Road Weenie? Thoughts?

[stick]

Hey guys. I have a norco launch with a jr.t and a brodie hard tail with a Z1 drop off. I want to get a road bike so I can do some spinning during the week after work. Problem is, I know nothing about road bikes. I don't want a 4 digit priced carbon fiber blah blah blah, just something that works for me. any suggestions where to start?

[sanrensho]

This thread pretty much covers the basics:

http://bb.nsmb.com/showthread.php?t=62723

The rest is up to your budget.

[stick]

Thanks Sanrensho! Exactly what I was looking for, especially the Zinn online calculator. I am planning to visit some LBS's to see what things cost and did not want to go in cold and not knowing anything about road bikes.

[SC blur]

Yes, be carfule. I tried road a while back thinking it would be pretty cool. Yea it lasted about two weeks then I couldnt stand the damn thing! Sold it on ebay just yesterday. sold for 1550. I got it wholesale through the bike shop I worked at for 1650.

road bike = $1650
Helmet, pedals, shoes = $200
Being a dumbass = Priceless (well, not if you include the $300 I lost in the deal)

[sanrensho]

Thanks Sanrensho! Exactly what I was looking for, especially the Zinn online calculator. I am planning to visit some LBS's to see what things cost and did not want to go in cold and not knowing anything about road bikes.

Your welcome. One thing I should add. Know your seat height (measured from center of BB along seat tube to top of seat) and write it down. I believe the Zinn online fit calculator gives you this. If not, I'll post another link.

(There are quite a few formulas for calculating seat height and many give very similar results. The calculated seat height is a guideline and is influenced by things like pedal stack height and sole thickness. However, it should get you there within +/-2 cm or so.)

Once you know your seat height, you might want to try it on your hardtail just to get used to the pedaling motion, fit, etc.

When you actually demo bikes, have them adjust the seat height to your exact measurement on each bike. That will at least eliminate one major variable from the perceived fit of the bike.

Have fun and maybe I'll bump into you on the roads.

[FreaK]

Well i've been having fun on my new aquisition, an old lugged marinoni track bike, weighs nothing has less than half the frontal area of my do everything bike and with the 50-16 gear i can go so damn fast even up hills. Shazam! like that.

[thewalrus]

Hey guys. I have a norco launch with a jr.t and a brodie hard tail with a Z1 drop off. I want to get a road bike so I can do some spinning during the week after work. Problem is, I know nothing about road bikes. I don't want a 4 digit priced carbon fiber blah blah blah, just something that works for me. any suggestions where to start?

the other thread is good - you might also try asking questions at the bikeforums road section, or searching their archives (EVERY possible question has been answered there in the past few years).

http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f=41

if it fits in your budget ($1600-1700 canadian before tax), something aluminum w/ carbon fork, carbon seatpost, 105 component set such as the trek 1500, specialized allez elite is a good starting point. below that you start to get compromises in the component set. for shimano equipped bikes,

tiagra = deore (or worse)
105 = LX
ultegra 6600 = XT
dura ace = XTR

be sure you get a GOOD fit - being able to stand over the bike isn't all that matters, top tube length, stem length are important. crankarm length and bar width too (my 58cm came with 46cm bars, 175mm cranks, & 110mm stem)

[XXX_er]

we brought in a jamis aurora cyclo-cross for a guy and he is pretty stoked about it ,steel frame which you don't see much anymore ,105 with cantelivers for around 1800 $

http://www.jamisbikes.com/bikes/05_aurora.html

[thewalrus]

we brought in a jamis aurora cyclo-cross for a guy and he is pretty stoked about it ,steel frame which you don't see much anymore ,105 with cantelivers for around 1800 $

http://www.jamisbikes.com/bikes/05_aurora.html

that's a nice cyclocross bike - interesting use of mountain bike parts, it has a deore rear derailleur and 11-32 cassette. that gearing range would be good for loading touring too.

