Just asking what makes Super Bikes so Super?
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Time to bounce, dawgs. Enjoy yourselves.
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Just asking what makes Super Bikes so Super?
According to many of my non-cycling acquaintances it always seems to come down to whether or not you can lift it with only 2 fingers.
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All my bikes are Super Duper! and Pee-Chee-Keen! The engine needs a major tuneup just to be Okay.
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Hi, group it's been a while since I've posted anything on here and during that time a lot has changed with my interest in the cycling world. When I first joined, I was a newbie just beginning my journey into road cycling and knew very little to nothing about real "Roadie" cycling. I quickly became somewhat educated throughout my progression into this crazy world of cycling.
I started out with a 1990's Cannondale MTB which I converted to a hybrid to do a 5 or so mile ride 2-4 times weekly. Then I upgraded to a 2012 Specialized Allez Comp with Sram Apexs components. I started pushing my rides to a 10-15 mile runs for 3-5 days a week. I again upgraded to a like new condition 2016 Specialized Roubaix with 105 Shimano’s, Cosmic carbon fiber rims (super lightweight) Continental 4 seasons tires, cateye computer system, specialized clipless shoes, look pedals, Specialized power seat. I purchased a Giro helmet as well as the full cycling jersey! I think my wife's is going to exploded if I don't find a new "cheaper" hobby lol.
I had read here where this starts out as a hobby, then move into a passion finally stopping as an obsession and oh, how true this is. I now try and ride 20 miles daily for 4-5 days and 40 to 60 mile runs on the weekend in attempts to one day do a century ride. I've started monitoring my cadence more than my mph trying to maintain an 80-rpm average which has boosted not only my rides but has help my physical stamina considerably. I will say my new to me Specialized Roubaix with the 105's has been the best cycling machine I've had the pleasure of riding. I know it has a ton more to give I just must get to its level of performance.
I got to ask what make a super bike a super bike? Are the Pinarello's and other higher end super bikes that much better? I understand the lighter carbon composite frames, but the components are basically the same such as 105, Ultegra, Etap's, Di2 ect. so why the huge difference in cost?? Is it just name or status or does it have something to do with actual performance? Don't get me wrong at this point I have NO reason to replace my Roubaix and when that time comes, I'll more than likely keep it and just purchase a new one because that's how pleased I am of it.
I'm mainly curious and looking for more insight on what makes theses super bikes so super?? Just asking, safe riding! Please forgive any grammar issues
New to me Specialized Roubaix
I started out with a 1990's Cannondale MTB which I converted to a hybrid to do a 5 or so mile ride 2-4 times weekly. Then I upgraded to a 2012 Specialized Allez Comp with Sram Apexs components. I started pushing my rides to a 10-15 mile runs for 3-5 days a week. I again upgraded to a like new condition 2016 Specialized Roubaix with 105 Shimano’s, Cosmic carbon fiber rims (super lightweight) Continental 4 seasons tires, cateye computer system, specialized clipless shoes, look pedals, Specialized power seat. I purchased a Giro helmet as well as the full cycling jersey! I think my wife's is going to exploded if I don't find a new "cheaper" hobby lol.
I had read here where this starts out as a hobby, then move into a passion finally stopping as an obsession and oh, how true this is. I now try and ride 20 miles daily for 4-5 days and 40 to 60 mile runs on the weekend in attempts to one day do a century ride. I've started monitoring my cadence more than my mph trying to maintain an 80-rpm average which has boosted not only my rides but has help my physical stamina considerably. I will say my new to me Specialized Roubaix with the 105's has been the best cycling machine I've had the pleasure of riding. I know it has a ton more to give I just must get to its level of performance.
I got to ask what make a super bike a super bike? Are the Pinarello's and other higher end super bikes that much better? I understand the lighter carbon composite frames, but the components are basically the same such as 105, Ultegra, Etap's, Di2 ect. so why the huge difference in cost?? Is it just name or status or does it have something to do with actual performance? Don't get me wrong at this point I have NO reason to replace my Roubaix and when that time comes, I'll more than likely keep it and just purchase a new one because that's how pleased I am of it.
