Okay all…we know you are all the experts so I need your advice (so I can pass it on like a bad penny).
I have a friend who has a budget of about $2,400.00 +/- for a new bike. He has checked out all the usual suspects out there. Now, where things get interesting is that he rides a small bike 50-52, the frame size is just not optimal really for the design of many frames out there. I know, and it is not able to be disputed that a small frame made of any OS aluminum tubes will ride quite harsh – thus I suggested that he look into Ti and or Carbon. At a minimum, carbon rear end (and I suggest against that) or a carbon seat post to absorb some of the road shock.
This guy did IMFL last year and will do IMMooo this year. He is a MOP to BOP’er on the bike in his AG. That also plays into the decision on what bike to get. I have given this much thought – and at this point am under the impression is that maybe the best “Tri” bike for him is not a “Tri” bike at all. This will be his one bike, for training, racing, touring, chatting and IM…to me, that yells “Road Bike” with aero bars on it. At his price point it would seem to me that the Trek OCLV and or the Giant OCR frames may be just what he needs (though not what he has been looking for).
What do you all think? You have a $2,400.00 top end, you don’t really want an aluminum bike, and you would like Ultegra or Centaur components. You all agree a road bike would be best (remember too that this is a bike for Moo)…
Trek Madone SL 5.2 … Same frame and fork as the 5.9, well spec’d with Ultegra 10 (complete drive train, shifting, brakes) and bontrager components (race lite wheels, race x lite seat post, race lite stem and bars). List price is 2,800 but I have seen it as low as 2,300 at a dealership here (not chicago, but as large as Chicago is I would assume you could get it for that price).
Forgot to include the Cervelo R2.5 frameset. Frame, fork, seat post for $2,100.00. Yeah I know that is close to the budget end but your buddy might be able to complete it via e-bay with another $500-750 for DA-9 spd and wheels. Just a thought.
Forgot another, how about the Felt F55. Carbon rear end, aluminum main frame, super well spec’d (DA and FSA drive train). Best of all under $2,000.00.
I like the Lemond Zurich in a 49cm (they size big). Cool frame design. '05 should run 22-2300 with U10. You may be able to find an 04 Maillot Juane within his price range.
It is a slack seat tube though, even for a road bike. Can you get into Ti-carbon for that amount of $$$? The shop I work at has an '04 Tete De Corse (ti/carbon with D10) marked from $5000 to $4000. Ebay?
Although I a fan of campy, I think Shimano has the upper hand until Chorus. Centuar is a bit heavy, but I rode 4000+ miles on a Centuar group and it performed better than when I bought it.
The Bianchi Virata has a steeper seat tube - also a steel/carbon with U10. Their San Mateo is aluminum/carbon with centuar
check out Bianchi. great design/componets/wheelsets, and light enough/plush enough to do whatever he wants.
a road bike can do alot of things. if he gets a good one it will last him for a long time and can do what he wants with it. as far as materials, something comfortable…I ride an EV/Boron (steel/carbon) frame from Bianchi. it’s lively and plush. a great combo–also it has the centaur group but the bike still comes in a little over 18 pounds. Not bad!
Ebay: Litespeed Siena - seems to have everything you (he) seek(s). I can speak to it’s very comfy ride and awesome handling.
I’m 5’5" and the small frame is perfect for me. I can get into a relatively comfortable “forward” position with my Arione slid up and some Jammers attached.
I think that your suggestions are very good, with a nod in the Trek direction. I’ve read that the Giant is a fairly stiff frame (exactly what many people are looking for - but perhaps not your friend), which could conceivably become harsh in a smaller frame.
What about buying used? Is that an option?
Oh yeah, what about a Kestrel Talon? That’s probably in the price ballpark.
Orbea Orca (or the cheaper Orbea Onix). Used it as a road bike and as a TT / Tri bike…fantastic! he will nOT be dissapointed…the Orbea Orca has been ridden to top 5 in Hawaii Ironman before!
He definately sounds like a road bike candidate. i would have said a Cervelo Soloist until you mentioned he doesn’t want aluminium.
Have a look at the Lemond OCLV/steel frames. They’re a cool combo of carbon and steel. Compact geometry and slightly less slack seat tube than the conventional bikes. I just got a frame to replace my aluminium TCR and I’m sure to notice a big difference on the couple of centuries planned for this summer.
It is not that he does not want Aluminum, it is that I am saying that more often than not Al in smaller sizes will rattle your teeth out. 112 miles of super stiff Al does not make for a very happy IM race. Then again, I am a Softride guy so I dont like any road shock.
I have a size 48 Dual and don’t find it particularly harsh. It is more harsh then my steel frame touring bike, but it should be. Soloist might be the way to go if the ride will suit him.
He might try one of the Orbea AL/ carbon frames. I demo’d an orbea starship last year. Put in 65 miles on saturday and did 85 the next. I was very surprised with the ride quality of the bike. NO numb fingers or sore back side. Just a very responsive bike that weigh’s in at a little less than 16 lbs
This sounds exactly like my Olmo Dynamic with Campy. The Dynamic frame has the carbon seat stays, compact geometry, and comes in small sizes (I ride a 49). I love this bike. Handles like a dream, climbs beautifully. Might not be easy to find in your area/LBS, but I bought my bike in 2002 for $2500CAD. If I had $2500USD, I would have upgraded the gruppo to Chorus (from Veloce), got the carbon seat post, better pedals, and new aerobars (like Profile Jammers GT or even CGT).
I bet if you hit your LBS that carries the Italian frames, you can get a very sweet ride for that $.