NFR Road Bike Help

[Raff]

I know there are a lot of road bike guys on these boards, so I'm pleading to you for suggestions. I've been wanting to get into road biking, but am not ready to drop a lot of money until I get a good test drive. Does anybody have any suggestions on how to get into the sport without droping a $$$$$ on a carbon frame Colnago?

[Lewiskm3]

A year ago I made the leap, and did some homework before I did that payed off big. Ended up with a Scattante R660 (house brand for Performance Bikes) with full Ultegra components. In my mind, good components add a bit more to the ride than a better frame, so don't cut yourself short. I would make sure you have an Ultegra derailer, and if you can't afford it, don't go less than the 105's. Full carbon frames were a bit overpriced for what you get, and long term may not be as durable. You do want a carbon fiber seat post, front fork and rear seat stay, as they really do help "smooth" out the rides. Also, I have a buddie that bought a bike that wasn't the proper size for his body build, and has made his back a little sore on longer excursions. Make sure you get a bike that's sized perfectly for you, especially if you plan on doing extended rides

The saddles that come with new bikes are, well, rough around the edges if you know what I mean, so save some coinage for a saddle that's right for you. That's one area you DO NOT want to skimp.

[royalwulff]

I know there are a lot of road bike guys on these boards, so I'm pleading to you for suggestions. I've been wanting to get into road biking, but am not ready to drop a lot of money until I get a good test drive. Does anybody have any suggestions on how to get into the sport without droping a $$$$$ on a carbon frame Colnago?

Depending on what you really wanted to get out of it I would go to a bike shop and see if they would let you try a couple. If you have a bike, go ride with a riding club (especially if you are talking about riding competetivly,) they will try to drop you but you will make some friends-- the ones that get dropped, one who might have a bike like you like and let you ride it. Dont spend to much until you are sure what you really want out of riding.

[cheech]

I would also recommend buying a bunch of spandex and wear it around in public. If you have thick enough skin to do this, you are well on your way.

[Lonnie]

Raff,

The most important thing to consider FIT. I cannot stress this enough. Competitive Cyclists has a good "fit calculator".

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCM?PAGE=FIT_CALCULATOR_INTRO

This should give you an idea of what frame size you need. When in doubt, go with a frame with a smaller top tube. It better to be more vertical than horizontal (from your back's point of view, not from a areodynamic point of view tho.) This takes me on to point two...

The second most important thing to consider for a new bike is geometry. Long and Complex story short, as a new rider, I would avoid "racing" geometry, and look more towards "comfort" or "Touring" geometries. Basically, this is seat tube angle. The higher the angle, the more harsh the ride, but more responsive the bike. You want to be comfortable for up to hours on this thing, and bike racers get paid to be UNCOMFORTABLE...

The third most important factor are your components. In the Shimano line Dura Ace is the best, followed by Ultegra, 105, tiagra, and then a mixture of other combos that really aren't worth messing with. My advice would be get the best grupo that you can afford, and on mixed groupo, go with the setup that has the best shifters as they will be the most expensive part to replace (that way you can swap out to a higher grade derailleur if you wanted). You also have Campy and SRAM, but they are less common on "entry level" bikes. (PS don't forget about wheels as components....)

The forth most important factor is frame material. There are many choices out there. Carbon, Al, Titanium, steel, exotic alloys, and combinations. For an entry level bike you are most likely looking at Aluminum or a carbon/Al mix. You might be able to swing a full carbon bike if you get lucky, but honestly, I would recommend against it. It's too much of a pain to deal with if you damage it. This is a long debate too, one that I won't go into here.

The best "deal" for new bikers is looking for a used bike (I'd start at ksl.com (beware tho, there is a lot of "junk" there. When in doubt, don't hesitate to send me an e-mail)). The upside is initial cost upfront, the downside is you most likely will have a hard time doing a frame warranty (assuming the frame has a lifetime warranty). However, if you were to tweak your frame, most components would transfer to a new frame (ask me how I know this....). One good thing about buying now, is that if you wanted a new bike, many of the 07's are going on sale now, as for most bike shops, the '08's have arrived.

