Roadies. Looking for a new road bike

[RSBob]

True confessions. In my 30s and 40s did lots of centuries, doubles and endurance events. Took my early 50’s off and started single track mtn biking in late 50 to early 60s. Now with COVID and not wanting to end up in the E.R. Mtn biking and with reduced traffic, I have been hitting the roads again in earnest. Really enjoying the feeling of getting stronger, attacking the climbs and streaking down the descents. Now that I’m 65 my 25 year old Fondreist with 16 gears is not cutting it on steep long climbs. With my frameset, a smaller inner chain ring (have a 37) won’t work because I already have too much chain rub. The bike was converted from a 10 speed to a 16 and it is maxed out.

Soooo, what I am looking for is an aero-styled bike (not full aero since they tend to be heavy and not good climbers and I live in a hilly area and usually climb 1k to 1.5k’ on each ride. Since the roads have a lot of chip seal, it needs to absorb road shock (my Fondreist is all steel and loosens my fillings). It should be light to be a good climber and stable on high speed descents. My budget is $3500 to $5000 so no high end bikes. Disc brakes tend to make a stiffer ride, but want response without harshness, so am open but am wary. I don’t ride in the rain any more unless I get caught out so discs aren’t that important. Good components are essential. Right now use Campy Super Record with Chorus mixed. Not stuck on Campy, but have ridden only Campy for 35 years. Shimano Ultegra or DuraAce would work too.

The Bianchi Oltre XR3 and XR4 CV (non disc) looks promising, and looks pretty sexy but what are your thoughts?

[Purrybonker]

Sounds like an "endurance" type fit might work for you.

Trek Domane, Ridley Fenix, Specialized Roubiax? These are bike meant for long days in the saddle. You can play with stems, etc to get a bit more aggressive if you like. I'm not familiar with Bianci, can't speak to that.

With those climbs/downhills you should go disc. More maintenance (my pads seems to be good for about 4 to 5,000 km, but I don't climb as much as you do) but it's the only way to go, really, imho.

Keep your rims shallow, none of that deep areo stuff. Shallow rims climb better and you won't get shoved around in fast downhill runs with pushy crosswinds.

As with your Porsche, add lightness - carbon frame, stem, bars, rims, all can be had.

Groupsets are a matter of taste really, Shimano 105 is all that's needed and works like a charm but, geezus those Di2's and SRAM etap are sweet. But the electronic stuff would probably push you out of your price range.

Pick your cassettes/cranksets to suit your preference - this is an important way to make the bike work best for you.

[look 171]

Goddamn, I am rubbing my hands together just for you. I am in the market for a new bike too, also eyeing the top range Bianchi. I admit, I am a European bike snob but have had a few change of heart because I know the Specialized are such a damn good bike.

Raced for over 14 years in my youth, but have been riding very fast training rides for over 30, since I was in my teens. Lots of saddle sores and miles with that saddle up my ass. I just started riding again a little over then 10 years ago so I know all about wanting a new bike. I have a Time now with Dura Ace I am in love with that bike. The snap is all there when I get off the saddle unlike some of the older carbon frames. I love carbon, and I grew up riding steel and alum. (I actual like). Get the Bianchi or the Spec. Roubaix. they are both great products.

I like the semi-deep dish carbon wheels. Just bought a new set of Enve. They feel great off the saddle, which is a must for me and the aero benefit is great too. Get a wheel that's no more then 40 mm in the rear and not more then 30mm or so up front to prevent getting blown all over the road by the wind. Enve sells them that way just for that reason. I have only a little over 100 miles on them, just two rides. They climb very well. The other reason I like the deeper dish wheels is that they are much, much stronger, then traditional wheels. I am hard on equip, and my old Zipp 404 or MAvic Cosmic do not need truing after three seasons. The modern carbon wheels are that good. Zipp 202 Firecrest are the wheels for you if you ask me, but they are a bit on the $$$ side. About 2500 + for a set. The old bike bike racer in me do not really like those sports endurance bikes. They do not have that sharp, snappy feel coming out of the corners. I call them lazy bike. I personally stick with traditional road racing bike geometry. Many newer bikes have 28mm tires to smooth out the chip seal roads. I still use 25 mm tires and pump them up to 105 lbs. not 120 like the tire mfg suggested. Love that supple ride.

