The new Caliente is the hottest thing I've seen (that BADA$$ Bumblebee paint job makes me want a new bike)

and I LOVE my bike..

(with a pouty face),"aw, honey, can't I have two"

rr

I wonder if there are any differences between the Lucero, Caliente '06, and Seduza frames. They all look to be the same carbon monocoque frame, but a COMPLETE Seduza at MSRP is cheaper than the street price of a Lucero frame. These things look so badass.

@rredding: I hear you, man. I hear you.

that bike looks awesome !!

anyone else notice the growing trend to include yellow colors on new bikes

maybe an attempt to cash in on Lance's enormous popularity ??

Not that I am complaining - LANCE RULES & so does yellow !

I'm stationed overseas in Italy and am having a tough time locating an online QR dealer (especially anyone that may still have some '05 models). If anyone can point me in the right direction, I would be in their debt!!!

Thanks, Alex

Nevermind...I did some more looking around and answered my own question...

-Alex

Alex rims on a $3k bike? I think not! I'd rather pick up a $1.5k bike with a nice frame, and slap a set of Zipps or Heds on it. Wheels and frame, that's where its all at. Dura ace or 105 drivetrain doesnt matter if the frame and wheels suck.

That said, I believe I read that the Kilo's frame is the hand me down from last year's Caliente. THAT sounds like a deal!

It's all about price point. Thats what people lok at. Very few newbies with money would look at the wheels, as long as they look cool, they'll work, from a newbie perspective. I would prefer an all Ultrega group with NICE wheels, but that prolly still wouldnt hit the price point.

It is how it works across the spectrum, untill ya get to higher end bikes, where the differences are minute. Lower end bikes make bigger, or at least more apparent sacrifices to hit price point. There are a few bikes in the same range as my Trek E7 that have ultrega rear derailleur or both front and rear, but the wheel suck or the crank is sub par. There's always some sort of trade off.

Hmm... in that case, I need to find 5-10 people who want freakishly small frame sizes... so we can get these things made in 47s and 48s.
(Like the P3 Carbon I can never own!)

Speaking of price points and wheels, I think it would be refreshing if a bike company would offer the option to buy a bike without any wheels. I think that wheels are one, if not the, most important component on your bike. If a bike company can sell a bike with no pedals, how about no wheels too? Or give me the option to choose what wheels I want. I understand that most bike companies have agreements with parts manufacturers, but just about every wheel company out there has 3 or 4 models of wheels ranging in price from "at least they are round" to "Give me your first-born." Just don't make me pay what amounts to an extra couple of hundered bucks for a pair of wheels I don't want.

buy the frame and buy the parts and save yourself some money. check out gottaridebikes for a deal on the wheels. i got a bike and every part brand new on ebay and some other discount places.

Really shop around for those frame sets. My main beef with bike makers is that they usually WAAAY over charge for the framesets in relation to the complete bike.

trigwu: If you can afford it, I'd go with the '06 model HANDS DOWN. Sleeker, lighter, full carbon, internal cables, aero seatpost. Definitely a better investment. Plus, new componentry. If it were me, it'd be the new model for sure. Even one of the new aluminum frames beats the '03 Picante.

I just bought my first tri-bike. An '05 QR Tequilo and Speedplay Zero Cromo pedals!!!!! I can't wait for it to get here. I bought it from all3sports.com Alex Poon in bikes and Jeff in sales REALLY helped me out and helped me choose (hopefully) the right stuff for me. BTW, I did the online measurement sheet on their webpage to get a fitment; I know it's not perfect, but being in Italy, it was my best course of action.

I'll let everyone know how long the shipment takes and how the bike works out!