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+--- Thread: WTB: Road bike/cyclocross (/showthread.php?tid=7436)
WTB: Road bike/cyclocross - JackoliciousLegs - 07-02-2008
So I want to buy a road bike/cyclocross if i can afford it. I'm not really partial to any brands, but it needs to fit me well. I was thinking Specialized, Motobecane or Bianchi.
1. Is there anything about these brands that I need to know about?
2. Is there a HUGE difference between Tiagra, Ultegra, and 105 components? What are they? Keep in mind I'm coming from shitty friction shifters. Are they worth the $hundreds$ difference?
3. Cyclocross vs road bikes? Are CXs noticeably slower? Will it still feel faster than my old steel framed Schwinn?
I'm thiiiiis close to getting one of these. Sora derailleur up front though. Perhaps this... but it's 50% more
- REED - 07-02-2008
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/car/732951514.html">http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/car/732951514.html</a><!-- m -->
more better
:dunno:
thats really all that I have to contribute?
- .RJ - 07-02-2008
You should get what fits you. If you plan on riding it a lot then cheap components will suck ass after a year - I'm dealing with this now (shimano 105 parts).
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.wrenchscience.com/">http://www.wrenchscience.com/</a><!-- m --> has a sizing calculator on their website thats supposed to be fairly accurate but all brands are different.
How much will you be using it, and what for?
- JackoliciousLegs - 07-02-2008
Cool site. I'll do it when I get home.
Sooo wait, you got 105s and they're sucking after a year?! 105's are supposedly some of the better of the line. If that's the case, F it, I'm going Sora/Tiagra. I looked on bikeforums.com and they're a mixed bag regarding motobecanes and bikesdirect.com. People that own them love them, and everyone else hates them.
I'm going to swing into a bike shop on the way home and test ride something with the 105s and compare road vs cyclocross.
- .RJ - 07-02-2008
JackoliciousLegs Wrote:I'm going to swing into a bike shop on the way home and test ride something with the 105s and compare road vs cyclocross.
Good plan. Once you know what you want, and know what fits, then buy used. Then find a local bike shop (LBS) and pay them to adjust the 'fit' of the bike for you.
All of the components on my road bike (Trek Pilot) are kind of falling apart for one reason or another.
- Mike - 07-02-2008
105 parts should not fall apart after a year... RJ is doing something wrong.
- JackoliciousLegs - 07-02-2008
Mike Wrote:RJ is doing something wrong.
![[Image: 20080325-084925.jpg]](http://www.doingitwrong.com/wrong/20080325-084925.jpg)
![[Image: 1058_6369.jpg]](http://www.doingitwrong.com/wrong/1058_6369.jpg)
Re: WTB: Road bike/cyclocross - Ginger0 - 07-02-2008
Sora/Tiagra is a step below 105... and they're trash. I won't ride with less tha 105 because it'll fall apart. I'm running full Ultegra/Dura Ace, but if you're going to ride a lot (lets say, 3 times a week), 105 is going to be your bottom rung.
A CX bike will be noticeably slower than a real road bike, but it will also be more durable. However, it will all be faster than your old paper weight. If you switched to road tires, you would get a bit of speed back, without sacrificing the overall durability of the bike (but you'd lose all of the off road ability).
If you can hold off until after the holiday weekend, I can spend some time with you to evaluate what you need, and what would well suit those needs.
- .RJ - 07-02-2008
I had to do a double take to make sure that wasnt me - I did the exact same thing out in Moab... fuck.
Maybe I am doing something wrong, as I dont do 'regular' tune ups with the components, but the stuff shouldnt be causing me too many issues with ~3,000 miles on the bike. Maybe my expectations are wrong. I dunno.
JackoliciousLegs Wrote:
- JackoliciousLegs - 07-02-2008
105 it is then... now specialized sells something with 105s for... over 1200. Bikesdirect.com has a couple motobecanes for under $800. hmmm.... going home to ride road vs cx
- JackoliciousLegs - 07-02-2008
Sooo... I rode two CX bikes and decided that I need to stick with a road bike. Also, I tried soras, tiagras and 105s and I'm going with 105s. They will sell me a Giant OCR1 full 105 setup for $950. Man, the prices keep going up, but that's a really good deal. We'll see. I'll ride some more soon.
- Ginger0 - 07-03-2008
The OCR's a good bike, and outfitted with 105 it shouldn't let you down. I assume they put you up to a large? Don't forget to make sure they fit you up with a proper stem stack height, and length. You should get yourself seat up on the seat, as well, but getting the stem right in the store is more important.
Are you running clipless yet? Any interest? They be willing to toss you a "club discount" or something to that effect for packaging up.
- JackoliciousLegs - 07-03-2008
I'm on an XL Giant. Test rode a Jamis Ventura Race as well. It wasn't my size, but they're ordering one for me to ride. Giant vs Jamis? Dunno. Both are under 1k for full 105 setups.
Clipless... ehhhh I'm mostly riding this thing to work. I like my toe clip things. That's fine with me. Are there any serious benefits besides having to carry your real shoes with you?
- .RJ - 07-03-2008
If you go clipless and get a set of stiff soled road shoes it makes a significant difference in feel and efficiency - and your feet wont hurt after a long ride.
For commuting to work I wouldnt bother but if you're going to spend several hrs a week on it, then look into it.
- Ginger0 - 07-03-2008
Jamies vs. Giant I'd go Giant.
- JackoliciousLegs - 07-09-2008
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.feltracing.com/08/product.asp?catid=1504,1515&pid=8665">http://www.feltracing.com/08/product.as ... 5&pid=8665</a><!-- m -->
Yay... nay?
- Mike - 07-09-2008
gets good reviews: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.roadbikereview.com/mfr/felt/road-bike/PRD_366260_5668crx.aspx">http://www.roadbikereview.com/mfr/felt/ ... 68crx.aspx</a><!-- m -->
- Ginger0 - 07-09-2008
Oh yeah dude, definitely. Felt makes some blingy kit
The grouppo looks to be more than what you'll need, so that's nice (the Ultegra stuff makes me smile). You'll get a bit of an elitist bump, too. For the most part, "Freds" out tooling around on Sunday afternoon pretending to be Lance ride Giant, Specialized, Trek, etc., but not companies like Felt Can you get a good deal on it? (btw, back from Canada, shoot me an email if you want)
- JackoliciousLegs - 07-09-2008
I made friends with the guy and he offered his friends and family discount. What would that be? 10%? I didn't ask. Base price is probably close to 1350 rather than 1400. The other thing is that this shop offers a two year free labor and one year parts warranty... and a full fitting (even though it's not a super expensive bike).
- .RJ - 07-09-2008
Looks like better components for less than I paid for my Trek. Go for it