Same old question: Road Bike and what to buy?

[Maye]

I really appreciate all the good tips specially the ones related to the components. Keep em coming!! Leaning towards carbon but I will see if I can get away with having more budget and at the same time not getting in trouble with my husband. I have to remember that I also have to buy shoes and some other accesories. I do have a helmet and a Polar bike computer with HRM which I will have to install (sensors)and test once I get the new bike. I will visit soon a bike shop in NJ, Fort Lee area that was highly recommended by my brother in law. Yay!!

[Becky]

Test ride a lot of bikes at several different shops. Ride bikes that you think you'll hate. Ride bikes that you don't think you can afford. Ride anything you think will remotely fit. Ride womens' bikes, mens bikes, and unisex bikes. Your goal, IMO, is to find a shop that you like, and a bike that you're comfortable with. IMO, both are a little like dating....you don't know that good ones until you've met the bad ones, and you don't know a good compromise until you've met the end-all, be-all.

Have fun with it!

[Maye]

Test ride a lot of bikes at several different shops. Ride bikes that you think you'll hate. Ride bikes that you don't think you can afford. Ride anything you think will remotely fit. Ride womens' bikes, mens bikes, and unisex bikes. Your goal, IMO, is to find a shop that you like, and a bike that you're comfortable with. IMO, both are a little like dating....you don't know that good ones until you've met the bad ones, and you don't know a good compromise until you've met the end-all, be-all.

Have fun with it!

Love this analogy. Thanks Becky!

[Sky King]

The most important factors are tires and the geometry of the bike.
Most carbon fiber bikes have a race geometry, an aggressive position that makes the ride harsh and the handling "touchy" What do you want to do with the new bike? Also consider that a carbon fiber fork will limit the tire size options. Narrow tires require a higher psi to avoid pinch flats and don't absorb shock or bumps so that transmit to your hands, shoulders, and behind.
So again, spend some time deciding what type of riding you expect to do on a regular basis. I can ride day in, day out on my bike for extended miles very comfortably but I would never compete in a race.
I can't speak to a WSD, never owned one. I am 5'5" with longer legs than torso. My bike isn't a floor model, I bought a frame and added the components to work for me. With the budget you have and a good LBS you should be able to build a nice bike for you. Happy planning!

[ny biker]

Most carbon fiber bikes have a race geometry, an aggressive position that makes the ride harsh and the handling "touchy" What do you want to do with the new bike? Also consider that a carbon fiber fork will limit the tire size options. Narrow tires require a higher psi to avoid pinch flats and don't absorb shock or bumps so that transmit to your hands, shoulders, and behind.

My carbon bike is a Madone WSD, and the geometry is not aggressive. My tires are 700x23. I like them at 110 psi but I could easily drop that to 100, and probably could go to 90 or lower without pinch flats. And I really don't have problems with pain anywhere since I got a bike that fits me.

Also I looked at a Madone WSD 3-series a few weeks ago that was a 2011 model, and the frame had various holes in it for adding packs and racks for touring. Whereas my 4-series did not have those things. So I wouldn't be surprised if the fork on the 3-series allowed for wider tires, too. It was on sale for < $1500.

[Jo-n-NY]

My Specialize Amira is also not too aggressive. I don't race but find the bike very comfortable to ride along with being a sweet climbing bike. Maye, my husband has been in the bicycle business for 30+ yrs. PM me if you would like to try the shop he works at since we are also on Long Island. If not, no worries on my end

[Maye]

So far, I'm liking the following three: Specialized Amira Apez (been recommended by various ppl),Trek Madone (hopefully will find a 2010-11 still available) and the Jamis Zenith looks very good. I'm tempted by Pinarello but I think that's way too much for me at this point in my bike life. Future gift, maybe

I don't race and not planning to. I'll do the March 20 event since I have to be focused on something and the commitment that requires. Then after that, I will find another event to focus while enjoying being out doors on my new set of wheels!!

My Specialize Amira is also not too aggressive. I don't race but find the bike very comfortable to ride along with being a sweet climbing bike. Maye, my husband has been in the bicycle business for 30+ yrs. PM me if you would like to try the shop he works at since we are also on Long Island. If not, no worries on my end

[Maye]

So far, I'm liking the following three: Specialized Amira Apez (been recommended by various ppl),Trek Madone 3 series (not sure which one) and the Jamis Zenith looks very good. I may have to spend extra but this is for the long haul so might as well get something that I really like and fits me well. I'm tempted by a Pinarello FP Due Too much? Sure. Future gift, maybe

I don't race since I don't have the fitness preparation required for that,well so far. Who knows if I'll get tempted by the race bug in the future. I'll do the March 20 event since I have to be focused on something and the commitment that requires. Then after that, I will find another event to focus while enjoying being out doors on my new set of wheels!!

[Maye]

Have you test-ridden any of these? Careful not to choose or make judgments until you test-ride.

Trust me, I will not select one until I get the "this is the right one" feel. Just initial picks in a vast paradise of choices ;-). The test will start next week and I'll post my thoughts here, to share opinions.

[Owlie]

The most important factors are tires and the geometry of the bike.
Most carbon fiber bikes have a race geometry, an aggressive position that makes the ride harsh and the handling "touchy" What do you want to do with the new bike? Also consider that a carbon fiber fork will limit the tire size options. Narrow tires require a higher psi to avoid pinch flats and don't absorb shock or bumps so that transmit to your hands, shoulders, and behind.
So again, spend some time deciding what type of riding you expect to do on a regular basis. I can ride day in, day out on my bike for extended miles very comfortably but I would never compete in a race.
I can't speak to a WSD, never owned one. I am 5'5" with longer legs than torso. My bike isn't a floor model, I bought a frame and added the components to work for me. With the budget you have and a good LBS you should be able to build a nice bike for you. Happy planning!

Some carbon bikes don't. The carbon Synapse is a less-aggressive geometry, as is the Avail Advance. The H3 Madone isn't terribly aggressive.

[Maye]

FYI, I have a carbon bike, and I want my next one to be steel. It's smoother. With your budget, I would stay away from the aluminum/carbon mix. You can find a full carbon on sale if you are persistent.

I have been combing the internet for 2010/11 models and there are quite a few still available with reasonably good prices. But until I get fitted, I will not know what will fit me best. I'm planning to do the fitting in a week or two. The event that I'm planning to attend is in May the 20th, so the clock is ticking!!

[ny biker]

FYI, I have a carbon bike, and I want my next one to be steel. It's smoother. With your budget, I would stay away from the aluminum/carbon mix. You can find a full carbon on sale if you are persistent.

Yeah but she's doing a metric with a fair bit of climbing on May 20, so she wants a road bike sooner rather than later.

I do know at some shops that still have 2011 bikes in stock, and they're on sale.

[Maye]

Yeah but she's doing a metric with a fair bit of climbing on May 20, so she wants a road bike sooner rather than later.

I do know at some shops that still have 2011 bikes in stock, and they're on sale.

You are right, I need it rather sooner than later. In the meantime, I'm using the trainer at home with my mountain bike with the training wheel (not in the pic).