Joined
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24 Posts
Howdy folks,
I'm getting back into riding after quite a few years away (xc raced as a teen but sorta got away from it when I got a car - funny how that happens). Started riding daily 20-40 miles this spring, and can't believe I haven't been riding all this time.
I don't have any inclination to race at this point, though that may change. My general preference is long rides, as fast as possible. Want to crank out a few centuries this summer, and I enjoy a good 40-50 mile ride after work (not a lot for most people around here I'm sure).
Been riding a 10-year-old Trek Fuel with slicks and disc brakes on the road - go ahead and laugh. It's comfy, but of course it's also very heavy and climbs like a pig on a stairstepper. Needless to say, it's time for a real road bike.
My only road bike experience is a Bianchi Trofeo (old) that was too small (I'm 5'10, it was about a 52cm IIRC). It was pretty smooth on the road, but cramped as I'm sure you can imagine. Enjoyed the speed, but riding on the hoods I was still in more of a tuck than I would be in the drops on a bike that fit.
I've got a couple options for getting into a road bike, and it'd be great to have some opinions from some folks with more experience. My budget is around $1k, less is preferred and more isn't necessarily out of the question.
Option 1: '05 Trek Madone 5.2. New SRAM rear wheel, otherwise looks pretty stock. Ultegra 9-speed. Seller wants $890, may be flexible.
Pros: Sorta light, carbon (is the older stuff still going to give a better ride than aluminum?). If the frame works for me, could be a good platform for upgrading as time goes on. Not super spendy (but also not sure if it's worth what the seller is asking?)
Cons: Older. 9-speed. I don't have to have the latest tech to be happy, but it isn't the new cool 10-speed either. Have read that this era Madone is pretty aggressive; this doesn't immediately concern me, I can deal with something that isn't a couch. But if it's not going to be enjoyable to spend 4-5 hours on, I'm not sure it's what I want.
Option 2. 2013 Novara Strada. Virtually new (had a couple rides but nothing spectacular), has nice 10-speed 105 group. Aluminum, obviously. Should run me around $650-$750.
Pros: Basically new, no real concern for wear. Probably a less aggressive riding position than the Madone. Cheap. Modern 105 drivetrain, and 10-speed (does this really matter?).
Cons: Aluminum; unknown if it will be a harsher ride than the older Madone. Probably heavier. No brand-name cachet (don't care personally).
Option 3: 2013 Cannondale CAAD10 105. New, no discounts, guessing around $1500.
Pros: Seems to get amazing reviews. Light (unsure if it's comparable to the '05 Madone), allegedly pretty comfy for aluminum though I'm sure it's not comparable to carbon.
Cons: Roughly double the money of the other options; though, I understand the concept that sometimes it's better to pay for what you want up front rather than get something that's ALMOST what you want and then spend a bunch more money over time because you're not quite satisfied.
If I went with the CAAD10, I'd probably have to part with my Fuel and be mountain bikeless. Haven't done much off-road in years anyway, but I might get back into it? Dunno.
Option 4: Other. ?
All comments, opinions, etc. greatly appreciated.
I'm getting back into riding after quite a few years away (xc raced as a teen but sorta got away from it when I got a car - funny how that happens). Started riding daily 20-40 miles this spring, and can't believe I haven't been riding all this time.
I don't have any inclination to race at this point, though that may change. My general preference is long rides, as fast as possible. Want to crank out a few centuries this summer, and I enjoy a good 40-50 mile ride after work (not a lot for most people around here I'm sure).
Been riding a 10-year-old Trek Fuel with slicks and disc brakes on the road - go ahead and laugh. It's comfy, but of course it's also very heavy and climbs like a pig on a stairstepper. Needless to say, it's time for a real road bike.
My only road bike experience is a Bianchi Trofeo (old) that was too small (I'm 5'10, it was about a 52cm IIRC). It was pretty smooth on the road, but cramped as I'm sure you can imagine. Enjoyed the speed, but riding on the hoods I was still in more of a tuck than I would be in the drops on a bike that fit.
I've got a couple options for getting into a road bike, and it'd be great to have some opinions from some folks with more experience. My budget is around $1k, less is preferred and more isn't necessarily out of the question.
Option 1: '05 Trek Madone 5.2. New SRAM rear wheel, otherwise looks pretty stock. Ultegra 9-speed. Seller wants $890, may be flexible.
Pros: Sorta light, carbon (is the older stuff still going to give a better ride than aluminum?). If the frame works for me, could be a good platform for upgrading as time goes on. Not super spendy (but also not sure if it's worth what the seller is asking?)
Cons: Older. 9-speed. I don't have to have the latest tech to be happy, but it isn't the new cool 10-speed either. Have read that this era Madone is pretty aggressive; this doesn't immediately concern me, I can deal with something that isn't a couch. But if it's not going to be enjoyable to spend 4-5 hours on, I'm not sure it's what I want.
Option 2. 2013 Novara Strada. Virtually new (had a couple rides but nothing spectacular), has nice 10-speed 105 group. Aluminum, obviously. Should run me around $650-$750.
Pros: Basically new, no real concern for wear. Probably a less aggressive riding position than the Madone. Cheap. Modern 105 drivetrain, and 10-speed (does this really matter?).
Cons: Aluminum; unknown if it will be a harsher ride than the older Madone. Probably heavier. No brand-name cachet (don't care personally).
Option 3: 2013 Cannondale CAAD10 105. New, no discounts, guessing around $1500.
Pros: Seems to get amazing reviews. Light (unsure if it's comparable to the '05 Madone), allegedly pretty comfy for aluminum though I'm sure it's not comparable to carbon.
Cons: Roughly double the money of the other options; though, I understand the concept that sometimes it's better to pay for what you want up front rather than get something that's ALMOST what you want and then spend a bunch more money over time because you're not quite satisfied.
If I went with the CAAD10, I'd probably have to part with my Fuel and be mountain bikeless. Haven't done much off-road in years anyway, but I might get back into it? Dunno.
Option 4: Other. ?
All comments, opinions, etc. greatly appreciated.
