Ok bike peeps

[Aqua Letifer]

@Klaus said in Ok bike peeps:

@Aqua-Letifer said in Ok bike peeps:

@Doctor-Phibes said in Ok bike peeps:

It's also maybe worth getting a bike fitting - I had one done a couple of months after I bought the bike, and they tweaked it a bit, and it really helped.

If you get a road bike, that should come as part of the process. If they charge you extra, they're assholes.

My bike fit took 2.5 hours and involved all kind of expensive tech. If they'd include that for free they'd rip people off who don't take the bike fit.

At the places I worked, we did the same. Which is why we strongly discouraged anyone to leave the shop with a road bike without scheduling them for a fit.

I never worked anywhere who'd charge you separately if you bought your bike there, that's absurd.

[jon-nyc]

Local shop showed me this in black for 1450:

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/contend-ar-3-2021

And this in black for 2800:

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/defy-advanced-2-2021

Thoughts? I wasn't considering carbon fiber. I figured the drop in weight from my hybrid to an AL frame road bike would be dramatic, the further drop to CF not as consequesntial.

I'm going to another shop this afternoon, but I wanted to get feedback on the above.

[Klaus]

@jon-nyc Shimano Sora is a pretty low end group set. I'd go with an 105 group set at least. The first bike looks very overpriced to me. A decent AL bike with 105 components and disc brakes should be available for less than $1500.

[Aqua Letifer]

@Klaus said in Ok bike peeps:

@jon-nyc Shimano Sora is a pretty low end group set. I'd go with an 105 group set at least. The first bike looks very overpriced to me. A decent AL bike with 105 components and disc brakes should be available for less than $1500.

I'd agree with that. 105 componentry can last decades. Easy to fix, easy to upgrade.

[jon-nyc]

Is that still true post covid? All I’m hearing is how shimano is way backed up and road bikes are therefore harder to come by

[Aqua Letifer]

@jon-nyc said in Ok bike peeps:

Is that still true post covid? All I’m hearing is how shimano is way backed up and road bikes are therefore harder to come by

Last I heard, they're coming out of it, but there's still a bit of an issue in places. That might work to your advantage, though: might be able to get last year's models for cheaper. (And unlike cars, they'll have zero miles on them.)

[Klaus]

@Aqua-Letifer said in Ok bike peeps:

@Klaus said in Ok bike peeps:

@jon-nyc Shimano Sora is a pretty low end group set. I'd go with an 105 group set at least. The first bike looks very overpriced to me. A decent AL bike with 105 components and disc brakes should be available for less than $1500.

I'd agree with that. 105 componentry can last decades. Easy to fix, easy to upgrade.

Aqua agrees with me on a bike-related issue

[Klaus]

@jon-nyc said in Ok bike peeps:

Is that still true post covid? All I’m hearing is how shimano is way backed up and road bikes are therefore harder to come by

Ok I wasnt quite right.

https://www.canyon.com/en-us/road-bikes/endurance-bikes/endurace/al/endurace-8-disc/2854.html?dwvar_2854_pv_rahmenfarbe=BK%2FBU

$2000 for an 105 road bike from Canyon. If you buy a similar bike at a local shop, it will be 20-40% more expensive.

Your second offer doesn't sound so bad anymore.

[Mik]

He's got a fucking Bosie and he's worried about bicycle cost? Hmmph.

[mark]

Go carbon fiber and don't look back.

I prefer a SRAM vs Shimano group set. I have a AL Schimano 105 bike and I vastly prefer the ergonomics of the SRAM Force and Red components that I have on the carbon fiber bike.

[Klaus]

Ignore what Mark said

SRAM vs Shimano is mostly a matter of taste.

The difference between Carbon Fiber and Aluminum isn't very big. A lot of $ for a marginal difference.

[George K]

@Klaus said in Ok bike peeps:

A lot of $ for a marginal difference.

Sort of like pianos speakers, right?

[mark]

Ignore what Klaus said. It's not about marginal differences. It's about having the lightest bike you can afford.

[mark]

Also, it might be a matter of "taste" but speaking from experience, SRAM shifts smoother and with less effort than Shimano 105.

[jon-nyc]

SRAM rival 22 v Shimano 105?

Are they equivalent?

[mark]

@jon-nyc said in Ok bike peeps:

SRAM rival 22 v Shimano 105?

Are they equivalent?

They are "equivalent" in price. They typically categorize and compare them by price bracket.

Apex - Tiagra
Rival - 105
Force - Ultegra
Red - Dura-Ace

[mark]

@jon-nyc since I built my bike, I was free to mix and match components from Red and Force. I have the Red shifters, Front Derailleur, and Crankset. Force Rear Derailleur and gearset. My brakes are from a completely different company as I found lighter, less expensive brakes than either Red or Force. They cost the same as Force if I remember correctly but they were significantly lighter in weight.

Force would be my pre-built bike sweet spot.

[Doctor Phibes]

@Klaus said in Ok bike peeps:

Ignore what Mark said

SRAM vs Shimano is mostly a matter of taste.

The difference between Carbon Fiber and Aluminum isn't very big. A lot of $ for a marginal difference.

When I bought my bike, I'd budgeted $2K, and I'd read in a number of places that for that money it was a choice between a very good quality aluminium frame and a low to mid-range carbon frame, and the difference in weight wasn't really that big a deal. There are more cost-effective ways to trim weight from the overall package - the weight of the rider for example

I opted for aluminium frame, and I've been happy with it. It came with carbon forks, which make for an easier ride.

[jon-nyc]

I think the bike dealers are right about pandemic issues. Nobody has anything with a Shimano 105 in stock at anywhere near 2500. Just higher end stuff

[Klaus]

@jon-nyc said in Ok bike peeps:

I think the bike dealers are right about pandemic issues. Nobody has anything with a Shimano 105 in stock at anywhere near 2500. Just higher end stuff

Would you consider buying direct instead of from a dealer?

Which frame size do you need? (it's easy to calculate from the distance of the floor to your balls , if you don't know it).

This German manufacturer is quite good - one of my bikes is from them. They have an aluminium 105 bike with disc brakes for 1850 Euro. They ship to the US for 250 Euro, and they ship most sizes within two weeks.

https://www.rosebikes.com/rose-pro-sl-disc-105-2696850?product_shape=matt+silvergrey&article_size=57cm

If disc brakes are not that important to you (for instance, if you don't drive much in the rain), you could also consider the rim brake version, which also has 105 components but costs just 1400. That's a very decent bike for a small price.

https://www.rosebikes.com/rose-pro-sl-105-2696848?product_shape=mandarin+red