Road bike for the middle aged

mconnaughton

Yes I know lots of advice on one of the other threads, but last post was in September, so presuming no-one going there now.
Any advice most gratefully received...
Middle-aged git 49, 84kg, only started on a bike in May but found he likes it much more than the running he never really did, now fancies a "proper" road bike. Present mount is a 1993 Raleigh hybrid weighing 15+kg. At one point I was up to about 100 miles a week but gave up commute to work 3 days/wk when poleaxed by car from behind and was very lucky to get away with road rash and some heel bruising. Typically I manage 13-14 mph on rides longer than an hour, and try and do at least 50 miles/wk even if some of that on static trainer at home. Longest trip so far was 70+ miles on Round the Island (Isle of Wight) in September. Ambition for 2010 is to do some sportifs and get my speed up. I think the Etape is just a weeny bit out of my league but I do have some encouraging mad friends.
Seem to be some "bargains" around for £1000-£1300 at the mo and carbon frame/Ultegra gruppo achievable in this bracket. "Shortlist", in no particular order, looks something like:
Focus Cayo 105 (£989) or Ultegra (£1289)
Boardman Team Carbon XL (£999)
Planet X Pro Carbon Ultegra (from £999)
Raleigh Avanti Carbon Comp (£974) or Race (£1299)
Felt F4 (£1330)
Trek Madone 4.5 (£1280)
and just come across Revolution Shadow Road SL (£1275)

A mate has the Felt and loves it - I've no knowledge of any of the others, just reviews and reading.
Any opinions please?
Am I in the right ball park with regards to quality/price or over ambitious for my limited talent? Do I need to spend more than £1000 from this shortlist?
Do I need Ultegra vs 105, carbon vs aluminium?
Do I need a triple chainset? (I puff on hills, I surely do)
My apologies if this line of questioning is already well trodden, but hey, I'm quite excited about this - it may be my one and only proper bike in my adult life!
Many thanks
MC

hopper1

From info I've seen on here, I'd say the Boardman or PX would be top choices.
I'd go for carbon over Alu, I prefer the ride quality.
If your budget can stretch to Ultegra, then get it.
The Boardman has a SRAM groupset, which is very good, too.
I'd avoid a triple if possible, puffing on hills is different to having to get of and walk!
A compact chainset is very versatile, matched with the right rear cassette.
I have SRAM Force on one bike and 6700 Ultegra on another... I prefer the SRAM!

inseine

I would say go for the system you prefer, whether it be Campag, Shimano or SRAM, they're all a bit different but non is better. You'll never notice the difference of Ultegra over 105 and you'd be better spending elsewhere, like going to a good shop and getting a proper fitting. Getting the right position (stem length, bar width etc) will pay dividends if you're newish to the sport.
And less talk of this middle aged thing

mconnaughton

Thank you gentlemen - much appreciated. And hey, I don't have to get my heart rate up as much as you younger guys.
MC

N0bodyOfTheGoat

Could you be swayed into treating yourself to a titanium frame? No corrosion to worry about, apparently a lovely ride, plus damage can be re-welded whereas I believe carbon frames are written off? (hopefully this can be confirmed by someone else, this bit about damage is my limited understanding).

www.fatbirds.co.uk tend to have regular deals on titanium bikes (Sabbath, Van Nicholas) which might help bridge the price jump from carbon.

http://www.planet-x-warehouse.co.uk/acatalog/Road.html look to currently have titanium from £1650.

hopper1

mconnaughton wrote:

Thank you gentlemen - much appreciated. And hey, I don't have to get my heart rate up as much as you younger guys.
MC

Meh, I'm loving you, but I gotta tell you, I'm 48 next month (keep that to yourself, though)

Could you be swayed into treating yourself to a titanium frame? No corrosion to worry about, apparently a lovely ride, plus damage can be re-welded whereas I believe carbon frames are written off? (hopefully this can be confirmed by someone else, this bit about damage is my limited understanding).

