I’ve been in the market for a new bike for a while. I have long legs and a short torso, so it makes bike buying a bit difficult. Yesterday I tried out a 2003 QR Caliente and it fit better than anything else. Should I buy it? That’s been my question since I got off of it.
Here’s what holding me back. For some reason I don’t have as much faith in the QR brand as other brands. This just might be my beef with myself. I also don’t really like the Profile Aerobars on the bike, I prefer C2s. However, I need the Profiles so I can adjust the pads back to bring the bars closer to me, which effectivly shortens the top tube a bit. It felt really sluggist while climbing, which is probably true of most tri bikes. I’m also not thrilled with the way it looks, which I know is silly. Finally, I’m just not 100% convinced.
The positives are that the bike fit better than other ones, at least after the pads were moved back. I still felt a little stretched out, but better than before. The bike is well within my price range and it has pretty nice parts with a Dura Ace/Ultegra mix.
The last bit of silliness is to go with the 2003 or 2004. That might be another thread.
My other option for a new bike seems to get a custom one made that will fit a 6’3" rider needing a 56 cm or less top tube. That means my head tube needs to be at least 14.5 or 15, and then I still need to worry about my knees hitting the elbow pads (I do have long legs).
All in all, if I’m going to get a bike, I should get one sooner rather than later.
Hopefully just putting this out will help me make up my mind.
You and I are very similar. I am 6’ 2" and have long legs and short torso. I am thinking about making the jump to a QR Tiphoon which is basicly a Ti Caliente. If you get a new bike make sure you are happy with it. QR is a great brand and the Tiphoon and Caliente are great quality bikes. I know several people on both that love them. I have thought about getting the Caliente but just have always wanted a TI bike. The Caliente is a great value and when I look at the cost of the Tiphoon and Caliente together I wonder if TI is worth it. Same great bike different material.
Looks are always important and I love the way the Caliente looks. If it were me I would without a doubt go with the 04. The 03 paint job just is not me. I hope this helps you with your decision.
Hey, I’m in that club, too - long legs, short torso, but 6’0. Buying a my road bike was a big challenge - I ended up having Yaqui build a custom tri/road (draft legal) bike, but it fits really well and I have no complaints over it at all.
On the time trial style bike, I went back to Yaqui and Ves was able to fit me on a stock, 78 degree seat angle frame - though I will sit at closer to 76 degrees. Can’t wait to get this one - will be a few weeks, though.
Your story sounds familiar to me too. I am 6’3 and I also bought a '03 57cm Caliente in December. I think I have long legs and arms. Not sure about my torso length; it seems that I always want to stretch the aero bars out a bit more than I got them fit for me, so that is the part of my fit that i am ‘meeting halfway’.
I love the bike. Full disclosure - I think I would love any bike that fit me properly, so I am not a very hard critic. Some of the reasons that I bought it are similiar to yours: great fit, great value, good parts mix, it seems like very good quality. I was very impressed that the 57cm bike had a 12.4cm head tube! At the moment I forget my saddle height - I think it is 81cm or thereabouts- but regardless the geometry was a MAJOR selling point for me. (That and it was sale priced at $1500. I mention this only so you have a market comparison) I am planning on leaving the profile aerobars on it but replacing the Truvativ crank for a FSA compact crank. (That decision of mine is for another post…I live in mostly flat to mild hills so I’m not sure if I’m being a baby here…I just REALLY like the high cadence aproach to riding that the 50 would seem to encourage.) Personally, I love the paint job and prefer it to the '04 flames, but I know full well that is personal preference.
I haven’t had it out too much due to the weather. I am set up at 80 degrees and the few rides I have had it on the bike felt very smooth and the handling was superb. My ‘weekday rides’ are on a bike path that borders a lake, and the crosswinds can be severe in parts of it. The bike was very responsive and stable in those conditions.
First of all, you have to buy the bike that fits you best. Enough said.
Second of all, why don’t you have any faith in QR brands? Personal experience? Have you owned one before? I have lots of experience with QR. I owned a 2000 Tequilo and now ride a 2004 Tiphoon. I test rode Cervelo dual, Trek Team Time Trial, a 2003 QR Caliente, and a 2003 QR Tiphoon. Money was not a factor as I had the greenlight from my better half to buy any one of those bikes. I loved the 2003 Caliente. Only problem was it was a 53cm and based on riding the 55cm Tiphoon I new I needed a 55cm Caliente as their geometries are exactly the same. This led to the next problem. I could not locate a 55cm 2003 Caliente with 700c wheelset anywhere. I personally liked the 2003 paint job vs. 2004 burnt orange. Plus the deals on 2003 Caliente were right around $1500 vs. around $2200 for a 2004. I found a screaming deal on a new 2004 Tiphoon and opted for this bike and have had absolutely no regrets since. I have the utmost confidence in the quality of QR and that speaks from personal experience. I didn’t have a single problem with my Tequilo. The quality of the paint job was great. At the time I sold it, it still looked showroom new. Components were full Ultegra, so that speaks for itself.
