Finally a Road Bike!
2173
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1512 days
gfd posted 51 weeks ago.
TriSooner wrote:
Those Orbeas are so hot.
The LBS guy said "The Giant is a great bike. It is like a Honda or a Toyota. Reliable, sturdy and fun to drive. The Orbea is a Porsche in the same price range." Then he went on to say nothing else except "Wait until you test ride it. It will speak for itself" Aesthetically, the Giant is just as hot though. Which was surprising to me.
"If we help someone else up a steep hill, we get nearer to the top ourselves." ~Unknown~
~Garen~
http://baldhungariantriproject.blogspot.com/
121
Member
768 days
spomeroy posted 51 weeks ago.
Personally I've got my eyes on the Specialized. A NUMBER of roadies Ive run into on both coasts seem to like this bike.
cheers
S.
237
Member
909 days
burnman posted 51 weeks ago.
One year, I got a new throne for my drum set. I thought that was cool. Rideability being equal, go for the Orbea.
169
Member
383 days
DannoE posted 51 weeks ago.
Probably not the popular opinion, but buy a bike you can afford and then hire a babysitter and take your wife out to dinner.
DannoE
"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one..."
http://www.storytellersplaybook.blogspot.com
363
Member
619 days
jwillia852 posted 51 weeks ago.
I LOVE my '08 Madone 4.5... Rides like a dream and is nice and light! 105/Ultegra combo, and Bontrager Race rims. Very fun!
Jeff
160
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416 days
katarddx posted 51 weeks ago.
Buy American!
i dont know... thisis the only thing that poped in my mind right now...just came from vacation... cant think....
CroatiaN SensatioN
2173
Member
1512 days
gfd posted 51 weeks ago.
DannoE wrote:
Probably not the popular opinion, but buy a bike you can afford and then hire a babysitter and take your wife out to dinner.
She is the best. Greatest surprise ever. Literally speechless when I opened the present. I thought I was getting an Ipod and I wasn't sure how I felt about it. My kids, parents, and in-laws even kept the secret.
"If we help someone else up a steep hill, we get nearer to the top ourselves." ~Unknown~
~Garen~
http://baldhungariantriproject.blogspot.com/
2173
Member
1512 days
gfd posted 51 weeks ago.
jwillia852 wrote:
I LOVE my '08 Madone 4.5... Rides like a dream and is nice and light! 105/Ultegra combo, and Bontrager Race rims. Very fun!
I am heading over to check out the Madone in about an hour.
"If we help someone else up a steep hill, we get nearer to the top ourselves." ~Unknown~
~Garen~
http://baldhungariantriproject.blogspot.com/
368
Member
781 days
chekmarks posted 51 weeks ago.
the cervelo may not be the prettiest bike but i love it. if you have a carbon tri bike the aluminum frame might be nice to have for shitty weather etc. its just an awesome bike.
322
Member
475 days
paganopj posted 51 weeks ago.
I'm partial to Giant...seems like you get more bike for the coin, I compared Giant, Trek, Specialized, Felt and Cannondale. Road them all too....I settled on a Giant TCR A1 and couldn't be happier with it. Cannondale in the same price range was all aluminum and 9sp Shimano Sora parts. I got 105 10spd set with Tiagra brakes on the Giant.
Now, I do have to admit, while Giant looks great, the Orbea is definitely hot....
Just keep spinning....spinning, spinning....uh, do I know you?
(Blog)The Losing Journey Flickr Cycling Log
409
Member
668 days
zagfan posted 51 weeks ago.
I have an '05 Specialized Tarmac Pro and absolutely love it. Its an aggressive road bike as far as position so it depends on what you are looking for in fit. Great on your family for taking care of you on your 40th.
"Pain is temporary. Quitting lasts forever." Lance Armstrong
444
Member
740 days
diva_mom posted 51 weeks ago.
congrats on your new toy, and for having the family that understands you
Don't be so easy on yourself 'cause this one might be all that you have left
5
Member
2277 days
Dave Riley posted 51 weeks ago.
I bought a Cannondale Synapse 3 SL last year (2008). It's a gloss black carbon frame with Mavic Equipe wheels - Dura-ace rear, Ultegra front. I found one on sale for $2100 last September. I'm 56 years old, so the laid-back, more upright geometry helps. You wouldn't notice in the performance...it hauls ass and is very comfortable to ride. I just got back from a 45 miler and feel like doing another. I considered some of the bikes you mentioned as well as Felt Z-35 and Look 555 (it's now called by another name - but it's sold right at the $2000+ price point). Not to complicate your enviable situation, but consider those models if they're around. One thing I would advise...make sure you get a bike that fits. Don't assume that you know your correct size. There are too many variables that effect comfort, efficiency, ride quality, etc. I spent 2 years shopping for my bike before I settled on the Synapse. It just fit great, and there was no doubt about it when I pulled the trigger and made the purchase. Good luck, and let us know when you get it.