I'm mainly curious and looking for more insight on what makes theses super bikes so super?? Just asking, safe riding! Please forgive any grammar issues
New to me Specialized Roubaix
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My comparison would be a pretty nice carbon Synapse I had with 105 components versus my current S-Works with DA Di2 and all the candy Specialized could throw at it 2 years ago. Weight difference is not earth shaking - the S Works is 16.5 lbs ready to ride and set up for a Clydesdale class rider (heavy Look pedals and replaced the carbon aero handlebars with a more comfy aluminum Specialized Hover bar) - and the Cannondale was around 18.5 , but with a boat anchor FSA crankset and alloy wheels
The retail price on the S Works is pretty high while the retail on the 105 Synapse is roughly 20% of the cost. The ride is night and day different between the 2 with the S Works being more efficient and stiffer , yet more comfortable at the same time. The bike doesn't have a "dead" feeling on the road and I feel like I can climb anything on it within reason
The Cannondale in comparison - although the Synapse is supposed to be a more comfortable bike , is not. It feels slower and literally feels like it takes more effort to stay on top of the gear and the ride is like some people say about other carbon bikes when they say its like riding a block of wood -- the bike just doesn't give much feedback
ITs not the weight difference either -- I would pick the 21 lb vintage Colnago over the Cannondale if I ever had to go on a fast ride
I think if the Cannondale were built with equivalent wheels and an equivalent Dura Ace build kit and lighter post, bars etc -- the weight difference between it and the Tarmac would be not much but I still cant get past the fact that the Cannondale rides like a block of wood while every pedal stroke seems to be energized on the Specialized
But - big but -- I wonder what difference the wheels alone make too
Superbike circa 1990 (literally a Colnago Super) - it just looks trick and turns heads everytime I bring it out in public -- like a vintage Ferrari
Superbike circa 2018 - S Works Tarmac
Carbon Cannondale Synapse , 105 equipped (not a "Superbike" )
The retail price on the S Works is pretty high while the retail on the 105 Synapse is roughly 20% of the cost. The ride is night and day different between the 2 with the S Works being more efficient and stiffer , yet more comfortable at the same time. The bike doesn't have a "dead" feeling on the road and I feel like I can climb anything on it within reason
The Cannondale in comparison - although the Synapse is supposed to be a more comfortable bike , is not. It feels slower and literally feels like it takes more effort to stay on top of the gear and the ride is like some people say about other carbon bikes when they say its like riding a block of wood -- the bike just doesn't give much feedback
ITs not the weight difference either -- I would pick the 21 lb vintage Colnago over the Cannondale if I ever had to go on a fast ride
I think if the Cannondale were built with equivalent wheels and an equivalent Dura Ace build kit and lighter post, bars etc -- the weight difference between it and the Tarmac would be not much but I still cant get past the fact that the Cannondale rides like a block of wood while every pedal stroke seems to be energized on the Specialized
But - big but -- I wonder what difference the wheels alone make too
Superbike circa 1990 (literally a Colnago Super) - it just looks trick and turns heads everytime I bring it out in public -- like a vintage Ferrari
Superbike circa 2018 - S Works Tarmac
Carbon Cannondale Synapse , 105 equipped (not a "Superbike" )
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I don't know the answer but I do know that next year there will be a new bike out that's even more "super".
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It depends on how impressed total strangers are with the amount of money they believe you spent on the brand that you flaunt.
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It's remarkable that instead of typing something that's readable, he went out of hos way to type this as reply;
"mlkwdnm'ovbmao'dvma'dl vmad'lfkvm'ldsakfml'skfamvl'dfskmvlksmvla'kmvs'lakvmas'lkvms'lafkdzvsaf'ldkvfsl'dkmvsa'lkmvsa'lkvm'l kfvmas'lkvmsf'lakvms'alkvms'ALVMSA'LDFKMLKVMLDKFNB FKJDA;NVLKSANMVLK'MV'SDLMKVFKMDA'KLNMB'LKMNknmvlkadfnblfdkabnmlkdfamblkadbmfkldambldkfamba'ldkmbfkle abmlkdafmba'dlkfbvkdbvmbvlkda'mvbdksabvMVS'lfkmvsLKMVFLMKVFK'LAMBA'LFDKBMFD'LAKBMFDLKMABVLKFDNMlkdmb klgfmbklsmngggblkmlfkmbglkmsd;lamvmdlkmfblkdbmfgmbl;fdkgpodlkmgvb;lxmb;xbLOLLOLLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!"
