Help picking new road bike

In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden] (Mark

Sinderson) said:

Hello,

I am in the market for a new road bike to replace my Panasonic DX-3000 from 1988. I am getting
into biking more and more as I find that I can't run as much as I'd like to. I like to get a good
workout in and I plan on riding some centuries next season, maybe even some basic citizen races as
well. I haven't been in the market for a bike in a long while so I am out of touch with where the
industry is currently. My budget is $700-1200 and I want a bike that is more "sport" than not.
Right now I am riding 60-100 miles a week and plan on upping that next year to 100-150 at least. I
generally ride on the flat roads here in the Chicago area but I'd like to ride in the mountains
when I visit friends in Colorado. I'm 6'1" and 170-175lbs.

What suggestions does everybody have? Can I get a decent bike for my budget and what would a good
shortlist be? Thanks in advance for the feedback.

Bewarned that you already have a good bike for the riding you are doing. Besides the obvious new-toy
lust (not that there's anything wrong with that!), do you have a particular desire in mind that
isn't fulfilled by the Panasonic?

Beyond that, for racing I'd say get a brifteur-equipped bike, simply because shifting is so much
faster and easier than with DT shifters.

In your budget you're probably looking at bikes equipped with Tiagra or 105 components. Both are
fine, though some consider 105 the minimum for reasonable racing gear. Not me: I run a mostly
old-105 bike with a single Sora right-hand brifteur.

On the Campy side, I guess it's Xenon or Mirage, maybe Chorus, at that price.

Get the bike that fits you the best. That's all the advice I have about frames.

--
Ryan Cousineau, [email hidden] sfu.ca~rcousineOpen ↗ President, Fabrizio Mazzoleni Fan Club

Quoted message said:

I am in the market for a new road bike to replace my Panasonic DX-3000 from 1988.

I bought one used last year as my first road bike. Is yours black and yellow? Real nice bike . Rode
all summer on it.

Quoted message said:

What suggestions does everybody have? Can I get a decent bike for my budget and what would a good
shortlist be

You already know the comfort of steel riding the Panasonic and todays steel bikes are muck lighter
than yours. For Steel I'd look at the Lemond line. The Alpe D'Huez and Buenos Aires would be
excellent sport bikes and can be had for a good price if you find and end of season sale. The Jamis
Quest is also an excellent bike for about $1200.

If you want an aluminum bike try Cannondale , Trek, and Specialized. All have bikes in your price
range although you may find aluminum a bit harsh after riding the DX3000.

Fuji makes some very good bikes at a reasonable price. My advice is to visit as many shops as you
can ride different bikes with different equipment and find one that sends you. Remember though if
you spend $100 more initially you'll still get off cheaper than buying a lesser bike and "upgrading"
later. Good luck

"Mark Sinderson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hello,

I am in the market for a new road bike to replace my Panasonic DX-3000 from 1988. I am getting
into biking more and more as I find that I can't run as much as I'd like to. I like to get a good
workout in and I plan on riding some centuries next season, maybe even some basic citizen races as
well. I haven't been in the market for a bike in a long while so I am out of touch with where the
industry is currently. My budget is $700-1200 and I want a bike that is more "sport" than not.
Right now I am riding 60-100 miles a week and plan on upping that next year to 100-150 at least. I
generally ride on the flat roads here in the Chicago area but I'd like to ride in the mountains
when I visit friends in Colorado. I'm 6'1" and 170-175lbs.

What suggestions does everybody have? Can I get a decent bike for my budget and what would a good
shortlist be? Thanks in advance for the feedback.

You might check out the Trek 1000 and 1200. Those are really well made bikes for a good price,
especially if you buy an end-of-the-year model.

The problem with buying end-of-the-year, though, is that you might not get the color you want, which
may be important to you, and you may have a difficult time finding the right sized frame, which is
essential.

At 6' 1", it sounds like you might need a slightly above average frame. Good luck in your search.

M.

In article <[email hidden]>, markman_ [email hidden] says...

...

Quoted message said:

What suggestions does everybody have? Can I get a decent bike for my budget and what would a good
shortlist be? Thanks in advance for the feedback.

You can get some very good bikes in that range. Take a look at a Specialized Sequoiah Expert or a
Bianchi San Remo, to name two which I was looking at.