I have a Ridley too, but that bike is very stiff laterally especially off the saddle, but for general riding, its not too bad. Another bike to look in to is Canyon. This one is greatest bang for the buck https://www.canyon.com/en-us/road-bikes-us/race-bikes/ultimate/canyon-ultimate-cf-sl-disc-8.0-di2/2159.html?dwvar_2159_pv_rahmenfarbe=BU%2FWH Shimano ultegra is great stuff. People race in them. Works flawlessly. Olny difference is that DA is a tiny bit lighter. I wouldn't get campy anymore. I grew up riding Super Record but switched to Shimano and never looked back. I love Campy, but why pay more? They work the same if not better IMO. SRAM isn't a bad company neither. I had them on my bike, and have never missed a shift, ever but I like Shimano's feel especially DI2. Best way to describe is PDK. I wouldn't buy a bike without it. Get a compact crank if you need the gears for climbing. I dislike them, and still ride a 39/53. Next bike will be a mid-compact, 36/52 instead. Getting old.

You will have a tremendous amount of fun on a road bike. I going to be 54 at the end of the year. I try like hell to keep riding a couple to three days a week at least 160 miles to keep up with the big dogs at our saturday ride. CV 19 put a stop to that, so I will have to wait. These animals finish 45 miles in under two hours, 10 miles of that is up hill at the end. Avg is about 22 mph

[LEAKYSEALS951]

^Good suggestions. The Trek and the Specialized should both be available in local bike shops. Ride both. I think the frame comfort is where you are going to notice the biggest difference over the steel. The roubaix (over a steel frame) is going to feel like a carpet ride. I can't speak for the trek/ haven't tried that.


The domaine (iirc) can take some pretty wide tires. Enough to deal with any chip seal, and light gravel.
The specialized probably can too- at least much wider tires than mid 90's road frames.

*If* you have some gravel roads near where you live, also might want to try out a checkpoint and a diverge. These things are a hoot, and get you off the roads without the dangers of full on MTB. I think as traffic ramps back up, road riding might get busy again.

Congrats on your new disc brake bike. Embrace the borg. You have been assimilated. I resisted with all my might, but they work fine, and have been a non issue. I bought the diverge, and with a second road wheelset, would use it as my road bike. I ride around with 37c slicks. They can take pretty much anything within reason. For road riding, I ride my bmc or tarmac, but only because they are right at hand.

Been too busy grinning to look back.

As a guy who has two fondreist- when you ge the new bike. Go sell the fondreist.

[look 171]

Oh, Caynon is a German base company and buy through the internet only. What's not to like, for that price with electronic shifting? Lot of guys ride them on our ride. I think if you crash them within the first two years, you get a free frame replacement. I thought of getting their top range race bike too just because of the sweet price.

Here's my Time and an old friend, the blue Colnago carbon lugged frame from the 2000s

[look 171]

Fondreist, the pretty boy who looks at himself at the mirror to perfect his riding form. I think that's cool, I have to give him that. People have no form today. I wanted his bike, the alum with carbon stays so badly, but they didn't have one my size and didn't want to wait. There's a huge market on those old steel bikes especially one with World Champ's name on the down tube.

Hey Leak, have you ever been to the L'Erocia? I don't want to ride it, due to the gravel roads and the lack of an old fashion cleated shoes. I am very interested to see the vintage bike concourse.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

No, that would be cool though. I'd need to be more vintage (bike/not me) to tackle that!

[gchappel]

I am presently looking at both the domane and roubaix. I presently ride the specialized tarmac. It is 11yrs old and I am just looking for something new. As an old fart looking to do centuries again I am looking for some comfort. Neither of these bikes are light- in the 6-8000 range they will weigh 18-19 pounds, so I would have the heaviest bike in our group. The specialized has a more active suspension than the trek. I like the trek dealer a little better, so that will probably make my decision, although the trek bike with similar equipment is about 2K more than the specialized.
By the way, look into the garmin radar. Works great. Although traffic in our area is pretty light, it lets me relax rather than looking in the mirror every 5seconds.
Enjoy the ride
Gary

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by gchappel

By the way, look into the garmin radar. Works great. Although traffic in our area is pretty light, it lets me relax rather than looking in the mirror every 5seconds.
Enjoy the ride
Gary

Heard about the radar unit and seeing your post...went to Amazon and read the reviews.
Looks like a very nice unit. Ordered one..$282 (includes the display)..will be here Friday. Thanks.