I have a Ti bike (see 'Winter Bike' in my signature), got it from Fat Birds, too. Very nice ride, but does put the budget under great strain :shock:

skinson

49! A mere youngster I'm 52 started riding properly in March on a steel peugeot. Quickly got my distance up to 50-60 miles a week at around 14-15mph. In July I got a ribble sportive/ultegra. What a revelation! I now do 100 miles a week at 17-18mph. I try not to go out in the rain, but if it rains when I'm out tough luck, the bike takes 10 mins to clean. The rest of the time I ride a hybrid just to keep the mileage up. Age is no excuse for poor mileages and times. My riding buddy is 70 and has done 50k miles in 10 years, has just done the Alp-d-heuz, and regularly cycles 150 miles in a day. It's just a mental issue, have the will and the speed and miles will follow...
dave

mconnaughton

Thank you very much for all the replies - I would really love to be able to get my miles/speed up and I do realise the two are related, and you've probably heard all the excuses before. However, this is the first aerobic exercise I actually look forward to since I was in my 20s, and in amongst the excuses I am thankful for small advances. I have promised myself I have to "earn" a proper bike with demonstration of some enthusiasm on my old hybrid, which to be fair has been much more fun that I'd have given it credit for.
Please keep the advice coming - it's been a real boost, and thank you.
MC

skyd0g

The Ribble Sportive Carbon with 105 may also be one to add to your list of rides to consider. (sorry if I'm making things trickier!)

Steve_b77

I've just picked up a Raleigh Airlite U6 Race with Full ultegra 6600, very nice bike.

I looked at the Avanti but coudln't stretch to the extra cash required and really wanted Ultegra to be honest.

They're very ncie bikes, with the added bonus of try before you buy unlike Focus, Planet-X (direct) and in some cases Boardman depending on which Halfords you go to.

mconnaughton

Thank you all for the advice. Budget almost certainly won't stretch to titanium, but I liked the idea. Interested that my pre-post fave was almost certainly the Felt F4 and no-one has raved about that at all. Planet X was unknown territory but seen lots of good things about them on here, so definitely considering that option in a more favourable light, and pleased to see people thinking positively about a Boardman. To be fair, most of the neg publicity seems to have been directed at Halfords rather than Boardman. And support for the Raleigh option too...what is a boy to decide!
Much appreciated - keep 'em coming!
MC

ceeque

seems like we got a lot in common here .... ! I`m a bit older, 56 and 82kg and got back into it last year after 25 years off it, got a Giant OCR off ebay for a song and completely love it to bits, changing gears is now a dream come true and I can go further faster and longer than ever before .... its like cheating!! Lol!! This "new" equipment is so brilliant and the frames shaping so good now the choice is all yours!! Out of your choices? I`d go with the Felt Z series, maybe the Z35 or Z45, carbon and built for comfort/long stays in the saddle and after that the Planet X, a dream for the price ....
As for equipment, Tiagra and upwards and quite honestly you are`nt gonna find much to complain about with anything really, get yourself a steed that fits you and just go out and enjoy!! Yeahhhhhhhhh .......

N0bodyOfTheGoat

mconnaughton wrote:

Interested that my pre-post fave was almost certainly the Felt F4 and no-one has raved about that at all.

Not quite the same, but my best bike is a 2006 F5C, which definitely used to share the same frame as other in the "F" series. Its a lovely bike, light and speedy since changing to a 16-27 cassette (I rarely used the 50t chainring at all on the original 11-23). Upgrading the brakes (Super SLRs bit weak) and wheels (the Alex270s are fairly heavy) would make a superb all-rounder.

Just gutted I have not been able to ride it for ~7 months, due to my last ride on it (45 miles, longest ever by far) causing problems with my lower back muscle injury from July 2008...

However, all is not lost. Nobody was offering me >£500 for it when advertised, so I need to find a way to ride it, rather than letting it become an antique! New bits planned are:-

Steep angled stem (~40 degrees), fixed or adjustable, to raise the bars and help my back
Mr Crud mudguards, to protect brake calipers plus me from muck
Finally fit my Bontrager Speed Limit brakes, that I've had in a box now for ~18 months!

mconnaughton

Very encouraged by all your comments...particularly like the "just do it" type philosophy - manage this at weekends pretty well, never really thinking I would but with cold, dark, wet evenings and a recent accident, best I can boast is the occasional hour on a static bike trying to simulate intervals.
Do please carry on letting me know how you'd spend my money!
Thanks to all
MC

mconnaughton

No more input for almost 24 hrs so I guess this thread has had its time - very many thanks to all of you who replied - it was a real boost to have the benefit of your thoughts and experience, particularly at my stage. Thank you all
MC

BazookaMoor

How about a secondhand Sportif / Relaxed geometry carbon setup such as ; Cervelo RS, Specialized Roubaix, Cannondale Synapse, Giant Defy.

