Hittin the Road

[stinkytodamax]

Hi Everyone

To open with I'm out looking for my first road bike. After ten years of riding I think it finally time that I at least give road cycling a chance. Well that and the fact that I'm getting quiet, lets say plump and need to shed some weight and gain some much needed fitness.

I have set myself a price limit of $2,000 and have identified the Avanti Giro
http://www.avantibikes.com/road-comp/giro.aspx?bid=7 as something that seems to represent very good value at $1,800. In a nut shell the bike has a carbon fork and rear stay plus a carbon seat post, Shimano R500 wheels and 105 running gear with a hollowtech crankset.

The bike will generally be used for weekend rides and when I have some more cash getting me to work and back (30kms) for a decent set of lights. I have become well and truly sick of watching road riders beat me to work whilst I sit in the car.

I would apprieciate anyones feedback regarding this bike or any other you believe to be as good if not better than the Giro.

So far it has been very hard to find a bike with a carbon rear end in the same price range and spec, but perhaps I'm looking in the wrong places.

Resale value also seems to be pretty good for them, if a number of recent ebay listings is anything to go by.

In this case I would like to buy new.

thanks in advance

[Christo]

Haven't ridden one but have assembled plenty, they seem quite good value, thought of getting one myself.

At the LBS I used to work at, we didn't really have anything comparable in other brands - doesn't mean there aren't others that compare in value/ride quality.

My best advice is spend some time getting the sizing right, coming from MTB 'traditional' road geo can be quite uncomfortable, budget to change things like the saddle & stem.

[stinkytodamax]

Sweet mate sounds like the bike is pretty good value then.

If anyone has any ither information please feel free to post

[Lanky Love]

It would be worth looking at second hand. For $2000 you could get a pretty nice roadie in good condition.

[crash bandicoot]

You could try the Giant OCR Alliance Sport, half alloy, half carbon.
Or get slicks for your mtb, there is nothing roadies hate more then being passed by a mtb. There they are cruising along with their lycra and shaved legs and you come flying past with bagy shorts and hairy legs flapping in the breeze.
Then from behind you hear gears grinding, a bit of cursing and plenty of huffing and puffing as they try to restore their dignity.

[stinkytodamax]

You could try the Giant OCR Alliance Sport, half alloy, half carbon.
Or get slicks for your mtb, there is nothing roadies hate more then being passed by a mtb. There they are cruising along with their lycra and shaved legs and you come flying past with bagy shorts and hairy legs flapping in the breeze.
Then from behind you hear gears grinding, a bit of cursing and plenty of huffing and puffing as they try to restore their dignity.

Yeah have thought of slicks as an option but my only MTB at the minute is a dirt jumper and the bike has never liked (nor I for that matter) doing great distance the furthest the bike has gone is 40kms a ride and whilst it feels good to do it on that bike, I can't help but think a roadie may make long rides much much easier and more pleasant.

Dude even if I get a road bike these legs are staying hairy, I tired shaving once and regret it, with every gear shift in the car or shifting of weight in the office chair caused major irritation. Man i shouldn't have got drunk that night. Alas 90% of all riders could overtake me on the tarmac.

Checked out the giant range and they all look pretty good too. Thanks for the help.

As an aside it has suprised me the apparent value for money you can get with road bikes, but I guess to some extent they are simplier than MTB's with no suspension etc etc.

[davzab]

I recently bought a Giant TCR A1 and it is awsome, everything I could have expected for for the price. Although my one may just be out of you price range the one below it is just as neat with a full 105 set kit all round, half carbon frame, decent wheels, I don't think you can go wrong really with the giants.

[skivi]

My best advice is spend some time getting the sizing right.

wise words right there mate. this is a very important step, your on a roadie for long periods of time and usually pushing yourself quite hard, make sure it fits!

also shop around, if $2K is a stake take your time and also one last thing try this site:
www.bikeexchange.com.au

great place to find shop bikes on special!

[agoer]

I got an orbea for xmas.

I love it (first road bike though)
Carbon fork and seat post. Tiagra shifters and derailleur.

$1500

Food for thought.

G

[stinkytodamax]

Hi Guys I just wanted to update this thread.

After much consideration and looking around I ended up buying a Specialized Allez Elite for $1500. I didn't think I would be able to afford a specialized but it appears that road bikes are priced differently.

The bike has a carbon fork, seat stays and seat post. Mostly tiagra parts and some no brand brakes.

Very happy with it and now its getting warmer it should get a good work out.

I rode the avanti but it just didn't feel right to me. The head tube was much shorter than the specialzed which made the biggest difference to me feeling comfortable.

[bazza]

well done on getting the right bike! its great fun you will love it. best training tool is an mp3 player now, rules a lot! makes 3 hours seem like half an hour. now just to get you into some bib knicks, than there will be no turning back! did you get road shoes and pedals with it as well or just going to run the mtb set up?

[a.davis12]

forget what i just said.
i was going to recomend the avanti, but if it didnt feel right good choice on the specialized

[stinkytodamax]

well done on getting the right bike! its great fun you will love it. best training tool is an mp3 player now, rules a lot! makes 3 hours seem like half an hour. now just to get you into some bib knicks, than there will be no turning back! did you get road shoes and pedals with it as well or just going to run the mtb set up?

Thanks Bazza

a month of talking about it and finally buying it was good fun, love researching and riding all the differnt models. i really think I'm more of sports rider so a race set up just isn't me, perhaps when the beer belly disappears and I get some fitness back but right now its a great and comfortable training bike.

Haven't ridden the MTB in a while because of the cold and wet down here so getting a good feel for the roady. Started riding to work today and the company I work for provided me with some super sweet bib knicks and a jersey to get the companies name out there whilst crusing around.

I still don't enjoy the road as much as the trails, but entering a road race just to find out what it's all about.

MP3 is awesome, 42in TV and trainer has been good fun as well. watched two full seasons of family guy in the last two weeks. Can't wait for a bit more warmth.

running mtb setup which seems alright for now, cheap wellgo's and 661 stingers.