Upgrading, again.

[Owlie]

While this is a way off (I think the Avail needs a few hundred more miles on her before she gets a sibling!), I want to start pricing things out and getting a feel for what my options may be.

I'd originally wanted to get a 105-equipped bike, then gradually upgrade the parts on the Avail to 105 (at least the derailleurs, cassette, and shifters). Then I wondered what the point of two similar bikes would be. So, new plan: Ultegra. (Added bonus that the boyfriend's head would explode--I'd have a bike on par with his (except for the wheels...)), then upgrade the current bike.

So, my criteria are:
1) More relaxed (Avail-like) geometry. I'm a slow poke. No need to fool myself into thinking otherwise!
2) Ultegra components.
3) Preferably aluminum, though I'd be willing to give carbon a try. (I have a tendency to fall over, hence my uncertainty when it comes to carbon.)

Can anyone suggest anything? Is the aluminum frame even possible to get with that level of componentry?
My Avail fits okay. Not perfectly, but not so that I wouldn't consider buying another Giant.

[indysteel]

I'm going to play devil's advocate here a bit. IMO, from what you've shared, the bikes you're considering are going to be similar regardless of their component level. While Utegra is nicer it isn't so radically different from 105that it renders an otherwise comparable frame or style of bike (e.g., road versus touring) all that different.

What do you want the second bike to do that the Avail doesn't do already? Is it just that you want a bike that fits you a bit better? That's certainly legitimate, but if that's the case, I would worry less about the components (and to some extent, frame material) and more about fit.

If I were looking for a bike to compliment an aluminum frame, I'd look at steel. Assuming the bike fits you, the ride quality may suit you better if and when (if you don't already) do long or multi-day rides.

[zoom-zoom]

My Cannondale has 105 components, which is definitely right for me. In the middle price and performance-wise, but very good.

The Cannondale makes a women's (and men's) Synapse in aluminum with 105 components. The bike is definitely designed for comfort.

But still, I'd prefer steel to alulminum.

+1. I love my Synapse for comfort, but my next bike will be a bit more on the aggressive geometry side and likely be carbon. My Synapse is aluminum and our roads are at least 75% chip-sealed...by the end of many rides I feel like I've been vibrated to death (not in a good way, heh).

[lcinva]

While this is a way off (I think the Avail needs a few hundred more miles on her before she gets a sibling!), I want to start pricing things out and getting a feel for what my options may be.

I'd originally wanted to get a 105-equipped bike, then gradually upgrade the parts on the Avail to 105 (at least the derailleurs, cassette, and shifters). Then I wondered what the point of two similar bikes would be. So, new plan: Ultegra. (Added bonus that the boyfriend's head would explode--I'd have a bike on par with his (except for the wheels...)), then upgrade the current bike.

So, my criteria are:
1) More relaxed (Avail-like) geometry. I'm a slow poke. No need to fool myself into thinking otherwise!
2) Ultegra components.
3) Preferably aluminum, though I'd be willing to give carbon a try. (I have a tendency to fall over, hence my uncertainty when it comes to carbon.)

Can anyone suggest anything? Is the aluminum frame even possible to get with that level of componentry?
My Avail fits okay. Not perfectly, but not so that I wouldn't consider buying another Giant.

I test rode a lot of WSD/relaxed geometry bikes because those were the only ones that fit (although I'm 5'7'', go figure). I obviously didn't ride EVERY possible bike, I only remember one aluminum having Ultegra, and it was the Scott Contessa Speedster 15. And, that was actually a 105/Ultegra mix. That was about $1300. I ended up going with a carbon frame, and even a lot of the "entry-level" carbons had 105s. I have the Giant Avail Advanced 2, which I love, and it retails around $2000. To step up to Ultegra, it would have been $2200-2400 (in the bikes I saw). I did find a 2008 Jamis Xenith Comp Femme that had Ultegra in the back (carbon frame) for $1800, but it didn't seem to make enough difference that I cared, and I liked the Giant better anyway.

I know that's kind of muddled, but hope it helps!

[Owlie]

It's starting to look like I'm stuck with carbon if I want Ultegra unless I want to upgrade a 105-equipped bike later. I've looked at three of the big four, and haven't found one. I've never seen a steel road bike (never mind a WSD one) in an LBS, so it's hard to test them without making a commitment to buy it. Road buzz doesn't bother me too much, although if I end up moving somewhere with chip-seal roads, I might reconsider!

