Hey all. I moved to go to university and have lots of free time, and even though I've mountain biked in the past, i go bit by the roadie bug! It wont be too too different, I have a full lycra kit already from XC racing. (I havent done much though)
So heres the deal:
I'd ideally like to spend about $1250 -$1500, but could theoretically get another $1000 or so by selling my mtb (I'd rather not)

I want to be able to do 100k rides every day, and some long weekends just bike for a couple days from say Kamloops to Vancouver, or PG. (If i get the itch I want to be able to get up and go). Full-race geo would be preffered, I realize that means long hours=less comfy.
I want to train all winter and ride some race or maybe a triathlon or two in the summer. I'm a bigger guy (5'11.5" and about 200lbs) but my ideal weight is about 170-175. I want a bike I can use all the time and will still be snappy even with my weight. (side-note:I'm 18 and have pretty big lung capacity, althought I know that isnt a deciding factor (for the record it's upwards of 5.2 litres) I'm not in the greatest shape and had no time to MTB in the summer.Funny how that is, no time in the summer, tonnes at school..
I don't want to pay more for Ultergra, 105 I think would be fine (whats the Campy equivalent?). I've been picky when online, looking only at 10 in the back. Is having 9 a huge deal? I'm just not wanting to pay like $300 to upgrade at a later time.
Double in the front is preffered so I dont have the "wuss-out" option. So with my weight to get that "snap" I'm assuming some sort of carbon is needed.

A I am willing to get worse compenents to get, say, a full carbon frame that I can upgrade and use for years. That would be the ideal situation. Also Canadian-made. :)

Dealers in my area carry Argon 18, Trek, Giant, Lemond, Norco, Specialized, and a few others.

Final note: theres a victoria development team you can join and a discount on a 2007 Scott Speedster 20 is included. How pricey are those?

Massive post, but thats okay. It's my first(I think?)
Should I go used? Thers some crazy deals out there.. I think maybe not thought, if I get a tarmac s-works for like $1400 I'll a) be spoiled b) not treat it right c)not be able to afford parts and d)wont know how it fits till I get it.

Sorry about the lack of thought organization. I haven't ridden my bike for a while (still at a friends house) so I'm pretty energetic. Dang do i need to go for a run...
Anyways, any replies are much appreciated.
I do understand it is monday(ne) morning, so if replies arent around oh well.
God Bless and roll fasssst.
Doug

Get something used that fits you fairly well until you actually know what you are doing riding on the road.

Then spend the big bucks getting something that you actually know is right for you.

A fool and his money are soon parted=don't be that guy.

thanks for the advice...when i have a good chunk of time i'll go a ride a bunch of diff bikes, see what I like/what fits. But as far as i know i clearly outlined what kind of riding I'd be doing: wanting to do 100k a day, training hardcore for summer, doing some races then, (TT, crits, road, etc) and maybe a tri or two for the heck of it. Also being able to jump on it and just ride for like 8+ hours (when I said kamloops to vancouver I meant in one effort, or over 2 days). Also, the site for the team isnt working properly, otherwise I'd have contacted them. If i'm on it and get a discount on the Scott, I think I would go with it.
Any comments about the 18 or 20 speeds? Theres a lot in my previous post that went un-addressed. Also, buy now, or come spring? I have no idea how harsh the winters are in kamloops (just moved here) and have no idea how much wear and tear a road bike can take. Thanks
Doug

This is what I would do if I was in your shoes.

I would buy a decent used or new steel frame. You could get a Surly Pacer
( http://www.surlybikes.com/pacer.html ) for pretty cheap, add the 105 components and you could have a pretty nice ride that would last you years for about $1000. I like the pacer because of its adjustability. You could race it on 700x20 tires pumped up to the max, or if you were going on a long brevet you could easily put on 700x28 tires and fenders. Thus making this bike more useful in a lot of situations.

And after looking online and all around town, the
Best deal out there is a 2006 Trek 1500 for $1284.99 CAD.
I just got my cheque in the mail today, so I could actually buy a bike now! :O
Anyways, I've talked to a couple people, general consensus is either that 10 in the back sucks, or its not worth changing out stuff to get 10 in the back. I had thought they give you one bigger or one smaller cog, but theres just more range between. Won't loose sleep over it.
Two things: They measured me (inseam, height) and I am right in between a 54 and a 56. So I will ride them and see what I like more.. They have no 2006 56's though. If Trek also doesn't, they will cut me a deal on the '07. (Which, by the way, has two rings or three in the front). Any differences between 06/07 105? Also, the cranks are different (105 for '07, Bontrager Race for 06')
Thats about it. The big deal is size, double vs triple. Unless someone can point out a good reason to not get one or the other or both, i think we have a winner. (last note, should i cop out and ride my mtb hardtail until spring, then get it on sale and not put it through winter?)

Thanks all and God Bless
Doug

well, I see good and bad here. I will stay at arms length to avoid getting sucked into some non-specific quagmire of advice. So, whats good is that you lack focus and specificity.. you are gonna "ride 100k every day" and maybe somewhere in canada and maybe do some racing... lah de dah... sounds like you need to spend as little money as you can because you might get distracted by something shiny going the other direction.

Know what I mean? Guys your age are easily... hmm, distracted. Next week you might be into kayaking.. .you know?

What I mean is that, it seems your intentions are good, you just want to ride. Thats good, but that is where you get real unfocused and hazy. If you just want to ride, then get a good durable bike. But, if you want to race and do the assorted triathlon for kicks, then you get into something else entirely. I mean, clearly... its obvious with such an untapped lung capacity... you might turn into something good... but racing, riding safely, and riding smart takes more than just getting on the bike.

Tell you what, you hold on to your cheque, and just flit around ebay for a bit, or better yet, grab something your size slightly used. Or, maybe even off the rbr classifieds... you will save some change until you figure out what it is you want to do. If you want to race, then get a good midrange bike with some sturdy wheels that can take your day to day training and your girth.

Dont sweat the components. As a beginner, I doubt you would even notice the sometimes subtle differences. 105 would work fine. There is no bona fide bike.... in fact most of the major dealers have similar models with the exact same component group at about the same pricepoint... so its basically finding a bike that fits. And if your geometry is correct... you are 5'11ish and measuring at a 54/56 then you are right in the range, however I would lean towards a longer TT, especially being a bigger fella. A more laid back ST angle, and longer TT might make those daily 100k training sessions a bit more bearable.

There is not a best bike. If it were me... if all the components were the same... get the and all the prices were the same, get the one that feels good, and the best wheels.