I am going to be buying a new roadbike in the next couple months(when I get my tax returns).
I'm looking for recommendations.
I was thinking about a Lemond, but I've been told that they're just Treks with a different name.
I've been told Kleins are good.
So, I was wondering what you guys thought?
SeditiousCanary
Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2006 5:34 am
sorry, can't make it!Joined: 26 Jan 2006Posts: 2315Location: Fremont Troll
Both Lemand and Klein are owned by Trek, so there you go. Neither one ride like a Trek though, so it's more about what your looking for out of the bike. I would start by trying to figure out what sort of frame you want and go from there.
Do you want a steal, alloy, carbon, or ti frame?
Will you be doing club rides, crits, time trials, touring?
Do you want a tripple or a double?
Do you want cantis or calipers?
As this becomes more clear, you can start looking at what different brands have to offer that is in line with what you want. Plus, it helps us make better recomendations.
josh m
Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2006 5:51 am
Joined: 09 Jan 2006Posts: 448Location: portland
SeditiousCanary wrote:
I would start by trying to figure out what sort of frame you want and go from there.
Good idea!
Quote:
Do you want a steal, alloy, carbon, or ti frame?
no clue. I'm not that tech savy enough to notice the difference, really. I want something that is light, but durable, something I could probably wreck on and not worry about it getting all eff'd up.
Quote:
Will you be doing club rides, crits, time trials, touring?
I will be mostly using it for any long rides, like this years' STP, stuff like that. Probably anything long that I expect to hit hills with. But most likely nothing really racing, just long rides.
Quote:
Do you want a tripple or a double?
Double. I've yet to ever use the smallest ring on my current road bike.
Quote:
Do you want cantis or calipers?
whatever works. I'm not that picky.
SeditiousCanary
Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2006 6:56 am
sorry, can't make it!Joined: 26 Jan 2006Posts: 2315Location: Fremont Troll
I'm going to go out on a limb here and say you want steel (cro-mo). Steel can be pretty light and is very sturdy. It's certainly the most crash worthy of the lot.
Double, check
I would totally kill it as an option, but cantis are not something you need. If you were touring or cyclocrossing, worth having, but long rides like you talk about are not. This is to say, if you fine an amazing deal/frame/fit with cantis, you would be fine with it, but it's not a requirement or feature you need to seek out.
The Lemond Sarth and Croix de Fer (Ultegra and 105 respectively) would both be good. They both have True Temper OX Platinum Steel tubing and a carbon fork.
The Bianchi Vigorelli is another good option with Reynolds 631 tubing, carbon fork and Ultegra group.
Also worth asking is do you want a complete bike or a "custom" bike where you choose all the parts on the bike and build it yourself?
lantius
Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2006 9:27 am
1337Joined: 22 Jul 2005Posts: 6705Location: right over
i also have to ask, are you looking for a new bike or hunting craigslist style? i've had great luck with used roadies on craigslist, i built up my awesome cannondale road bike for around $400 by scoring craigslist deals for the most part. especially if you know a thing or two about bikes, you can often get pretty good deals on really good older road stuff.
let me also just throw in a vote for downtube shifting. light and cheap!
josh m
Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2006 9:35 am
Joined: 09 Jan 2006Posts: 448Location: portland
I'm probably going w/ a New complete bike.
I want to go in and make sure it's all the right fit for long rides.
I plan to be doing a lot more of them this summer.
I have downtube shifters on my bianchi... i remember putting my hand into the tire many of times ;) I'll probably go w/ sti style shifters.
sekai
Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2006 9:48 am
Joined: 25 Jul 2005Posts: 1466Location: on the lake
sti rocks! my advise, ride a ton of bikes. each bike will fit deferently. a 56 trek will feel different that a 56 lemond, cannondale ect... ride ride ride, you'll feel the difference between materials, little things like carbon stems, bars, froks can really alter a bikes feel. go in with a price in mind. as long as you realistic you'll be able to find something great.
lieutenantsean
Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2006 9:49 am
Joined: 10 Oct 2005Posts: 1255
It's worthwhile to think long and hard about how you intend to use your bike. I'm pretty big on buying a bike that is appropriate to your needs.
