What is the best all around road bike?
Now that I've done Powerman Zofingen, I want to do IM Switzerland (2016) and then Swissman Extreme Triathlon (2019). I think I could retire from this nonsense if I complete this triple! Swissman's 112 mile bike leg clearly requires a road bike that is lighter than light, flexible enough to withstand 14K of cobblestones, and sticks like glue on hard corners at high speed. I have plenty of time to find the bike.
How bad are the cobblestones? The 2014 4th place finisher noted that a 10K section took him 50 minutes on his road bike. A 50 year old woman (former ITU world cup and ITU world long course triathlon champion) came out of retirement for this year's race and noted she rode most of it in the gutter. The bike has to have Roubaix durability while still being able to climb!ke but want to hear which bikes you guys think meet the requirement. Indestructible wheels are also a must.
How much climbing is there? About 14,000 feet total climbing over 3 mountain passes (the Tremola, Furkapass and Grimsel Pass). Each climb will take over an hour with most folks stopping at the top to put on warmer clothes for the descent. The cobblestone section is on the climb up the Tremola.
How technical and steep are the descents? I plan to update my will before I do this. 
Comments
There is the new feather light bike from trek, which would probably climb great if it is stiff enough, but it may not be durable enough for you. However, based on your timeline, we will know for sure in a year or two once more get on the road.
I was thinking of custom as well, but in titanium or a mix of titanium and carbon like the seven cycles 622 SLX. I am also thinking of disc brakes to make sure I don't melt carbon fiber wheels if I need to bleed off speed at high speed before hitting a switchback. Lots of time to look over the next coupe of years. But all this talk makes me want to buy another one now!
Time to wipe the droll from the corner of my mouth! :-)
I rode a Ti bike once on the LP course, I think it was a Seven. Hated it, handled like crap, very soft, etc.
Check out the Calfee Manta and they can make this with road disk brakes. I will have them build me Dragonfly frame with road disk capable fork and rear triangle.
Coach Rich...did you see the review of the Domane vs Manta on the Calfee site? High praise for both bikes but in the end they gave the nod to the Domane.
Yes. But, personally, I like having a bike that's unique that very few people have. The Manta just seems like a cool ride, especially for a guy out in FL. None of your FL peeps will know what a Calfee is and you'll be that super cool USAF guy on a unique bike. I talked to Karen and she said to go ahead and get it!
I didnt care for the Domane when ridden back to back with the madone and a few others.... The Madone rode just as smooth and comfortable as the Domane , Roubaix, Synapse (all the comfort bikes) .
Brakes? This kinda cracks me up.... The bike industry has everybody on carbon clincher wheels which DO NOT STOP! Think about that on your next tri if its raining your surrounded by people who cant stop their bikes.... Now they want everyone to use disc brakes which DO STOP but you have to pay a price, weight, and aero penalty? This is why I use aluminum brake track wheels which are giant discs and STOP!
If you really want disc brakes check out the new Giant Defy (all models will come with disc brakes this year) I rode last years Defy and did actually like it.
Swissman will be a whole new level of brake testing. The former ITU champ that did it this year said that she overshot a corner coming into a tunnel and was on the wrong side of the road into an oncoming motorcycle who forturnately moved to give her room. I don't need that kind of excitement. BTW...I don't own any aluminum track wheels!
Coach - Oh, I have permission, it's just gonna cost me some jewelry!
I own a Roubaix and like it as a good all round bike. It is a couple of years old. Last year I took a Venge S-Works out for a test ride and loved it. I took it over some rough roads and actually found it fairly comfortable. It handles really nice compared to the Roubaix, which is a bit of a battleship (though I think my frame is on the big side).
I have been thinking about getting a bike for cyclocross and the LBS guy was raving about the Domane so I took it out for a spin. It seemed ok. I preferred the Venge as a road bike.
Giant bikes.
Defy would be cool.
Have a couple year old TCR Composite 1. Full race ready carbon bike. But simple and cheap. Brakes great with regular wheeels. No disc brakes. External cables which I like. I will be putting travel couplers soon on the cables. I will be able to totally detach the handle bars from bike which will be great for travelling. (three couplers and remove front brake which is easy). Or wait for the wireless SRAM shifters. The TCR is good for cobbles as I have tested during a race.
Tim - maybe this one will "speak to you."
Per Bike Radar: All in all, we walked away thinking that the Defy Advanced SL occupied more of a middle ground between classic endurance bikes and traditional road racers. It's faster and edgier than the former but more relaxed and versatile than the latter – and might be just the thing that fast and fit enthusiasts are looking for.
You don't need to get the bike with a long RDR. Just get the bike geared for the riding you do, then buy a 32-11 + LRDR + longer chain and just use it for this race. Hell, somewhere in my garage I have ^that^ in box from when I did Everest Challenge and a couple other stoopid gain rides.
BTW - Di2 is long cage compatible if you're willing to accept Ultegra grade RD (http://www.artscyclery.com/Shimano_Ultegra_Di2_6870_GS_Rear_Derailleur_11-SPD/descpage-SHIRD6870GS.html)
FWIW i think the disc brake/road bike thing is a few years away from being ready for mainstream adaptation ....also now you're talking about dedicated wheels....plenty of articles extolling the virtues of alum track wheels over CC (inspite of weight penalty)....besides the 300g helps on the downhills :-)
Who cares if the wheel has more stopping power. The tire, 23mm or 25mm, will just slide. My point is that my rim brakes already produce more stopping power than the tire can apply to the road. Then with disk wheels you need a heavier stouter fork to handle the stopping power at the end of the lever arm instead up high near the rim on the head tube.
Am I missing something?
Just my two cents....
I did this IM Tahoe, but I was riding my older P3 with mechanical Dura Ace. I left my P5 at home because I didn't want to monkey with a new Di2 long cage rear. Now I have a sort of "climbing TT rig".
I was at the same corner, in fact ahead of you. Through a combination of paying attention, excellent line selection, ninja reflexes, and paying attention, I didn't lock up anything
.
I just don't think that traditional brakes, especially when applied to a carbon rim, have good feel. They fade, hard to tell where that lock up point is, and forget it when it's wet. Still, I've been riding them since the Dawn of Time so...
I guess I just want something that very few others have...but I get the lock up thing. I descend with one finger on each brake, when in the drops, so that if I react too aggressively to something, I'm only using 1 finger vs 2-3. I've chattered the back a few times on fast descents, from grabbing too much brake.
I went from a Roubaix to the Venge. Absolutely love the bike and can spend endless hours on it. Harpoon B2B-- 132 & 8.5k of climbing--no problem. Handles like a dream, stiff, responsive---not as light as the Tarmac, but I can't climb for s**t anyway. On the flats though, it just outright flies.
1. I was trying to catch you.
2. I rarely pay attention.
3. You were already in the best line.
4. My reflexes have been dulled due to my mis-spent youth.
Lock 'em up!
@ Dino ... simple driving dynamics... when descending in anything most of the weigh is on the front ... when you apply a braking action of any kind the front gets heavier and the back gets lighter.... true even on a flat but really exaggerated on a descent.... hence the back end locking up easily... Completely agree with Rich on the brake feel of a CC and why I went back to aluminum...
FWIW ... just got back from the Expo in KONA and looked/talked to the Blue guy... Nice bike AC1 but didnt like the way they answered my questions or dealt with me.. The Boardman Air 9.8 aero road bike was pretty interesting and they were more helpful and knowledgable than Blue .... General lack of road bikes here though!