okay guys, i have been riding, and racing mtb for a couple of years now and im wanting to turn to the dark side and buy a roadie! i have a $4500 budget, i really like the look of the specialized venge expert and the roubaix expert, another bike i have looked into is the scott addict 20, anyone have one and what do you think of them, i can get a really good discount on those two brands aswell. any tips for when i start to go out road riding? :thumbsup:
It's clear you have no idea what you're doing by your bike choices.
Having a frame that fits you is of critical importance. First, you REALLY should get a professional fit done. Once you know what geometry numbers will suit you, that will narrow down your search considerably. Far more considerably than you may like, but that's the deal.
You should only ride what you can fit perfectly. Not what can be fit to you, something that you fit perfectly.
I don't mean to sound entirely like an arse, but these topics have been done to death. You should make use of the white search box and type in any one of those bikes to get a bunch of threads discussing these very same things. That way, you'll get the benefit of all that's been shared before.
You're cross shopping three bikes from three distinct categories. Upright and somewhat slow reacting, stiff aero with aggressive geo, and an all around bike. I would definitely ride each bike and see how it feels before spending that kind of cash. If you're inflexible you may find the tall head tube of the Roubaix nice. The Venge, although menacing looking, has been "caught up" by other brands in terms of aero and stiffness so it doesn't excel all around. I'm looking for a Scott myself for my second bike.
A good read while bike shopping would be to get an idea of the effects of differing seat/head tube angles have on the sizing and handling of a particular frame.
The Venge has race geometry, the roubiaux has more upright geometry. No idea about the Scott. Hard to say what geometry would suit snce you are not a new cyclist. But you need to consider your position on the bike before narrowing it down to make and model go out and test a bunch and see before you do anything.
That budget is pretty high for someone who hasn't had a road bike before. Maybe you should consider getting something less expensive, and upgrading in a couple of years.
My advice.... lower your budget. Road riding isn't MTN biking and you really don't *know* you'll love it... yet.
Go ride the bikes. There's a reason for the adage, ride, then decide. I could be wrong, but it seems you're buying based almost entirely on aesthetics - and a bit on pricing. Not a good idea. As was stated, the bikes geo differs, enough (IMO) to matter. Test rides will sort this out for you.
Coming from MTN biking, I'd fall on the side of the Roubaix's (or similar) handling being more to your liking, but everyone's different.
If true, (i.e.: if it's already established that the OP may or may not enjoy road-cycling), then this is sound advice.
Keep in mind that the most common entrée into road-cycling is getting a well-made Aluminum alloy frame bicycle first, and then adding a pricier ride later, if things work out. To be sure, that's cool- and in fact that's the route I took.
Yeah, no doubt- and without further input, that's a big unknowable. I'll make this speculation: since the thread-starter is an experienced mountain-biker, I don't think he'll be shying away from washboard or chip-seal.
If the plurality speculation is right (that is to say- if we're starting by trying out road-cycling), then you could use one-third of your budget on a quality general-purpose Aluminum road-bike, plus much of the gear suitable to such a ride (e.g.: cyclo-computer, pedals, lights, etc). Then, if you find you're crazy about it (like most of us are), you can use the remaining two-thirds of your budget for a worthy composite-frame bike.
What they all said. And what you want to buy is a "road bike." A "roadie" is a person who rides a road bike, and it's not legal to buy one (see U.S Constitution, Amendment XIII).
Just looked at the SCOTT's geometry. IT's aggressive race, so probably not a good idea unlesss a low position suits you. (The Scott's Size that features an effective top tube of 535 has a head tube height of 120; that is very aggressive, for comparison's sake, 535 to 130 would still be race, 535 to 140 or 145 or so getting into the lower end of relaxed, but not too much, and 535 to 150 and up very relaxed. Don't know your size, but if you check those relative numbers, it should let you know how upright the bike is). I prefer an eff tt of 535, so am familiar with those numbers.
Don't assume because you're coming from mounting biking that you will want or need an upright geometry, definitely go ride some road bikes for longer rides than just around the store parking lot.
P.S. Very happy with my Scott Addict 20, although I probably would have been happy on a ton of other bikes as well.
P.P.S. If you end up at a Specialized dealer looking at a Venge and Roubaix, you might as well hop on a Tarmac and even an Allez while you're at it.