If most of what you do is going to be commuting, then a bike built up for racing probably isn't going to be your best bet.
For just a general GP bike, here are things I would be looking at:
1) Wheels. Don't get sucked into the really light wheels. They just aren't as strong. A 32 spoke wheels is a pretty good starting point. They'll last longer and aren't as bitchy about maintenance.
2) Avoid carbon fiber forks, seatposts, etc. They do save you weight, but are limited on how much weight they can handle and how much abuse they will endure before telling you to go fuck yourself in a catastrophic manner.
3)Components: The only place where higher quality is really worth the money are things that involve bearings, particularly hubs and bottom brackets. I dropped the cash for some high end hubs and with the rainy winter, have been glad I did.
Lee's bit about down tube shifters is well taken. They are simple and light. Simple means hard to fuck up and easy to fix/maintain.
Also, are you going to want to put racks on? Look for braze-ons.
Not everyone uses triples. But if you are contemplating touring, they are nice.
That said, the folks at River City are pretty good about matching the cyclist up to an appropriate bike and they keep a good selection on hand. And they are in your area. I'm a little disenchanted with the Bike Gallery and didn't go there often when I still lived down in PDX.
_________________ Bringing you Retro-Grouchiness since 1984
josh m
Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2006 10:00 am
Joined: 09 Jan 2006Posts: 448Location: portland
thanks.
I pretty much only go to river city if i'm looking at new bikes.
dennyt
Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2006 10:49 am
rocket mechanicJoined: 02 Aug 2005Posts: 2708
Yeah, STI is nice, but if you crash as often as I do, they can get really expensive to replace.
Stanglor
Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2006 11:29 am
Joined: 28 Jan 2006Posts: 555Location: Wallingford
dennyt wrote:
Yeah, STI is nice, but if you crash as often as I do, they can get really expensive to replace.
Replace? I just push them back into place and go. It aint pretty but they still work after a season of racing (at least 5-10 good fast crashes...I got some pretty legs). The derailleur hanger and the frame on the other hand have both been replaced (frame warrantied), and I've gone at the rear derailleur with vice grips a couple times to get it to cooperate.
Torch
Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2006 11:58 am
TerranceJoined: 24 Jul 2005Posts: 1637Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
i ride an entry-level trek 1000, and i love it like oprah loves bacon.
_________________ "the only difference between me and a madman is that i am not mad."
- Salvador Dali
Aaron
Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2006 1:48 pm
Joined: 25 Jul 2005Posts: 4645
Lugged Steel!
If you want to have a bike for many years to come, get steel. Lugged steel is better and prettier.
Kogswell, Heron, Rivendell to name a few. Plus there are tons of botique builders like Vanilla or Strawberry. There are others builders like Co-Motion that build steel by TIG welding it, but not as pretty in my book. Lugs do not alter the ride of steel. A TIG and Lugged bike with the same tubes and geometry will ride exactly the same.
Also, frame material is WAY less important than good design and a bike that fits you well. And as for comfort and performance, wheels and tires play a huge part.
The ride of steel and it's durability will win you over. And if you ever do fuck it up or crack a tube, it can be repaired. Usually fast and at a fraction of the cost of a new frame, and it will be a good as new. Also, every major city in the USA has a frame builder and they all work with steel.
Today we live in a thow-away society.
Alminum, Carbon and Titanium all can be repaired, but nobody does it (well some do, but most of the time they tell you your frame is dead). Basically throw-away bikes. They are primarily made for racing.
2 other factors to consider when buying a new bike are: Do you want to be able to run wide tires and Do you want fenders? Few bikes do both well.
lieutenantsean
Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2006 1:54 pm
Joined: 10 Oct 2005Posts: 1255
Aaron wrote:
There are others builders like Co-Motion that build steel by TIG welding it, but not as pretty in my book.
BLASPHEMER!
The welds on my Co-motion are all very clean and very pretty.
I'm afraid I shall now have to kick you in the man parts.
_________________ Bringing you Retro-Grouchiness since 1984
Aaron
Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2006 2:01 pm
Joined: 25 Jul 2005Posts: 4645
You riding Thrusday?