Here is what I didn’t like about the Cervelo. Cheap brake calipers, horrible paint job, subpar fork, average wheelset (Ritchey). In my opinion, an overrated bike. I liked the Trek Team Time Trial. Ride was very forgiving and smooth. Look of bike was sexy. Downside is I couldn’t get the bike to fit me. Comes in S, M, and Large frames and it either fits you or it doesn’t.
Your aerobar dilemma now. Have you had personal experience with the syntace C2s? Or do you just like the look of them or some other reason for wanting them? I personally like the adjustability of the Profile aerobars over the Syntace. You can narrow the pads and widen them, shorten the bars or lengthen them, turn the bars out or turn them in. Infinite adjustments. The stock aerobars with 2004 Tiphoon were C2 and I swapped them out for Profile. I had Syntace streamliners before and never did find them comfortable secondary to the lack of adjustability.
Your color dilemma. I like the 2003 color better but that’s my opinion. If I was getting a nice leftover discount on the 2003 Caliente I’d go for the 2003 and sink the saved money into accessories or a nice set of race wheels. Either route you decide on, I don’t think you will be disappointed with the Caliente. Good luck with your decision and let us all know which bike you finally decide on.
The fit of the bike is very important, it is more important than components or weight savings or anything else. A bike that fits makes you fast and efficient and can help prevent injury. I am all for making sure that bikes fit, it’s very important. From your post, it sounds like the Caliente fit you and that you were comfortable on it. So far, so good. But you also deserve to have bike that gets you excited! You should be looking it up on the internet before you buy it because you just can’t wait to have it and you should keep it in your bedroom for a week after you buy it because you just can’t bear to be parted from it! If the Caliente won’t do this to you, then why get it? I don’t think it is silly to not buy a bike because you are not enthusiastic about it.
adampom, I’ in the same club you are but need a 53-54 tt. I was this close l-l to buying a te same model QR your thinking about as it was the best bike for the money that fit me. I happened to be in the UK and saw a custom builder’s shop while strolling around the countryside. I went in and next thing you know I had ordered a custom frame. Found out it is almost exactly the same as the QR I was looking at.
Same here. 6’5 long legs short torso. After trying just about everything out there. I went custom. No regrets. A bit more expensive and a little wait but well worth it when you do not have the “standard” body. In my case I ended up with a top tube that is less than 55cm.
It hasn’t been said here yet. . .Call Ves at Yaqui. You enumerated quite a few misgivings about the QR. Although many are simply personal preference, it is highly unlikely that you will ever really accept the QR at this point. Let Ves build you a bike that is exactly what you want. Most folks claim his bikes really climb well (including our moderator, Slowman). You can order the bike in a wide array of colors at minimal added cost. You’ll get one hell of a bike, thats for sure. And he’ll build one that fits you exactly. I haven’t heard anyone say he got it wrong yet. And the best part. . .You’ll probably get that bike similarly equipped to the QR for the same $$, or even less.
If you have misgivings about the bike you’re looking to buy, it isn’t the one for you. It may fit you well, and it may fit your price range. QR is an excellent company and makes a damn fine product - but if you don’t already love this ride with a passion, and WANT it so badly you can feel it in your bones, it ain’t the ride for you.
Like others on this forum have suggested, look into Ves’ bikes.
I’d suggest a similarity between choosing a bike and choosing a girlfriend, but fear starting Tom D on yet another rant.
All of these replys have been helpful in reassuring me about the quality of QR bikes.
I liked this line from the last post:
I’d suggest a similarity between choosing a bike and choosing a girlfriend, but fear starting Tom D on yet another rant.
I’m excited about my girlfriend, but not as excited about the bike. Maybe I’ll get excited about the bike soon enough. It did feel good on my test ride, which was over a few hours in cold rain. If it felt good then, it will probably feel good at other times. I’m just not excited right now…
You can turn the pads 180*, effectively bringing the pads back. That’s what Dave Bunce did for me when I got fit (slam). Not as adjustable as the Profiles, but something to think about.
