Which Bike To Buy

[gobles]

I am about to buy my first road bike, but I am not sure what to do. I ride a Giant Trance 3 mountain bike, but I am not fond of their road bikes, so I test road just about every road bike out there. I fell in love with an Orbea, but a friend of my husbands said I will regret buying it soon after I own it. This friend only rides Scott road bikes and I have test rode two of them, but I still like the Orbea better. Does anyone own either of these bikes? What do you guys think? I love the Orbea, but will I really come to dislike it soon?

[KnottedYet]

Why would you dislike it soon?

[gobles]

He thinks I will out grow the components soon. I have ridden most components and in a blind test always went with the 105s, but I am new to road bikes. My Trance 3 is always getting new parts because the more I ride, the better I want it to perform.

[Bad JuJu]

So if that's the case, it sounds like a question only you can answer.

I don't know anything about Orbeas except what I've read on these forums, but I DO know that in bike-buying, you should go with what 1) fits best, and 2) you love. So it sounds like the Orbea is a good bet for you.

But again, if it's the components you're talking about, and you're someone who likes to continually upgrade components, only you know whether you'll be happy with it a few months down the road.

[7rider]

He thinks I will out grow the components soon. I have ridden most components and in a blind test always went with the 105s, but I am new to road bikes. My Trance 3 is always getting new parts because the more I ride, the better I want it to perform.

Components can be replaced.
Get the frame you like the best.
If you don't like the Scott, don't get it just because he rides only Scotts. Wish him happy riding on his bike, but he doesn't have to ride yours.

[bcipam]

What other bikes have you test ridden? What have you to compare to the wither the Scott or Orbea?

My thought is if you think you might get into road riding seriously, to try and find a bike with Ultegra v 105 components. 105 is OK, but Ultegra will be there for you in the long haul and are much better components.

It's interesting your choice is either Scott or Orbea... both bikes genberally favored by Tri-althletes but aren't necessary the most comfortable riding bikes for long distance, not to say eiyther bike is worthy of a century but what is your intent in buying a road bike?

[gobles]

I plan on riding a century and spending at least 100 miles a week on my bike. I rode Specialized, Treck and a few others. I wanted to try a Terry, but they seemed to small for me, I am 5'5 110lbs.

[CyclChyk]

My husband rides a Giant OCR as do I. LOVELOVELOVE it. I have the 2006 OCR Limited.

But DH is so intrigued by the Orbea's. And he's like a dog with a fresh bone and won't let it go. But what I have learned from his experience and research of the Orbea is this:

Ride more than one version of Orbea. Some have their new design of gears, SRAM. Big difference from Shimano and my husband HATES them. So he is looking at test riding an Orbea with the Dura Ace gears. Of course, Campy is an option but I feel safe in saying SRAM is out. As well, we hear that Orbea's are really "twitchy and tempermental" but we get that from people who don't ride one. One LBS owner we spoke with DOES ride an Orbea and he claims it handles better than his Specialized........ who knows?? Personal preference I guess.

I don't think there was a huge difference in geometry between the Giant TCR that he is also eye-balling but the 2007 Orbea Orca definately has him drooling..... he's kinda keeping tight lipped about it as I am FREAKING OUT over the price tag......

[neuroticcyclist]

I agree with the comment about Orbea and Scott as triathlon bikes. I would suggest making sure you visit a couple local bike shops, including ones that don't cater primarily to triathletes. Try to ride ALL sorts of bikes. I agree completely with the comment about buying the frame and bike that you like, since you can upgrade the components. I personally advise friends against 105 components and many get the upgrade to ultegra right then and there when buying the bike. But, the first step is to find what YOU like. Then, make sure a knowledgeable person in the local bike shop (a fitter) looks at you on the bike on a trainer in the store and makes any adjustments in stem, etc. he needs to to make it most comfortable. We are all built differently and so different bikes fit us differently.