Carbon Fiber Bike - Page 2

JCL · #11 04-24-2009, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E61Silver

I don't race, i do a lot of riding by myself on city streets and the Zertz inserts had appeal. The shop will sell the Trek (full Ultegra) for $3,000. They will build the Roubaix PRO with last years Dura Ace for $3,700.

I have nice Lemonds with 853 steel and full Ultegra which is still in great shape; maybe I will just wait $3,500+/- is a lot of money to steep up to Carbon.

I think the inserts are a noble goal, but I think other manufacturers are accomplishing the same without the inserts. Witness the RS.

I agree with tweak and sleepless. I love my carbon frame, and wouldn't go back.

I wouldn't buy last year's Dura Ace. I have it on one bike, and the new Ultegra SL is as good, at a lower price. The new '09 Dura Ace is another story, it looks great and is a huge step forward. I would really like the electric Dura Ace, but I will wait till the price comes down.

Sponsored Links

JCL · #12 04-24-2009, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E61Silver

This looks like a deal, but probably not the best street bike

Cervelo Cervelo P3 Carbon Dura-Ace 2008 Bike - R&A Cycles

Cevelo does seem to be the hot brand.

No, if you want aero look at the S3. Hot brand is right. 40 athletes rode Cervelo in Beijing, and they won 10 medals. Not bad for a small company. They have a lot of recent best bike awards.

I like the commemorative edition, below.

X5 Meister · #13 04-24-2009, 03:57 PM

Shows how little I know, I thought Trek were are the forefront of bikes since coming out with OCLV, other than perhaps Kestrel. What competition is so far ahead?

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCL

The Madone is expensive if you go to the top end, but I am referring to the design/engineering features, not the price. Trek had a lot of catching up to do a few years back, and they came back, but the competition just moved further ahead.

My two bikes are worth $11k and $4k (CDN). And people wonder why I insist on roof racks instead of trailer hitch racks. Good bike wheels each cost more than dealer prices on M Wheels and tires to fit the 535. At least you only need two at a time. Everybody needs a hobby.

E61Silver · #14 04-24-2009, 03:58 PM

My understanding is that Kestrel is now a lesser brand made in China.

JCL · #15 04-25-2009, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X5 Meister

Shows how little I know, I thought Trek were are the forefront of bikes since coming out with OCLV, other than perhaps Kestrel. What competition is so far ahead?

Cervelo is one of the most sought after, due to recent race success. Great value as well. They have aero, lightweight, plush, time trial, and track models.

Bicycling Magazine published their annual Buyer Guide in April.

Seven, Cinelli, Lynskey are all in the Dream category.
Orbea, Eddy Merckx, Cervelo, Pinarello, Time, Felt, Colnago, and Trek are listed in the Race category.
Jamis, Cannondale, Giant, Merlin, Specialized, Look, Scott, and Trek are all listed in the Enthusiast category.
I would put all of the above as comparable to different Madone models, at different price points. Kestrel isn't in the book this year. Not saying it isn't a good bike, but they didn't get any press in the high end bike reviews.

Trek has good mass market bikes, and also some good higher end bikes. They just don't have the same design leadership position IMO. They were way out in front for years with OCLV, but they were overtaken as their high end product line stagnated. The new Madone models just took too long to come to market. Nothing wrong with the Trek bikes, they just have lots of competition now.

asawadude · #16 04-25-2009, 03:42 AM

We are talking NYC, correct? Do you ride in the street or do you ride in a park? Neither the Specialized Roubaix PRO or the Trek Monde 5.2 is well suited for street riding IMHO, at least not for the New York city streets that I've been through.

If you're riding in a park or burbs, then it's a different story. Definitely buy a CF road bike.

90% of my rides is on L.A. city streets where I'm dealing with cars, pedestrians, potholes, sewer gratings, broken glass, cans, trash, dog shit, etc. Even if I keep my head on a swivel, I run the risk of crashing which is the price I pay for wanting to ride.

I have 3 bikes. The fixie is for heavy traffic, city street situations. The hybrid is for riding around the park with the wifey. The Fuji SL comes out of the garage when I'm doing a long ride (1/4 century on up).

I love my fixie. I have about $200 of parts on a 15 year old Centurion columbus tubed track bike. I've got set of Easton aero bars on it, Mavic aero wheels with Soma Everwears, a Shimano 600 front brake, old Selle Gel saddle, and I adorned everything with a couple of coats of flat black out of a rattle can. The only new part it wears is a cheap set of CF forks that I bought from Performance Bikes.

It's the first bike I've had in a long time that's changed how I ride. I feel as if my riding style is better because how fast I go is based strictly on my endurance and my legs. I don't sit and think about what gear I'm in, I'm just pedalling. The legs control everything. I'm also riding more agressively because I'm sitting on a $200 bike which could be a bad thing.

For some reason, to me, building a fixie is like rodding an old Chevy pickup truck.

E61Silver · #17 05-04-2009, 02:18 PM

What do you think about this deal:

2008 Cervélo R3 SL/Dura Ace Complete Bike - Competitive Cyclist

JCL · #18 05-04-2009, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E61Silver

What do you think about this deal:

2008 Cervélo R3 SL/Dura Ace Complete Bike - Competitive Cyclist

Good price. Old Dura Ace group, frameset is the same as the '09 I believe.

Not as comfortable as the RS, but very light. Depends how flexible you are for the riding position this frame demands.

E61Silver · #19 05-04-2009, 04:36 PM

It can't get a 2008 RS and I did not have any issues with my Lemonds and this head post is higher.

The 2009 RS only comes with Ultegra and the Wheels on this bike are better.
According to the fit calculations the stock bike fits well.

If you really think I should go for the RS please let me what you think?

JCL · #20 05-04-2009, 05:47 PM

The 2009 RS comes with Ultegra SL (not the old Ultegra) or as a frameset (at least in Canada - check your local dealer). If you buy a frameset you can build it up as you like it. If you buy a complete bike, any dealer should swap out the wheels for you; the Shimano standard wheels included aren't particularly good on the RS. I would probably go with Mavic, but there are lots of choices.

The RS as compared to the R3/R3SL models have different fits because of the longer headset tube on the RS. In any case, with this level of bike it is definitely worth getting a professional fit done. Little things make a big difference. I would pick my bike shop based on the quality of the fit they could do. They should be prepared to swap stems, etc, to ones with different dimensions to optimize the fit of the stock bike.

Have you ridden it yet? Ride, then decide.

Sponsored Links