tarmac, gallium Pro, TCR or R3?
p929
Posts: 28
Hi,
I'm planning to buy my very first road bike, because I did a mistake and bought a TT bike as a 'road' bike. I did it because it was a bargain and it looks great (I really love its look http://static.jensonusa.com/images/Defa ... 216M00.jpg). However, now I've learnt a bit more about cycling and I think it'd be better for me to sell it and get a proper road bike.
Unfortunately, the prices and acquisitive level here in Colombia led me to get a second hand bike, but the market here isn't the best, even more for my bike size (48). In fact, due to the lack of good options I imported my TT and MTB from USA. Searching on the very few pages were people sell their used stuff, I came across 4 options and I'd love to read your opinions about them:
1) Specialized Tarmac Sport 2016 (USD 2150): http://articulo.mercadolibre.com.co/MCO ... -speed-_JM it comes with a mixed drivetrain (105, FSA, AXIS 2.0), but It has wheels Dura Ace 35 tubular and carbon pedals (105) and saddle, and the owner lists its weight as low as 6.9 kg.
2) Argon-18 Gallium Pro 2011 (USD 1830) https://www.tubici.com.co/bici/argon-18 ... ro-tb2826/ it has full 105 drivetrain except for the trutativ crankset. Also it comes with a Mavic Ksyrium ES wheelset.
3) Giant TCR Composite 1 (2014) (USD 1800) https://www.tubici.com.co/bici/giant-ruta-2014-tb2460/ It comes with full group Ultegra, but only 10 speeds and stock wheelset (bontrager)
4) Cervélo R3 (201?) (USD 2333) https://www.tubici.com.co/bici/cervelo-r3-tb2402/ It comes with a Campagnolo Chorus group, fork (Easton EC90) handlebar (Syntace), seatpost (FSA) and saddle (Selle Italia SLR) all in carbon. Wheelset is Spinergy Xaero Lite.
As far as I have read all 4 bikes are more or less in the same level. The 2 that appeal more to me are the Tarmac and the R3, the latter because of the Chorus group, which seems to be really nice. On the other hand, I've read some bad comments on the spinergy wheels, whereas the Dura Ace wheels seems to be a nice deal, although going tubular might be a hassle, but a nice ride AFAIK.
The other 2 seem fine for the component they have and their prices, they don't come with anything extraordinary, but still good option, aren't they?
Unfortunately, I can't have a test ride on any of them, and even so I wouldn't know what to check on one. I know it's a extreme to buy a bike only based on internet reviews and opinions, but unfortunately that's the way it's around here. I hope you can give me some hints to make a better decision.
Please mind that due to the high investment on any of those bikes, most probably I won't be able to upgrade any part in a long time.
Once again thx for your comments.
I'm planning to buy my very first road bike, because I did a mistake and bought a TT bike as a 'road' bike. I did it because it was a bargain and it looks great (I really love its look http://static.jensonusa.com/images/Defa ... 216M00.jpg). However, now I've learnt a bit more about cycling and I think it'd be better for me to sell it and get a proper road bike.
Unfortunately, the prices and acquisitive level here in Colombia led me to get a second hand bike, but the market here isn't the best, even more for my bike size (48). In fact, due to the lack of good options I imported my TT and MTB from USA. Searching on the very few pages were people sell their used stuff, I came across 4 options and I'd love to read your opinions about them:
1) Specialized Tarmac Sport 2016 (USD 2150): http://articulo.mercadolibre.com.co/MCO ... -speed-_JM it comes with a mixed drivetrain (105, FSA, AXIS 2.0), but It has wheels Dura Ace 35 tubular and carbon pedals (105) and saddle, and the owner lists its weight as low as 6.9 kg.
2) Argon-18 Gallium Pro 2011 (USD 1830) https://www.tubici.com.co/bici/argon-18 ... ro-tb2826/ it has full 105 drivetrain except for the trutativ crankset. Also it comes with a Mavic Ksyrium ES wheelset.
3) Giant TCR Composite 1 (2014) (USD 1800) https://www.tubici.com.co/bici/giant-ruta-2014-tb2460/ It comes with full group Ultegra, but only 10 speeds and stock wheelset (bontrager)
4) Cervélo R3 (201?) (USD 2333) https://www.tubici.com.co/bici/cervelo-r3-tb2402/ It comes with a Campagnolo Chorus group, fork (Easton EC90) handlebar (Syntace), seatpost (FSA) and saddle (Selle Italia SLR) all in carbon. Wheelset is Spinergy Xaero Lite.
As far as I have read all 4 bikes are more or less in the same level. The 2 that appeal more to me are the Tarmac and the R3, the latter because of the Chorus group, which seems to be really nice. On the other hand, I've read some bad comments on the spinergy wheels, whereas the Dura Ace wheels seems to be a nice deal, although going tubular might be a hassle, but a nice ride AFAIK.
The other 2 seem fine for the component they have and their prices, they don't come with anything extraordinary, but still good option, aren't they?
Unfortunately, I can't have a test ride on any of them, and even so I wouldn't know what to check on one. I know it's a extreme to buy a bike only based on internet reviews and opinions, but unfortunately that's the way it's around here. I hope you can give me some hints to make a better decision.
Please mind that due to the high investment on any of those bikes, most probably I won't be able to upgrade any part in a long time.
Once again thx for your comments.
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Comments
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I found another one: https://bogotacity.olx.com.co/bicicleta ... -947458578 it's a guerciotti Khaybar Androni Giocattoli team edition (USD 1383). It doesn't list the year, but from what I found on internet it seems to be around 2009. It comes with a Dura Ace (7900) 10-speed drivetrain. Brakes are Oval. mavic ksyrium wheels. Total weight listed as 14 lbs.
There isn't much info about it, but some forum threads say it's a nice and 'professional' frame, what I don't like is the paint work with the "Guerciotti" name everywhere.0 -
Go to agood bike shop and seek advice.0
