Next Bicycle?

Bill B has been riding his Giant OCR 3 for a few years now and wants to trade up. He thinks he can convince his wife to spend a good amount of money on a fine steed and wants our advice on what to spend the cash on.

Question:
In 2004 I purchased a new Giant OCR 3 to get back into riding after being away for several years.

After 3,000 miles it is has become time to replace this work horse and take my personal bicycling to the next level.

What bike should I be looking for? I figure I can convince the wife I need $3,000.00 -$3,500.00 for an adequate next level bike.

I try to ride 3-4 times weekly, 20-30 miles, and usually pretty ride hard. 2-3 times a month I will extend those rides 40-50 miles but these rides are typically flatter and slower paced.

Northeast PA has ample climbing opportunities to take advantage of with very few long flat distances available.
Any ideas what I should be looking at?

Hi Bill.

That’s a good amount of cash you have to convince the wife that you will part with, you could spend more and then hide the bike in the garage or garden shed!

So you have two choices, buy a complete bike, which you can get some very good deals on, especially if you buy a ’09 model that is soon to be replaced by the new ’10 range. Or you could choose a frame and then the components, this used to be the more economical method, but these days getting the complete package, a ready built bike from the frame manufacturer, can be the best way.

I’ll look at the complete bikes as to list frames and equipment could take a long time as there are so many different combinations.

The Fuji CCR1 has a monocoque carbon frame fitted with Shimano Ultgra and Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheels, Fuji components finish off what is a very good bike at a reasonable price, well worth a look.

The Orbea Opal from Spain is also a top class bike with Ultegra and Mavic Ksyrium Equipe wheels. It costs more than the Fuji, but the wheels are better.

Scott Addict R4 is based on the Addict R1, but with slight changes to the frame. The frame is built up with SRAM Rival and Mavic Ksyrium Equipe wheels; the complete bike weighs in at less than 17 lbs.

Pinarello make some of the nicest, stylish bikes available, the FP3 Ultegra bike is in your price range. Full carbon frame and forks with Shimano Ultegra and Pinarello’s own brand MOST for the other parts and the wheels are Fulcrum Racing 7 with Conti tires.

I couldn’t list some of the best bikes without the Trek Madone, the Madone 5.5 Pro is affordable with SRAM Force and Bontrager wheels and accessories. The frame is a dream to ride with great handling with lightness.

With a bit of web surfing a found a Specialized Tarmac Pro SL ’09 with a mix of SRAM Red and Force and Mavic Ksyrium SL wheels, other parts are Specialized FACT goods. This bike should be well above your price range, but if you look around you can find this bike at a knock down price.

As you ride a Giant bike at the moment then you might like the Giant TCR Advanced 2 with Shimano Ultegra, Mavic Ksyrium Elite and Race Face bits. Classy, stylish and good enough to win races on.

The Conclusion

Well that’s the difficult bit, as I’m sure you know. There are other bikes I probably should have included, Felt, Cannondale and Willier Trestina are amongst them, but the list could go on forever. The bikes above are the ones that hit you in the face as top quality with class and style. The price you have in mind does allow for a wide choice with Shimano Ultegra or SRAM Force, anything better is a bonus. Surprisingly there wasn’t any bikes built up with Campagnolo, there was a couple with Campagnolo Centaur, but it isn’t as good as Ultegra for a similar price.

All these bikes will ride well and are light, you will notice that they are all carbon frames; this is because in our view carbon is the only material for frames these days. Alloy is good and light, but a little harsh and titanium is a bit too expensive for your price range.

If I was to choose from one of these bikes I would go for the Scott Addict R4 for its lightness and ride quality, this would be the bike to enjoy on any terrain.

If you want my opinion on style then it would be the Pinarello FP3 with Ultegra, the Pinarello is like no other bike with its curved forks and seat stays, it has so much stylish design it hurts!

If you can find the Specialized Tarmac Pro SL with its mix of SRAM Red and Force with the Mavic Ksyrium SL wheels at the reduced price then go for it, but they might be all sold out by now.