Which Bike To Buy

[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.