Which bike should I buy?:confused:

Hi Riding Enthusiasts!

I'm a newbie to riding, having taken up the sport in 2005. Currently I'm riding a Specialist Sequoia Elite which I purchased in July 2005 and have logged almost 3,000 miles on it so far. There are about 4 months out of the year my job requires me to travel and I haven't yet figured out how to be able to take my bike otherwise I'd have more miles logged.

Some background information about me: I was a life long jogger who had to give it up when I had a total knee replacement in 1999. Then I went over 5 years with no exercise what so ever got really depressed and realized I had to exercise or die. So I began trying other venues walking bored me as did exercycling. Weight lifting felt good but it too was boring. I liked the idea of road biking but had a bad experience about 30 years ago. I rode a century on a 21 speed Huffy that was way to big for me, no SAG support and I took no water with me. I completed the 100 miles in 7 hrs and 40 mins. but suffered som much I vowed I'd never ride a bike again. After 25 years, I changed my mind and thought I give bike riding another try. But again purchased a bike that didn't fit and hated the pain it inflicted. Finally I went to a bike shop where the owner of the shop took the time to visit with me about what I needed. I guess I don't fit the sterio image of a bike enthusiast for a lot of bike shops I visited before that. Anyway, the owner suggested perhaps the bike didn't fit and I took the bike in and he made some modifications and wella! What a difference the ride. Because this bike shop took the time to listen, I purchased a Trek Hibrid a month later. Soon realized I loved to ride and a month after that purchased the Sequoia. Gee! He made a good sale first with the modifications and then got two bike sales in two months. That's another story but if any of you out there read this may it be a lesson in selling.

Now I'm ready to move onto another "Plush" style bike with speed as I ride 15 miles on a short day and 50+ miles on a long day. Just did a century a couple weeks ago and loved it. So signed up to do another next month. Centuries and the road are my new passion but I want to be comfortable, too. My wife says I'm an obsessive compulsive person. I think I'm an endorphin junkie. Whatever, I love to ride.:D

I'm thinking I would like a Serotta Ottrott and have been to a technician for a fitting. However, I've been advised and have read that perhaps it is to soon to want a high end bike as I don't know what I need or should have for components.:confused:

My question to you, my new friends, should I go to the Custom Serotta or should I purchase a production bike like the Specialist Roubieau Pro (Bike shop where I purchased the Sequoia recommended it and I've read good reviews about it on this website)?

To help you help me here is my personal information; I'm 60+ years old male, over weight, 215 lbs, 5'5" tall, tall in the torso but short 25 1/2" inseam (priamary reason considering custom built bike), outside of having had a total knee replacement and being over weight I'm in good physical shape and average 15 + mph on my Sequoia, even on longer rides.

Thank you for reading my lengthy introduction and request for help in determining what bike I should invest in next.:)

MO Frank

Go with a track bike.

Give up the gears.

How often do you shift really?

Thats just me though.

Sorry, I shift gears frequently. I find it keeps my speed up and conserves energy.

.........My question to you, my new friends, should I go to the Custom Serotta or should I purchase a production bike like the Specialist Roubieau Pro (Bike shop where I purchased the Sequoia recommended it and I've read good reviews about it on this website)?


About the only downsides to the custom Serotta are the wait (3+ years now) and the cost. It seems like the cost is no problem for you but that long wait could be a real annoyance since you don't already have a top end bike.

I'd suggest finding another custom builder without as long a wait time.

About the only downsides to the custom Serotta are the wait (3+ years now) and the cost. It seems like the cost is no problem for you but that long wait could be a real annoyance since you don't already have a top end bike.

I'd suggest finding another custom builder without as long a wait time.

unless its a wait on that specific model, no way its a 3 year wait for a custom serotta. my dad had one built in slightly less than 2 months, from the day he got fitted and placed the order to the day it was ridden, fully built up. unless he got around the system somehow (i doubt it), theres no way its 3 years....

Given that you know you love riding and have resources, it is not "too soon" to buy a high end bike that you'll get a bunch of years out of. Anyone who gave you the advice that it is too soon is probably someone from whom you should not solicit any more advice.

For me, the choice would not be an Ottrott... that's just a pricepoint where the cost doesn't begin to correlate to additional comfort or whatever. I mean, I ride a bike that isn't cheap (custom Seven Axiom) but the Ottrott's price point kinda screams "I cost a lot of dough." Kinda like insisting on a Mercedes instead of a Acura. But that's just my bias.

There's some GREAT custom builders both large (Independent Fabrications, Seven and many Serotta models) that can turn you out a custom ti ride in about 6-8 weeks, and some wonderful small builders, many of whom specialize in beautiful steel (too many to name but include Rivendell, DeSalvo, Waterford, Heron), with a longer lead time.

At that price point, folks are just following their heart and the "lust factor." Any custom bike in ti or steel can be configured to accommodate your needs in terms of geometry and can give you many happy years of service.

IMHO, the Ottrott and other offerings at the $7k+ price point are more bling than function. If you are willing to spend between $4-6k, the world is your oyster. If you are willing to spend $3k, you can get a bike that will make you happy for many years, etc.

"Not judged by the cost of their helmet." Is that to mean that they/your children are to not be judged by the cost/value of their insurance? In that nation, wherever they be living.

About the only downsides to the custom Serotta are the wait (3+ years now) and the cost. It seems like the cost is no problem for you but that long wait could be a real annoyance since you don't already have a top end bike.

I'd suggest finding another custom builder without as long a wait time.


I frequent the real Serotta forum and the wait is nowhere near 3 years. There was a long wait for the initial order of the MeiVici but we are still only talking months not years.

Let me throw something else in the mix, Waterford. They even offer S & S couplers if you want travel with it.