i was at my LBS today looking at bikes, i am looking for a new tribike and my local guy sells guru among others. He has a guru cron’alu for $2350CDN with shimano 105 components.
i am comparing to a cervelo dual that sells for $1999CDN but has ultregra components (except the brakes)
now… i don’t know shit about bikes except what i learned on the internet the past month or so
the owner of the LBS bascially says that there is a reason the cervelo is cheaper - you get what you pay for and while it has ultegra it also cheaps out on other components such as a questionable fork and cheap brakes, & bullhorns.
He also said that shimano ultegra and 105 are very very similar and in fact he thinks they will be combined into a single product line.
I dont mind paying an extra $350 at the local place as long as i am getting a bike of equal or better value because i will get other goodies & discounts and cheaper service on the bike. And i want to shop local too.
The bikes are bascially as they come from the factory.
Now, i know this is not a site that caters to these type of newbie questions. Thats why i have been lurking and keeping my head down until now.
I think that dude is full of crap, especially about 105 and Ultegra becoming the same product line. I think he’s just trying to sell his bike by tearing down the Cervelo. Honestly, I don’t think you could wrong with either bike. I can vouch for Cervelos…I have a P2K and love it.
Which one fits you better? Classic ST cop-out, yeah - but I’m dead serious. I don’t think either bike is vastly superior to the other, nor do I think there’s a problem with the Cervelo spec’ed fork or bullhorns. I’ve no direct experience with their brakes, but if you don’t like them you can swap them out pretty cheaply.
I don’t agree with the 105/Ultegra comments either, but hey - he’s entitled to his opinion and probably has a very good reason for his beliefs. He does handle way more gear than I do, and especially Shimano.
I think that assuming the fit is “equivalently good”, that you’d be well served by either bike. Does this shop do tri bike fittings? Do you trust them? If so, buy the one that fits best based on their recommendation. If you don’t necessarily trust them, post where you live and hopefully we can come up with a store you can trust.
I also don’t agree with the 105 vs. Ultegra thing. I do agree that the Guru Cron’Alu is a “better” bike than the Cervelo though. Remember, Guru usues the ENTIRE build set also (105 everything, including bottom bracket, brakes, etc. same if you upgrade to Ultegra (all you need). Cervelo mixes and matches stuff to save money, but is still a great bike
Lastly, the Cron’Alu is probably the “cheapest” bike that can be made completely custom (unlike any Cervelo) so fit wouldn’t be an issue.
haven’t rode them yet so i cant say which fits better. I assumed (ha ha) that as once i decide on a bike, i will get it fitted and either one should be a good fit. I am a shade over 6 feet and normally proportioned.
I asked about bike fittings but i dont think he treats it with as much importance as perhaps he should (compared to some of the articles i have read on this site). He said that i am the same height as he so i need a 58 cm frame and am welcome to ride one of his bikes.
I am about 2hrs north of Toronto but would be willing to get a bike fitting there if it is going to ensure that my significant purchase is the ideal fit.
By the way, how does a bike fitting work? Do you go to a guy (shop) that does it and pay X amount of dollars to determine what frame will fit you and then use this knowledge to buy a bike sight unseen if necessary knowing that as long as the measurements are the same as your ideal fit the bike will be the right size?
@ 2hrs North of Toronto, it would totally be worth your time to head down to Endurosport. Dan and Fiona know their shit, and will hook you up with a bike that fits you properly as well as being in your price range.
A proper bike fitting is far more than “throw a leg over and see how she looks”. It’s also more than “you’re about the same size as me” or even measuring your inseam and multiplying by .65 to get the correct frame size (a la Cyrille Guimard). Both Tom & Dan/Fiona will take the time to ensure that the bike you purchase is the one that fits you best, given all other constraints (budget is usually the main one, but often people are irrationally attached or opposed to a specific manufacturer/frame material/etc). Check this out: http://bikesportmichigan.com/wheels/wheels.shtml This is what you ideally want in a bike fitting. Not many stores will be able to do this for you, but it’s the gold standard. Anything less is a compromise. Some compromises may be worthwhile, while others may not be. That is ultimately your decision.
Based on what you’ve written, I wouldn’t waste any more time in your LBS unless you know exactly what you’re looking for, and need it ASAP (ie - a new tyre, etc).
Go back to your LBS. Say, “I will buy from you what you tell me fits optimally.”
…Assuming he is a man (woman) of integrity, he will honor your trust and treat you right.
That’s a might big assumption, Tom… Especially from a dude who said “you’re about the same size as me - you need a 48”. Also, someone who doesn’t appear to put much stock in proper bicycle fitting, and who more or less equates 105 with Ultegra.
I’d be surprised if fit is an issue with either of these bikes. If you can fit one, then you can also fit the other just as long as the people doing the fitting know what they are doing.
Two very good CDN bikes, but IMO the Dual is a better value for the money considering the ultegra. Of course as a Cervelo owner I could be bias and admit to not being too familiar with Guru products. The Dual fork may not be the greatest but nothing wrong with the bullhorns or brakes.
If you’re going to read Tom’s review of the Guru then you should also read his review of the Cervelo Dual.
Go back to your LBS. Say, “I will buy from you what you tell me fits optimally.”
Do that.
Assuming he is a man (woman) of integrity, he will honor your trust and treat you right.
I think the first question I ever posed to to this forum was about finding the right shop – one that you could trust. A good bike is a lot of money to drop on the huge assumption that the shop will look out for your own interests before their own. I eventually bought a bike that works for me. And I learned a lot along the way from this forum and other cyclists. But it has taken me a lot longer find a shop that I can trust. And along the way I found a few shops that I completely do not trust (one of them happens to be a high-end shop that is the closest shop to me).
There’s no easy answer for someone new to the sport. Read lots. Talk to local cyclists and triathletes. Trust your instincts.
Cheers,
Rob
p.s. I’m in Toronto if you want to PM me for more candid answers.