New Road Bike?
A deal on a LaPierre bike at my LBS that I missed has got me researching some new road bikes. For fun, cuz I really don't NEED one, but you know how that goes...
My current road bike is a 2008 Cannondale Synapse Femme carbon w. triple chain ring and Tiagra components. I'm doing some bike races this year so I might (should) wait til after that to make sure it is something I do want to get into before a new bike purchase. I'm currently planning a bike focus year in 2016.
Anyway, I'm wondering what to look for. My price range is 2500-ish and I have a few in mind. What is most important? Just get the best components I can? (This is of course assuming I like how it rides). When I bought my first road bike, I was clueless. I basically bought the best bike I could that I liked that was in my size. I don't even think I test rode it. I may know a little more now, but not much.. 3 of my top criteria are 1) is it perty 2) is it fast and smooth and 3) is it on sale?
So for example, the Cervelo S2 is nice http://www.cervelo.com/en/bikes/s-series/s2.html
But the Giant Liv Envie has better components at the same price so more bike for the $$? Does that alone mean its a better bike than the Cervelo?
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/envie.advanced.1/18774/76115/#specifications
But then there is this Trek Madone that's on sale, but not sure how much of an upgrade from current bike it will be.
http://bicycleseast.com/product/trek-madone-4.3-c-womens-194342-1.htm
Finally, this bike is priced way higher than I'd consider but can't help but notice how much of a value it is. And I'm not sure if elect shifting is a plus or a minus to me. (On one hand, heard great things, on the other hand, one more thing to go wrong that I can't fix,...)
http://bicycleseast.com/product/litespeed-ci2-198805-1.htm
Any input would be appreciated! Thanks!
My current road bike is a 2008 Cannondale Synapse Femme carbon w. triple chain ring and Tiagra components. I'm doing some bike races this year so I might (should) wait til after that to make sure it is something I do want to get into before a new bike purchase. I'm currently planning a bike focus year in 2016.
Anyway, I'm wondering what to look for. My price range is 2500-ish and I have a few in mind. What is most important? Just get the best components I can? (This is of course assuming I like how it rides). When I bought my first road bike, I was clueless. I basically bought the best bike I could that I liked that was in my size. I don't even think I test rode it. I may know a little more now, but not much.. 3 of my top criteria are 1) is it perty 2) is it fast and smooth and 3) is it on sale?
So for example, the Cervelo S2 is nice http://www.cervelo.com/en/bikes/s-series/s2.html
But the Giant Liv Envie has better components at the same price so more bike for the $$? Does that alone mean its a better bike than the Cervelo?
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/envie.advanced.1/18774/76115/#specifications
But then there is this Trek Madone that's on sale, but not sure how much of an upgrade from current bike it will be.
http://bicycleseast.com/product/trek-madone-4.3-c-womens-194342-1.htm
Finally, this bike is priced way higher than I'd consider but can't help but notice how much of a value it is. And I'm not sure if elect shifting is a plus or a minus to me. (On one hand, heard great things, on the other hand, one more thing to go wrong that I can't fix,...)
http://bicycleseast.com/product/litespeed-ci2-198805-1.htm
Any input would be appreciated! Thanks!
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Comments
If I were you, I'd go Trek. So many reasons. Quality mostly.
Trek is not phasing out the Madone. My friend has been with the company for 25 years. They are redesigning it to be more aero and it's going to be fantastic. Hard to believe they could make it better, but that's Trek!
Kim - They are all great bikes when they come from a reputable builder, like; trek, cervelo, giant, et al. You need to find what works best for your fit and frankly, what badge you want to wear. The bike you ride is the flag you fly. Which brand sounds the coolest to you? Everyone is completely different, but this choice is yours. So choose the maker that has always seemed the "coolest" to you and go that way.
Components are really all about the refinement of the manufacturing process, how important weight is to you, and what you think is cool. I rented a bike in Hawaii that had a 105 group and was dazzled by how well is shifted. It never made a sound and it never blew a shift. I would argue Dura Ace is a bit smoother, lighter action on the controls and lighter on the scale, but all that matters is what is important to you. And, what fits you well.
I think Madone is great. I have had two over the years. My first was a 5 series and my last was a 7 series. Based on your budget you might be able to move up to a 5 and get a little more bang for your buck. A 5 will get you a better, lighter carbon lay-up and Ultegra group versus 105.
I think other advantage to a new rig is to get you out of that triple crank you currently rock. It's heavy, dated and it's a lot of chain movement up front. I think you would really enjoy a compact double crank set with a nice wide cassette.
My two cents....
Dino you are so right. Lots of companies make good bikes. I have a great local bike shop that happens to be a Trek dealer. They sell lots of other good bikes too. Co$t is a big thing. If you're going to buy a new bike, I think it's important to shop for a good bike shop relationship while you're at it. If you can balance cost, and coolness, and all that.... bike = joy. BTW Bianchi has gone back to that pretty turquoise color for the racing team.
That's pretty cool. 
My quandary is... Both the the Cervelo S2 and the Giant Liv Envie are the same price (~$2,700) but the Giant has better components at the same price so more bike for the $$? Does that alone mean its a better bike than the Cervelo?
I like the "look" of the Cervelo better, but I don't want to base my decision entirely on that. Or do I?
Dino- RE: "The bike you ride is the flag you fly. Which brand sounds the coolest to you?" I don't know! What is your opinion, as a much more educated bike consumer than myself?
Pretty turquoise is called "Celeste" by Bianchi and it's gorgeous....
But is it prettier than 20% off? LOL
Not in the $5k to $10k range!
It has nothing to do with my opinion. I may be a nerd. My wife thinks so...
What's cool is always in the eye of the beholder. I think this statement is telling: "I like the "look" of the Cervelo better, but I don't want to base my decision entirely on that. Or do I? "
Road cycling is an incredibly shallow activity dominated by men who wear spandex and shave their legs. "Peacocking" or "looking cool" is intrinsically tied to the pursuit. A fresh, clean kit on a nicely maintained rig is all part and parcel to the poetry of the whole thing. Triathlon is generally defined by the suffering. The solitary pursuit of an individual achievement against a clock. Cycling is about the peloton and any large group of peacocks is about looking cool.
If the Cervelo looks better to your eye, then that is likely the one. When I met my wife, she caught my "eye" first. Then I realized what an amazing person she was. Granted, I was shallow as a kiddie pool and 17 years old, but it seems to have worked out 24 years later. Attraction often starts with the eye. If the Cervelo is pleasing to look at for you, odds are that is seed that relationship can grow from.
Also, thinking about the Giant versus the Cervelo. Just cause the Giant has a better group set does not make it the better bike. Personally, I don't think a "better bike" exists. It's about choices and compromises. Remember, Giant and Cervelo only make the frame sets. Shimano, SRAM or Campie make the groups. If you assume they both pay the group maker about the same cost, Giant has a more affordable frame matched with a more expensive groups set.
FWIW - I like Cervelo better than Giant, but this is just me. I can't really even vocalize intelligently why. One just seems cooler to me than the other.
It's all super subjective when you compare....
My first NEW Road Bike, 2012 Trek Madone 3.1 WSD, the intro bike 2500 bucks. Beautiful, shifts like a dream. I put nicer wheels on it, but that's all. Love that bike.