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Road Biking - anyone here do it? **Update- test rode few bikes**

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brainhulk said:
it starts at 2.9k. lower than that, you should look to used/demo bikes
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Lolwut? 😕

I got a brand new full suspension Trek 29er for $1900 in 2013 that's all mountain. Used it for downhill, singletrack, and free-ride (including 8ft slope drops) and it's held up great. Not everyone is in it to compete. It can be just a hobby. I have since converted it to a 1x instead of 3x, but that was to save the rotational weight that I hardly ever used.

If someone were to come to me asking about getting into some singletrack, a $600-$800 Trek hardtail is where I would send them. Lots of the guys in our local groups have bikes from that range and they hold up quite well as long as they're a legit brand. If you buy an e-bike and use it for mountain biking, when you crash something will break. The wife and I have a couple bikesdirect bikes we use for paved trail riding, but I'd never take either of them on even singletrack.
 
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Zeze said:
I'm with you. One of the deterrent of doing road biking was that I didn't want to look like those douchey cyclists with maxed out logo-spammed tights.
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My MTB lined shorts are good for 3-5 hour rides, probably more once I start doing centuries. They pull in to a form fit while seated and pedaling, no aero drag is happening. Not all MTB shorts are baggy. I have ones that fit like the slim shorts most men wear today.
I also have a jersey that isn't tight, and it feels great. I would say areo concerns are minimal. The air goes through it more than moves it around. Plus I have the same 3 pockets on the back for gels, energy bars, tubes, etc.

Once you start competing for 40km TT, then you can give in and shave your legs and go 100% vulgar.

Seriously....the road bike reputation is well deserved.
 
Zeze said:
The mechanic at the LBS was comparing his Raleigh Merit 3 (he owns it) to Diverge DWS Elite, both at pretty much same price.

He was wondering why his Merit 3 has all Shimano 105, yet the Diverge don't even them have 'em. Then where's all the money going?

I obviously couldn't answer. Can someone tell me?
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Specialized and Trek in the US tend to sell for higher list prices due to their huge marketing efforts. I love the quality and designs of both, they tend trickle down their pro designs or features to their sub 2k bikes. Sometimes it's marketing hype, sometimes its good stuff.
Giant and Cannondale make great Spec/Trek alternatives that might be a couple hundred less for a comparable spec sheet. Bikes sometimes are hard to cross shop since they avoid using the same exact option sheet. And when it comes to these road/adventure bikes...they have slightly different approaches.

The Diverge sells like hotcakes, dealers don't mark these down on their own. Deals can be had if its a Specialized promotion, but I don't know when those happen.
 
foghorn67 said:
The Diverge sells like hotcakes, dealers don't mark these down on their own. Deals can be had if its a Specialized promotion, but I don't know when those happen.
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The Specialized promotion to get rid of the year old models was in February of this year. I picked up a 2015 Diverge Expert Carbon for half price during the sale.

It is an impressive bike.
 
Daaavo said:
The Specialized promotion to get rid of the year old models was in February of this year. I picked up a 2015 Diverge Expert Carbon for half price during the sale.

It is an impressive bike.
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Damn. I was planning on getting a Diverge a couple seasons from now. I might get one next year if next year's promotion is like that.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk
 
Zeze said:
Isn't Raleigh also a big brand name also? (Merit 3)
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It is, but must be more popular in other markets than mine. That being said I own a Raleigh revenio 3.0, from 2012. It's been a great bike and with Shimano 105, I've not been want for any serious upgrades. One day I'll upgrade to a carbon bike with Ultegra, but for now it's my regular rider and I quite like it. However, I see about 1 Raleigh for every 200 other types. :|

You seem to be both blessed and cursed in your area with choice. I'd try to find the best components you can (like Shimano 105, won't need better), on a bike that does what you want and fits you. If you like riding it and it doesn't feel weird or act strangely, then there you go. I wouldn't get too focused on brands or models.
 
foghorn67 said:
Specialized and Trek in the US tend to sell for higher list prices due to their huge marketing efforts. I love the quality and designs of both, they tend trickle down their pro designs or features to their sub 2k bikes. Sometimes it's marketing hype, sometimes its good stuff.
Giant and Cannondale make great Spec/Trek alternatives that might be a couple hundred less for a comparable spec sheet. Bikes sometimes are hard to cross shop since they avoid using the same exact option sheet. And when it comes to these road/adventure bikes...they have slightly different approaches.

