buying a new bike
 

Any serious road riders here? I'm currently riding a 13 year old Trek aluminum front triple road bike.
It's finally time for something new.

I generally take 20-50 mile road rides in very hilly terrain. I'm considering a titanium frame, or one of the carbon fiber \titanium composites. I have LeMond and Merlin high on my list. Anyone have experience with either one? Recommendations?

get a

http://www.trekbikes.com/bikes/2004/...e_madone59.jsp

i'm a sort of half on road and half off road rider, but my theory is that using a heavy old bike makes you work harder, therefore you will be better when you switch up to a new shiny light bike

also I don't have $7000 :(

let us know what you decide on though, I'd be interested

cheers

I have a Lightspeed Ti bike and I absolutely love the ride. Many folks complain about the way a Ti bike rides, not me. I am currently riding a Lightspeed Sabre with an Ultrgra groupset.

From what I've seen you can get a very good road bike under $3K. I think I spent around $4.5K on mine and it was worth every penny. I wouldn't have had a problem bumping the groupset to DuraAce either, even though it would have added about $1K.

Oh half on road half off get a
Trek 4500


www.mtbr.com

Its a hard tail, so its not meant for extreme downhill, but it works fine on anything else
Its got a nice suspension system in the front- and its reasonably priced\





check it out



*EDIT*


http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/2004_har...t_123246.shtml


Its cheaper than that though- because the 2005 models are coming out in about mid july- so most local bikeshops can cut you a deal


Its got decent base wheels, good offroad, decent on-

most strickly offroad tires will be bumpy and obnoxious onroad - and this one isnt :) check it out I love it!

Well after shopping around some more I just fell in love with the Serotta Legend Ti. They're made in upstate NY (Saratoga). Each one is custom built from the wheels up. I spent 2 hours at the bike shop yesterday. Expect delivery in about a month.

Link: www.serotta.com

Awesome. Ive heard good things about those bikes. I havent ridden a Ti bike before... What partset did you get on that baby?

You most certainly can get an excellent road bike for under $3000. Id draw the line at about $1800--anything less than that, and there are lots of compromises being made. $1800 is still an affordable bike though.

jeez, i just have a $400 mountain bike. why would anyone need a bike over $500? i mean, you're not racing, are you?

The bike is being built with 9--speed Ultegra, with a front triple.

Arroe, nobody "needs" a bike like this. I enjoy biking, and this is the first time in my life I can afford such a luxury.

My Trek that I've ridden for 13 years was $800 back in 1991. I've spent countless hours on it, and enjoyed it immensely. If the same happens with the new Serotta, it will be well worth it. Could it also happen if I got another $800 bike? Absolutely. But it's time for something different.

yeah, i'm not saying it's a bad thing. i guess i am the same way with my guitar...