50. Half way to 100

jimmcdonnell

Hi MC - reaping your OP was uncanny, apart from the 2 years difference in age that's me you're talking about.

I came back to road cycling 2 years ago via a Focus Cross Disc. Very nice, but then...

Courtesy of a random find on eBay, I got a Litespeed Tuscany with Dura-Ace/Ultegra, and Cosmic Carbone wheels. Best £1800 I've EVER spent. Awesome. Joyous. I love every heart pounding, lung bursting heave up hills (I find myself cycling home long ways round just to find more hills!), I love tooling along the A406 a 6:30 in the morning doing 30mph, I loved the loop round the IOW on it earlier this summer too.

Bought it as a shiny weekend ride, now unless it's hosing down and I want the disc brakes on, it's my everyday ride.

You won't regret it - if you buy a top end bike I doubt you'll regret it anyway, but oh my, titanium is something special.

Mark Alexander

I have a Felt 4 and anF3 both are fantastic.

Mark Alexander

Mark Alexander wrote:

I have a Felt 4 and anF3 both are fantastic.

They're also just a little bit different from the Norm Specialized, Trek or Giant.

dag_on_a_bike

mconnaughton wrote:

...Middle-aged git 49, 84kg, ...

Middle aged at 49???

That carries through to a life expectancy of 98! Though not unknown, not yet common.

ColinJ

DAG on a bike wrote:

mconnaughton wrote:

...Middle-aged git 49, 84kg, ...

Middle aged at 49???

That carries through to a life expectancy of 98! Though not unknown, not yet common.

More like:

0-18 young young un
19-29 young un
30-39 old young un
40-59 middle-aged
60-74 young oldie
75-89 oldie
90+ old oldie!

I'm middle-aged (53)!

markos1963

Any Trek

mconnaughton

Wow - thread resurrected - thank you all.

The discount Felt has disappeared from Wiggle so I guess that sorts that one. Special thanks to Jim McD, that really struck a chord, and delighted that a top bike really fired up your enthusiasm.

I do love the idea of Titanium, and more generally a high-end bike - frankly if I do take the plunge I reckon I'll have proved to myself on my ancient steel steed that I'm prepared to go for it on any reasonable day and repay the investment. Whether I can stretch to more than about £1300 in the present climate is rather more debateable, but thank you for the encouragement. I'm certainly being put off the argument along the lines of "just get something, and upgrade later if needs be".

One practical problem is seeing/trying the hardware - lots of people here and elsewhere giving very clear and sensible advice about trying before you buy. Couldn't agree more in general, but not many bike shops locally, and best discounts generally via websites..is this just the modern world? Maybe better to invest the extra £100-200 with the LBS, be properly satisfied at the time and at least get that nice warm feeling that you're investing in their availability for the future.

I still have mixed feelings about the Boardman, and even the Raleigh options - seems like lots of bike for the money, but not much enthusiasm amongst enthusiasts - any thoughts.
Thank you all again...and no, 49 doesn't feel bad at all, and I'm probably fitter now than at any time since my 20s.

Keep 'em coming!
MC

dag_on_a_bike

ColinJ wrote:

DAG on a bike wrote:

mconnaughton wrote:

...Middle-aged git 49, 84kg, ...

Middle aged at 49???

That carries through to a life expectancy of 98! Though not unknown, not yet common.

More like:

0-18 young young un
19-29 young un
30-39 old young un
40-59 middle-aged
60-74 young oldie
75-89 oldie
90+ old oldie!

I'm middle-aged (53)!

I'm 53 too, but not middle-aged, or old, or young. Just 53. Age is but a number. My brother is 4 years younger than me, but 10 years older too!!!

