What Specialized/Avanti Roady for a noob?

[No Skid Marks]

I'm getting my first decent Roadie,it has to be a Specialized or Avanti,what 105 drivtrain model should I get? I'm from a MTB background so I wouldn't mind strongish,however I'm under 70kgs. Sorry this is such a broad question,I'm trying to narrow it down and learn.

[DaGonz]

I'm getting my first decent Roadie,it has to be a Specialized or Avanti,what 105 drivtrain model should I get? I'm from a MTB background so I wouldn't mind strongish,however I'm under 70kgs. Sorry this is such a broad question,I'm trying to narrow it down and learn.

what sort of road riding are you planning on doing?

I ride a roubaix, it's a long haul bike, not as twitchy, set up for long days in the saddle, meant to have a bit of "give" but pretty flexy out of the saddle.

If you're limited to avanti or speccy, it's pretty simple, just figure out what sort or road riding you're planning on doing and buy appropriately.

Cheers
Gonz

[DarrenHunt]

with any major road bike its pretty much the same decision as a mtb, what are you going to use it for... race or endurance... in specialized tarmac or roubaix... in avanti the corsa is the race model.

I ride a race bike and am happy on it for 4 hours until i start to feel any sort of back pain, but can ride for longer. Some people get pain on a race bike after a much shorter period of time, others have an upright position on a race bike.

generally: endurance bikes will be overall a more upright position, and have more road 'give'. race bikes will be a lot stiffer, but a lower position.

but as i'm sure youve read before fit is most important.
if your reasonably fit, dont have back troubles, i'd go a race frame.
if you just want a roadie to get fit, go on long rides and not planning on racing road i'd look towards one of the endurance models.

[No Skid Marks]

Both the Tarmac and Roubaix have the same length top tube,the roubaix has a longer headtube,but I still feel the bars will get low enough for me. What about the Tricross? I'm guessing I won't be doing longer than 4hrs for some time.
I doubt I'll put down enough power to notice much flex,and I know no better so I'd probably just think that's how it was anyway. So it's mainly a comfort thing then. I live in the MTNs,does that make any difference?
Thanks for your help guys.Guess I'll just bight the bullet and pick one,sorry for my noobness,but I couldn't notice much difference in any of them,and I'm not sure of the effects of the head angle,as I don't know what angle transferes to to rake and trail accuratly,or the effects of a longer wheelbase,I get what they mean,but not really how they'd feel.

[Matt H]

Giro and Allez are the two models I guess you're looking at?

[DaGonz]

What about the Tricross?

Cyclocross frame. I'd say do it but I'm biassed. It'd be the most like any of your mountain bikes though :)

Cheers
Gonz

[Christo]

Well I'm all for the tricross, good mix between MTb & road, geometry won't be too weird & you can flat bar it with some decent V's if you really hate the drops...

Coming from MTB freak to road riding, I suggest go one size smaller than you think you need too. I'm quite tall & long limbed, every sizing guide suggests I go a 60cm with a 120mm stem but I prefer a 58cm with a 100mm.? Whatever floats yer boat I guess...

By the way Matt H, your avatar makes me feel all weird in the pants region...?

[No Skid Marks]

I'll definatly run a 100mm or less stem,I think I'd be a 54.

[DarrenHunt]

it looks like a roubaix could be the bike for you.
i personally wouldnt go a cross bike... if you want to do cross then i would but if your road riding stick to a roadie.

[Ham]

roubaix's arent 105 level are they?

[DaGonz]

roubaix's arent 105 level are they?

Pretty sure the base one is 105, going all the way to full ultegra with the S-Works jobbie...

Cheers
Gonz

[Ham]

Pretty sure the base one is 105, going all the way to full ultegra with the S-Works jobbie...

Cheers
Gonz

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=22188

yeah the elite is 105 looks pretty nice.

[No Skid Marks]

What about the Avanti range? There's a few different styles that look like they'd compete with the Specialized Tarmacs.

[ebuk]

I have an Avanti Corsa and love riding it. It's my first roadie. I find the frame very responsive. 70kms this morning with no aches or pains.

I bought it based on the shop advising it's the best bang for your $ and nothing else comes close (in the $2500 price range I was looking at).

The Corsa is Ultegra, the model below is the Giro which comes with 105 and what was said to me was Ultegra cranks that are clean skinned (no branding)???

The Giro looks awsome in white and black or lime and black.

[Matt H]

By the way Matt H, your avatar makes me feel all weird in the pants region...?

Yeah, those Gretsch guitars are damn sexy, eh? :p

[No Skid Marks]

I have an Avanti Corsa and love riding it. It's my first roadie. I find the frame very responsive. 70kms this morning with no aches or pains.

I bought it based on the shop advising it's the best bang for your $ and nothing else comes close (in the $2500 price range I was looking at).

The Corsa is Ultegra, the model below is the Giro which comes with 105 and what was said to me was Ultegra cranks that are clean skinned (no branding)???

The Giro looks awsome in white and black or lime and black.

Yeah the Corsa looks good,very similer geometry etc to the Specialised Tarmacs. Hmmm decisions decisions,hard when you don't know what's what.