--
Dave Kerber Fight spam: remove the ns_ from the return address before replying!

REAL programmers write self-modifying code.

Ryan Cousineau wrote in message ...

Quoted message said:

On the Campy side, I guess it's Xenon or Mirage, maybe Chorus, at that price.

Get the bike that fits you the best. That's all the advice I have about frames.

Ryan, what happened to your Campy Record and 52cm frame advice?

(Mark Sinderson) said:

Hello,

I am in the market for a new road bike to replace my Panasonic DX-3000 from 1988.

Why, what's wrong with the Panasonic? A new bike might give you more "speeds", but most of those are
duplicated "in between" gearings that you'll probably never use, and the thinner chain and sprockets
will wear out quicker. Perhaps just a triple crank conversion will suit your needs...

[email hidden] (Jkpoulos7) wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I am in the market for a new road bike to replace my Panasonic DX-3000 from 1988.

I bought one used last year as my first road bike. Is yours black and yellow? Real nice bike .
Rode all summer on it.

Quoted message said:

What suggestions does everybody have? Can I get a decent bike for my budget and what would a good
shortlist be

You already know the comfort of steel riding the Panasonic and todays steel bikes are muck lighter
than yours. For Steel I'd look at the Lemond line. The Alpe D'Huez and Buenos Aires would be
excellent sport bikes and can be had for a good price if you find and end of season sale. The
Jamis Quest is also an excellent bike for about $1200.

If you want an aluminum bike try Cannondale , Trek, and Specialized. All have bikes in your price
range although you may find aluminum a bit harsh after riding the DX3000.

Fuji makes some very good bikes at a reasonable price. My advice is to visit as many shops as you
can ride different bikes with different equipment and find one that sends you. Remember though if
you spend $100 more initially you'll still get off cheaper than buying a lesser bike and
"upgrading" later. Good luck

My DX-3000 is dark gray with white lettering. I enjoy the bike and it has performed well for me in
the past. It sounds like it's not really a bad bike after all based on some of the comments out
there. The frame seems to be in great shape, tooGiven that, would it make sense to upgrade the
componentry to current 105 tech and keep the frame? I really like the new shifters.

Mark

Ryan Cousineau said:

Quoted message said:

My budget is $700-1200 and I want a bike that is more "sport" than not.

Quoted message said:

In your budget you're probably looking at bikes equipped with Tiagra or 105 components. Both are
fine, though some consider 105 the minimum for reasonable racing gear. Not me: I run a mostly
old-105 bike with a single Sora right-hand brifteur.

Quoted message said:

On the Campy side, I guess it's Xenon or Mirage, maybe Chorus, at that price.

I think you meant to say Veloce, not Chorus, as Chorus isn't available in that price range. Veloce
(or Mirage) is no doubt a good group even for active use. Veloce has a mediocre front hub made in
Taiwan and a cheap bottom bracket, but neither of those are really a disaster waiting to happen. I
think both components are redesigned in the 2004 Veloce group, though. All of this applies to Mirage
as well, as it's pretty much the same stuff.

-as

Quoted message said:

I am in the market for a new road bike to replace my Panasonic DX-3000 from 1988. I am getting
into biking more and more as I find that I can't run as much as I'd like to. I like to get a good
workout in and I plan on riding some centuries next season, maybe even some basic citizen races as
well. I haven't been in the market for a bike in a long while so I am out of touch with where the
industry is currently. My budget is $700-1200 and I want a bike that is more "sport" than not.
Right now I am riding 60-100 miles a week and plan on upping that next year to 100-150 at least. I
generally ride on the flat roads here in the Chicago area but I'd like to ride in the mountains
when I visit friends in Colorado. I'm 6'1" and 170-175lbs.

What suggestions does everybody have? Can I get a decent bike for my budget and what would a good
shortlist be? Thanks in advance for the feedback.

Mark: Lots of nice bikes in that price range; your first priority should be to find a shop that
understands your dreams (how you'd like to use a bike, as opposed to how the salesperson rides) and
has a clue about fitting you properly.

In the lines we sell, the '04 TREK 1500 is what we call a "category killer" with a combination
components (including '105 and Ultegra) with a very nice domestically-produced aluminum frame &
carbon-fiber fork. At about $1000, it's considerably less than similar bikes last year, and comes in
a range of sizes at 2cm increments... none of this small, medium or large stuff. That's just one
example, there are many others that would serve your needs very nicely.