This should be enough to get you started. Feel free to e-mail or PM me with questions. I'll be more than happy to give my opinion (just ask Junge).

[Lonnie]

If you have thick enough skin to do this, you are well on your way.

Thickness of SKIN has nothing to do with it.... :D

[chanceb]

I would also recommend buying a bunch of spandex and wear it around in public. If you have thick enough skin to do this, you are well on your way.
Girls dig skinny dudes in spandex....ummm, ok probably not.

[Lonnie]

Girls dig skinny dudes in spandex....ummm, ok probably not.

Uh, judging from the looks I get from (edit: Hot!) soccer moms driving mini-vans, yeah they do.... :D

Of course that could just be my think, ummm, "Skin"

[chanceb]

Uh, judging from the looks I get from soccer moms driving mini-vans, yeah they do.... :D

Of course that could just be my think, ummm, "Skin"
I'm sure it beats the hell out of some fat dude in spandex! :)

[jonescort]

Get a specialized Allez. I have one and I love it. It is one of the lighter bikes out there in the price range and you can find them for a good deal. Both my parents have treks (I hate treks!!! Cheap components on lower end bikes!!!!!!!!!!) and my allez is lighter than both of them even though it is a larger frame. I worked at a bike shop and all the treks I felt were ok but on anything less than there higher end bikes have cheaper components on them. The specialize don't cheap out on there components quite as much. Plus you can find an allez for fairly cheap if you look around.
Cort

[jdubya]

The most important thing to consider FIT. I cannot stress this enough.

The third most important factor are your components. In the Shimano line Dura Ace is the best, followed by Ultegra, 105, tiagra, and then a mixture of other combos that really aren't worth messing with.

The forth most important factor is frame material. There are many choices out there. Carbon, Al, Titanium, steel, exotic alloys, and combinations. For an entry level bike you are most likely looking at Aluminum or a carbon/Al mix. You might be able to swing a full carbon bike if you get lucky, but honestly, I would recommend against it. It's too much of a pain to deal with if you damage it. This is a long debate too, one that I won't go into here.


Raff, as usual Lonnie has good things to say, and some other stuff as well.

First, don't get a fit done on the computer, get it done by a real person. The best guy in SLC for fitting is Mike at Canyon Bicycles up on Wasatch Blvd. He'll charge you some coin, but you can then plow that into a a bike with some discount.

Second, let the fit dictate the frame type. Lonnie is mostly right, but a good bike fit will steer you to the right frame style and geometry.

Third, I would only ride with Campy (although I let my wife ride with Shitmano). I have a steel bike (Colnago, though) that works fine but I would always like something lighter like a C50. My wife did get a Lemond carbon frame bike for less than two grand (damn, that is three Z axis rods I lost) so you can get a good deal if you shop.

Fourth, find a good bike shop and deal with them. I am partial to Canyon but whatever, get someone you can trust and let them work with you on the right bike. DON'T go to KSL and get an OK ride that could work in a pinch. If you do want to go out for 25 to 100 mile rides, you want some comfort, and you get that with the right bike.

If you do all this right we can go on rides and you can drop me like a rock.

[Lonnie]

First, don't get a fit done on the computer, get it done by a real person. The best guy in SLC for fitting is Mike at Canyon Bicycles up on Wasatch Blvd. He'll charge you some coin, but you can then plow that into a a bike with some discount.

I guess I left this part out. The computer fit is just the staring point to let you figure out a ballpark frame size to look for (it's more about ruling things out than in). After you get something that will work for you, get the specifics done by a real person. It will be money well spent.

And Jdub's right, Cayon on wastach is the best shop in the valley.....

The KSL thing was the budget route, but you kind of HAVE to know know what you are looking for. Speaking of, what's your budget Raff?

[Grizz]

try these for starters.

www.thisaintagayroadbikeridingforum.com

or

www.onlygirlswearspandex.com

peas

[jdubya]

Speaking of, what's your budget Raff?

THAT actually is the MOST IMPORTANT question.....

[Raff]

Thanks all for your advice. I really appreciate it. At this point budget really isn't the issue. I'm not worried about that. I just want to be able to try it out before dumping all the dough. Do shops rent out bikes for extended periods of time (say a month) so I can get an extended test drive prior to buying in.

