I'd like to take the show on the road
10-29-17, 09:05 AM
#1
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I'd like to take the show on the road
I currently ride a Jamis Durango mtb. It has been a wonderful bike in my quest to lose weight. I have discovered I can go faster with a "road bike". So, the hunt begins. The specifics are: 67 years of age, 6'2"/215lbs. Budget $1000.
Before any say I can buy a used bike much cheaper, there are few if any nice bikes showing up on craigslist here. Mostly Huffys and department store bikes. I have been looking for a month.
It seems that the bikes in my price range are aluminum. No problem with that. Almost all are aluminum frame/carbon fork. Mostly Sora groupset. There is currently a bike on sell for $800 that really catches my eye. It is a Diamondback Century 1. It has the 105 group, has 28c tires, and a more upright riding position. The big question. It has an aluminum fork. To you experienced riders, is that a deal breaker? If so, what would you recommend?
Yes, I went to my local bike store. (70 miles) The salesman there had very little knowledge of the product he was selling. He became agitated at my many questions. I left there extremely frustrated. I have pretty much decided it will be an "online" purchase for me. I do appreciate your advice.
Before any say I can buy a used bike much cheaper, there are few if any nice bikes showing up on craigslist here. Mostly Huffys and department store bikes. I have been looking for a month.
It seems that the bikes in my price range are aluminum. No problem with that. Almost all are aluminum frame/carbon fork. Mostly Sora groupset. There is currently a bike on sell for $800 that really catches my eye. It is a Diamondback Century 1. It has the 105 group, has 28c tires, and a more upright riding position. The big question. It has an aluminum fork. To you experienced riders, is that a deal breaker? If so, what would you recommend?
Yes, I went to my local bike store. (70 miles) The salesman there had very little knowledge of the product he was selling. He became agitated at my many questions. I left there extremely frustrated. I have pretty much decided it will be an "online" purchase for me. I do appreciate your advice.
10-29-17, 09:25 AM
#2
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Al fork will be harsh. CF takes vibrations better.
Especially on a road bike with the tiny tires that will be important.
Especially on a road bike with the tiny tires that will be important.
10-29-17, 10:18 AM
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https://www.diamondback.com/century-34937#bike_specs
Not bad looking. Discs are nice. 22 lbs is a little on the heavy side for modern road bikes, but not outlandish.
I am a bit surprised by the aluminum fork, but that is a tough price point the bike is at with 11 speed 105 and discs.
I have a bonded aluminum fork on one of my winter road bike. It is just fine, and has been taking a fair amount of abuse. It is a bit harsh up front, but I am riding a lot harsher tires. Those 28s should be quite cushy.
$800 isn't a bad starting price point. With some patience, good used bikes will show up. Often with 10s gearing and rim brakes. 60cm?
Not bad looking. Discs are nice. 22 lbs is a little on the heavy side for modern road bikes, but not outlandish.
I am a bit surprised by the aluminum fork, but that is a tough price point the bike is at with 11 speed 105 and discs.
I have a bonded aluminum fork on one of my winter road bike. It is just fine, and has been taking a fair amount of abuse. It is a bit harsh up front, but I am riding a lot harsher tires. Those 28s should be quite cushy.
$800 isn't a bad starting price point. With some patience, good used bikes will show up. Often with 10s gearing and rim brakes. 60cm?
10-29-17, 10:31 AM
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I currently ride a Jamis Durango mtb. It has been a wonderful bike in my quest to lose weight. I have discovered I can go faster with a "road bike". So, the hunt begins. The specifics are: 67 years of age, 6'2"/215lbs. Budget $1000.
Before any say I can buy a used bike much cheaper, there are few if any nice bikes showing up on craigslist here. Mostly Huffys and department store bikes. I have been looking for a month.
It seems that the bikes in my price range are aluminum. No problem with that. Almost all are aluminum frame/carbon fork. Mostly Sora groupset. There is currently a bike on sell for $800 that really catches my eye. It is a Diamondback Century 1. It has the 105 group, has 28c tires, and a more upright riding position. The big question. It has an aluminum fork. To you experienced riders, is that a deal breaker? If so, what would you recommend?