Indy, the main thing I want is nicer parts and a ten-speed cassette. Eight is...limiting. I did the math and upgrading the shifters, chain and cassette would run about $500. Upgrading the crankset and derailleurs as well (I'm going to kill my FD one day...) would mean that it would just make more sense to buy a new bike. And let's not talk about the fact that I want lighter wheels as well...

Muirenn, I looked at the CAAD9 Feminine 5 (I think...105) as a possible new go-fast bike. I haven't ruled out that more aggressive geometry, but I can't imagine it's comfortable. I'm also not planning on any races any time soon...or ever. And a Ti bike? I would love to watch bike-snob BF's head explode.

I have considered buying the frame and building it up with what I want. I don't think I'm knowledgeable enough to do it with parts that aren't as visible as the drive train and wheels. That may be, though, the only way to ensure I get my triple. Finding one of those (even in 105) seems to be a challenge!

Maybe I should just get me a Luna.

[tulip]

Is this all to get you mojo back? It might work, but do mix up your rides and ride for alternate reasons.

Do you have a Jamis dealer in your area? If so, I would suggest that you go check them out. Lovely steel bikes.

[OakLeaf]

Also Bianchi has some pretty nice stuff in steel, and dealers aren't too far apart.

None of their WSD bikes though, if you're the body type that needs one - although just looking at their geometry charts, the effective TT lengths of their 44 and 49 cm bikes in the cromoly "Gran Fondo" line are definitely in the ballpark of Cannondale's WSD bikes anyway. OTOH, for a built bike, they go straight from 105 to Athena - no DA option and none of the snazzier Campy options, either.

[Becky]

I have considered buying the frame and building it up with what I want. I don't think I'm knowledgeable enough to do it with parts that aren't as visible as the drive train and wheels. That may be, though, the only way to ensure I get my triple. Finding one of those (even in 105) seems to be a challenge!

Maybe I should just get me a Luna.

This. You can learn how to build up a bike and, in doing so, will become a much better mechanic for it. It takes some studying about compatibility, and some adjustments at the end.

I got fed up a long time ago with stock bikes and parts that weren't right for my needs. Stock bikes are almost always cheaper, even with my shop discounts on components, but the satisfaction of having exactly what I want is worth the extra expense IMO.

Or get a Luna- I don't think you can go wrong there (I would luuuuuv to have one!)

[indysteel]

Having built up a bike myself, it's honestly not all that complicated. You just have to do some homework. For me, my hardest choices were the bars (there are a lot of choices out there) and the fork (there were very few).

What size are you anyway?

[Owlie]

Is this all to get you mojo back? It might work, but do mix up your rides and ride for alternate reasons.

Do you have a Jamis dealer in your area? If so, I would suggest that you go check them out. Lovely steel bikes.

We do actually have a Jamis dealer! Long way away for someone with no car, though.

As to your first question: Goodness, no! This is for the not-too-distant (I hope) future. For right now, I think my inner cyclist (wherever she is at the moment) can find her way back without a new bike. If it's retail therapy that might help (and occasionally it does), I need new shorts. Maybe a new jersey if it's orange.

Indy, my Giant is a 50cm. And yes, part of my trepidation in regards to building my own is the cost. Grad student funds and all that...

[badgercat]

Do you have a Jamis dealer in your area? If so, I would suggest that you go check them out. Lovely steel bikes.

Yes, and the Quest comes with 105/Ultegra. That's the bike I was originally looking at getting this summer, but I was able to get such a smokin' closeout deal on a 2009 Satellite that I decided to downgrade (that has Sora/Tiagra, which I'm happy with so far, and I liked the color scheme of the 2009 Satellite better than the also-on-closeout 2009 Quest, anyway ). The Satellite has a heavier frame and wheels and of course lower-level components than the Quest, but none of that was so important to me personally that it was worth the several hundreds of dollars extra with my budget right now. If I'd had a more flexible budget, I would have gotten the 2010 Quest--I just love that black and white color scheme--but I'm VERY happy with my 2009 Satellite.

The Quest is quite light and zippy (I test-rode a couple) and is a lot of bike for the money (between $1500 and $1600 at the couple shops I visited).

But, Jamis does also make road bikes of aluminum and carbon, if those are your preference, which are also a lot of "bang for the buck." The brand is really worth checking out in general, I think, if you can find a dealer.

ETA: you posted while I was typing--I see that it's not easy for you to get to a Jamis dealer. Do you have a friend who could be persuaded to take you if you bought dinner or something?