[flatbutt]

I'm 68 (in August) and ride at least 15/ride just to keep gravity at bay. Longer rides are
>20. My Raleigh Cadent rolls easily and climbs well enough (for me). 3 rings, 7 in the cassette, Shimano gear , carbon stem, post, forks and stays. Not at all high zoot.

[greglepore]

Dogpile on the varia radar. It interfaces with wahoo and garmin computers so if you have one no need for the display.

The Roubaix and Domane are good bikes for you to look at. They are almost as aero as the respective racy bikes from these companies, with a more friendly geometry and enough "suspension" to ease the chip seal. Pricey though. However, Trek travel has a great deal on lightly used Domane's from their rental fleet-

https://shop.trektravel.com/collections/road-bikes/products/trek-domane-sl-7-11-speed-di2-electronic-shifting-used

Ultegra electronic is a flat out excellent group now . These are rim brake. The disc bikes pop up from time to time. The major issue with rim brake bikes (all of mine are still rim) is that the industry is moving to wider rims and tires-25mm rim width with 28's and 30's now the norm- and rim brakes don't always accomodate these. The Domane should handle 28-30's no problem but on a slightly narrower rim.

[ErVikingo]

If you are going to do it, do it right. Orbea Orca "regular" or aero.

They have their MYO program which is paint customization without an additional charge.

https://www.orbea.com/us-en/bicycles/road/orca-aero/cat

[RSBob]

Been checking out all your suggestions, which are very much appreciated. Always good to hear from experienced riders with first hand knowledge. As you guys already know, bikes are very personal and like with women, we all want different things but above all we want performance . Bike buying can be like buying new car. Lots of makes, models, ratings, but need to drive them to see what fits and gives ya what you need. Hesitant about buying over the interwebs without first taking them out for a day and running my course. This COVID deal makes it more challenging having to reserve times to see shops, since walk-in is not available in Washington St.

Really like the suggestions, and the non-suggestions (Pinarello, Cervello, Merx, etc) are equally telling. Thanks guys and ride on.

[LWJ]

Not sure if this fits in the conversation, but my brother is a know-it-all engineer and certified bike nut. He is building up a new bike with these in mind. He has ridden them for a while and won't shut up about the revolutionary change: comfort, grip, speed.

https://www.renehersecycles.com/myth-16-higher-tire-pressure-is-faster/

[greglepore]

Originally Posted by RSBob

Really like the suggestions, and the non-suggestions (Pinarello, Cervello, Merx, etc) are equally telling. Thanks guys and ride on.

My personal stable is more exotic than what I suggested, but none of the bikes are quiver killers. And I shop private seller used. My favorite bike currently is a Serotta Ottrott, but they are long out of production and were custom so you have to shop hard. The closest modern equivalent is a Seven 622, and the Ottrott is in some ways more exotic. It would be a $10k bike in today's world.

The current crop of "endurance"performance road bikes are very capable, responsive bikes with a slightly higher head tube ( better for aging necks and backs).

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Originally Posted by LWJ

Not sure if this fits in the conversation, but my brother is a know-it-all engineer and certified bike nut. He is building up a new bike with these in mind. He has ridden them for a while and won't shut up about the revolutionary change: comfort, grip, speed.

https://www.renehersecycles.com/myth-16-higher-tire-pressure-is-faster/

What's he building? a 650c?

I spent a lot of time this winter researching/reading through Jan's blog. Interesting read. Even bought a pair of rene-herse/compass rat trap pass tires 2.3? (measure more 1.9-2.0 inch dead on) for my schwinn 26mtb/touring rig and the 37c panaracer gravel king slicks (the same factory that makes rene-herse, but the tire is a more economical knock off) for my gravel bike. I've done the 23,25,28,32's as well. In the end, the bigger tires are more comfortable, and fun to ride on, but the 23c's still give me the speed. I put them at about 100lbs, which is a little lower than most, but it does well for me. perhaps that's the rene-herse low pressure sweet spot for the 23.Seems like most the road bikes today will come off the shelf with a 25 or 28. Out here, the tires are getting so big, it's hard to tell of the person is on a road bike or a gravel bike sometimes when I see them and I'm in my car.

