Bike Hard Road Bikes

cutter 112 said:

I'm looking at picking up a new road bike in the $1500.00 range. The specs I'm looking for is a full "Ultegra" set up, carbon or alpha alumn hybrid, classic geometry ( flat top tube) with decent rims and rubber to start off with.

What I came across is a manf "Bike Hard" 6600. The bike is a hybrid with
Aluminum Butted frame with Carbon Fiber Seat, Chain Stays and a Reynolds Ouzo Comp Carbon Fork. Equipped with a full Shimano Ultegra 6600 10 speed group.

I will be going back to the local bike shop this weekend for a test ride. This is by far the best value that I have seen ( sale price @ $1,300). It comes in this matte silvery color and a nice racey blue. Any advice you all could throw my way would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Steve

Long Island, NY

whatever you do don't buy on looks as you are sure to regret that desion at a later date. BUGGER the looks, RIDE the thing and make dam sure that it fits first, if not, get it chainged and go for another ride and keep doing that until it does. then and only then take a look at looks. Unless you have a lot of$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$, you will have to live with bike for some time, so get one that's rideable. Got it, CRIKEY.
Terry

I just looked at the Bike Hard Bikes site and the bikes look very similar to Fuji's bikes (most noticably the Fuji Roubaix) except for the carbon chainstays on the Bike Hard. I am assuming that this company outsources its frames. Not a bad thing mind you as many companies do. I do agree with terry, you better ride the bike because buying on looks is about the worst thing you can do. A bike can look good, but ride like [censored], and that's not a fun way to part with $1300.

+1 for fit over appearance. I would consider the compact frame geometry IF that is what feels best (again, fit is more important than looks).

Full Ultegra for under $1500 is going to be difficult to find. Once you get to 105 components, most manufacturers upgrade the wheels and frame before they upgrade the drivetrain. After all, the only difference between Ultegra and 105 is appearance and weight. Why spend so much to save a few grams on the drivetrain before putting the money into better wheels and frames? At that point, you get the biggest bang for the buck by upgrading the wheels.

The Felt f65 is aluminum/carbon with full Ultegra and is the classic geometry, but it is $1700. The Felt f75 is aluminum/carbon with classic geometry and $1400, but it is a 105/Ultegra mix. The least expensive Specialized with full Ultegra is the Allez Expert ($2300). Trek does not even make an aluminum/carbon hybrid with full Ultegra. The least expensive Trek with full Ultegra is the all carbon Madone 5.0 ($2800).

RickF said:

+1 for fit over appearance. I would consider the compact frame geometry IF that is what feels best (again, fit is more important than looks).

Full Ultegra for under $1500 is going to be difficult to find. Once you get to 105 components, most manufacturers upgrade the wheels and frame before they upgrade the drivetrain. After all, the only difference between Ultegra and 105 is appearance and weight. Why spend so much to save a few grams on the drivetrain before putting the money into better wheels and frames? At that point, you get the biggest bang for the buck by upgrading the wheels.

The Felt f65 is aluminum/carbon with full Ultegra and is the classic geometry, but it is $1700. The Felt f75 is aluminum/carbon with classic geometry and $1400, but it is a 105/Ultegra mix. The least expensive Specialized with full Ultegra is the Allez Expert ($2300). Trek does not even make an aluminum/carbon hybrid with full Ultegra. The least expensive Trek with full Ultegra is the all carbon Madone 5.0 ($2800).

A full Ultegra (or any groupo) is becoming particularly rare. Be careful of the LBS or manufacturer that upgrades a few key parts (e.g. rear derailler) with Ultegra but other parts are [censored]. If I had a choice between 105 components with good wheels that have cup and ball hubs, and Ultegra drivetrain with cheapo wheels and cartridge hubs, I would take the better wheels. I just had a cartridge bearing go on a "high end" but lesser known hub so all my beautiful ultegra drivetrain didn't get me home when the wheel froze.

In priority: 1) fit, 2) frame quality, 3)wheels and hubs, 4)drivetrain (down to 105). For most recreational guys, we are splitting anal hairs between the quality of 105 and dura ace. How many guys do you know that ever had a 105 derailer, bottom bracket or hub go bad?