As to what you can expect from a new bike (improvements over your DX-3000), you'll find huge gains
in brakes (dual-pivot now), shifting (STI, integrated into the brake levers, so you have all your
controls in one place), lighter weight and better damping at the front end with a carbon fork.
You'll also have the opportunity to consider a high-quality triple crankset with really low gears
for those mountain rides you've dreamed about.

One other thing- don't over-analyze the decision to death. Cycling should be fun, and a good shop
will do what they can to make sure all aspects, even the purchase, are a positive experience. That
means zeroing in on your needs as quickly as possible and not turning it into an exercise of how
many different bikes you can try in your lifetime.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles chainreactionbicycles.comchainreactionbicycles.comOpen ↗

The 1500 seems like a leap on the competition. Carbon Fork, many Ultegra components, lifetime frame
guarantee. Even comes with pedals. Nice color scheme. all for $1000. I think Trek has a winner.

"Mike Jacoubowsky" <[email hidden]> a écrit dans le message de
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I am in the market for a new road bike to replace my Panasonic DX-3000 from 1988. I am getting
into biking more and more as I find that I can't run as much as I'd like to. I like to get a
good workout in and I plan on riding some centuries next season, maybe even some basic citizen
races as well. I haven't been in the market for a bike in a long while so I am out of touch with
where the industry is currently. My budget is $700-1200 and I want a bike that is more "sport"
than not. Right now I am riding 60-100 miles a week and plan on upping that next year to 100-150
at least. I generally ride on the flat roads here in the Chicago area but I'd like to ride in
the mountains when I visit friends in Colorado. I'm 6'1" and 170-175lbs.

What suggestions does everybody have? Can I get a decent bike for my budget and what would a
good shortlist be? Thanks in advance for the feedback.

Mark: Lots of nice bikes in that price range; your first priority should

be

Quoted message said:

to find a shop that understands your dreams (how you'd like to use a bike, as opposed to how the
salesperson rides) and has a clue about fitting you properly.

In the lines we sell, the '04 TREK 1500 is what we call a "category

killer"

Quoted message said:

with a combination components (including '105 and Ultegra) with a very

nice

Quoted message said:

domestically-produced aluminum frame & carbon-fiber fork. At about $1000, it's considerably less
than similar bikes last year, and comes in a range

of

Quoted message said:

sizes at 2cm increments... none of this small, medium or large stuff. That's just one example,
there are many others that would serve your needs very nicely.

As to what you can expect from a new bike (improvements over your

DX-3000),

Quoted message said:

you'll find huge gains in brakes (dual-pivot now), shifting (STI,

integrated

Quoted message said:

into the brake levers, so you have all your controls in one place),

lighter

Quoted message said:

weight and better damping at the front end with a carbon fork. You'll

also

Quoted message said:

have the opportunity to consider a high-quality triple crankset with

really

Quoted message said:

low gears for those mountain rides you've dreamed about.

One other thing- don't over-analyze the decision to death. Cycling should be fun, and a good shop
will do what they can to make sure all aspects,

even

Quoted message said:

the purchase, are a positive experience. That means zeroing in on your needs as quickly as
possible and not turning it into an exercise of how

many

Quoted message said:

different bikes you can try in your lifetime.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles chainreactionbicycles.comchainreactionbicycles.comOpen ↗

---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (grisoft.comgrisoft.comOpen ↗).
Version: 6.0.510 / Virus Database: 307 - Release Date: 14/08/2003

In article <[email hidden]>, Mark Sinderson

Quoted message said:

I am in the market for a new road bike to replace my Panasonic DX-3000 from 1988. I am getting into
biking more and more as I find that I can't run as much as I'd like to. I like to get a good
workout in and I plan on riding some centuries next season, maybe even some basic citizen races as
well. I haven't been in the market for a bike in a long while so I am out of touch with where the
industry is currently. My budget is $700-1200 and I want a bike that is more "sport" than not.
Right now I am riding 60-100 miles a week and plan on upping that next year to 100-150 at least. I
generally ride on the flat roads here in the Chicago area but I'd like to ride in the mountains
when I visit friends in Colorado. I'm 6'1" and 170-175lbs.