I think they are all different flavors that taste good in their own right. I enjoy them all for different reasons. I do like how Jan Heine is rediscovering some of the old school thought that was pretty solid from the get-go. Going through his blog from start to finish is like starting at page one of "random pics" here. Long- but a good read.

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by RSBob

True confessions. In my 30s and 40s did lots of centuries, doubles and endurance events. Took my early 50’s off and started single track mtn biking in late 50 to early 60s. Now with COVID and not wanting to end up in the E.R. Mtn biking and with reduced traffic, I have been hitting the roads again in earnest. Really enjoying the feeling of getting stronger, attacking the climbs and streaking down the descents. Now that I’m 65 my 25 year old Fondreist with 16 gears is not cutting it on steep long climbs. With my frameset, a smaller inner chain ring (have a 37) won’t work because I already have too much chain rub. The bike was converted from a 10 speed to a 16 and it is maxed out.

Soooo, what I am looking for is an aero-styled bike (not full aero since they tend to be heavy and not good climbers and I live in a hilly area and usually climb 1k to 1.5k’ on each ride. Since the roads have a lot of chip seal, it needs to absorb road shock (my Fondreist is all steel and loosens my fillings). It should be light to be a good climber and stable on high speed descents. My budget is $3500 to $5000 so no high end bikes. Disc brakes tend to make a stiffer ride, but want response without harshness, so am open but am wary. I don’t ride in the rain any more unless I get caught out so discs aren’t that important. Good components are essential. Right now use Campy Super Record with Chorus mixed. Not stuck on Campy, but have ridden only Campy for 35 years. Shimano Ultegra or DuraAce would work too.

The Bianchi Oltre XR3 and XR4 CV (non disc) looks promising, and looks pretty sexy but what are your thoughts?

I've ridden a custom Ti for the last 30yrs, now 70 and osteo arthritis is worse every year in the back an hips, average ~5k mi a yr, up to 7k in a good yr. daily ride is ~50+/-mi w/ ~2200' vertical @15.4 avg.

when I shopped for a second bike a few years ago the local shop had a Cannondale Synapse hi-mod disk w/ carbon everything. the selling point was the relaxed riding position which I didn't appreciate at first, but now past 70 it is the bike of choice

Here it is at my favorite daily stop to commune w/ nature, lots of Ospreys, Herons, Loons and Eagles going after the abundant and active fish

Di2 electric shifters, hi-mod Carbon frame, seatpost and bars , Envy wheels, Fizik Carbon seat

[wildthing]

How much are you guys willing to spend on a bike? I ride maybe 2x a week and very rarely more than an hour so I stick to sub-$1K bikes...

[David]

I ride a 2019 Trek Emonda SLR rim brake and Domane SLR disk. I picked both framesets up half price and moved my existing components over so the cost wasn’t so painful. The Emonda has room for 28mm tires and the Domane has room for 38mm. I’m not recommending Trek since I mainly ride them because their H2 geometry fits my build but I think it shows many newer bikes can accommodate larger tires for a better ride. When it comes time to pick one I usually grab the Emonda because it’s so much faster for not much ride quality penalty.

[aigel]

If you don't need disks, my advice is to look at bikes a few years old. If you do that, 3K will buy you a LOT of bike. And someone else already put the first scratch on it for you. Local classifieds may yield some interesting bikes to look at and now you don't have the shopping restrictions. Note that bikes are HOT right now. I had a track bike / fixie I wasn't using and sold it much quicker last month than I would have imagined.

I did some shopping in 2016 and got a lot of advice at the time here too. My budget was about 3k and instead of getting a mid level new bike I ended up with a C50 Colnago, full Campy Record set for half my budget. It has been a great bike and a lot more fun to own than a run of the mill machine. Yes, I probably could be faster (?) with a new bike, but not at that price point. And I am not racing, just riding for fun.

G

School me on road bikes ...