Bike Selection...?

[Arpy]

Hi guys

I have a query on buying a new bike (Ive decided to reward myself after passing the 3500km mark since January). I've got down to the selection of two bikes within my budget but am unsure on the frame. One of the bikes Trek 1500 has the aluminium frame, carbon forks, ultegra groupset and Bontrager wheelset whilst the other (Avantin Corsa) has al. frame but with carbon fibre seat stays and forks and full Ultegra groupset, Shimano RH550 wheelset.

My question is this....Given that everything else is pretty similar do the carbon fibre seat stays make that much of a difference to road going comfort and longevity?

Price differential is only about $100 between the two (Trek 1500 $Aus 2200 - Avanti Corsa Aus $2300) The Trek 2000 model has a similar frame but jumps up about another 800 pieces of gold in price!!!

The trek has a lifetime warrranty on frame and the Avanti 10 years.

Any opinions gratefully received.

Regards

Russell

 

[mntbiker]

I have both a full carbon fiber and al frame bikes. The carbon fiber does have more natural flex to it than the al. but I honestly don't notice much of a difference in ride comfort and both bikes have many miles over many years with comparable reliability.

The single biggest difference from one manufacturer to another especially for road bikes that I have noticied is the top tube length. If I am cramped up even in the slightest I get back pain in just a few miles.

Will they let you take the bikes for test rides? If so I would try to take them out for at least 10 miles each.

Congratulations on the distance. That is impressive.

 

[BillCobit]

Any opinions gratefully received.

Regards

Russell

Both are better than anything I ride...but whatever you pick, post some photos so I can covet!

 

[MarkU]

When I bought my bike this past February I had narrowed the choice down to either a Trek 1500 or Cannondale R700. The Trek and Cannondale were very comparable in price and specification. Both had aluminum frames with carbon forks and seat posts. The 1500 was equipped with Shimano 105, while the Cannondale was a combination of 105 & Ultegra.
The deciding factor in my case was the staff & service I got from the local Cannondale dealer. They spent a lot of time fitting me and we ended up special ordering a bike rather than trying to make one from their inventory fit.
The R700 also has the RH550 wheel set, which are terrific, in my opinion.
The only complaint I had was the Hutchinson Top Speed tires - I had numerous flats during the first couple hundred of miles until I swapped them for a set of Continental Ultra Gatorskins.

Mark

 

[Hjbiker]

Hi Russ,

I think the Trek is the way to go. From what I've read, carbon seat stays really don't make that much of a difference comfort wise. Wheelsets, tires, tire pressure and saddles all contribute the ride quality of a road bike. Like MarkU, I have an all aluminum Cannondale frame with a cabon fork which I think provides a fairly confortable ride. I think if you really want comfort, you're going to have to go with an all carbon frameset which can be quite expensive and have questionable durability (a little scratch from your bike falling over could ruin the frame). Trek, like Cannondale, is a well established company (Lance rides one) with good customer service and warranties. Anyway, whichever one you choose, have fun riding it!

 

[Arpy]

Cheers

Cheers

Thanks guys

I appreciate your comments - especially when you are not trying to sell me something!!!!
I was prettty well leaning towards the TREK - due to the lifetime warranty on the frame and I couldnt really see that carbon fibre seat stays would add that much to the comfort factor. Certainly at my level of useage anyway.