2173
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1512 days
gfd posted 51 weeks ago.
The Madone was sold. I have to wait a week or so for an 09 to come in. The LBS said they would work with me on $.
Rode the Giant and Orbea this afternoon. Both great, but the Giant seemed more responsive and a little bit quicker. The Orbea has some nicer features but not $400 dollars better at all.
Thanks for all the advice. I am going to take my time. Next week I will try out the C-dales and the Specialized.
"If we help someone else up a steep hill, we get nearer to the top ourselves." ~Unknown~
~Garen~
http://baldhungariantriproject.blogspot.com/
87
Member
406 days
noahwvu88 posted 51 weeks ago.
I have a '08 Specialized Tarmac and love it...I weigh around 190 and this bike is very comfortable for me...
2173
Member
1512 days
gfd posted 50 weeks ago.
Dave Riley wrote:
I bought a Cannondale Synapse 3 SL last year (2008). It just fit great, and there was no doubt about it when I pulled the trigger and made the purchase. Good luck, and let us know when you get it.
Just spent 3 hours with the C-dale/Trek dealer. Greatest guy ever. He remembered me from 4 years ago when I was tri bike shopping. The Synapse Carbon 5 is unbelievable as is the Six Carbon 6. They both blew away the Madone 4.7 IMO. The 6 is $1000 cheaper than the Madone and it was quicker, climbed better, and was just as comfortable. The Synapse was even a step above and it is $500 cheaper than the Madone. Only knock is the rear der. is 105, but it seemed to shift OK. If they had the Six Carbon 5 it would be a really hard choice, but they can't get one until June and I'm not that patient.
Only ones left to try are the Specialized and Bianchi. If time I will be there tomorrow night.
"If we help someone else up a steep hill, we get nearer to the top ourselves." ~Unknown~
~Garen~
http://baldhungariantriproject.blogspot.com/
1193
Member
958 days
TryScott posted 50 weeks ago.
I don't have any suggestions, but I do wish I had your problem... which bike to choose.
2173
Member
1512 days
gfd posted 50 weeks ago.
http://video.cannondale.com/images/09/CUSA/large/9RCS4C_9RCS4D_blu.jpg
Put a deposit down on the Synapse tonight. I thought this was going to be a tough decision, but it turned out to be a no-brainer. This bike felt amazing, fit perfectly, the LBS was great, and it looks sweet as well. I have to wait until the end of the month for it to come in because I decided to upgrade to the SRAM Rival and the Mavic wheels. It is going to be a long April.
"If we help someone else up a steep hill, we get nearer to the top ourselves." ~Unknown~
~Garen~
http://baldhungariantriproject.blogspot.com/
I have wanted a roady going on three years now. I had some $ saved up but spent it trying to save my dog last summer, so I thought it never was going to happen. On Wednesday I turned 40 and my wife and children surprised me with a box containing a picture of a road bike and some cash that my family put together. So my wonderful "problem" is what road bile to I get with around 2K to spend. I am leaning toward buying local this time, instead of driving an hour plus like I did for my Cervelo P2SL.
Local options are:
Giant - Defy Advantage 3 w/105 + Ultegra rear derailer. Full carbon and sweet to look at. $2000
Orbea - Onix TDE w/SRAM Rival and Mavic Axioms $2400. Full carbon.
Will be test riding both tomorrow.
Cannondale - Six 5 $1899 or Six Carbon 5 $2129
Trek - 08 Madone 4.5 $1800. 105 w/ Ultegra SL rear derailer. Bontrager Race Lite wheels.
Trek - 2.3 $1599.
Specialized - Tarmac Comp. $2100 105 w/ultegra rear der.
Bianchi - 1885 w/105 $2000 w/Veloce $2400 Aluminum frame and I haven't gone to the bike shop yet to see about availability on this bike yet.
Cervelo - Online from Excel - S1 for $2199 full ultegra, free shipping, no sales tax. I am pretty confident the fit would be ok without riding it but am not crazy about an internet purchase.
Any input from the many bike experts on Trifuel would be appreciated.
I know all about fit being most important. I also know I am too excited so I am slowing down and trying to process all the pros and cons about each bike.
I am not sure about the differences between SRAM and Shimano as far as quality is concerned. I was also not going to go with carbon until I was informed that Giant and Orbea have lifetime warranties on their carbon frames for original owners.
I also did some checking into build kits in the hopes of finding a steal on a titanium frame but haven't gotten very far with that. Full Campy Chorus build kits are going for $1200 with wheels and seatposts, so it seems like a great time to build. Again, the negative is not being able to test ride the bike.
Thanks and sorry to bore some of you with another bike thread.
"If we help someone else up a steep hill, we get nearer to the top ourselves." ~Unknown~
~Garen~
http://baldhungariantriproject.blogspot.com/