The Diverge sells like hotcakes, dealers don't mark these down on their own. Deals can be had if its a Specialized promotion, but I don't know when those happen.
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This late in the season it can sometimes be hard to find stock of a bike too. Spec & Trek are great examples of this around here. But then again I'm small so my frame size isn't as common.
 
Steel is reel, baby. I'd go with the Salsa Vaya. (I've been looking for used Salsa Casseroll forever, but they just don't come up for sale very often in my size around here.)

Unless you're a weight weenie, if you can't afford titanium or carbon, steel frames are way more comfy than aluminum. Your butt will thank you.
 
Carson Dyle said:
Steel is reel, baby. I'd go with the Salsa Vaya. (I've been looking for used Salsa Casseroll forever, but they just don't come up for sale very often in my size around here.)

Unless you're a weight weenie, if you can't afford titanium or carbon, steel frames are way more comfy than aluminum. Your butt will thank you.
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Steel may feel the best (I have steel fork) but I am paranoid about washing anything steel. Sure the bolts get rusty on any bike since most are steel.
 
Carson Dyle said:
Steel is reel, baby. I'd go with the Salsa Vaya. (I've been looking for used Salsa Casseroll forever, but they just don't come up for sale very often in my size around here.)

Unless you're a weight weenie, if you can't afford titanium or carbon, steel frames are way more comfy than aluminum. Your butt will thank you.
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Eh. I love Salsa bikes, but the whole aluminum hurts thing is so 5 years ago. Also you have today's wider tire sizes. 26 tires on my entry level Allez frame makes to plenty comfortable. I stopped wanting a Roubaix or Tarmac at that point.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk
 
Zeze said:
I'm just operating on an assumption that the STOCK tire width these bikes come in are naturally their primary purpose.
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For the most part, yes.

So skinnier = more road (30mm~), fatter = slower, better comfort & off-roading.
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That's pretty much it. Better traction from the wider tires in looser dirt and gravel. Less rolling resistance from skinny tires on hard surfaces. The wider tires also be run at a lower tire pressure, which gives you the comfort you mention, by giving you a little shock absorption.

One thing to consider, if you plan on mounting wider tires, is that you can only run up to a given width tire on most bikes. Beyond that the tire may rub within the seat stays, and if the bike has rim brakes, they'll also limit the tire width. The max tire width is often given in the specs.
 
my damn bike is stuck in the lowest? or is it highest gear...makes pedalling up hills a real workout. No hill is a challenge to me after a couple more weeks.
 
Zeze said:
I'm charmed by that ad video of Jamis Renegade series, but judging by its 36mm, I feel that's too much towards off-road. Who knows. Only way to find out is by riding.
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Just swap the tires for a pair of 28's or 25's if you like the bike. The bike shop might even do that for you as a free swap.
 
Mayne said:
my damn bike is stuck in the lowest? or is it highest gear...makes pedalling up hills a real workout. No hill is a challenge to me after a couple more weeks.
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That's an easy fix. You either need a new cable (it snapped) or your existing one came loose from the set screw on the derailleur.

I had one bust on me 14 miles from civilization on a free-ride while mountain biking. I don't have front gears anymore, so I had to adjust the high gear stop to get it to shift as low as it could reach. I pedaled home stuck in gear 7 out of 10. :'( Luckily I use clip ins and could also pull up for the steep bits.
 
http://www.traitorcycles.com/2015/Store_Detail.cfm?Token={ts_2016-08-02_17:24:44}-c9f7e4e70ea9e269-05967B46-9BC1-6AA7-712A246F291C12D3&C=527&P=547&o=520

Big sale at Traitor cycles. Solid capable off road, bake camping, cross bikes...
 
Daaavo said:
The Specialized promotion to get rid of the year old models was in February of this year. I picked up a 2015 Diverge Expert Carbon for half price during the sale.

It is an impressive bike.
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Geez. I paid $680 for an $850 MSRP Diverge Subcompact and I thought I was getting a deal. Just yesterday another biker and I were passing each other a couple times and he comes up behind me tells me "nice bike, what type is it?"
 
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