As for the OP's question, that ultimately boils down to personal preference. For what it's worth, I opted for a Specialized Roubaix Expert (2008) at about £2000 That got upgraded to a S-Works Roubaix frame when I crashed.

Now there's one time age does show. Bones take longer to fix.

Mothyman

my Roubaix suits our age group well - relaxed position, comfortable, quick enough for our level, probably minimum 105, i have carbon but perhaps not necessary - although putting money into good frame is best for later upgrades, there are some affordable titaniums out there, people say the PlanetX and Ribble are great value but I would need to test ride

enjoy - and let us know

rake

i dont know if 32 is middle age so il get my coat.

tomsdad

why do you lot all say you dont need a triple.like mconnaughton i have just researched a new bike at £1,000.00 and I stuck to my guns and went for a triple .I have just tried the specialized secteur triple and had a quick go on a focus cayo(taking it for a real run tomorrow.) the focus is really nice trouble with a lot of the other makes are availability.ok if you want to wait till late jan or feb.no good if you want NOW!

dag_on_a_bike

Mothyman wrote:

my Roubaix suits our age group well - relaxed position, comfortable, quick enough for our level, probably minimum 105, i have carbon but perhaps not necessary - although putting money into good frame is best for later upgrades, there are some affordable titaniums out there, people say the PlanetX and Ribble are great value but I would need to test ride

enjoy - and let us know

I didn't actually put any money into the upgrade. Specialized couldn't source the Expert frame and I was offered the S-Works Roubaix as an alternative. My insurers just paid for the repairs. No questions. Well pleased with the outcome and my body seems to like it too.

Crankmeister

you know your old when the grand kids complain that your place has started smelling of piss and buscuits

mconnaughton

Crankmeister wrote:

you know your old when the grand kids complain that your place has started smelling of wee-wee and buscuits

My thanks to Crankmeister for his wisdom - seems then, I'm not yet "old".

Any further wisdom about bike choice much appreciated - come on, you've all got a bike, you all had to make a choice, I'm really interested to hear your thoughts.
MC

Toonraid

I am kind of in the same boat as you - 45 and been back on bikes after a 25 yr absence and been going through a few bikes in order to find the right geometry and ride quality. Having exhausted all the ride reports and magazine reviews against several high end purchases I can tell you the whole review/ride report is disappointing. I have now come to realize that magazine reviews are determined by advertising budget of respective companies which explain why Specialized sells more bikes in UK than the rest of Europe put together!

On the other hand reviews by owners has to be taken with a pinch of salt - some have upgraded from an old aluminium hack and so have no proper yardstick to measure the bikes performance against while others have differing background - i.e. what feels good to a 28yr old sprinter would not feel so good to a 45 yr old cruiser like me. A 140 lb cyclist would not load the frame as much as 200 + lb guy and so on.

I started in the Steel is real camp and bought a Colnago MXL - great bike harsh on the hide, well so i thought till I fell in love with a Red Carbon Look - much easier on the bum and also faster than a Colnago but still left unsatisfied. Next up was Ridley, stared on an Excalibur which was more comfortable and great at descending round corner and climbing but was unimpressed by its str8 line speed so upgraded to Damocles which is definitely a high performance race bike - not too bad in the comfort zone but overall a great bike. I also had a centaur groupset & spare pair of wheels lying around and when I came across a special offer on a Ridley Orion ended up buying that as a training ride and boy was I surprised. Up until then the most comfortable ride I had was a quick spinn on my wife's Look 585 but the Orion is atleast as comfortable as the look and i love the shape with box section downtube and T section top tube - it really is more enjoable to ride than all the higher end frames I have tried and performance is almost up there with the Damo.

Bear in mind that fit is the most important aspect of choosing a bike - as our age even a small variation out of your body's comfort zone will take its toll on your lower back so pay special attention to horizontal top tube length, stem length/rise, Saddle to bar drop, HT length & spacers and try to figure all that out on your current ride before biting the bullet, even if it means changing stems, spacers etc - find the geometry that suits you then once you know what you need compare your rquired geometry against the one you want to buy.