New cyclist needs advice on bike purchase under $2500
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Re: New cyclist needs advice on bike purchase under $2500
Postby rodneycc » Mon Apr 21, 2014 9:28 pm
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2013 Lynskey Helix;2013 XACD Ti Di2
2013 Giant TCR Adv SL1;2014 Giant Defy Adv SL
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Re: New cyclist needs advice on bike purchase under $2500
Postby Newcastle Dave » Tue Apr 22, 2014 1:00 pm
I am 5o years old, 181 cm and 95 kg (to put it all in perspective)
My previous bike was a Giant Defy 2. It was the first "serious" road bike I had, I had not been riding at all when I bought it (around 3 years ago). It was a great bike, and helped me drop my weight from close to 120 kg to the 95 kg mark
When Cell brought out the Omeo, I bought an Omeo 2 the week before Christmas (I wanted to update to a carbon frame, and as a bit of a gadget guy I liked the idea of the DI2).
I was worried that it would be to aggressive a setup for me (I dont race) and went to Sydney and took one for a test run around the block a few times. Cell were helpfull in setting it up (to the point of advising against me raising the seat when I said I though it should go up another cm or 2 - they were right, I was wrong).
It felt a bit strange the first couple of rides, but after a fortnight (that included completing the Rapha festive 500) it just felt "right". After about a month I got the Giant out of the shed (I was selling it to a mate and wanted to make sure it was all OK before doing so), and it felt horrible. I felt like I was perched up on it like I was riding a Penny Farthing.
Four months and around 3000 km down the track, I couldnt be happier. I love my Omeo (or Oreo as my mates call it) and have had no problems with the more aggressive setup (although, I ride on the hoods 95% of the time, my fat gut still makes getting down into the drops uncomfortable)
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Re: New cyclist needs advice on bike purchase under $2500
Postby Vman69au » Wed Apr 23, 2014 1:01 am
Thanks for the tip. I might as well visit cell to see if if an test ride one and compare it to a giant myself.Newcastle Dave wrote:My two cents worth (from someone who has experience with both the Giant and the Cell)
I am 5o years old, 181 cm and 95 kg (to put it all in perspective)
My previous bike was a Giant Defy 2. It was the first "serious" road bike I had, I had not been riding at all when I bought it (around 3 years ago). It was a great bike, and helped me drop my weight from close to 120 kg to the 95 kg mark
When Cell brought out the Omeo, I bought an Omeo 2 the week before Christmas (I wanted to update to a carbon frame, and as a bit of a gadget guy I liked the idea of the DI2).
I was worried that it would be to aggressive a setup for me (I dont race) and went to Sydney and took one for a test run around the block a few times. Cell were helpfull in setting it up (to the point of advising against me raising the seat when I said I though it should go up another cm or 2 - they were right, I was wrong).
It felt a bit strange the first couple of rides, but after a fortnight (that included completing the Rapha festive 500) it just felt "right". After about a month I got the Giant out of the shed (I was selling it to a mate and wanted to make sure it was all OK before doing so), and it felt horrible. I felt like I was perched up on it like I was riding a Penny Farthing.
Four months and around 3000 km down the track, I couldnt be happier. I love my Omeo (or Oreo as my mates call it) and have had no problems with the more aggressive setup (although, I ride on the hoods 95% of the time, my fat gut still makes getting down into the drops uncomfortable)
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Re: New cyclist needs advice on bike purchase under $2500
Postby addictrider » Fri Apr 25, 2014 4:53 pm
PS you may need to try a few local shops before you find a professional bike seller. Good luck
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Re: New cyclist needs advice on bike purchase under $2500
Postby Vman69au » Fri Apr 25, 2014 9:36 pm
Thanks for good advice. So far my experience have been very underwhelming with lbs. I have now been into 4. All of them just wanted to sell me whatever they had in stock. No questions about intended purpose.one even tried to push the propel aero adv 1 giant bike on me. Damn fine looking bike I might add.addictrider wrote:100% with Eggman and jay. Get a bike that fits. Online will not do this. I can buy a bike online, I can also tell you all my bike setup measurements based on 14years of experience. Your not looking for a bike, your looking for LBS that asks you lots of relevant questions. Seeking info that then leads to you being professionally guided to a couple of frames that suit you physically and what you are wanting as priorities out of your budget.
PS you may need to try a few local shops before you find a professional bike seller. Good luck
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I tried an Azzuri Forza Pro, and Cell. I will ride a defy , Tcr and propel next week then make up my mind.
azzuri was a nice ride.