[Matt H]

Whatever you do, just don't get a carbonio.

[Ham]

Whatever you do, just don't get a carbonio.

why they seem really good?

[Matt H]

why they seem really good?

Don't get me wrong, the rest of the Avanti range are great frames. But the amount of cracked carbonio's that have come back to the shop I work at (it's an avanti plus store so we sell a reasonable amount of them) is rather disconcerting. Avanti do a good job with warranty though so most people will be back on the same or higher frame in a matter of weeks.

[Christo]

OK then, been searching but would like advice.

About to invest in my first geared roadie. I have the option of an Avanti Cadent 3.0 $2,300 vs. Specialized Roubaix Comp $2,500.

Full Ultegra on the Avanti, 105 with Ultegra rear on the Specialized.

http://www.avantibikes.com/admin/BikeImages/or_cer_c3.0-w_lg.jpg
Frame: ADT CER1 Carbon, Endurance Road Geo
Fork: ADT Carbon Fibre w/ 1-1/8" Alloy Steerer
Front Derailleur: Shimano Ultegra w/Chain Fall Protector
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Ultegra
Brake Levers: Shimano Ultegra
Shifters: Shimano Ultegra 20-Speed w/ Shimano Outer Casing
Crankset: Shimano R600 Hollowtech II Compact 50/34
Brakes: Shimano Ultegra
Hubs: Mavic Aksium Wheelset
Cassette: Shimano 5600 12-25T 10-Speed
Handlebar: Zero Attack Pro 31.8mm
Grips: Zero Micro Tape
Handlebar Stem: Zero Attack Pro 31.8mm
Pedals: Shimano PD-R540 Clipless
Rims/Wheel Set: Mavic Aksium Wheelset
Spokes: Mavic Stainless Steel
Tyres: Specialized Mondo Pro 700 x 23c with Lightweight Tubes
Saddle: Zero Xi RL
Seat Post: Zero Attack Team Carbon 31.6mm
Bottom Bracket: Shimano Ultegra
Headset: FSA Integrated 1-1/8" w/ carbon Spacer & Avanti Top Cap
Chain: Shimano CN-5600

Or

http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/2008/bikes/9083-30_l.jpg
FRAME Specialized FACT 6r carbon, triple monocoque construction, compact design, Zertz inserts
REAR SHOCK N/A
FORK Specialized FACT monocoque carbon fork, full carbon legs, crown and steerer w/ Zertz inserts
HEADSET Specialized Mindset Plus, 1 1/8" integrated threadless, cartridge sealed bearings, alloy 20mm cone w/ one 10mm and two 5mm alloy spacers
STEM Specialized Pro-Set lightweight stem, 3D forged alloy, 4-bolt 31.8mm bar clamp, 4-position adjustable
HANDLEBARS Specialized Zertz Comp, 6061 alloy, Zertz damper, short-reach drop, ergonomic top shaping, 31.8mm
TAPE/GRIPS Body Geometry Bar Phat, Soft-Touch cork ribbon w/ 2.5mm gel padding
FRONT BRAKE Shimano 105
REAR BRAKE Shimano 105
BRAKE LEVERS Shimano 105, 10-speed STI, flight deck compatible
FRONT DERAILLEUR Shimano 105, 31.8mm clamp, bottom pull
REAR DERAILLEUR Shimano Ultegra, short cage
SHIFT LEVERS Shimano 105, 10-speed STI, flight deck compatible
CASSETTE FREEWHEEL SRAM OG-1070, 10-speed 11-28t
CHAIN Shimano 105, 10-speed
CRANKSET Shimano R600, Hollowtech II 2-piece compact crankset
CHAINRINGS 50x34T
BOTTOM BRACKET Shimano 105, Hollowtech II
PEDALS Composite body test ride pedals
RIMS Shimano RS-10
FRONT HUB Shimano RS-10, QR
REAR HUB Shimano RS-10, cassette, QR
SPOKES Stainless 14g
FRONT TIRE Specialized Roubaix Pro, 700x23/25c, aramid bead, 120TPI, Flak Jacket
REAR TIRE Specialized Roubaix Pro, 700x23/25c, aramid bead, 120TPI, Flak Jacket
TUBES Specialized standard presta tube
SADDLE Specialized Toupé Gel, super light foam, carbon reinforced base, microfiber cover
SEAT POST Specialized Pavé, FACT carbon w/ Zertz insert, 27.2mm
SEAT BINDER Specialized CNC, alloy, 32.6mm clamp
NOTES Carbon chain stay protector, derailleur hanger, clear coat, owners manual

I have 3 other Specialized bikes already so I'm not averse to them, however I'm not a big Avanti fan (ironically as they import Specialized bikes) but the cadent has nice wheels & full Ultegra...?

[Christo]

Oh well, as it turns out, i ordered a Roubaix comp but Avanti sent a Tarmac comp to the shop and they'll do it for the same price so I've decided to go with the Tarmac over the Roubaix, not sure if I'm making a big mistake here but I figure Iif it's hideously uncomfortable, I can change some components around etcetera...