >friends for a race. I'm not a competitive biker and don't think that
> >I'll become one.
> >
> >I'm down to 6 bikes: Specialized Roubaix, Allez, and LeMond Big Sky.
> >I'm also considering the Allez and binanchi vigorelli, veloce, and
> >giro.
> >
> >I care a lot about comfort. I'm a little confused.
> >
>
> _ I would take a really close look at the LeMond Big Sky. It was
> definitely built with comfort in mind. It's got a relaxed
> geometry, long chainstays, an adjustable stem and the ability to
> put fat tires on it if you wish. The last is a refreshing change
> from the majority of road bikes out there these days. Most will
> not allow a tire larger than 25-28mm. As far as comfort goes,
> nothing is more comfortable than fatter tires. It's built to do
> exactly the kind of riding you are talking about.
>
> _ As far as 105 vs Ultegra, I would not worry about that much
> and pay much more attention to the frame and fit of the bike.
> I suspect if you do some test rides, one of those bikes will
> stand out as the one for you. Comfort on long rides is about
> getting the right fit more than anything else, you want to
> buy a bike that can be made to fit you in the style you want.
>
> _ Booker C. Bense
>
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> -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----


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