First off, Thanks to all for all of the great feedback! I took a ride down to my LBS and took my bike/frame out for a test spin. I say frame because this will be the first bike that I will be having assembled to my specs! The shop already had a bike set up pretty much the way I was looking for aside from less expensive rims and a 105 front de-railer. What I ended up with was a full Ultegra drive train from brakes, gears to rims and all of the other essentials carbon from FSA. I was going to go with upgraded FSA rims, but went a notch above them to Ultegra rims instead! The bike should be ready to ride by tomorrow and I can’t wait for my first loooong ride this upcomming weekend! Did I mention that this was my 40th Birthday present to myself?...hehe! Hope the next 40 is even better than the first!

" Live to feel the burn!"...

Steve

(ps. btw I chose a color the bike shop swore they would never sell..."Mango Orange!" Its either a love it or hate it color. As for me?... I will be loving every painful mile of it! 🙂

cutter 112 said:

(ps. btw I chose a color the bike shop swore they would never sell..."Mango Orange!" Its either a love it or hate it color. As for me?... I will be loving every painful mile of it! 🙂

You must have gone to Syracuse or Tennessee to tolerate that color🙂. As a Kentucky alumnus, all I can say is nothing sucks like a big orange😄

BTW, my Roubaix is blue and white.

Quoted post said:

Did I mention that this was my 40th Birthday present to myself?

I am asking for a Colnago for my 40th...but I have a ways to go yet...😉

cutter 112 said:

First off, Thanks to all for all of the great feedback! I took a ride down to my LBS and took my bike/frame out for a test spin. I say frame because this will be the first bike that I will be having assembled to my specs! The shop already had a bike set up pretty much the way I was looking for aside from less expensive rims and a 105 front de-railer. What I ended up with was a full Ultegra drive train from brakes, gears to rims and all of the other essentials carbon from FSA. I was going to go with upgraded FSA rims, but went a notch above them to Ultegra rims instead! The bike should be ready to ride by tomorrow and I can’t wait for my first loooong ride this upcomming weekend! Did I mention that this was my 40th Birthday present to myself?...hehe! Hope the next 40 is even better than the first!

" Live to feel the burn!"...

Steve

(ps. btw I chose a color the bike shop swore they would never sell..."Mango Orange!" Its either a love it or hate it color. As for me?... I will be loving every painful mile of it! 🙂

I did the same treatment for my 40th in June. I ended up with a Litespeed Sienna, with FSA compact crank and Ultegra drivetrain and brakes. As I mentioned, my only regret was the Cane Creek wheels that look great but I have already suffered a cartridge bearing failure. In hindsight, I would have gone with an Ultegra hubset. Other than that, I am incredibly happy with my 40th present and if it keeps you riding and having fun, it is worth every penny.

Mango Orange? I went with red accents to my Litespeed, red seat, red tires, red handlebar tape to match the red decals. I have a buddy with a Mango Specialized Stumpjumper (Mt bike), which is pretty tough on the eyes, who now mocks me for my red machine, so it is all subjective. (he want to know why I skipped the red streamers on the handlebars). His tuscany has black accents. Jealousy is a terrible thing.

Good luck with the new bike

kopride said:

I did the same treatment for my 40th in June. I ended up with a Litespeed Sienna, with FSA compact crank and Ultegra drivetrain and brakes. As I mentioned, my only regret was the Cane Creek wheels that look great but I have already suffered a cartridge bearing failure. In hindsight, I would have gone with an Ultegra hubset. Other than that, I am incredibly happy with my 40th present and if it keeps you riding and having fun, it is worth every penny.

Mango Orange? I went with red accents to my Litespeed, red seat, red tires, red handlebar tape to match the red decals. I have a buddy with a Mango Specialized Stumpjumper (Mt bike), which is pretty tough on the eyes, who now mocks me for my red machine, so it is all subjective. (he want to know why I skipped the red streamers on the handlebars). His tuscany has black accents. Jealousy is a terrible thing.

Good luck with the new bike

Thanks! I'm still finding it a little hard to believe that I hit "40", not that its a bad thing, just kind of creeped up on me.

So last Saturday was my first day on the new bike. I was only looking to ride for 25- 30 miles and when I finally decided to stop the trip meter clicked 40! So it was truly a great day! The bike weighs in a tick over 17lbs and very comfortable, with the exception of the FSA saddle it came with. While on my ride I came across a very bike friendly bike shop in Sag Harbor and upgraded my sadle to a "Terry Fly" and man what a difference! After the switch the bike seemed to just become even more enjoyable. It climbs very well and tracks tight. Very impressed with overall ride as well. Now I'll need to find even more time to ride!

Thanks for all of the great feedback and hope to see ya'll out on the road!

Steve