ok. i have been shopping for a new road bike for about a month and a half. (had to get the money in line) I was a mountain bike all through college and used to ride a lot. haven't been active for about 3 years and 30 lbs. so i am going to get back into shape. and a road bike is going to be the way i do it.

so in my research i kind of settled on a trek 2100. i was intrigued by the "dampening" effects of a carbon fork and seat stays. so i went to my LBS yesterday with the wife. and i test rode every bike that kind of competes with the 2100. i rode:

1. 2004 Trek 2200
2. 2005 Trek 2100 (damn near the same bike as above but an improved crankset)
3. Lemond Zurich
4. Specialized Roubaix
5. Bianchi Vigorelli

so now i am completely confused.

The treks weren't uncomfortable but i wasn't blown away by the "dampening" effects of the carbon. the roubaix was the most comfortable to sit on and it has some rubber doo hickies in the fork and and seat stays (which are carbon) that do dampen the ride a little bit more. i could take or leave the lemond zurich. plus the whole half carbon / half steel deal seems a little gimmicky to me. and then the bianchi vigorelli. all steel with carbon fork. very comfortable and full ultegra set which i really like. i don't know if this bike was just tuned better or what but it pedalled and shifted better than any of the others. can full ultegra make this much difference?

ok help me out. please give me your opinions on these bikes. right now i am leaning towards the vigorelli (for which there are no reviews). although the specialized was the most comfortable it had the cheapest component mix. and i have always sort of disliked specialized for some reason. but i still really treks and the beefy look of alum frames. i am thinking i am going to test ride the vigorelli and the '05 2100 back to back and make my decision then. any tips or insite about full ultegra and the difference it can make and the steel versus alum frames would be appreciated.

in cyclingnews.com here: http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=tech/2004/reviews/specialized_roubaix_pro

Sorry, I don't know difference between Pro and non-Pro model but I thought it would have some revelance to you....

in cyclingnews.com here: http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=tech/2004/reviews/specialized_roubaix_pro

Sorry, I don't know difference between Pro and non-Pro model but I thought it would have some revelance to you....


thanks!!! although it wasn't the exact bike i rode the geometry seems to be roughly the same. good info.

BTW for any others who may help I am 6'3" 225 lbs hope to be back down to 195 or so after riding for awhile. i plan on doing 10-15 mile rides during the week and one long ride on the weekend. then once in good shape maybe some racing in a year or so.

i'm confused. well not really, but just would like some elaboration.

the "half-steel/half carbon" lemond seemed "gimmicky" to you, but the half aluminum/half carbon treks didn't? or is it just the way the lemonds execute the design?

i'm confused. well not really, but just would like some elaboration.

the "half-steel/half carbon" lemond seemed "gimmicky" to you, but the half aluminum/half carbon treks didn't? or is it just the way the lemonds execute the design?

good point and one that a trusted friend and ultimate bike geek pointed out to me today.

its the way lemond executes the design. i don't understand why they choose the parts of the frame they choose to make carbon. stays and forks i can understand. any other part of the bike no. might as well do all carbon at that point.

probably going to go with steel. bianchi vigorelli. unless someone here can talk me out of it.

Just to screw things up further one of the local LBS's has their Fuji Roubaix right next to their Specialized Roubaix bikes. Makes for great, meaningful conversation.

Bob the V

In most cases, the wheels/tires, and then the saddle will have a more significant effect on bike feel that the various gimmicks that are in frames these days. If you really want an honest comparison between bike frames, you need to ride the same wheels with each, at a minimum. And by the "same wheels" I mean the same wheels, not different wheels with the same parts, as the build can have a significant role to play.

BTW, it's "damping" not "dampening." To dampen means to make wet. To damp means to reduce vibration.

"can full ultegra make this much difference?"

The Lemond Zurich also comes with full Ultegra. So, any difference you noted between the Lemond's and the Bianchi's shifting performance would be the result of the tuning done at the bike shop.

"can full ultegra make this much difference?"