What an amazing waste of effort to get free advise.
"mlkwdnm'ovbmao'dvma'dl vmad'lfkvm'ldsakfml'skfamvl'dfskmvlksmvla'kmvs'lakvmas'lkvms'lafkdzvsaf'ldkvfsl'dkmvsa'lkmvsa'lkvm'l kfvmas'lkvmsf'lakvms'alkvms'ALVMSA'LDFKMLKVMLDKFNB FKJDA;NVLKSANMVLK'MV'SDLMKVFKMDA'KLNMB'LKMNknmvlkadfnblfdkabnmlkdfamblkadbmfkldambldkfamba'ldkmbfkle abmlkdafmba'dlkfbvkdbvmbvlkda'mvbdksabvMVS'lfkmvsLKMVFLMKVFK'LAMBA'LFDKBMFD'LAKBMFDLKMABVLKFDNMlkdmb klgfmbklsmngggblkmlfkmbglkmsd;lamvmdlkmfblkdbmfgmbl;fdkgpodlkmgvb;lxmb;xbLOLLOLLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!"
What an amazing waste of effort to get free advise.
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dork disk=non superbike. Just sayin'.
#37
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It's remarkable that instead of typing something that's readable, he went out of hos way to type this as reply;
"mlkwdnm'ovbmao'dvma'dl vmad'lfkvm'ldsakfml'skfamvl'dfskmvlksmvla'kmvs'lakvmas'lkvms'lafkdzvsaf'ldkvfsl'dkmvsa'lkmvsa'lkvm'l kfvmas'lkvmsf'lakvms'alkvms'ALVMSA'LDFKMLKVMLDKFNB FKJDA;NVLKSANMVLK'MV'SDLMKVFKMDA'KLNMB'LKMNknmvlkadfnblfdkabnmlkdfamblkadbmfkldambldkfamba'ldkmbfkle abmlkdafmba'dlkfbvkdbvmbvlkda'mvbdksabvMVS'lfkmvsLKMVFLMKVFK'LAMBA'LFDKBMFD'LAKBMFDLKMABVLKFDNMlkdmb klgfmbklsmngggblkmlfkmbglkmsd;lamvmdlkmfblkdbmfgmbl;fdkgpodlkmgvb;lxmb;xbLOLLOLLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!"
What an amazing waste of effort to get free advise.
"mlkwdnm'ovbmao'dvma'dl vmad'lfkvm'ldsakfml'skfamvl'dfskmvlksmvla'kmvs'lakvmas'lkvms'lafkdzvsaf'ldkvfsl'dkmvsa'lkmvsa'lkvm'l kfvmas'lkvmsf'lakvms'alkvms'ALVMSA'LDFKMLKVMLDKFNB FKJDA;NVLKSANMVLK'MV'SDLMKVFKMDA'KLNMB'LKMNknmvlkadfnblfdkabnmlkdfamblkadbmfkldambldkfamba'ldkmbfkle abmlkdafmba'dlkfbvkdbvmbvlkda'mvbdksabvMVS'lfkmvsLKMVFLMKVFK'LAMBA'LFDKBMFD'LAKBMFDLKMABVLKFDNMlkdmb klgfmbklsmngggblkmlfkmbglkmsd;lamvmdlkmfblkdbmfgmbl;fdkgpodlkmgvb;lxmb;xbLOLLOLLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!"
What an amazing waste of effort to get free advise.
First, what free advise did anyone ask for???
I'm sorry, I failed to read the sites disclaimer that we'd be attacked for grammar and or punctuation on all threads posted?
Let us clarify and clear the air about your so called free advise??
"Not for nothing but I stopped reading after the 2nd sentence.The “Wall of Words” problem.You ever hear of a thing called the “Paragraph” ?
I can take professional criticism as well as anyone. You sir, were being a A$$wipe and defiantly not trying to be helpful or give advise no matter how you spin it.. If you don't like what I or anyone writes move on, it's that simple. No comment need because non were ask of you.
"Don't poke the bear, if so be prepared to get poked back". Safe riding.
