Help me pick a new bike

by ssmith on May 9, 2007 11:32 PM EDT Comment 12 comments

Due to an unfortunate accident, I'm in the enviable position of buying a new bike frame. I've got about $2500 to play with (and lots of team/shop/loyal customer discounts).
The relevant stats: I race a lot - primarily road races. I'm a Cat 3 and "specialize" in climbing.

Here are my main options so far (see the poll)...

Poll

Pick a bike frame for Steve

Scott CR1 SL

6 votes

Specialized S Works

2 votes

Storck 0.9

2 votes

Ridley Helius

2 votes

Trek Madone

1 votes

LeMond Something or another

2 votes

Pinarello 4.13 or whatever.

1 votes

Giant Advanced

1 votes

Cervelo R3

6 votes

23 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 12 comments

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Comments

Steve

I was talking to the Scott rep at Rustem's last year and was hefting a fully built CR1. I'm pretty sure it was under the UCI limit and it's just a beautiful piece of machinery. Very stiff, very responsive, in short perfect for climbing and crits - which if memory serves is your bread and butter.

"I don't know too many monkeys who could take apart a fuel injector."

by Drew on May 10, 2007 6:54 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I second the Scott.

Perfect climbing machine with plenty of power when needed. If I was 150lbs or lighter, this would be my bike. the R3 is a close second, and would be what I would buy for myself (I'm more than a few cheez-itz north of 200..), but for a lighter guy living in hill-country the Scott is the perfect frame.

Vlaenderen die Leu

by Mr Van P on May 10, 2007 9:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

How about the Cervelo Soloist

I wonder how much of a pain the integrated seat post is on the Giant. I tweak my saddle position at least once or twice during the year.

-K-

by KevinK on May 10, 2007 7:17 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Lot of good choices there

Lot of folks here in TX race on the Scotts--they seem to be this year's Orbea.

I'm really happy with my Isaac, so the Storck would be my sentimental choice (German design . . .).

by R Mc on May 10, 2007 9:18 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I wish that

there was some sort of huge spreadsheet that listed all carbon bikes by weight, price, geometry, stiffness ratings, etc. And I'm getting sick of frame weights that sometimes include the fork, sometimes include the headset, and sometimes include stems...

by ssmith on May 10, 2007 11:47 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The R3 is the one

for you. Cancellara and O'Grady gave it the ultimate test over the last two Paris Roubaix and it answered all questions A+.

"The ox is slow but the earth is patient."

by Teel 22 on May 10, 2007 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Podium Cycles deal

Steve,

looks like you have some good choices on your list of framesets. If i can i would like to assist you in your purchase. From what i am reading you prefer the climbs but are a successful crit racer too.

the Cervelo Soloist is a great crit bike and i happen to have a couple that i am blowing ou at $1100.

Podium Cycles is the US importer of Guerciotti and for less than you have budgetted, we can put you on a full custom geometry and paint (or lack of) carbon fiber Khaybar that would make for a greeat climbing and all around platform.

the Khaybar frame wieghs in at approximately 1050 grams and includes full carbon fork and seat post, and headset.

Good hunting

Chris - www.podiumcycles.com / 888-PODIUMC-ycles

Podium Cycles Where it's more than just a bicycle www.podiumcycles.com

by podiumcycles on May 10, 2007 1:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

What sizes for the Soloist?

I was recently behind one during a breakaway and happened to notice the nice aerodynamic profile.

-K-

by KevinK on May 10, 2007 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cervelo...

This is going to sound kind of adult and all that (and there's little place for that in the cycling world after all), but consider the service/warranty angle.

Cervelo's a smaller company (though not for long) and you might assume the service angle might favor an R3 -- a really light frame that is apparently tough enough for real use.

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by TCWriter on May 10, 2007 1:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I appreciate all the input,

and I think I've made a decision.
Unrelated to the poll above, a team deal opened up on the Ridleys. I got an obscene deal on the Excalibur, which is a lightweight and stiff frame that should suit me well. And it's cheaper than all other reasonable offers, so that's a plus...
Thanks for all the help...

by ssmith on May 11, 2007 4:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs