Will this bike make me faster?

[Aggie_Ama]

DH just showed me this bike. Wow, it is beautiful. Seriously. I cannot get over my bike lust! And it looks like it would make me faster.

http://www.scottusa.com/category.php?UID=487

[mimitabby]

depending on what you are already riding, the answer is YES!
cool looking bike!

[Veronica]

Realistically, it would only make you faster on the hills. And then not much. I used a calcualtor to find out how much faster I would be on a local climb if I went from my 25 pound bike to that 17.5 pound bike. I'd gain two tenths of a mile over the ten mile climb with 5% average grade. So my average would go from 6.8 to 7.0 mph and I'd save about two and a half minutes. If you're racing or planning on doing long hilly rides, it would be worth it.

Here's the calculator I used.

http://www.kreuzotter.de/english/espeed.htm

However if you just LIKE the bike - that's a good enough reason in my book.

V.

[Aggie_Ama]

It is leaps and bounds better than my bike. My bike has served me well, but she is far past her prime. My wallet just isn't ready.

[farrellcollie]

I have the scott contessa roadster(oops - I have the speedster) - it sure feels a lot faster than my 40lb hybrid.

[light_sabe_r]

That's one sweet kick butt bike!!!

[Aggie_Ama]

I have the scott contessa roadster - it sure feels a lot faster than my 40lb hybrid.

I love, love, love that the 2007 Speedster is Maroon and White! That is my college colors. I vowed my next bike would not be white, but it is so pretty. If I could put maroon bar tape and find a maroon saddle, well that would just be gorgeous! The Carbon of the race one is calling me though, of course the bar tape would not be white.

[Aggie_Ama]

Realistically, it would only make you faster on the hills. And then not much. I used a calcualtor to find out how much faster I would be on a local climb if I went from my 25 pound bike to that 17.5 pound bike. I'd gain two tenths of a mile over the ten mile climb with 5% average grade. So my average would go from 6.8 to 7.0 mph and I'd save about two and a half minutes. If you're racing or planning on doing long hilly rides, it would be worth it.

Here's the calculator I used.

http://www.kreuzotter.de/english/espeed.htm

However if you just LIKE the bike - that's a good enough reason in my book.

V.

That is too much math for this liberal arts major! I will just use your second logic to try to tell my DH we have the money. The bike won't be available until November. Hmmmm..... Christmas= Bike Shop Gift Cards?

[farrellcollie]

I wrote roadster but I meant speedster - mine is the 2006 which is silver on white - the maroon is cooler.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I have the scott contessa roadster(oops - I have the speedster) - it sure feels a lot faster than my 40lb hybrid.

Forty pounds? How come it weighs that much? (lead frame?....just kidding!)

[CorsairMac]

DH just showed me this bike. Wow, it is beautiful. Seriously. I cannot get over my bike lust! And it looks like it would make me faster.

http://www.scottusa.com/category.php?UID=487

But of Course!! don't ALL new bikes make us go faster??

[crazycanuck]

mmmm....a Scott..mmmmmm...I don't have a Scott road bike but i do have a nice Scott mtn bike...I have to admit it's pretty freakin nice & i notice I do go a bit faster...mmmmm

I have a black Scott Scale 40....http://www.scottusa.com/product.php?UID=9676


c

[Aggie_Ama]

Drat! I just looked at the price for last year's Contessa CR1 and it is too high for us.

I want to test the Contessa Speedster when it releases this fall. I am not sure how I will like aluminum (my bike is steel), but it is much more budget friendly. If I get it I must find wine/maroon bar tape! My mom said she might consider bike shop gift cards for Christmas and my birthday (February). I wish I could wait to have $2000 to spend, but I don't think my bike is going to go another 2,000+ miles.

Question: Will upgrading to Shimano 105 from Shimano Sora help my riding? I know 105 is still not great, but we have a small budget! I find many times I have shifting problems. After countless tune ups and a DH who keeps my bike well cleaned and lubed, it still is only a little bit better.

I hate the dream vs. reality part of starting to look at new bikes.

[farrellcollie]

Forty pounds? How come it weighs that much? (lead frame?....just kidding!)

It is a raleigh hybrid - built like a tank with suspension fork, suspension seatpost, and rack for commuting. The scott - about 20lbs feels like I could pick it up and run and be faster than riding the hybrid - but hybrid serves its commuting/light trail purpose well. Plus - it is good training for hills.