login
Help me buy a bike......
-
No new posts
 2006-08-08 12:07 PM |
 Subject: Help me buy a bike......Posted it on gear reviews, but no responses... c'mon, no opinions from THIS crowd?? OK, went bike shopping this weekend, both online and in stores....... Here's what I found. My budget is around $2500 (how much around is left to be said......), but there are so many options. I understand that it's all about the fit, but for purposes of this conversation let's assume they all fit (I will ride each one, don't worry). The question here is more about materials. what seems like the better deal? Stay with aluminum and buy better wheels? Or go with a better frame? Other considerations I'm missing? I am moving to HIM next season and foresee lots of long training rides. Plan on keeping the old 16+ year old Trek roadie for centuries, trainer, etc. Here's the options Well within budget - Or.... (1) Scott Plasma - Although I haven't been able to ride it yet because the shop doesn't want to cut down the integrated post. This is also the 2006 105 package, which the LBS said is better than last year's ultegra. True? Has a non replaceable rear deraiilieur (sp?). Is that a big issue? non issue?. Carbon, 105. Might be a little too flashy. AND, would you buy a bike without being able to ride it first?? (2) 2005 Litespeed Saber - DA derailleurs, ultegra mix, titanium frame (yes, it's in budget), will ride a friend's on Saturday (3) Kuota K Factor - LTS didn't have Ks in stock but has Kaliburs (of course), ultegra. This is the one that makes my heart race (and it comes in red OR black Thoughts? Edited by ChrisM 2006-08-08 12:09 PM |
| 2006-08-08 12:38 PM in reply to: #505457 |
Champion  4902    Ottawa, Ontario | Subject: RE: Help me buy a bike...... The Dual is one of the best deals in the $2000 price range. Buying this bike would leave you enough money to buy good pedals, a helmet and some nifty glasses, maybe even a tri suit to boot. The P2SL, at $2500 is one of the best buys on the market today in any price range. It comes standard with DA components. You could buy the frameset for about $1250 and build it up with Ultegra yourself but that would probably cost you more than $2500. This is my bike of choice because I own one and think it is fantastic! |
| 2006-08-08 5:22 PM in reply to: #505457 |
Pro 4228 Broomfield, Colorado | Subject: RE: Help me buy a bike...... Yeah, but which bike FEELS the best. If you are going drop some serious cash, make sure it is comfortable. They truly all sound great Chris! |
| 2006-08-08 7:16 PM in reply to: #505457 |
| Perth | Subject: RE: Help me buy a bike...... I just picked up a Giant TCR Trinity (the blue one) for about that price...all carbon and Dura Ace...for the specs it was the best buy I could find. Sorry if I added another one to the list, I had about 8 on my list including most of the ones you listed, some are just a bit more dificult to get in Australia so a few were ruled out on the fact that I couldn't ride them first. |
| 2006-08-08 8:39 PM in reply to: #505457 |
Master 1924 Denver | Subject: RE: Help me buy a bike...... For that kind of money, I wouldn't buy anything without Ultegra as a minimum. I don't buy the bike shop BS that 105 is better than last years Ultegra. I have a 2001 Litespeed with 9-sp Ultegra and it shifts beter than my newer QR 105 Tri bike. As for frames, DO NOT leave any shop, bike in hand, that you did not ride first, then get fit on. If the shop doesn't offer that service, find one that does. Believe me, it exists. |
| 2006-08-09 8:27 AM in reply to: #505457 |
Champion 19812 MA | Subject: RE: Help me buy a bike...... K Factor......you know I love mine....my bike speeds are up, my enjoyment of riding is up too, time in the saddle is up too! For the price for a carbon frame it is an excellant value compared to most other bikes speced similarly. Bummer they didn't have one to test ride as that is really one of the best ways to know if it fits as well as comparing measurements against a professional fit. Any other shops carry them so you could test ride it? When I test road the K Factor they guy when I brought it back wondered if I was ever coming back...it fit out of the box pretty close, and wow it was great.