[sanrensho]

we brought in a jamis aurora cyclo-cross for a guy and he is pretty stoked about it ,steel frame which you don't see much anymore ,105 with cantelivers for around 1800 $

http://www.jamisbikes.com/bikes/05_aurora.html

Apparently, the number of participants at US cyclocross races has exploded as of late. Maybe your shop should carry a few 'cross bikes in stock?

I really like the fact that the Kona Jake comes in at the under $1000 price point. My main road ride is a Kona Jake purchased as a frame and built up with my own components. Soon to become a dedicated 'cross/rain/winter bike.

[XXX_er]

not up here ,the guy who bought it is skater/treeplanter ... more of alternative lifestyle type

[kadmille]

i'd say hit the garage sales around town. there is always crazy old and new road bikes. of course, you might have to put a little loving care into them.

we were headed up to vancouver and decided to stop at this crazy mans garage sale. we already had a full car with 3 bikes. but, lo and behold, my friend found a gem and we had to stuff it into our car crossing the border looking like we had just raided a bike shop. and then they had to ask "what are you guys going to do up here?" uh.. going biking...:rolleyes:

[corey@nsmb.com]

I just got a Giant TCR road bike. I am LOVING it.

It is amazing how much distance you can cover under you own power, and how they zip up hills so easily.

I'm hooked, and have been getting out every week on it.

[Wayne P]

I just got a Giant TCR road bike. I am LOVING it.

It is amazing how much distance you can cover under you own power, and how they zip up hills so easily.

I'm hooked, and have been getting out every week on it.

I hope you're rockin' the spandies.

P.S. Don't shave your legs.

[sanrensho]

more of alternative lifestyle type

"Cyclocross--alternative bikes for alternative people." Actually, a lot of 'cross purchases seem to come from MTB'ers who don't want a full-on road bike.

[corey@nsmb.com]

I hope you're rockin' the spandies.

P.S. Don't shave your legs.

Negative.

I wear snug fitting DH shorts, Vans SPD DH shoes, and a cove jersey. I am a rolling contradiction, but at least you can't see the sausage.

[corey@nsmb.com]

..ps. I won't shave the legs, for fear of removing whatever little calf I have! :lol:

[thewalrus]

I just got a Giant TCR road bike. I am LOVING it.

It is amazing how much distance you can cover under you own power, and how they zip up hills so easily.

I'm hooked, and have been getting out every week on it.

When I got my road bike, i was amazed at the hill climbing difference... My hardtail mountain bike weighs around 30 pounds, plus I've been carrying around a 8 pound U-lock for locking in downtown. My road bike is more like 18-19 pounds... I got on it and started going up hills in the 52-15 gear out of the saddle, I swear it felt like there was a 25kph tailwind.

[sanrensho]

I got on it and started going up hills in the 52-15 gear out of the saddle, I swear it felt like there was a 25kph tailwind.

Um, if you're going up at 52x15 standing up, that's not a hill, it's a speed bump.:)

If any of you guys want to do some big hills, I could be convinced to do a Seymour/Woodlands ride this weekend or next.

[thewalrus]

Um, if you're going up at 52x15 standing up, that's not a hill, it's a speed bump.:)

Depends on the speed going in... starting the hill at 35-40kph, shifting down, I get pretty far in 52x17 or 52x19 before dropping to the 42. Have you tried marine drive to horseshoe bay?

[sanrensho]

Depends on the speed going in... starting the hill at 35-40kph, shifting down, I get pretty far in 52x17 or 52x19 before dropping to the 42. Have you tried marine drive to horseshoe bay?

I'm a low gear whore with a triple, so I really shouldn't talk. I can show you a couple of walls near the bottom of Seymour that you might find interesting. Not real long though.

[FreaK]

…did i mention the tubulars? WOW, whole other level compared to cheap clincher tyres, no joke. the tyres and rims are lighter and just have this 'feel', anyway, i've got to go ride, all this websurfing of bike stuff is making me jones.


(front is a gommitalia, rear is a Clement, Condor, rims are mvic with no model name)