I’m going to stop being a thrifty little bitch for a while and buy a top-end road bike (road racing is my thing these days). Being that I’m somewhat new to road bike racing (just started last year after getting injured running), I’m curious of seasoned roadies’ input.
The brands that best fit my sizing needs are De Rosa, Colnago, Fondriest, Opera/Pinarello, Litespeed. I’ve got a very light, stiff bike for climbing (my forte), but I’m looking for a bike for the long stuff (doing Lotoja, a 209 mile road race this fall). Comfort and beauty are higher on my priority list than are light weight and stiffness.
FWIW I ride a 56-56.5 cm top tube, 73.5-74 degree seat tube angle. I’m about 6’ and 155lbs.
The only thing that I can add is that my close friend bought a fondreist top f-1 (?) and had problems with the set up, specifically a pretty bad case of the shakes at speed. I helped him as well as the reputable bike shop and could never get rid of it. The fondreist importer sent another out which had the same characteristic. He ended up not keeping it, and went with a c-50. He really liked the colnago - E
No litespeed… just because they sold out to the mass markets.
I have to say I rode the fastest (road) bike I have ever ridden this year, and I’ve ridden them all. Surprisingly (even to me) it came in the form of a Lemond Victoire Ti/carbon spline. The Reynolds Cirro UL may have been a big part of that though.
Other than that, I’ve greatly enjoyed my Bianchi MegaTi. Bianchi Reparto Course bikes have the seat tube angles you want. Lots of cools stuff this year - L’una? White carbon fibre - love it!
Nothing is sexier than record ergo levers, but don’t be boring and do ONLY campy or ONLY DA. Zero gravity brake calipers, Cuissi cages, and Reynolds wheels.
I’m going to come out of left field and recommend a Specialized Roubaix Pro. Why, you may ask? Your stated goal of the long 205mile ride this summer. All those other bikes are relatively aggressive road bikes designed for hard racing. The Roubaix is designed as a long distance bike. It has a slightly slacker seat tube/head tube and a longer wheels base, as well as a slightly longer head tube. This bike is designed to cruise at a good clip for a very long time. Climbs like a dream and descends even better. The only place I wouldn’t use this bike is the weekly Hershey Centre crits. The boys who set the new world record at RAAM for tag team this year were on Roubaix’ for most of the race, and they averaged just under 30k/hr for 6000 miles. The Roubaix is all about comfort and stability over the long haul. You should check it out. The 56cm should set up for you really well.
I third the Colnago selection. The paint schemes are unparalleled.
Given my size, 6’-1" and 185, I went with the Colnago Ovalmaster, which is specifically built for bigger guys. Stiff, but still comfortable. I use this bike for crits, group rides, super long rides and will probably use it for Alcatraz. My mistress is a QR.
You and I probably ride the same size bike - I bought a 57 Ovalmaster, but remember Colnago measures c-t, not c-c.
They stopped making the Ovalmaster last year, so you can get pretty good deals on the frame right now. It originally retailed for $2899.
The only concern is scratching the paint in one of those inevitable things called a crash. Then you will see a grown man cry.
This is a picture off the net of what the bike looks like with the “geo” paint scheme I bought (basically a world map painted on the bike, with Italy on the top tube in green, the only green on the bike - sweet paint scheme!):
Lots of hard choices. Cool steel would be USA, Waterford, Soulcraft, Sachs (long wait), Balias (longer wait), Vanilla (serious candy). Steel is still a really good frame for going long. Ti Seven, Litespeed, and Merlin are the big dogs. Then Serotta is always popular. There are some super smaller Ti builders. Moots is almost a cult. I have one and they are really nice long distance frames and corner like they are on rails.
Trek make a ton of their highend bikes, but it seems like every other guy wants to look like Lance. I have never heard a bad word about the Colnago carbon ride. Giant has some pretty ones. I would think Calfee Cervelo and Parlee make good ones too.
If I were in need to get a cool roadie. I have a dozen bikes already and do not need more. I would look hardest at Vanilla (steel), Colnago ,Cervelo or Parlee (carbon), and Moots Ti.
Ha Ha!!! I know it’s a mass produced Taiwanese frame, but it really is a dream from a ride quality standpoint. Other than that, I’d go custom Ti from Guru, Serrotta or Merlin.
I’m leaving on a jet plane…California here I come.
Colnago’s are overpriced. Nice bike but you’re paying a premium for the name. I would look at Moots VaMoots (titanium) or Look (carbon). Great bikes and more reasonable than Colnago. My personal favorite is the Moots. Amazing comfort, very light, great climbing bike.
Eddy Merckx: either Team Sc or Premium, both are Scandium (the Sc uses the standard tubeset and the Premium uses hydroformed tubes). My Team Sc is the best bike I’ve ridden. Love it. Very fast. Great handling. Eddy’s perfect geometry. gitabike.com
Parlee: a small carbon builder from Boston, top of the heap in carbon frames right now. Expensive but exquisite. parleecycles.com
Your 6’ and ride a 56cm frame? That’s kind of small unless you have very short legs?
I’m 6’1” and ride a 61cm. But I have very long legs. Most of the time people in the 6’ range are on 59cm to 61cm frames. So if that is true that you would ride a 56cm I think you would need a custom done to get the top tube right. I have a Seven and you would never be sorry for buying one! They’re the best!! They cost a lot but they will last you for a very long time.
I think a lot of it depends on which bike fitting philosophy you subscribe. Been on a bunch of different size road bikes, as well as 3 fitting from 3 different very qualified people. Every one suggested either a 56.5 or a 57cm top tube. I have a 34.5" inseam. Having had a few different size frames, the 56.5cm top tube seems to be the best for me. It allows me to have a 110cm stem with about 4.5 inches of handle bar drop (77.5 cm saddle height). I have somewhat shorter femurs, as the nose of my saddle is only about 5.75 cm behind the BB, hence the need for a frame with slightly steeper seat tube angle.
Sorry man I was thinking seat tube, not top tube! Bike fit is a funny thing I some time’s thinks it more of an art then a science. And I think it should be a science.
My 61 cm seven has a 58.9 top tube and I run a 120mm stem. And my inseam is 36” so I have the legs of a guy 6’3” and the body of a guy 5’ 11”. Good luck on your search, I hope you find a rocket!