Yes, I have seen ugly lugs and beautiful tigs.
Luggs look trick and futuristic! My bike looks like a space ship, yours looks like a boat anchor.
See you in the OCTAGON!
lieutenantsean
Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2006 2:06 pm
Joined: 10 Oct 2005Posts: 1255
Aaron wrote:
You riding Thrusday?
No not riding thursday. I have drill this weekend. Means I have to spend thursday night getting my stuff together so I can roll out of here Friday afternoon.
Aaron wrote:
Yes, I have seen ugly lugs and beautiful tigs.
Luggs look trick and futuristic! My bike looks like a space ship, yours looks like a boat anchor.
See you in the OCTAGON!
Yes. Unfortunately I am now honor bound to eviscerate you, drain your blood and smear it all over my naked body in celebration of my regained honor.
_________________ Bringing you Retro-Grouchiness since 1984
dennyt
Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2006 2:22 pm
rocket mechanicJoined: 02 Aug 2005Posts: 2708
Oh man, I saw a lugged Bridgestone MB-1 locked up on the ave the other day. So pretty.
When I was buying my first real mountain bike in '91 or '92, it was a debate between the Canondale M1000 and the Bridgestone MB-2 or something like that. I bought the cannondale, cracked it in a year, and bridgestone stopped selling bikes in the US the next year or two. I shoulda got the lugged steel and held onto it forever.
Aaron
Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2006 2:26 pm
Joined: 25 Jul 2005Posts: 4645
Early 90's Cannondales cracked so often, they gave the company the name Crack-an-Fail
Aluminum bike manufacturing has come a long way in the past 15 years. After the cold war ended, a lot of smart people needed work and entered the bike industry. That is one reason you see so much cardboard fiber now.
zuvembi
Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2006 2:27 pm
Joined: 24 Jul 2005Posts: 942Location: Little Addis Ababa
lieutenantsean wrote:
Lee's bit about down tube shifters is well taken. They are simple and light. Simple means hard to fuck up and easy to fix/maintain.
I'm a big fan of bar-cons personally. The simplicity of DT shifters, but much better placement.
Most of the OP's criteria could be reached with a Surly CrossCheck. Of course, I am biased, since that's what I've been riding for the past couple of years. I'm rather fond of it's ability to take large tires and fenders.
Joined: 24 Jul 2005Posts: 942Location: Little Addis Ababa
I do have to say the Porteur is fairly Sexxay.
joby
Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2006 5:27 pm
goes to elevenJoined: 25 Jul 2005Posts: 3899Location: The Cloud
I'll probably be excommunicated from .83 for saying this, but I don't think bike brands matter all that much.
I'd look for a good component group and good wheels attached to a frame that fits you, all for a good price. Just remember to look past derailers when evaluating components. The headset, bottom bracket and hubs are also important.
If you decide in a couple years to you HAVE to have a particular frame type, buy one and move the components.
Bikes don’t have souls. They’re just parts bolted together.
And there’s nothing wrong with Aluminum bikes. Aluminum is 100% recyclable :-)
josh m
Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2006 8:56 pm
Joined: 09 Jan 2006Posts: 448Location: portland
i would fucking love a vanilla.. but you know.. that fucking $1600 price tag...
thanks for the advice, guys.
Alastair
Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2006 10:48 pm
Joined: 12 Jan 2006Posts: 475Location: U-district/Ravenna
Or you could just be like me and do a combination of selling your soul and not eating for a couple of years (how do you guys think I stay so skinny) and blow every dollar you earn on building a sweet frame.
As a nod to Aaron, it is a steel lugged frame too. I hope to be able to unveil it to everyone in the next month or two. Aaron will get the sneak preview as I plan on constructing it there.
joby
Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2006 10:50 pm
goes to elevenJoined: 25 Jul 2005Posts: 3899Location: The Cloud
Alastair wrote:
Or you could just be like me and do a combination of selling your soul and not eating for a couple of years (how do you guys think I stay so skinny) and blow every dollar you earn on building a sweet frame.
As a nod to Aaron, it is a steel lugged frame too. I hope to be able to unveil it to everyone in the next month or two. Aaron will get the sneak preview as I plan on constructing it there.