|
| 2006-08-09 9:08 AM in reply to: #505457 |
| 12 | Subject: RE: Help me buy a bike...... I have a couple questions for you.... 1) how much do you weigh and how much do you plan on weighing on race day? Reasons behind those questions are as follows. A $2500 full carbon bike is cheap carbon as you know there are many different grades of carbon and a full bike for that prices is again cheap carbon and if you are on the bigger side the bike may feel flexy. Bikes again as you know are made in different stiffness's for different sizes and are based on an average size rider for that size bike ex - 56cm bike avg 5"10- 6" weight 170. So if you weight 140 its a stiff bike and the oppsite is true if you weight more. 2) How felxable are you. Are you willing to streach?. Lots of people feel the need for a tri bike which in reality they should be on a road bike with short clip on aerobars. Do you have any back, knee or hip problems which would stop you from getting the PROPER tribike fit? You have seen it at races, people who's legs go out to the side that is very bad fit and useless. The true tri bike fit is a very uncomfortable position for a while but will become a very smooth fast ride after many many many miles, mine took over 500 miles. The position also has a lot do to with fitness which goes back to the statement that lots of people who have tri bike should not. Anyways back to the bikes Stay away from a triple and I would'nt say new new 105 is better but its close. If you can get mavic wheels they are by far the best out there. DA /ulterga bikes are tuff to pass up. |
| 2006-08-09 12:16 PM in reply to: #505457 |
| Subject: RE: Help me buy a bike...... Thanks all for the advice worksman - I weigh 235, and will likely never weigh any less than 220 on race day. No flexibility problems (other than a lack of flexibility I am taking a friend's Saber for a 20 miler on Friday morning, so I'll get to ride that one at least. |
| 2006-08-09 5:35 PM in reply to: #505457 |
Veteran 266 McAllen, TX | Subject: RE: Help me buy a bike...... I think if you have the option of titanium vs. aluminum, go with titanium. It makes all the difference on longer rides because of its ability to dampen road vibration, and it's also more resistant than carbon. You don't have to worry about it being scratched, or cracked. To me the Saber sounds like the better option. Oh, and don't get anything less than Ultegra. |
| 2006-08-09 5:38 PM in reply to: #505457 |
Veteran 266 McAllen, TX | Subject: RE: Help me buy a bike...... http://www.all3sports.com/product_info.php?pName=litespeed-saber-complete-bike-2005 They have a 55 and a 57 for $2600, 2005 model. |
| 2006-08-09 5:50 PM in reply to: #505457 |
Member 22 | Subject: RE: Help me buy a bike...... Personally, I would buy this... http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/nemesis06_SPECIAL.ht... Add Zipp 404's, a Louis Garneau TT helmet, hire a coach for 1 on 1 training, and use the extra money to take an understanding wife out to dinner (substitute nice carbon Tri shoes if wife isn't a factor) You will notice a bigger difference in the engine. EDIT: I rode one last week at the local bikes direct store. Outstanding at that price. Edited by morepower4me 2006-08-09 5:52 PM |
| 2006-08-09 6:29 PM in reply to: #507144 |
| Subject: RE: Help me buy a bike...... smorenog - 2006-08-09 3:38 PM http://www.all3sports.com/product_info.php?pName=litespeed-saber-complete-bike-2005 They have a 55 and a 57 for $2600, 2005 model. shhhhhhhh |
| 2006-08-09 8:13 PM in reply to: #507206 |
Veteran 266 McAllen, TX | Subject: RE: Help me buy a bike...... ChrisM - 2006-08-09 6:29 PM smorenog - 2006-08-09 3:38 PM http://www.all3sports.com/product_info.php?pName=litespeed-saber-complete-bike-2005 They have a 55 and a 57 for $2600, 2005 model. shhhhhhhh OOOPSS, sorry THERE IS NOTHING TO SEE HERE PEOPLE, PLEASE DISPERSE!!!!! |
|
|
|
View profile
Add to friends
Go to training log
Go to race log
Send a message
View album
CONNECT WITH FACEBOOK