Pondering A New Bike

[smilingcat]

Dear Mr. Silver,

The bike choices youare looking are all very wonderful. Madone is a good bike so is Tete de Course. You do have to keep in mind of Le Monde, as they are breaking their relationship with Trek and what will happen to them few years down the road.

Ultegra SL and D/A will perform about the same. Since you are not racing, go with SL. Its just as good. Some race teams use SL cause, well its cheaper .

At your weight and amount of riding you want to do, keep in mind about the wheels. Don't go for the16 spoke (or less) wheels. They are meant for race use only and not for daily training ride. Go with 28 hole or 32 hole wheels. Front wheel with 2x or even 3x crossing and rear shoud be 3x. They are stonger, last longer and have better compliance over rough surface. meaning smoother riding.

6 pounds lighter that is a lot... I think we have a making of new bike weight junkie.

Its always fun to dream what you are going to buy so enjoy and make it last as long as you want.

personally, I'm looking at Storck(CD 1.0), Ridley(helium or Damacles), Look (585 ultra), Colnago (C50), Pinarello (sp?? new on my list dogma or prince), and few others. I'm rather euro-centric lately

smilingcat

[Mr. Bloom]

6 pounds lighter that is a lot... I think we have a making of new bike weight junkie.

How appropriate...I'm married to one of those!

Of course, she weighs about what she did when we met 25 years ago...so bike weight really matters to her!

[pll]

I have no wisdom to share, but please keep us posted on the shopping (a "shopping diary" post?) so we may all shop vicariously through you.

Last night a friend was telling me about the new Shimano Dura Ace gruppo (Dura Ace 7900). If that is placed on a new bike, the price will soar: it is listed at $2600, over $800 above DA 7800 or Campagnolo Record (Competitive Cyclist has a good summary table and Cycling News has a review).

I know this is not true in the Silver household, but I have a certain aversion to Trek (may have to do with excessive TV hype). If you have a chance, look at Scott bikes. I have two friends who ride Scott, one a Scott Addict, the other one a Scott CR1, and love their bikes.

[rij73]

Last night a friend was telling me about the new Shimano Dura Ace gruppo (Dura Ace 7900). If that is placed on a new bike, the price will soar: it is listed at $2600, over $800 above DA 7800 or Campagnolo Record (Competitive Cyclist has a good summary table and Cycling News has a review).

More expensive, yes, but sounds OH SO NICE! I can't wait for a few years from now when it gets cheaper...

My thoughts and opinions:

Mr. Silver... sounds to me like you are ready for a new, lighter bike. Don't forget that bike weight matters even for heavier people because of the easier acceleration of a light bike. The less weight close to the ground, the better. Componentry makes a difference too. The crisper and easier the shifting, the easier the ride.

I would try to look at bikes with similar geometry to your current one. Don't get hung up on a specific brand this early in the game. I second the vote for checking on Scott. My husband absolutely adores his 2006 CR1 SL.