Building a frame?? Like, buy lugs and tubing and a brazing torch?
Alastair
Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 4:20 pm
Joined: 12 Jan 2006Posts: 475Location: U-district/Ravenna
joby wrote:
Building a frame?? Like, buy lugs and tubing and a brazing torch?
Sorry, I said that totally wrong. I have a prebuilt lugged steel frame. I'm just wasting all my money on components. At least when I'm done, I won't have to worry about blowing too much money on bikes for a long time. Although I do want to build up a fixie as well... and a cyclocross bike... and a... shiat.
josh m
Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 4:52 pm
Joined: 09 Jan 2006Posts: 448Location: portland
Well, I am going to build up my own fixie.
i was planning on just buying a new frame for my current, but eh, fuck it. I'm just going to build up a nice one and have this one as a beater.
The frame will be on the cheap side(pake), but everything else I plan to drop decent $$ on.
I'm going to go w/ the black and red look.
josh m
Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2006 7:39 am
Joined: 09 Jan 2006Posts: 448Location: portland
I found a 2000 Bianchi Veloce. The guy claims he's ridden it like 4 times. He bought it for touring, but never rode it, mostly just his MTB.
Anyway, he's selling it for $500. So I'm going to go take a look at that soon.
terrydean
Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2006 11:48 am
rocker boiJoined: 24 Jul 2005Posts: 1535Location: santa fe, i think
joby wrote:
I'll probably be excommunicated from .83 for saying this, but I don't think bike brands matter all that much.
I'd look for a good component group and good wheels attached to a frame that fits you, all for a good price. Just remember to look past derailers when evaluating components. The headset, bottom bracket and hubs are also important.
If you decide in a couple years to you HAVE to have a particular frame type, buy one and move the components.
Bikes don’t have souls. They’re just parts bolted together.
And there’s nothing wrong with Aluminum bikes. Aluminum is 100% recyclable :-)
I totally agree with you on all points. It's more about what you can do with the bike than what the bike is made from or who it was made by. Nice caponets makes it easier to ride, maintain and love, while the shitty stuff will make you hate your bike and your life. Frames are sticks of metal welded or brazed together, some done so better than others, but still.
I just usually go for cheap/free, but nice quality, which is pretty much impossible to find, haha. My Avanti is like 98% recycled (I bought the seat post from some guy in West Seattle after I broke the used one) and I couldn't really be more happy with it.. except I could probably use a more comfy seat.. but yeah.
Really, I'm just rambeling. I don't think anything I have to say will aid in Josh's search one bit. and also, i spell like a champ.
Aaron
Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2006 8:47 pm
Joined: 25 Jul 2005Posts: 4645
I would say that the frame is the heart of a bike. It determines how the bike will ride and how it will fit. It determines if you can run fenders and/or big tires and how long the bike will last.
Components are pretty much replaceable. Invest in a good frame that FITS you well! Decide if fenders interest you.
For components, the best ones to invest in are where your body contacts the bike. Good handlebars and stem, Nice crank & pedals, Comfy seat. Other parts to invest in are good hubs and strong rims. Brakes, Derailleurs, Shifers etc. They don't matter so much as long as you get resonable quality. You can always skimp at first on them and upgrade as you wear them out. Things like handlebars and cranks (minus the chainrings) should pretty much be one time purchases as they do not wear out.
Get a Brooks saddle!
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sorry, can't make it!
Joined: 26 Jan 2006
Posts: 2315
Location: Fremont Troll
1337
Joined: 22 Jul 2005
Posts: 6705
Location: right over
Joined: 10 Oct 2005
Posts: 1255
rocket mechanic
Joined: 02 Aug 2005
Posts: 2708
Joined: 28 Jan 2006
Posts: 555
Location: Wallingford
Terrance
Joined: 24 Jul 2005
Posts: 1637
Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Joined: 24 Jul 2005
Posts: 942
Location: Little Addis Ababa
goes to eleven
Joined: 25 Jul 2005
Posts: 3899
Location: The Cloud
rocker boi
Joined: 24 Jul 2005
Posts: 1535
Location: santa fe, i think
