Pondering A New Bike

[arielmoon]

I said I wouldn't get a new one...but I am considering it nonetheless Silver will have substantial influence on this, but in big decisions, sometimes it's good to have objective input from knowledgeable friends

Although this post is long, the key question is whether I risk more than I may gain by changing.

First: I LOVE my 49cm Lemond Reno with RaceXLite wheels. I've got about 4,000 miles on it in 18 months and I've never had a blister, ache, or pain that I would attribute to the bike.

Initial LBS Recommendation is a Trek Madone 5.2 or Madone 5.6...and they did a perfect job in fitting me and steering me to the Lemond (even though I went in to buy a Trek Pilot).

Concerns:
- Clearly, the geometry of the Reno suits my body. Will a change in geometry impact my comfort substantially? What considerations should I anticipate?
- The current Madone will cut about 6 pounds off the Reno's weight (and I weigh in the 160's). Is a 4% combined weight reduction (along with my continued weight loss) a motivating consideration or just 'nice but not relevant'?
- Will I feel a material impact with better components?
- If I have a choice of ultegra SL or Durace, should it matter?

Finally, does anyone know what Trek's '09 price increase will be? Rumors are it will be 'substantial' and that may impact my decision as well...

Goals:
My goal for next year is to compete in an endurance competition.

My BF has a Madone 5.6 and let me ride it on our first two rides. I loved it! (It still doesnt make him faster than me on his Trek 2300 but hehe oh well) It is super light and very smooth. In fact I am considering a WSD Trek Madone 5.2 for myself. I dont know about your other questions but good luck!

[Mr. Bloom]

Today Fred at the LBS said he's recommending Madone 5.5; doesn't recommend 5.5 Pro...to my surprise (darn it, I wanted the yellow bike!)

Hmmm...

[Mr. SR500]

5.5 = NICE!

Great choice, looks great plus a good price point and you can keep you new wheels and stick the Race Lites on the LeMond.

Does he have one to ride?

I agree, the non-pro would likely be the way to go.

[Mr. Bloom]

Does he have one to ride?

Are you kidding? In a 50cm????

I have this problem with suits too!

[DrBadger]

Hey Mr. Silver...

Ohhhh.... have fun bike shopping! I went through this in the late fall, and given how much you love you LeMond, I have another reccommendation for you... try riding one of the specialized bikes...the Roubaix or the Tarmac. I liked the LeMonds that I test rode because of how zippy they were and how they responded to me... while the Madone was a really smooth ride, I didn't get the same responsivness from it. Now the Specialized bikes... perfect blend of smoothness and zippienes. At least for me. Also, my bike shop (which deals in Treks, LeMonds, and Specialized) said that I got the best bang for my buck with the Specialized in terms of components and such.

Now you may LOVE the Madone, but always worth trying something else too :-)

Have fun, and keep us up to date!
Ellen

[RolliePollie]

Have fun shopping, Mr. Silver!

I think we're a bit similar in that I've also been riding for about 18 months and I have about 4,500 miles on my bike. I'm starting to shop for an upgrade too, and although it's fun, it's also overwhelming. There are soooooo many bikes to choose from...how do you decide? Every bike shop I go to recommends something different, which is good I guess, but also confusing. I'm on a budget, so one shop tells me to go with full carbon and 105 and the next tells me to forego the full carbon and get Ultegra. I'm trying to figure out what's most important to me and what my goals are so I can choose the right combination. It sounds like you have that part pretty well figured out. Now the perfect bike just needs to jump out at you. Good luck to you in your search...I hope you find exactly what you're looking for!

[Blueberry]

Mr. S - no advice to offer, except to say wow on the progress you've made.

RolliePollie- Components wear out, and you can always upgrade them. Not so with the frame.

CA