Decision Time

BigUgly said:

In the spring I'm hoping to upgrade to a newer bike. I know own a Aluminum frame with carbon forks, seat mast and stays. Has 105 on front ultegra back. Has been a great bike but want to step it up. I'm looking to stay between $4000-$5000cdn. The LBS I deal with carries Trek, Opus, Fuji, LiteSpead, Ridley, Cannondale, Parlee, and Pinarello. I am leaning toward the 5.2 madone or the Cannondale Carbon 6. I do like the warrantee that Trek offers and it may be the deal breaker. I am a clysdale and put around 4000k on a summer plus traine rin the winter but will be using my other bike for indoors.

So, are you asking which one to choose? -The one that fits you and you like the most for the kind of riding you want to do. They are all great bikes.

madone, all day. light, strong, priced right, the bike company you want to buy from. easy choice, just have the bike shop fit you.

I'm leaning towards the 5.5 Madone. I'm waiting till the spring, likely May but it won't get here quick enough.

BigUgly said:

I'm leaning towards the 5.5 Madone. I'm waiting till the spring, likely May but it won't get here quick enough.

I don't know about Canada, but here in the US, right now is the best time to buy a bike. Most shops are trying to reduce inventory to make room for the 2009 bikes and avoid high inventory taxes. It is pretty easy to strike a good deal with your LBS right now.

Test rode and 5.2 and a 5.5 Madone last week at the LBS. Both bikes are drop dead gorgeous with great working components. But I wasn't that impressed with the ride quality of either bike. At least not compared to my present ride - Cannondale CAAD5 with Ultegra, Ritchey components and Neuvation M28 wheels. The Madones just didn't seem as responsive as the 'dale. And, belive or not, the 'dale actually had a more comfortable ride over rough pavement then the Treks. Aluminum more confortable than Carbon Fiber? What's the world coming to?

hjbiker43 said:

Test rode and 5.2 and a 5.5 Madone last week at the LBS. Both bikes are drop dead gorgeous with great working components. But I wasn't that impressed with the ride quality of either bike. At least not compared to my present ride - Cannondale CAAD5 with Ultegra, Ritchey components and Neuvation M28 wheels. The Madones just didn't seem as responsive as the 'dale. And, belive or not, the 'dale actually had a more comfortable ride over rough pavement then the Treks. Aluminum more confortable than Carbon Fiber? What's the world coming to?

like the comcast commercial says, "fast, it's not for everyone" lol

Jace1283 said:

like the comcast commercial says, "fast, it's not for everyone" lol

This might make sense if "fast" was a function of the bike🙄.

kdelong said:

This might make sense if "fast" was a function of the bike🙄.

right, because anyone who rides a 16 lbs bike will be no slower when thay ride a 25 lbs steel bike up a mountain, right.... please, spare me your pride. and the goobs who are about to say, my steel/aluminum/dog poo bike only weighs this and that, spare me too, lol

Jace1283 said:

right, because anyone who rides a 16 lbs bike will be no slower when thay ride a 25 lbs steel bike up a mountain, right.... please, spare me your pride. and the goobs who are about to say, my steel/aluminum/dog poo bike only weighs this and that, spare me too, lol

Yep...those trek boys really saw you coming when you walked into that shop! Must be that carbon fiber love potion mist they spray into the air before they open up. Ha!!

Jace1283 said:

right, because anyone who rides a 16 lbs bike will be no slower when thay ride a 25 lbs steel bike up a mountain, right.... please, spare me your pride. and the goobs who are about to say, my steel/aluminum/dog poo bike only weighs this and that, spare me too, lol

All that I am saying is that a bike cannot be fast, slow, or otherwise. It is the rider that is fast, or slow. A bike is just a machine. Without a rider, a 50 ton cast iron bicycle would be as fast as a 16 lbs CF bike, both would go exactly 0 KPH😄! Anyway, try a titanium frame bike if you can find a LBS that has one. It has all the comfort of a steel frame bike at a weight comparable to a CF frame bike, and although the jury is still out on the life of CF frames, a TI frame will last a lifetime.

Above all else though, go for fit. No matter what material the bike is made of, if it is not the right size, it won't be comfortable. Some of my LBSs will do a full fitting if you agree to purchase your bike from them. See if any of yours have the same deal. BTW, my aluminum Raleigh weighs a tad under 18 lbs, lol.

I think you should get a bike which comes with a beefy wheelset. I am verging on clydesdale myself & it sucks to have to baby the bike over mild obstacles. Then again maybe I just got spoiled riding a reconditioned 36-spoke 27" bike.

I agree with Kdelong on the fit. Your old machine sounds like a good spec; maybe it's fit you need, not a pricier bike.

I'm not buying a CF bike for light wieght I'm buying it because I like the looks of them nothing else to it. I'm in the mind that any bikes a great bike if the person riding it loves it. I love my aluminum bike I think it too looks good plus it fits good. I just want another bike and I'm not a big fan of the small tube steel and ti bikes I already have an aluminum so this time I get a carbon. After that it's a MTB for fall and winter club rides.

BigUgly said:

I'm not buying a CF bike for light wieght I'm buying it because I like the looks of them nothing else to it. I'm in the mind that any bikes a great bike if the person riding it loves it. I love my aluminum bike I think it too looks good plus it fits good. I just want another bike and I'm not a big fan of the small tube steel and ti bikes I already have an aluminum so this time I get a carbon. After that it's a MTB for fall and winter club rides.

FWIW. Well, if you are mainly concerned with the cosmetic appearance of your next frame (nothing wrong with that as the principle reason for choosing a frame), then I recommend you locate a COLNAGO dealer ... there are at least a half dozen different paint schemes you can get for any given frame ... from subdued to gaudy ... some look better than others depending on your aesthetic sensibilities ...

Be very aware that looking at a picture of a Colnago in a catalog will be an incomplete way to judge the bike's final appearance. If you can find actual frames that have components on them, then you will have a much better idea of how a Colnago frame that you buy will probably look.

Even if you don't choose a Colnago, you can use most (except for the less expensive 'Classic' steel & 'Chic' aluminum frames [if they are still available]) as a benchmark for paint finishes.

Well after a whole bunch of looking, test riding and debating I've made up my mind. 2009 Specialized Tarmac Expert. This bike was not even on the radar for me but I went to another LBS and they made me an offer I couldn't refuse.