Some of this was a bit too harsh in my opinion, but it is pretty much true. Ride then decide is the perfect adage here. Read online reviews and/or talk to shop personnel to help you choose your test ride selections, but get out and ride 'em because it really is the only way to figure out what you like. That being said, both of those brands and all of those bikes you mentioned are top notch.
I have a Scott Addict LTD, just sold both my 2006 Roubaix and my 2014 SL4 Disc Roubaix. [Dura Ace and Ultegra 10 speed groups FWIW] Let's say the Addict is the counterpart to the Venge in your case.
Two different hammers the Venge and the Roubaix. What kind of nails you going to be hammering?
I decided to un-Roubaix due to a Custom Steel Frame on the way that will fit even bigger tires. And even more in a lax gravel jaunt direction.
just my druthers.
I liked the Roubaix geometry and use for all but all out hammer festing. In other words like clip ons on a sport motorcycle, if you are in the attack posture a lot, the clip ons are fantastic. Not so much for not attacking. Perhaps a reasonable analogy to the Roubaix VS Venge to some degree.
If you want to go do centuries and double centuries it would be my opinion the Roubaix would be the better hammer. If you are going to frequent rocket rides and be in more a race modality in use a larger percent, the Tarmac or Venge [or racier Scott] may well be the better hammer. If you can be comfortable low and aero like 4" or more of bar drop. @ 58 years old, I am @ 3" on the Scott where 15 years ago I was 4"+ bar drop for that mode. Your flexibility may vary. Roubiax can accommodate a lot higher stack/bar height with out the wonky spacer syndrome.
I will say that I am in better shape after 80 hard Addict miles that 50 on either of the Roubaix I had. Especially the older one, which I attribute to more [BB & torsional?] flex. Something I doubt any new plastic bike even in a lot lower price point than you are shopping for would exude. The SL4 I felt was too stiff and beat me more, the Scott I have has a lively compliance to it I find @ my 210-215 lb of pork. The goldy locks feel for me, I do not know how the new Scotts compare, mine is a 2009.
If I was you, I would consider the investment of renting a bike for day/weekend for the the 80.00 it may cost may suite you in the end before dropping $4500.00 on a bike that may not have been the best choice.
Two words: BIKE FIT. This is first and foremost. Find a reputable bike shop who will take the time to work with you.
I also agree that since you are new to road biking, unless you have too much money lying around and need to throw it away, your budget is way too high considering that you can even get a good carbon road bike for $2,000. Spending more than that is not practical unless you are a professional racer or need to burn $$ fast. For your first road bike, I would budget more like $1,200-$1,500 for a good alloy road bike with a carbon fork.
Lastly, don't fall in love with a particular brand.
Start by going to a good local bike shop and test ride some bikes.
Said it before and I'll say it again... Put your cash in a savings account. Get a CAAD 8. Aluminum with a carbon fork. Not a relaxed geo... But not super aggressive. 17cm HT. get the Sora version. Find one used even? It is an excellent bike for under a grand and will tell you what you want next. And you can keep it for rain and trainer rides. No loss. You'll need more than one anyway. One of the best buys and best deigns on the entry level market IMO. Then get the 4K bike.
I am more a mountain biker as well and while sound advice above I don't necessarily see anything wrong jumping in on the high end with a good bike that can be used multitude of ways. If your racing mountain bikes now no doubt you will use it.
Rather than work off a budget work off requirements for what you want.
Primary Use - Fun, training, racing, fast group rides?
Frame - Do you want aggressive racing geo, something more neutral, something that can handle larger tires for Roubaix type events, carbon and smooth riding, carbon and super stiff, or alu and at a budget? Let us know.
Groupset - Recommend looking at 105 or Ultegra or SRAM Force, I am sure if you are using high end mountain bike drivetrain your not going to want something like Sora.
Brakes - rim or disc, I have road bikes with both and am really neutral but IMO no reason to avoid disc unless you plan to road race (I AM NOT A ROAD RACER, I do race mtn bikes)
Brands - I don't think it matters but if you got a hook up on specialized or Scott why wouldn't you use the hook up.
I assume already being a racer you know fit is important and your shop will help with that.
Try to give us more insight and you will get some good informed opinions.
If you really don't know and want to dive in head first than the Tarmac would be good choice, the elite is very well equipped at a good price point. Also can do what a lot of us mountain bikers do buy a cross bike and road tires to switch out on occasion, I almost guarantee though you do this you will want a road bike soon enough!
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