Buying a road bike

Brano

I'm currently looking at upgrading from my touring bike to a lightweight road bike in the $1,500 to $2,300 price range. As a minimum I would want 105 componentry. Should I get a triple chainring? Can anyone provide a bike recommendation?

Marx SS

I've got 2x mates who've recently gone to road bikes from MTBs.
My recomendation is to go for 3x chainrings on the front. Schimano 105 with only 2x chainrings up front is geared pretty high for commuting & riding with a load (bigarse backpack etc). Hills might baulk you if there's a red light half way up too.
I don't know how 'good' you are, but alway better to go for a more flexible package, than street-kudos of 'race-spec' ratios only.
Nothing is as bad as stopping half way up a climb & walking it, I would rather fall off into the roadside bushes.

gclark8

A couple of brands and models worth a look are Felt with the SR 71/81/91 and Giant with the new CRX 1/2/3, both have 105 and Ultegra in the range, 3 rings on front, and 25/26 on the rear, etc, good comfortable Sports/Touring bikes.

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Cheers,
George.

superclimber

Brano, i just bought a Giant ocr1 compact with full 105 groupset and r 540 shimano wheelset for $1600 aussie dollars. BAAARGAIN. if you look around NOW youll find that a lot of bike shops are trying to get rid of their 2004 models in anticipation of the 05 gear. NOW is the time to buy cos in the next six to eight weeks they will be getting their new stock in. give us a yell if you need more info.

Brano

Has anyone had any experience with Avanti, Merida or Specialized?

superclimber

all well repected brands of racing pedigree here in australia. Avanti from NZ i think. merida sponsored jayco pro team and specialized, well anyone remember M cippolini and Acqua e Sapone???.

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REMEMBER: Hills are the key to aerobic conditioning.

Ssushi

Try a Giant OCR Zero 2005 model, 2200 bucks, shim 550 wheels, ultegra groupset - except cranks and break calipers... i just bought one and rate it highly, this bike is great to ride - especially for the price....

Brano

Thanks. I'll check it out.

Courtancer

I rode a Merida MTB for 5 years and just bought an Avanti Vivace. I couldn't be happier with it. I also looked at the Giant OCR 0, 1 and 3 and the quality of all 4 bikes is identical.

mojo_pin

Well I've just bought my first road bike as well... It was a new 2003 model Raceline Peleton and i picked it up for $1100au. The guy at the LBS couldn't stop raving about how good it was at that level of componentry. It is fully tiagra equipped down to the hubs. Came with Michelin carbon axial tyres as well. I know this isnt the level of specs you're looking for, but going by what I've heard, the 105 isn't that much drifferent (except price) to the tiagra level. You might as well go ultegra to really feel the difference. Thats what my LBS told me anyway.

Anyways, bascially have a look at raceline bikes. They seem to be really good for value and quality

HughMann

See Avanti thread in the Cafe'

I recommend Avanti Blade Elite, $1600 for commute/fitness.

http://www.avantibikes.com/bikes_detail.asp?id=171&t=4

::dom::

I've just seen a LearSport 8000 and I was very impressed. It's full 105 with carbon forks and Shimano 540 wheels as an option. I notice their website has a pre-order special of AU$1999 for the LearSport 8500 which has the new 10 speed Ultegra, carbon forks and seat stay... not bad.

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:: Dom ::



| Merlin Lunaris | Fetish D&S | Ritchey Breakaway Ti | 04 Roubaix Pro | 06 Langster | Jamis Eclipse | S-Works Roubaix | Masi Specialé

VelocityFiji

bluebird

i was looking at the learsport 8500 and i was wanting to know if they are good bikes or not.

wattsy_rules

I have an a cquaintance who bought one of these. he is very happy so far (after 6 months). He weighs about 110kgs and feels it's strong underneath him.