Bi-Curious

[Schumi]

Used to ride one of these for a while, it was on loan from a friend. Exactly the same as in the photo except with carbon forks. I'm 175 lbs and felt the bike was more than suited for my weight.

You can pick up the older series Allez's for around $600 now, no problem. I'm getting one of my own again soon.

[dd74]

Yeah. Those Specialized bikes are very good race bikes. At $600 to a $1K, you can crash 'em and break 'em and not feel too bad. Just strip off the components and get another.

[Superman]

I'm bi-curious too. I've been wondering what it would be like with two women, together, who really like each other. Hmmmmm..........

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by DARISC

Not to be a wise ass but, given all the variables, seems to me to be as difficult a question to answer.

cute!

Now, take a look at the Tesla.

[RWebb]

it is not a joke post - and I am well aware that components are important (as is fitting)

I am just trying to figure out a relation of cost vs. weight for my own purposes.

[dd74]

Originally Posted by RWebb

it is not a joke post - and I am well aware that components are important (as is fitting)

I am just trying to figure out a relation of cost vs. weight for my own purposes.

A lot more information is needed to help you with your question. The lighter the bike, the more it cost. However, the lighter the bike, the more difficult and less comfortable it is to ride.

[DARISC]

Originally Posted by RWebb

cute!

Now, take a look at the Tesla.

Really wasn't trying to be cute or a wise ass. Don't know much about bikes, but think that Ti is the most expensive frame material, followed by cf, aluminum and steel (may be wrong about the order of last two). I think cf is the lightest, then Ti?

But I'm pretty sure you already know that and since you asked "how much does a modern road bike weigh (complete)?", I thought my response was reasonable.

I don't get your reference to the Tesla in this context. I'm sure you're not referring to this Riva Tesla trainer :

[Dottore]

Originally Posted by DARISC

I'm getting back into cycling after more years than I am willing to divulge. Having gotten lots of good info and advice from guys here, I bought a Surly Long Haul Trucker touring bike. As shown, it weighs probably 35 lbs and I've got $1350 in it.



Being bitten, I just bought a 1983 12 spd, Medici Pro Strada, full Campy Super Record which weighs 23 1/2 lbs as shown. With new butted spoke wheels on Campy hubs, I've got $1600 in it.



They're both steel.

I like that Surly a lot. Particulary the fact that you can carry a flagon of Scotch and a soda siphon. Very classy.

So why did you get the red bike??? Was the Surly too heavy for you?

[dd74]

Ti is cheap these days. It's fallen completely out of favor with the big Euro manufacturers like Colnago, De Rosa, Pinarello, etc.

As I might have said earlier, a person can pick up a complete Ti bike for a little more than $2K, made right here in the good ol USA.

Yes, Ti is lighter and supposedly stronger than steel. But steel is still a great material for frames. The problem with steel is it's gone boutique while carbon has become the material of choice as they can now stamp them out of big machines in Taiwan and China.

Personally, I'd take steel over any material for a good, all around performance bike. Soma makes a nice steel frame from Taiwan; Gunnar makes a very good frame in Wisconsin, and then there's this rig from Kona:



It's called the Kona Haole: Italian steel, Shimano components, maybe about 18lbs (depending on size). And should last longer than a lifetime. I think it's a bit over $2K, but probably worth every penny.

[DARISC]

Originally Posted by Dottore

So why did you get the red bike??? Was the Surly too heavy for you?

No, the Surly's geared to compensate for the weight; just gotta keep my pace up going up hills in a low gear. The more upright riding position is more comfortable than the Medici's for long rides and the long wheelbase and fatter tires also make for a comfortable ride. It'll only go so fast, but that's faster than I'm interested in going anyway.

I like the looks of lugged frames and over a period of two days seeing the Medici in my bike shop, I developed an irrational urge to possess it. It's an American made, Italian style bike (the two builders were out of Masi - one was "The Haircut Bandit" ) with all Campy components, which I lusted for when I was in college and couldn't afford them.

While the Medici is much lighter than the Surly, at 23 1/2 lbs it is not really light by the standards of today's bikes. It's more fun to ride than the Surly because it is much livelier due to it's tighter geometry (shorter wheelbase) and lighter weight, but not as versatile and bombproof as the Surly. The Campognolo brakes are pretty weak.

The way I see it is, the 08 Surly is to my 08 Volvo C30 T5 hatchback as the 83 Medici is to my 82 911SC coupe; I'll get good use out of both.

[vash]

i like this for going to and fro work:




too bad, i cant afford it. YET