Bike Advice - Madone, Specialized or Pinarello FP3 W

[tswimbike]

Okay, I am in my 3rd year of serious riding. I am not fast, sigh, but I am a consistent endurance rider. I am currently riding a Trek 1.2 which is like lugging a brick or two or three around but have to admit it has not stopped me from entering century rides, aquabike events and riding 150+ miles a week. I have the stock shifter, derailer, wheel set, etc. Could not afford more 3 years ago and have not wanted to waste funds on upgrading a non-carbon bike.

So, I want a lightening fast bike that will climb hills with little or no help from me. Oh and as inexpensively as possible... :-)

I was told to try a Spec Ruby but it was so light and the back end so sloppy that I did not feel like I had sufficient control when standing. I have ridden a Cervelo RS3 and loved the stiffness but know that stiffness will not be a heck of a lot of fun at mile 70,80 or more miles. I was told to look at a Trek Madone. I can barely afford the 4 series but would prefer the 5 for better components. I have also been told to consider the Spec Amira.

The Pinarello is mainly just from the drool factor of staring at the Dogma. I can't afford a Dogma but could get a WSD FS3 for around $3200 with full Ultegra components. Have not test ridden one yet but wondered what others thought of that brand too.

I am 5'6", 135lbs on a good day and ride a 54cm frame. As I said, I enter 5-7 events per cycling season and ride 150+ per week while training for said events.

So, if you have any advice. I would greatly appreciate it. In particular looking for advice on what level bike to buy and whether it makes sense to buy a bike with full 105 and add Ultegra later? Also, told the wheels make a huge difference so again, should I get full 105 and use the difference to buy good wheels and if so, what kind? I know, I am asking quite a bit here but do appreciate any responses.

Tswimbike

[Owlie]

I'm not intimately familiar with Trek--what's the 1.2 got on it?

To get the weight savings and the stiffness when standing, (I'm guessing) you may want to look at a more race-oriented frame, especially since you mentioned you don't have the control you like on the Ruby. (Though go ahead and test out a few more to see if it's the "endurance" geometry that you don't like, or just the Ruby.)

Do you need WSD?

Hmm...as to whether or not you buy a full-Ultegra bike to begin with, or buy a 105-equipped bike and upgrade later, or just buy some nicer wheels...While it's cheaper to buy what you want to begin with (learned it the hard way!), I've heard that there's not that big a difference between 105 and Ultegra as far as feel goes. Ultegra's a little lighter and shinier, but 105 is quite solid. Here's what I think...Buy a 105-equipped bike, then buy yourself some nicer wheels than what it comes with. Start saving. You might be able to swap stuff out piece-meal. DBF worked at a bike shop for a while, and he says check when the new componentry comes out, then see if you can get a deal on the previous year's. (It's how he managed to upgrade his OCR3 to Ultegra.)

I'm struggling with this too--I'm in love with an Ultegra-equipped carbon bike, but there's no way I could afford it.

[ny biker]

Well, for starters, there is no such thing as a bike that will climb hills with little or no help from you. Unless it has a motor. ;)

You should try riding the bikes you're interested in, and try different levels of the same bike, so you can get a feel for which frame fits/feels best to you and whether more expensive components seem to be worth the extra money. I think you will find a bigger difference going from Sora to 105 than from 105 to Ultegra.

FWIW, I upgraded from an aluminum Trek 2000 to a Madone 4.7 last year, and I am not much faster now. I am way more comfortable, however, which was my primary reason for upgrading.

[tulip]

The short answer is, whichever fits you best.

Try some other sizes because 54cm may not be the same in all bikes. I'm 5'6" and my bike is 49-50cm, but it fits perfectly.

If you're looking at spending $3200, you might want to consider a custom-made bike.

[nscrbug]

At 5'6" riding your current 54cm Trek...it sounds like you might have a long torso and short legs, which could mean that you don't necessarily need a WSD bike. Most WSD bikes are designed for short-torso/long-legged women (like myself). I'm also 5'6", but I ride a 51cm Cannondale Synapse. I also have a 54cm Trek 2.1 WSD as a "back-up" bike, but it's slightly too big for me so I only ride it when my C'Dale is in the shop. So you may want to expand your selection to some of the "unisex" bikes out there.

