I’m looking for a road bike that’s stiff - something that’s great for sprinting and fast racing, etc. Weight isn’t THAT important, but I don’t want some 20 lb steel creation. And I’m not Rockefeller, so preferably something with a new retail price under $3500.
Cannondale
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Cannondale.
Gotta third Cannondale. I picked up a CAAD9 Al bike that’s way stiff for my 220 lbs racing and sprinting. With DA should be under $3500 and my 63 comes in at about 16 lbs with Ksyrium SLs, pedals, and cages.
soloist
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$3500 is a ton of money for a road racing bike. I’m a pretty big guy (6’4’'ish) with a decent sprint and have an Alu soloist. It does the job, with cash to spare. I like it.
If my shop didn’t have Cervelos, I’d take a look at a C’dale, a Trek or a LeMond, a carbon Giant, or a Specialized… depends on what your team has access to. A few teams around here have gotten good deals on Scotts and Fujis, and that’s what they ride. Another team seems to have no problem to kick my butt on “Raleighs”.
In the end, it doesn’t really matter which frame it is. If you’re going to race, you’re probably going to crash, which means that the old adage for which cyclocross wheels you should get (the ones which you can afford two sets of) also goes for race bikes – get a frame you can afford to replace, and aren’t afraid to race.
Spend the extra cash on a separate pair of race wheels or a power meter, or a spring training camp to Arizona, you’ll be the faster for it. Ultimately, I couldn’t give a hoot about what frame I ride as long as it’s reasonably light and fits me well. TTs are obviously a different story.
I’m looking for a road bike that’s stiff - something that’s great for sprinting and fast racing, etc. Weight isn’t THAT important, but I don’t want some 20 lb steel creation. And I’m not Rockefeller, so preferably something with a new retail price under $3500.
Cannondale from me too for what you are describing
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Cannondale.
Huh. Those replies all came out while I hacked out mine. Nice to see that people appreciate Cannondale. They’re nice bikes, the huge top tube nonwithstanding.
You can’t beat a Cannondale for BB stiffness. That’s been tested somewhere, I think it might have been one of the German magazines?
C’dale makes nice bikes, even if they don’t get that much love on ST. I always liked the six/13 road bikes.
my soloist (alu) is plenty stiff.
never ridden a cannondale, though.
Pegoretti Fina Estampa
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www.pezcyclingnews.com/default.asp?pg=fullstory&id=4897. Another option.
Soloist
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You can’t beat a Cannondale for BB stiffness. That’s been tested somewhere, I think it might have been one of the German magazines?
C’dale makes nice bikes, even if they don’t get that much love on ST. I always liked the six/13 road bikes.
From what I understand some of the Specialized Tarmacs are about the same (or stiffer, I forget). Regardless, you can get a lot of bike for your buck with the Tarmacs. The Tarmac Pro is full carbon $3800 with a mix of Dura-Ace and Ultegra 10sp. The Tarmac Expert is full carbon $2600 with mostly Ultegra 10 (some Dura-Ace too). Both have mavic Kysrium wheels, body geometry saddles, handlebars, etc. Good bikes. I was a sprinter (Cat 2 track) and raced a Tarmac in crits for a few seasons. Love it. VERY stiff and handled extremely well in corners etc. Now I ride it for road training when I’m not on my aero bike. www.specialized.com
I say go for a Waterford. You can’t lose with one of their bikes.
orbea Opal. very stiff carbon, amazing on climbs
orbea Opal. very stiff carbon, amazing on climbs
I second the Opal. I love mine and it is the best climbing bike I have ever ridden.
not bad on the eye’s either
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The Cannondale SystemSix is perhaps the finest road racing bike ever made. Seriously, you have to ride the bike for yourself, and you’ll understand. Tour Magazine (wished they published that in English) has only ever tested one bike that’s stiffer in the BB, and that was a Canyon. That, however, is not important because, quite frankly, everyone makes bikes with more than enough BB stiffness.
Where the SystemSix has it over any other bike I’ve ridden is the front triangle stiffness, an often neglected part of the bicycle which is so crucial to a bike’s handling. It’s here where no other bike has tested as stiff, and it’s what gives the Sys6 it’s unique feel and ride characteristics.
I would say this is the ultiimate “big man’s” &/or sprinter’s bike, but it’s provides a pretty harsh ride to those 160lbs or lower. It’s a pure-bred race machine, and not a bike I’d choose for long distance riding.
For '08, Cannondale has reduced the SystemSix’s price significantly because of the release of the SuperSix, which I find inferior to the SystemSix in almost every way except ride comfort. They’ll have an Ultegra build for well under your breaking point…with plenty of room to spare, actually.
Beyond that, the Scott, Trek, Felt, Cervelo, etc. all make great, stiff bikes. I know someone brought up the Tarmac, but I would disagree with that one. I think only the Giant TCR Advanced comes below that framset on the stiffness scale.
I love my Tarmac for both crits and road races.