[jonescort]

But lots of bike shops in NM were willing to.

[cardiac]

I would also recommend buying a bunch of spandex and wear it around in public. If you have thick enough skin to do this, you are well on your way.

You mean like this picture of Lonnie?
;^)

[Lonnie]

Do shops rent out bikes for extended periods of time (say a month) so I can get an extended test drive prior to buying in.

Not that long, but a good shop should/will let you go out on a extended ride...

[wildnative]

You mean like this picture of Lonnie?
;^)

That before riding his bike picture should have been used with the after riding the bike picture. Boy Lonnie has really thinned out. Proof again that a little exercise will do wonders.

[jdubya]

Thanks all for your advice. I really appreciate it. At this point budget really isn't the issue. I'm not worried about that. I just want to be able to try it out before dumping all the dough. Do shops rent out bikes for extended periods of time (say a month) so I can get an extended test drive prior to buying in.

I was in Canyon talking to them about a Seven custom build. If you are interested they will tune up one of their demo 7's to best fit you and send you out the door on it for as long a ride as you want. Heading up Millcreek as a tune up (to make sure things are set right) , and then to Suncrest and back, or up to Big Mountain and back will tell you a lot about a bike. Like walking into Western River and taking one of their new fly rods to the provo for a day to see how much you like it. Now that's customer service.

[wildnative]

Or you can do like me and get into mountain biking. Fit doesn't matter because you are all over the thing. Plus you ride in places you want to be, where clean, clear air is king and the traffic isn't as bad. You can even use it as a tool to get you to more remote stretches of stream. You can wear baggy shorts and lightweight hiking boots and a shirt that says "eat my dirt."

It's so much better than the road stuff, and I think, more becoming of the rugged outdoor image of the fly fisher.

Now, if you're one of those fly fishers who drinks wine, eats cheese and wears the upscale gear. Pull on those spandex shorts and get yourself a roady!

[Lonnie]

I was in Canyon talking to them about a Seven custom build.

How many Z-axies is that? 10, 15, more?

7's are sweet, but I'll never own one....

[Lonnie]

Boy Lonnie has really thinned out.

Tapeworm...

[rodrick]

I would get a Utah driving handbook and learn what is legal to do on the road and what isn't.

[Lonnie]

I would get a Utah driving handbook and learn what is legal to do on the road and what isn't.

Don't mess with Jdub, he's feeling "frisky" this week. Anybody else feel a flaming coming on?

or is it just global warming???

[rodrick]

Yea- well the Sox are getting hammered and they throw like Hillary.

[Doug S.]

Yea- well the Sox are getting hammered and they throw like Hillary.

I think that's just Wakefield come on now 75 mph fast ball ? I've coached 12 year olds who can throw that hard.

[wildnative]

Tapeworm...

How do you tie it?

[Lonnie]

How do you tie it?

Lots and lots and LOTS of micro chenille...

[royalwulff]

Yea- well the Sox are getting hammered and they throw like Hillary.

just the dude that throws a freaking knuckle ball every pitch. He got ripped.

[Lonnie]

just the dude that throws a freaking knuckle ball every pitch. He got ripped.

Phil Niekro anyone?

[jdubya]

How many Z-axies is that? 10, 15, more?

7's are sweet, but I'll never own one....

Yeah, me neither. I was just looking but way too much coin for something without a motor.



I would get a Utah driving handbook and learn what is legal to do on the road and what isn't.

I COMPLETELY agree. One of the biggest problems on the roads is bikes being ridden by people who have no idea what they are doing: running stop signs, lights, riding against traffic instead of with it, etc. We figure it is as important (if not more so) to educate the cyclist how to ride as much as it is to educate the motorist on how to deal with bicycle traffic.

[Raff]

Has anybody heard about Fezzari Bikes out of Orem? (http://fezzari.com/road.htm) I'm looking at the Forte CR3 or the Fore CR2. The frames and components are looking good, but I'm wondering why they are such a deal. I'm a little skeptical, but I would love to support local economy. Any feedback on these? Lonnie?