Hello everyone, probably gonna get flamed for this one but I just wanted to know what peoples thoughts are.
I moved to Sydney recently and didn't bring my bike with me although it was a modest road bike and was only used for commuting which I did nearly everyday.
I want to start cycling here but not just for commuting (actually may not commute at all), the weather and road conditions are so much better here.
I've been in a few cycle shops around Sydney and mainly the big one in Chatswood that stocks Specialized and Avanti. I looked at the Avanti Carbino 1.0, 2.0 and Corsa and also the Specialized Roubaix and Tarmac. I've sat on all of them but haven't rode any of them, basically one of the older gentlemen in the shop said that if I went out for a quick spin on any of them I'd probably prefer the Specialized (more expensive bikes but doesn't always mean better). When explaining about the Specialized range he told me that roughly speaking the Tarmacs are more of a Formula one bike for a racer whereas the Roubaixs are Forumula one for the "more" normal rider. The Roubaix and Tarmac Comps are the same price at about $3.6k and the Experts are about $4.6k. Anyone riding these and what do they think of them ? Components seems to be the only real difference between both Comps and Experts in their range with the same frame on each range although the very bright red colour woudn't be my cup of tea at all. I was told that 105 stuff is absolutely fine for say around 200km's a week.
The guys in the shop have been very helpful and have given me a lot of advice (whether it's good or bad depends on me I guess).
My main worry is buying something that I'm not happy with in a years time. I realize that some people will say I'm being foolish and wasting money buying some of the bikes I've mentioned when I'm only starting out so to speak in this country and I can understand that opinion. I don't drive, no kids, single & not married so cost is not as much of a factor for me but I'm careful with money and just want to get the best thing I can for myself from the start. I realize that I have to spend more money on other things apart from the bike itself.
For the people that have their flame throwers ready go easy on me.
Thanks in advance,
Steve
I moved to Sydney recently and didn't bring my bike with me although it was a modest road bike and was only used for commuting which I did nearly everyday.
I want to start cycling here but not just for commuting (actually may not commute at all), the weather and road conditions are so much better here.
I've been in a few cycle shops around Sydney and mainly the big one in Chatswood that stocks Specialized and Avanti. I looked at the Avanti Carbino 1.0, 2.0 and Corsa and also the Specialized Roubaix and Tarmac. I've sat on all of them but haven't rode any of them, basically one of the older gentlemen in the shop said that if I went out for a quick spin on any of them I'd probably prefer the Specialized (more expensive bikes but doesn't always mean better). When explaining about the Specialized range he told me that roughly speaking the Tarmacs are more of a Formula one bike for a racer whereas the Roubaixs are Forumula one for the "more" normal rider. The Roubaix and Tarmac Comps are the same price at about $3.6k and the Experts are about $4.6k. Anyone riding these and what do they think of them ? Components seems to be the only real difference between both Comps and Experts in their range with the same frame on each range although the very bright red colour woudn't be my cup of tea at all. I was told that 105 stuff is absolutely fine for say around 200km's a week.
The guys in the shop have been very helpful and have given me a lot of advice (whether it's good or bad depends on me I guess).
My main worry is buying something that I'm not happy with in a years time. I realize that some people will say I'm being foolish and wasting money buying some of the bikes I've mentioned when I'm only starting out so to speak in this country and I can understand that opinion. I don't drive, no kids, single & not married so cost is not as much of a factor for me but I'm careful with money and just want to get the best thing I can for myself from the start. I realize that I have to spend more money on other things apart from the bike itself.
For the people that have their flame throwers ready go easy on me.
Thanks in advance,
Steve