[7rider]

FWIW, I know a few people who got Specialized bikes as part of a team deal, and - shhhhh - are more frequently seen riding their old bikes, in at least one case a Trek Madone, because they don't like the ride of the Specialized as much.
So all things being equal, I think that's a knock against Specialized frames.
I have no experience with Pinarello, but know a few who ride and love them.

[indysteel]

I would take a look at Orbea and Look, too, along with custom steel (which would be my choice).

[HillSlugger]

I ride a Madone 5.5 and love it. The Madones have extra large bottom brackets so they should be especially stiff for climbing.

7Rider, I loved my Specialized Allez, too, but Specialized frames tend to run bigger than most, with a longer top tube. I ended up using an especially short stem to make it work for me.

[redrhodie]

So, if you have any advice. I would greatly appreciate it. In particular looking for advice on what level bike to buy and whether it makes sense to buy a bike with full 105 and add Ultegra later? Also, told the wheels make a huge difference so again, should I get full 105 and use the difference to buy good wheels and if so, what kind? I know, I am asking quite a bit here but do appreciate any responses.

Tswimbike

I'd go with 105, and the best wheels I could afford.

[cyclinggirl]

I'm 5'4" with a 32 inseam and 31 sleeve . I tried a lot of wsd bikes from 48 to 54 but felt all cramped up. The LBS then put me on a unisex, 52 supersix 105, which I fell in love with. The more i ride it the more I use the drop bars, and the faster i'm getting on it. I have no problem climbing the hills, with the double on it, and i can keep up with the boys.

[gnat23]

The Specialized Amira will be more stiff, if you're feeling like the back end is wobbling, but realize that it also has more aggressive race-geometry and may be less comfortable on those longer rides.

If you're not completely heartset on WSD, maybe try a small Specialized Tarmac or Roubaix, which will be more beefy on the carbon layup.

-- gnat!

[Owlie]

If you're not completely heartset on WSD, maybe try a small Specialized Tarmac or Roubaix, which will be more beefy on the carbon layup.

-- gnat!

...I wonder why the difference...just to compensate for a heavier rider, or what?

[zoom-zoom]

I'm 5'4" with a 32 inseam and 31 sleeve . I tried a lot of wsd bikes from 48 to 54 but felt all cramped up. The LBS then put me on a unisex, 52 supersix 105, which I fell in love with. The more i ride it the more I use the drop bars, and the faster i'm getting on it. I have no problem climbing the hills, with the double on it, and i can keep up with the boys.

I'm on a Supersix (SRAM Rival) and also find it's a great hill-climber...FAR better than my heavier, more flexible Synapse was. I did my 2nd century ever on Sat. and it was a comfy ride until the very end (relatively speaking...is any bike TRULY comfortable everywhere after 75 miles or so, heh).

I'm very happy with my components (mostly Rival with a Force crank). Eventually I want to upgrade my wheels, too. Had I had $3200 to play with I think I would have done just that--stuck with Rival (which falls between 105 and Ultegra) and upgraded the wheels.

[Becky]

I'm 5'4" with a 32 inseam and 31 sleeve . I tried a lot of wsd bikes from 48 to 54 but felt all cramped up. The LBS then put me on a unisex, 52 supersix 105, which I fell in love with. The more i ride it the more I use the drop bars, and the faster i'm getting on it. I have no problem climbing the hills, with the double on it, and i can keep up with the boys.

You sound like me. Only 5'4", but most WSD bikes feel like clown cars :D

OP: If it were me, I'd go with 105 or Rival and the best wheels that I could find or build. Trickle-down technology has made both groups very good.

FWIW, my carbon bike initially feels sloppy in the rear each time I get on it. The weight and balance are a little different than either my steel road bike or my commuter. After a few minutes, my body remembers and it's business as usual.

Have fun shopping!