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Re: New cyclist needs advice on bike purchase under $2500
Postby jaythefordman » Fri Apr 25, 2014 10:07 pm
Yes, I had same experience with the LBS's is my area, really weren't interested in discussing anything beyond what they had in stock or helping me much in fit. Actually had decided on a Lapierre but they didn't have my size, when I called the price magically jumped up $300 because it wasn't a stock bike. Say What? At least at the end of it I got a fair idea on my size, geometry, and specs so online I wentVman69au wrote:Thanks for good advice. So far my experience have been very underwhelming with lbs. I have now been into 4. All of them just wanted to sell me whatever they had in stock. No questions about intended purpose.one even tried to push the propel aero adv 1 giant bike on me. Damn fine looking bike I might add.addictrider wrote:100% with Eggman and jay. Get a bike that fits. Online will not do this. I can buy a bike online, I can also tell you all my bike setup measurements based on 14years of experience. Your not looking for a bike, your looking for LBS that asks you lots of relevant questions. Seeking info that then leads to you being professionally guided to a couple of frames that suit you physically and what you are wanting as priorities out of your budget.
PS you may need to try a few local shops before you find a professional bike seller. Good luck
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I tried an Azzuri Forza Pro, and Cell. I will ride a defy , Tcr and propel next week then make up my mind.
azzuri was a nice ride.
Azzuri is a nice ride
Yeah, check out the Giants and go from there. You're doing well.
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New cyclist needs advice on bike purchase under $2500
Postby The_Eggman » Sat Apr 26, 2014 8:56 am
FWIW I did a similar search (enduro road) and my bike shortlist included the Defy Advanced, Trek Domane, Cannondale Synapse and Focus Cayo. YMMV
Here's the decision making that led me to the Cayo. Few of the links to the reviews are in there http://backoffalls.blogspot.com.au/2014 ... d.html?m=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Re: New cyclist needs advice on bike purchase under $2500
Postby Mickzo » Sat Apr 26, 2014 9:28 am
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Re: New cyclist needs advice on bike purchase under $2500
Postby Xplora » Mon Apr 28, 2014 11:24 am
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Re: New cyclist needs advice on bike purchase under $2500
Postby spirro » Mon Apr 28, 2014 1:25 pm
How do these rate up against the Defy Advanced? I'm looking at the Domane 4.3 and the Defy Advanced 2.Xplora wrote:You'll do yourself a massive disservice if you don't ride the Domane from Trek
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Re: New cyclist needs advice on bike purchase under $2500
Postby Xplora » Mon Apr 28, 2014 1:48 pm
Case in point - the Domane is a race bike, first and foremost. Is the Defy? Domane is aiming to transfer power despite road buzz, because you aren't losing saddle position. Comfort is a secondary benefit.
Sit on the bikes, have a ride, have a think about what roads you actually ride on. I have spent most of my time on smooth race tracks since December, not the Roubaix misery of my local roads. I'm not suffering on a Madone.
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Re: New cyclist needs advice on bike purchase under $2500
Postby Vman69au » Wed May 07, 2014 7:04 pm
Thought I would update. After testing a number of bikes. Azzuri, giant Tcr, defy,cell and trek I settled on a focus cayo evo 1. Cost a bit more than I planned. But ended up with ultegra di2 on a frame that's a Nice compromise between comfort and performance.
Re: New cyclist needs advice on bike purchase under $2500
Postby VinoVelodrome » Wed May 07, 2014 7:31 pm
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Re: New cyclist needs advice on bike purchase under $2500
Postby spirro » Wed May 07, 2014 7:53 pm
Nice. I'm currently in the same position as you looking for an enduro bike around the $2k mark. The Cayo evo 2 is on my list, along with Giant, Trek and Avanti Cadent. Was it just a comfort thing or was there something more that stood out with the Cayo over the others?Vman69au wrote:Thanks to all those who responded.
Thought I would update. After testing a number of bikes. Azzuri, giant Tcr, defy,cell and trek I settled on a focus cayo evo 1. Cost a bit more than I planned. But ended up with ultegra di2 on a frame that's a Nice compromise between comfort and performance.
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Re: New cyclist needs advice on bike purchase under $2500
Postby The_Eggman » Thu May 08, 2014 9:43 am
I had a very similar shortlist and ended up on a Cayo.spirro wrote:Vman69au wrote:
Nice. I'm currently in the same position as you looking for an enduro bike around the $2k mark. The Cayo evo 2 is on my list, along with Giant, Trek and Avanti Cadent. Was it just a comfort thing or was there something more that stood out with the Cayo over the others?
FWIW I felt the Cayo handling was incredibly sharp. It felt a cut above. I also felt too upright on the Synapse and Domane, and thought that might frustrate me long term.
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Re: New cyclist needs advice on bike purchase under $2500
Postby tubby74 » Thu May 08, 2014 11:00 am
I went through it as well and ended up on a cayo 4, just fit me better than the other bikes I tried. One thing I find odd is how they change the model numbers every year - one years cayo 2 is the component level of last years 4, but the year after its something elseThe_Eggman wrote:I had a very similar shortlist and ended up on a Cayo.spirro wrote:Vman69au wrote:
Nice. I'm currently in the same position as you looking for an enduro bike around the $2k mark. The Cayo evo 2 is on my list, along with Giant, Trek and Avanti Cadent. Was it just a comfort thing or was there something more that stood out with the Cayo over the others?
FWIW I felt the Cayo handling was incredibly sharp. It felt a cut above. I also felt too upright on the Synapse and Domane, and thought that might frustrate me long term.
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