Nev
captain
Reged: 05/03/04
Posts: 373
Loc: Never where I want to be
|
|
I'm a mountain biker (race 12/24hr stuff) who's going to drop some serious $$ on more road bike than I'm entitled to: selling extra mountain bike + just got bonus + tax refund + selling a bit of annoying stock + a little of my own $$.
Just turned 40, too. I don't do cars, I'm still good with the wife, so how else to be irrational? Haven't even ridden a road bike in a few years.
Want to make a one time purchase that will last me years and years. I'll continue mucking with the mtb bikes. I WILL be expanding my ride time dramatically -- rallies, hours and hours of nothing but pedaling, getting out when the trails are muddy. Like riding hilly stuff. Mountains, too. Always thought LiteSpeed's are the best looking. Good reputation. Liked the Tuscany up until the recent post in that form. Though still thinking... Maybe a Vortex then, eh?
Like I suggested, I don't deserve this much bike. No rational thinking going on here. But I'm going to do it any way, and it will get ridden a lot. Have always been obsessed with Ti. Strong Stuff. Carbon makes me uncomfortable owning for what, 10yrs? But what do I know? Thinking 04 Dura Ace it will be.
If it matters: I'm 6', 185-190lbs. Long arms and torso.
And don't set me straight or anything and recommend something practical. This is an irrational decision I will not make lightly. This is a serious selfish, materialistic overcompensation matter -- the first time in my life. It will be done.
So what should I get? What should I look at?
Thanks,
Nev
|
dave_donielson
friend
Reged: 02/03/04
Posts: 32
|
|
Nev-
What a wide open space for options you have created. There are ton of great bikes out there but the most important thing to do is to get a bike that fits well and you like to ride. Demo as many bikes as you can.
I have a 9 y. old Litespeed Catalyst, basically the same geometry as a Classic. It rides well but is a little flexy when I stand and crank. I am not a powerful rider and mostly spin so it works well for me. I recently bought a Calfee Tetra pro that I really love. It is carbon and Calfee gives a 25 year warrenty on the frame. It is quick, responsive and soaks up road buzz.Check out the Calfee forum.
If you really want Ti then Serotta makes some great custom Ti bikes.Look on the Serotta message board. If you make your post there you will get a huge number of responses from more knowledgable riders than myself. Also check out Seven. Do try out Litespeed if possible.
I have the new DA 10 speed and it is great. Very quick shifts and seems well built. It is much better than my Ultegra equipped bikes.
|
TheMightySkunk
journeyman
Reged: 12/26/03
Posts: 82
|
|
Sage advice from Dave_Donielson. I am fortunate enough to own BOTH - a 2004 custom Litespeed Vortex AND a 2002 Serotta Legend Ti. I own two other ti bikes as well.
The Vortex and the Legend Ti really are, IMHO, as good as it gets in a ti frame. If I had to own only one bike, it would be the Serotta.
Litespeed has shamelessly gone wacky on pricing, they really gouge the hell out of you. If I didn't get a team deal, I never would have bought that Vortex because the retail price is downright usurious. Whining aside, the Vortex not only rides like a dream, but it looks so cool it may even get you laid by an appreciative biking Betty.
The Serotta costs less, and a custom fitting comes with each one. I had to pay $500 extra for the custom dimensions on my Vortex. I bought my Serotta used, I happened to find one on eBay that was exactly the dimensions I was looking for.
I heartily second Dave_D's recommendation that you get out there with checkbook poised and demo everything you can get your hands on. Unfortunately, you are almost my size (I'm 6'2" and 200 lbs) so the selection of bikes available for you to demo will be thin. I was very fortunate to have a teammate (Kahuna, the moderator of this forum) who rides the same size bike as me, and who owned a Legend Ti. When I rode the Legend, it was immediate true lust.
If your "short list" consists of the Vortex and the Legend Ti, you are going to one happy guy once you make your choice.
--------------------
"I haven't failed. I've just managed to find 100,000 ways that don't work"
--Albert Einstein
|
Nev
captain
Reged: 05/03/04
Posts: 373
Loc: Never where I want to be
|
|
Quote:
TheMightySkunk wrote:
... Whining aside, the Vortex not only rides like a dream, but it looks so cool it may even get you laid by an appreciative biking Betty.
I think I just found my ride.
|
easypedaler
contributor
Reged: 02/08/04
Posts: 149
|
|
you are not worthy of such a bike.Wait a minute..... thats what my wife says each time I buy a new bike.
|
Nev
captain
Reged: 05/03/04
Posts: 373
Loc: Never where I want to be
|
|
ttt
|
Previous
Thread Index
Next
Threaded
HELP! Must drop $$$ on more bike than I'm entitled
Edit
Reply
Quote
Re: HELP! Must drop $$$ on more bike than I'm entitled
Re: HELP! Must drop $$$ on more bike than I'm enti