Additionally the shop that sells the TREK are a little more personal and I have already established a reasonable relationship with them.

i'll look forward to spending some of my hard earned and post a picture once I have it in my hot little hands. Now if only I could replicate the Lance Armstrong speed and endurance...
regards

Russell

 

[MarkU]

The Trek is definitely a good bike. Just make sure your bike shop does a thorough job of setting it up for you - it can make all the difference.
My shop included a follow-up fitting session after I had ridden the bike for a couple hundred of miles to fine-tune everything.
Good luck and enjoy your new ride.
Mark

 

[PapaHappyStar]

Now if only I could replicate the Lance Armstrong speed and endurance...
regards

Russell

Theres ( obviously ) some research on that .... besides natural endowment 10+ years of training changed his muscular structure ( interestingly they dont think it was the recovery from cancer and chemo )

http://jap.physiology.org/cgi/content/full/98/6/2191

There was also an article in the nytimes ( quoting an article in the journal CELL ) on how human cells continually regenerate and the average age of a human cell is less than 10 years old, even heart muscles regenerate ( one of the side effects of this is hypertrophy due to AS is a result of the generation of new cells in the heart and not just due to changes in existing ones -- posted this link in a new thread on heart talk ) which is good news for us .. it is possible that our bodies can repair damage post OHS by generating brand new cells.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/02/science/02cell.html

 

[Gail in Ca]

My husband has a Trek 5200 and loves it. He also bought a cyclocross by Soma , a lightweight stainless steel, for road going in the city, and he really likes it as well for less than $1000.
Gail

 

[BillCobit]

Did you get that bike yet?

Did you get that bike yet?

Hi Russell

Just wondering if you got that new bike yet, & which you decided on.

 

[Arpy]

Not Yet

Not Yet

Bill

Unfortunately we seemed to get hit with a whole swag of bills at the end of our financial year so the luxury of the new bike has been delayed a bit - not for long though I hope.

The old heavyweight will have to continue on for a few miles yet....

I pretty well decided that the TREK would be the one primarily because of the lifetime frame warranty - given that most other "bits" were comparative. Additionally they were a more personal bike shop where after sales service seemed more of a priority and I had already established a first name basis relationship with some of the people in the shop.

Be in no doubt though that as soon as I get it I'll post a picture... if I stop long enough to take the photo!!!


By the way - what is your current training regime given that you attained your amazing goal? Where, as they say, do you go from here???

regards

Russell

 

[BillCobit]

Bill

Unfortunately we seemed to get hit with a whole swag of bills at the end of our financial year so the luxury of the new bike has been delayed a bit - not for long though I hope.

By the way - what is your current training regime given that you attained your amazing goal? Where, as they say, do you go from here???

regards

Russell

Russell

Sorry to learn of your delayed gratification .

I am kind of rudderless now. I'm planning to do Lake Placid again in '07, circumstances of life and health permitting. Meanwhile, I want to do some joyriding on my "fred" bike - haven't done that once this year. I also want to learn to run. My 10 K time is STILL north of an hour.

I also want to do some more bragging, although I am running out of victims. I sent my surgeon a copy of my finisher's pic - he was quite amused.

Hope all is well with you.

 

[Arpy]

I am kind of rudderless now. I'm planning to do Lake Placid again in '07, circumstances of life and health permitting.

I also want to learn to run. My 10 K time is STILL north of an hour.

I also want to do some more bragging, although I am running out of victims. I sent my surgeon a copy of my finisher's pic - he was quite amused.

QUOTE]

I was wondering whether you'd look at Olympic distance tri's and attempt to improve on aspects of your own PB's. I can understand the "rudderless" feeling though but your comment re enjoying some riding sounds good - its nice to go for a blast just for the sake of it and clear the head / blow the cobwebs out for no reason other than the enjoyment of feeling good! More so given your intensity of training over the last year.

I dont think there is an expiry date for your "bragging rights" so brag away to as many people who will listen. I reckon your surgeon might engage you as a motivational speaker for intending OHS patients!!!

Like you running is my sticking point - I'm about to do a 12km "City to Surf" run this weekend (Run from the centre of the city to the coast). Unfortunately it ends with a couple of steep hills - but Im still finding that running is a hard slog. Much prefer having wheels under me.

regards

Russell

 

[BillCobit]

I'm about to do a 12km "City to Surf" run this weekend (Run from the centre of the city to the coast).

Russell

Good for you! Let us know how it goes.