What suggestions does everybody have? Can I get a decent bike for my budget and what would a good
shortlist be? Thanks in advance for the feedback.

Mark - find out what fits and then the decision will be obvious. Your budget is more than adequate
for a great road bike. Ask cyclist friends or a local bike club which shops or people offer a
fitting service. It usually costs something like $50-150 and is sometimes refundable against a frame
or bike sale. You can usually find a shop with a "Fit Kit", which you might get, but mostly what
you're paying for is the good judgement of the person doing the work, so get some local
recommendations.

If you love how the Panasonic fits and find it comfortable on long rides, then measure its geometry
and how it's set up in great detail, take it with you to a shop and try their angle finder on it.
Then you can start comparing the geometry of what you have to published specs on manufacturer web
sites and figure out what to go test ride.

--Paul

Mark:

I was in your shoes 3 years ago and tried to limit my "ceiling" to $1,000. What I found back then
was what someone had already mentioned, you will get a decent bike with Sora or Tiagra, but you will
have to look hard for 105.

Bianchi has some nice bikes but when I rode them, I couldnt get used to the Campy shifters.

Fuji does have a great line, although the Newest (steel when I bought
it) is now aluminum.

I still lust for a Lemond which was a bit out of my price range.

Mark Sinderson said:

Hello,

I am in the market for a new road bike to replace my Panasonic DX-3000 from 1988. I am getting
into biking more and more as I find that I can't run as much as I'd like to. I like to get a good
workout in and I plan on riding some centuries next season, maybe even some basic citizen races as
well. I haven't been in the market for a bike in a long while so I am out of touch with where the
industry is currently. My budget is $700-1200 and I want a bike that is more "sport" than not.
Right now I am riding 60-100 miles a week and plan on upping that next year to 100-150 at least. I
generally ride on the flat roads here in the Chicago area but I'd like to ride in the mountains
when I visit friends in Colorado. I'm 6'1" and 170-175lbs.

What suggestions does everybody have? Can I get a decent bike for my budget and what would a good
shortlist be? Thanks in advance for the feedback.

Mark

In article <[email hidden]>, "Fabrizio Mazzoleni"

Quoted message said:

Ryan Cousineau wrote in message ...

Quoted message said:

On the Campy side, I guess it's Xenon or Mirage, maybe Chorus, at that price.

Get the bike that fits you the best. That's all the advice I have about frames.

Ryan, what happened to your Campy Record and 52cm frame advice?

Sorry, Fabrizio. Guess I'm letting the side down.

I recommend an aluminum frame, Campy Record Carbon gruppo, and it must be a 52cm frame. If you are
taller, you should just get a hybrid bike, because you will only take up room on the road for us
serious cyclists.

If you insist on a bike made on this continent, only Cannondale and Cervélo are acceptable. Because
your limited budget surely precludes purchasing a proper TT bike at this point, I recommend a Cerv

Hey, I'm the president

--
Ryan Cousineau, [email hidden] sfu.ca~rcousineOpen ↗ President, Fabrizio Mazzoleni Fan Club

In article <[email hidden]>, "Fabrizio Mazzoleni"

Quoted message said:

Ryan Cousineau wrote in message ...

Quoted message said:

On the Campy side, I guess it's Xenon or Mirage, maybe Chorus, at that price.

Get the bike that fits you the best. That's all the advice I have about frames.

Ryan, what happened to your Campy Record and 52cm frame advice?

Sorry, Fabrizio. Guess I'm letting the side down.

I recommend an aluminum frame, Campy Record Carbon gruppo, and it must be a 52cm frame. If you are
taller, you should just get a hybrid bike, because you will only take up room on the road for us
serious cyclists.

If you insist on a bike made on this continent, only Cannondale and Cervélo are acceptable. Because
your limited budget surely precludes purchasing a proper TT bike at this point, I recommend a
Cervélo Soloist Team with a special-order Record gruppo, which will work well for training for all
events. With a little genetic luck, maybe you too can become a serious roadie.

cervelo.comtext icon Solo team.htmlOpen ↗

Hey, I'm the president of the Fan Club, gotta keep up the side.

Don't tell Fabrizio about my Sora brifteurs,
--
Ryan Cousineau, [email hidden] sfu.ca~rcousineOpen ↗ President, Fabrizio Mazzoleni Fan Club