need advise on a new purchase please

Dewey346

Hi everyone...it's been years since I rode and a lot has changed. I am looking for a road bike that I can take on training rides/longer distances but that I can use here and there at a few local triathlons. I used to log a lot of miles running but I'm older now and my legs and back are feeling the running mileage. I want to be competitive but not chose a bike that ends up being uncomfortable. I'm torn between a couple factors. I've tested a Caad10, Allez, Tarmac, domaine, synapse, and roubaix at local shops. I keep coming back to the same questions. 1)Will a higher end lighter aluminum with better components suit my needs better than a mid range carbon with lesser components? 2) Will I be unhappy with a domaine, synapse, or roubaix during triathlons? (Not looking to win but don't want to be regretting a decision for a comfortable ride over any performance) 3) Are there ways to adjust the allez, Tarmac, caad10 to make it a more upright for longer rides?
Right now my best offers have been a 2015 roubaix sport 105 for 1700 USD, and a synapse 4 with same 105 for same price. I haven't gotten any pricing yet on an aluminum setup but I figured I'd get at least a higher level aluminum with ultegra for that price. I appreciate your thoughts and apologize for my lack of knowledge at this point.

dj58

Of the bikes that you tried which geometry and frame material did you prefer?

Why do you think that the Domane, Synapse and Roubaix bikes would be slow in a triathlon? You can lower the stem as required if you want a lower riding position.

The only thing I can think that you could do to make the Allez, Tarmac and CAAD10 more up right for longer rides is to flip the stem up into the positive postion.

Yes you can probably get a very good riding high quality aluminium frame bike with a level up groupset, though some brands don't spec. the full groupset. A lot of people say that 5800 105 level is perfectly good enough for most recreational cyclists and the difference between it and 6800 Ultegra is weight and aesthetics.

I have read on BR a lot of people say that they find a carbon bike more comfortable after starting off with an aluminium bike. Subjective I would have thought as there are a lot of factors to take into consideration, such as what grade of carbon and resin is used, design features, endurance or race geometry, is it a like for like comparison with the brands aluminium and carbon version of the same bike.

I can't offer you any advice as regards carbon bikes as I don't own one and have not ridden one. I bought a quality aluminium bike with Ultegra STI's and RD, and swopped the brake calipers and crankset to match and I'm happy with it for now.

Only you can decide which is the best for your needs, however at least you have had the opportunity to ride the bikes you are interested in, which can be a big help in making your decision.

Dewey346

Thanks DJ58.....I was torn between the fit of the different geometry frames to be honest. I felt the steering and control of the bike was nicer on Tarmac, allez, and caad10 and they were enjoyable to ride. I was more relaxed and felt more like I was cruising along on the roubaix and synapse. I think I would lean towards the comfort especially since I plan to put miles on the bike. As far as the lowering the stem on the roubaix or synapse does anyone know how much play there is or how much it can be lowered? I am also leaning towards the Roubaix at this point because the sales people at the bike shop that I test rode the synapse and domaine did not know much about the bikes...I'm positive the owner was not there and I was dealing with some high school age kids that were probably there for just a summer job.
If I go with the sport I am thinking my first upgrade would be a nice wheelset...does anyone have suggestions for a lightweight mid and higher level wheel set/tires? Also does anyone know the weight difference between the carbon8 and the E5 smartweld?

Frank Wilson

You need "advice" not "advise"

bianchimoon

[quote=" I've tested a Caad10, Allez, Tarmac, domaine, synapse, and roubaix at local shops. I keep coming back to the same questions. 1)Will a higher end lighter aluminum with better components suit my needs better than a mid range carbon with lesser components? [/quote]

I would advise that you get the better frame as it's easier to upgrade the other parts bit by bit, if you decide to get alu and you later want carbon it could be a more expensive change. FWIW i rode the synapse in majorca recently a very nice and comfortable frame indeed

Dewey346

Lol Frank Wilson...if only auto correct would have known what I meant to say!!!! Thank you Bianchimoon for your reply as well as everyone else who commented. After testing a few more bikes I decided on a 2015 Roubaix Sport. I was torn between the synapses, Tarmac, and the Roubaix. In the end I went with the Roubaix for a couple reasons.
1) I really liked the fit. 2) I was able to have them set it up in a more aggressive position...not as aggressive as the Tarmac but great for me. 3). I opted out of the long derailluer set up it came with and went with a shorted derailluer in doing so went with a full Ultegra setup (upgrade in all catagories but especially in the crankset and brakes from what the stock Sport model comes with).

I'm curious what everyone thinks about the switch from long derailluer to a shorter one? I don't live in or near the mountains or even a hilly area and think I may get a bit more zip out of the machine. Thoughts on the upgraded components as well? I got the bike for 2025 USD. I would appreciate anyone's comments on the setup, components, people's experiences with same equipment and setup. I'll throw a pic up when I get her!

cyclingfury

I'm intrigued that so many riders tend to shun long dérailleurs in favour of short ones. Is there any mechanical advantage in doing so, or is it purely cosmetic?

I've grown accustomed to the "slam your stem" brigade which appear to sometimes place cosmetic appearance above the obvious changes to fit and reach - fair enough some bikes do look better- but I'm interested to know if this also applies to long cages too?

dj58

So are you saying the shop swopped all of the 5800 105 and Specialised own brand components, for a 6800 full Ultegra groupset, which cassette did they fit with your short cage RD?

Dewey346

The bike is done. They put Ultegra 6800 50/34 and Ultegra 11/28 on. I'm looking around and not seeing that combination on any stock bikes. I was under the impression that would give me a little more high end output without the lower end gears that I wouldn't use often or ever. Is that correct? Does anyone have positive/negative input they can share about that setup? I really dont know if this is good,bad, or doesn't matter. I just don't want a poor setup.

napoleond

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19695037#p19695037]Dewey346[/url] wrote:

The bike is done. They put Ultegra 6800 50/34 and Ultegra 11/28 on. I'm looking around and not seeing that combination on any stock bikes. I was under the impression that would give me a little more high end output without the lower end gears that I wouldn't use often or ever. Is that correct? Does anyone have positive/negative input they can share about that setup? I really dont know if this is good,bad, or doesn't matter. I just don't want a poor setup.

It's a very good, wide ranging set up that covers steep hills and fast riding. I'd say your bike shop has done very well here for you.

Dewey346

Thank you Napolean for setting my mind at ease a bit. Is there faster setups for flats/racing that would still allow for good hill climbing?

t4tomo

Unless you are an absolute beast your unlikely to need a gear higher than 50-11. 34-28 will get you up most steep hills if you have reasonable level of fitness and leg strength. At the end of the day the engine (you) makes more difference than the gears.

If you were regularly up and down the lake district hills or touring with panniers than you would probably want something lower than 34-28, but for general use its a pretty decent range.

napoleond

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19695042#p19695042]Dewey346[/url] wrote:

Thank you Napolean for setting my mind at ease a bit. Is there faster setups for flats/racing that would still allow for good hill climbing?

You could get a set of 52/36 rings but a 50-11 is a pretty big gear. Unlikely to need more. When racing on the track I use a 50-14 at the most.

Dewey346

Thank you for the positive feedback. I really appreciate it. The bike shop has taken a great deal of time with me and has educated me but coming to this forum has helped as well. It's great to read comments, different opinions, and see what other riders think and have experienced.