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Park a $50,000 bass boat and trailer in your driveway and your neighbors might not even notice. Casually let it drop that you paid $2,500 for a bike that you still have to pedal and they'll think you must be made of money.
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#41
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Your current original post was edited to make it easier to read. Thank you.
Yes, the old timers, like myself, have the occasional bad day when replying (and yes it's free).
Apologies.
Too many times we deal with what seem to be somebody posting from a phone or whatever, with little effort made to make the post clear and easy enough to understand. Thus the "wall of words" issue we see all too often. You seemingly understood and made your OP much easier to read. OTOH, my little anal rant seemed to have an effect.
"I got to ask what make a super bike a super bike". They're not super, just expensive as the manufacturer cashes in on brand name. In theory many manufacturers make an effort to control the quality of the frame and that's supposed to cost more. I suspect if they do that, then it drives the price up. Other times the manufacturers invest in design to make the frame ride "better" which is a completely subjective thing. Sometimes a review states there's a difference in the ride, maybe GCN is honest, not sure who else, certainly not Bicycling Magazine. Someplace on YT is a video done by a guy in Australia who's supposed to be knowledgeable about carbon bike building, where he cuts in half a BMC or some such and examines the build, to his and others dismay as they realize it's not particularly well built
My own take is there likely is a difference in quality and ride, but maybe not worth the extra $2,000 - $3,000 difference between bikes of same component groups. I question the value, for instance of a $3,000 Colnago FRAME. Thats' name brand BS as far as I can tell.
Yes, the old timers, like myself, have the occasional bad day when replying (and yes it's free).
Apologies.
Too many times we deal with what seem to be somebody posting from a phone or whatever, with little effort made to make the post clear and easy enough to understand. Thus the "wall of words" issue we see all too often. You seemingly understood and made your OP much easier to read. OTOH, my little anal rant seemed to have an effect.
"I got to ask what make a super bike a super bike". They're not super, just expensive as the manufacturer cashes in on brand name. In theory many manufacturers make an effort to control the quality of the frame and that's supposed to cost more. I suspect if they do that, then it drives the price up. Other times the manufacturers invest in design to make the frame ride "better" which is a completely subjective thing. Sometimes a review states there's a difference in the ride, maybe GCN is honest, not sure who else, certainly not Bicycling Magazine. Someplace on YT is a video done by a guy in Australia who's supposed to be knowledgeable about carbon bike building, where he cuts in half a BMC or some such and examines the build, to his and others dismay as they realize it's not particularly well built
My own take is there likely is a difference in quality and ride, but maybe not worth the extra $2,000 - $3,000 difference between bikes of same component groups. I question the value, for instance of a $3,000 Colnago FRAME. Thats' name brand BS as far as I can tell.
Last edited by Steve B.; 02-07-20 at 01:29 PM.
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#42
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My 1993 Zipp2001 converted into a single speed, part of the beam bike wars of the early 90's.
Her twin sister also from 1993 still set-up as a TT bike. I used this one for ultra endurance races for 6 years, along with two weekly club TT's for almost 8 years.
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#43
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WOW! Very nice!
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What makes a super bike is tiny gains at huge expense.
You could get almost all of it by getting some super tires/tubes, a race-fit outfit, and an aero helmet.
You could get almost all of it by getting some super tires/tubes, a race-fit outfit, and an aero helmet.
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#45
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And yet, as one rides a 'super bike' one constantly thinks of improvements; longer reach, softer ride, stiffer fork, more/fewer/higher/lower gears, ovalized tube, grease fittings on the pedals, saddle made of unborn vicuna...
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#46
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https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/b...ode=grey_black
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/b...ode=grey_black
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I know I already said it has to be red but I remembered there is more. It must have a proprietary integrated stem handlebar with internal routing, the seatpost must be D shaped and have an integrated binding mechanism, again proprietary. It must only be offered with electronic shifting and only use proprietary aerodynamic water bottle holders.
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I know I already said it has to be red but I remembered there is more. It must have a proprietary integrated stem handlebar with internal routing, the seatpost must be D shaped and have an integrated binding mechanism, again proprietary. It must only be offered with electronic shifting and only use proprietary aerodynamic water bottle holders.
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