The Lemond Zurich also comes with full Ultegra. So, any difference you noted between the Lemond's and the Bianchi's shifting performance would be the result of the tuning done at the bike shop.

i don't think i was on the zurich. it was a guess. the zurich is all carbon? i don't remember honestly. but i do know it was a steel/carbon hybrid type.

rather than just focusing on the frame material, go with what you liked riding and can see yourself riding in the future. Every material has is pros and cons.... just depends on what feels good to you.

rather than just focusing on the frame material, go with what you liked riding and can see yourself riding in the future. Every material has is pros and cons.... just depends on what feels good to you.

what has the least cons? that's what i am trying to get at. I am really into sailing large keelboats and have seen and heard of some pretty disasterous stuff regarding carbon fiber. I would prefer not to replicate it on my 1500 dollar bike as i can not go out and just buy a new one. damage to a carbon seat stay means the frame is cashed, no?

what about the allez comp steel. its full ultegra, $1500, and i havent heard a single complaint.

what has the least cons? that's what i am trying to get at. I am really into sailing large keelboats and have seen and heard of some pretty disasterous stuff regarding carbon fiber. I would prefer not to replicate it on my 1500 dollar bike as i can not go out and just buy a new one. damage to a carbon seat stay means the frame is cashed, no?

Racing boats- now we are talking! I am into same, and very familiar with carbon structures, both waterborne, and on the asphalt. I ended up with a Trek carbon for all the normal reasons, fit, and ride, found it at a good price. And have never worried about carbon as an appropriate material for a frame. As for catastrophic failure- I don’t think there is a good comparison between boats and bikes. The dynamic loads on boats are much more variable- hitting waves, broaching, dipping poles in the water, that bad duck where the mainsheet doesn’t come off- ouch. My favorite was dropping a carbon rig 30 miles short of Diamond Head in a Transpac- arghhhh. I think carbon is an excellent choice for a bike frame due the ability to orient fiber as needed to respond to frame loads.

That being said, I would be wary of low cost carbon bikes. As you know, carbon is more labor intensive to get right, and more labor means more $$. If $1500 is the price point, then I would steer away from carbon anything but a fork, and focus on a frame that fits. The Bianci is a great bike, good group—if it fits and you like it- go for it.

And just like sailmakers - make sure you get the bike from a shop you feel comfortable with . The wrong shop can ruin a good bike purchase. You’re in it for the long haul- make sure you are happy with the entire purchase and process.

As you've observed, a lot of frame materials can be combined to give different ride characteristics. Once you get into the pricepoint of these machines, you can pretty much count on a decent ride.

Even the smoothest frame material in the world will hurt you if the bike doesn't fit, so above all make sure that's in check. Your LBS should know how to fit you to the bike. If they start eyeballing it, be very careful. You may not get what you need in the fit.

thanks all for the advice. i think i am going to with the bianchi vigorelli.

mr. moab- thanks a bunch. it was nice to have someone who speaks my language and can understand my fears about carbon speak up. thanks.

all others your help was also greatly appreciated.

bike fitting and good shop are next. i'm in the seattle area. got any goodones? i am willing to spend more money if i can get better help from any particular shop.

I just bought a Vigorelli a few weeks ago after testing basically the same bikes. It was down to the Trek 2200 and the Vigorelli, and I liked the ride of the Bianchi better, plus the full Ultegra was noticably better. I'm 6'1" and 180, and for my body the 61cm frame fit like a glove. Maybe that's why it rode better than the others (including the Allez Comp), but the bottom line is that it rode better. I've put in several rides and love the bike more every day. Hope you have the same experience with yours (if you've already pulled the trigger on it).

haven't pulled the trigger yet but will this weekend. 6'1" on the 61 cm frame. should i move up a frame size? any good seattle bike shop out there i should check out?

I don't know about a shop in the NW.

As for size, each bike I tested was a different size (from 58cm to 61), depending on the frame and geometry. It really depends on your frame. For my body, the Vigorelli 61cm fit great, but it depends on the person and your preferences. A decent shop should be able to make sure the bike fits you, especially if you are going to buy there - they should be willing to fit each item on the bike to you.