Want fast race bike

lunky said:

Im 46 years old and last winter purchased a serrota road bike. I got the low end steel frame and put higher end componentry and wheels on it. I do like the bike and it is a vast improvement over the Raliegh I previously road.

However, I now want to get a quicker, better bike. I have ridden in a number of group rides and I do fairly well and am almost always with the fastest group. My heart aches for something new and exciting, my mid life crises I think.

Aluminum is out and as much as I love steel I would not buy that this time. So either TI or Carbon or a combination. I would likely want to go with a custom fit as I am a believer in that. On the other hand Im pretty much a stock 56 cm. Im 5'11, 160 lbs and so not an absolute requirement.

I see bikes as a thing of beauty and a technology marvel and so as much as I hate to admit it, it needs to look hot as well as ride fast and with good handling.And of course have higher end componentry and wheels.

My budget could be as high as 5000 US$ or even more if I was convinced it was a better way to go.

I am relatively new to biking and I am sure there are some veterans out there that have some strong opinions on which way to go, what bikes would best fit tihs scenario. I welcome your input. Thank you in advance.

IMO keep your bike and get faster wheels like 404's

Trek, Orbea, Litespeed, Cervelo,.... the choices are almost endless. Aero wheels on your present steed will/should make you faster if you get the right ones.

Upgrade to faster, lighter wheels and install a new engine with more horsepower. Without the motor, the bike is a motionless aesthetic chassis. As Tim Allen would say, "more power, ahh, ahh!"

If you must get a new scoot...get the one that fits you, matches your personal desires and lust qualities, and suits your predominant type of riding. High performance bikes are similar to athletic shoes in that they are both designed with a distinct purpose in mind and they don't have the same fit or feel to everyone that tries them out. Take your time and test ride several with different wheel combinations and pay close attention to the feel, comfort, agility. You'll be amazed at the performance change from a different set of hoops.

Why not aluminum? Or aluminum/carbon?

lunky said:

Im 46 years old and last winter purchased a serrota road bike. I got the low end steel frame and put higher end componentry and wheels on it. I do like the bike and it is a vast improvement over the Raliegh I previously road.

However, I now want to get a quicker, better bike. I have ridden in a number of group rides and I do fairly well and am almost always with the fastest group. My heart aches for something new and exciting, my mid life crises I think.

Aluminum is out and as much as I love steel I would not buy that this time. So either TI or Carbon or a combination. I would likely want to go with a custom fit as I am a believer in that. On the other hand Im pretty much a stock 56 cm. Im 5'11, 160 lbs and so not an absolute requirement.

I see bikes as a thing of beauty and a technology marvel and so as much as I hate to admit it, it needs to look hot as well as ride fast and with good handling.And of course have higher end componentry and wheels.

My budget could be as high as 5000 US$ or even more if I was convinced it was a better way to go.

I am relatively new to biking and I am sure there are some veterans out there that have some strong opinions on which way to go, what bikes would best fit tihs scenario. I welcome your input. Thank you in advance.

lunky said:

My budget could be as high as 5000 US$ or even more if I was convinced it was a better way to go.

At $5,000, your options are almost limitless. Everything at that price range will be light, have top-of-the-line components, and should have high quality wheels, etc. It will also have serious bling-factor ... 😉

In that price range, you need to ride them ... "the bike" will be the one that sings to you, and literally disappears under you as you ride it. You'll know. Walking into virtually any LBS with 5-large to spend should get you plenty of attention and the opportunity to test stuff set up exactly for you and tweaked.

lunky said:

I am relatively new to biking and I am sure there are some veterans out there that have some strong opinions on which way to go, what bikes would best fit tihs scenario. I welcome your input. Thank you in advance.

Hi, I'm your same size and same age and size. Cat 3 veteran. I raced for quite a few years in the 80s and then gave it up. I started riding again two years ago and then started racing again this July. I began by assembling some bikes from stuff I bought on eBay (Colnago Tecnos/Campy Chorus & TST Ti Ultegra). It was fun, but took a lot of my time. These are both great bikes, but still not quite up to date technology wise, so I just bought a Cannondale Six13 Team 1 Dura Ace/Kysrium SL closeout for $3200, not too sexy, but a fantastic ride and a great value. . . now I have to go to the trouble of taking pictures of the other bikes and putting them up on eBay, selling, shipping, etc.

In retrospect I wish I had just bought the Cannondale in the first place. I guess the moral is, If you just want to ride fast and have a nice bike you can get really nice stuff on eBay if you're patient. But if you think you might get the itch to race seriously, you'll probably end up doing what I did, and end up spending $3,000–5,000 on a good racing bike anyway.

Frigo's Luggage said:

Why not aluminum? Or aluminum/carbon?

I agree: you should definitely NOT rule out aluminum, or any other material. Design plays a much more important role than material. Carbon can be lithe and sensitive, or just plain dead. Ti can be rigid and springy or mushy and whippy. Aluminum will always have very high rigidity (great for sprints and climbing). A poor Aluminum design will be too bumpy for descents and too twitchy for close pack rides at hi speed, but a good [i.e. Cannondale CAAD 8] design can iron out that stuff very nicely. These are really popular bikes in the local peloton, and outnumber all other models. The Six13 and newer System Six both mate Aluminum rear triangle with carbon main tubes and are very highly regarded as superb performers. Even steel can still be wonderful. My Colnago Tecnos is a 20 lb bike, but once I'm on it the feel is so springy and snappy I love it anyway.

Same position for me - 43 - and riding every day. I bought a Cervelo Soloist Carbon - and added Carbon Bars. It's whippet quick, light, handles well, [looks great at the cafe after the ride] - and evey time I look at it I want to jump on it and push the pedals. Money is not my issue - so I didn;t waste time being frugal and doing three steps of upgrades before buyig a top end bike - you just have to enjoy it!

My mechanic is a good A grade rider here - top 10 place in the National Time Trials - and rides the same bike. He's young - but he's had everything with 2 wheels, and reckons that the Cervelo is the best bike he's ridden. It's not an uncommon observation either.

You won't be disappointed with *any* bike in that price range, but a full carbon bike, if it's stiff, is a pleasure to ride. Quiet, easy on the body for long rides and light.

People spend a fortune on a Porche - and it burns zero calories! Money spent on a bike is money well spent, because it is honest pleasure.

Oh - and I recommend the Cervelo! 😉

I ruled out aluminum due to my understanding it would be a harsh ride and Im not so young any more. However, after reading the posts it looks like I rushed to judgement. I got to get on some bikes and test them. Thanks again for the great information and education.

Take a look at Seven...custom fit, biggest bling factor out there and absolute top quality.

On the other hand....I just completed a century ride on Sunday. Saturday night I recruited a friend to ride with me thinking he would do the 50 or 62 but he said he wanted to do the 100.

15 year old Trek w/original tires, hadn't been on a bike in 2 years due to an injury and he kicked the [censored] out of most riders including a guy on a $3,000 Bianchi!

Moral...don't worry about what you're sitting on...just ride hard. Your level of fitness will transform a bike more than buying a new bike.