Yes, I went to my local bike store. (70 miles) The salesman there had very little knowledge of the product he was selling. He became agitated at my many questions. I left there extremely frustrated. I have pretty much decided it will be an "online" purchase for me. I do appreciate your advice.
Before any say I can buy a used bike much cheaper, there are few if any nice bikes showing up on craigslist here. Mostly Huffys and department store bikes. I have been looking for a month.
It seems that the bikes in my price range are aluminum. No problem with that. Almost all are aluminum frame/carbon fork. Mostly Sora groupset. There is currently a bike on sell for $800 that really catches my eye. It is a Diamondback Century 1. It has the 105 group, has 28c tires, and a more upright riding position. The big question. It has an aluminum fork. To you experienced riders, is that a deal breaker? If so, what would you recommend?
Yes, I went to my local bike store. (70 miles) The salesman there had very little knowledge of the product he was selling. He became agitated at my many questions. I left there extremely frustrated. I have pretty much decided it will be an "online" purchase for me. I do appreciate your advice.
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10-29-17, 11:40 AM
#5
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What kind of show you taking on the road? Puppet show? musical act, you tour by bike between gigs? it has been done ..
....
....
Last edited by fietsbob; 10-29-17 at 02:01 PM.
10-29-17, 02:36 PM
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Alu forks are not harsh at all IME. My own road bike has one and I'm actually quite fond if it.
10-29-17, 05:59 PM
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I appreciate the responses. I am studying each and every recommendation. I have a tendency to over research. At least it keeps me out of the pool halls!
There is a fella on eBay selling new 2016 Scott Speedster 30's well worth the money. Aluminum bike/carbon fork with mainly Tiagra components. I am not sure if the geometry is relaxed enough for me.
There is a fella on eBay selling new 2016 Scott Speedster 30's well worth the money. Aluminum bike/carbon fork with mainly Tiagra components. I am not sure if the geometry is relaxed enough for me.
Last edited by Estacado; 10-29-17 at 06:12 PM.
10-29-17, 06:05 PM
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Please take a look at the Trek 1.2. Aluminum frame. carbon fork, Sora 9 spd. I've put a little over 4000 miles on mine and am quite happy. I did upgrade the brake pads which made a huge improvement and went from 23's to 25's. I'm 61, 5'10" at 214 lbs. The bike sells for $895.00.
10-29-17, 06:05 PM
#11
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Remember, forks are replaceable.
10-30-17, 12:55 PM
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I currently ride a Jamis Durango mtb. It has been a wonderful bike in my quest to lose weight. I have discovered I can go faster with a "road bike". So, the hunt begins. The specifics are: 67 years of age, 6'2"/215lbs. Budget $1000.
Before any say I can buy a used bike much cheaper, there are few if any nice bikes showing up on craigslist here. Mostly Huffys and department store bikes. I have been looking for a month.
It seems that the bikes in my price range are aluminum. No problem with that. Almost all are aluminum frame/carbon fork. Mostly Sora groupset. There is currently a bike on sell for $800 that really catches my eye. It is a Diamondback Century 1. It has the 105 group, has 28c tires, and a more upright riding position. The big question. It has an aluminum fork. To you experienced riders, is that a deal breaker? If so, what would you recommend?
Yes, I went to my local bike store. (70 miles) The salesman there had very little knowledge of the product he was selling. He became agitated at my many questions. I left there extremely frustrated. I have pretty much decided it will be an "online" purchase for me. I do appreciate your advice.
Before any say I can buy a used bike much cheaper, there are few if any nice bikes showing up on craigslist here. Mostly Huffys and department store bikes. I have been looking for a month.
It seems that the bikes in my price range are aluminum. No problem with that. Almost all are aluminum frame/carbon fork. Mostly Sora groupset. There is currently a bike on sell for $800 that really catches my eye. It is a Diamondback Century 1. It has the 105 group, has 28c tires, and a more upright riding position. The big question. It has an aluminum fork. To you experienced riders, is that a deal breaker? If so, what would you recommend?
Yes, I went to my local bike store. (70 miles) The salesman there had very little knowledge of the product he was selling. He became agitated at my many questions. I left there extremely frustrated. I have pretty much decided it will be an "online" purchase for me. I do appreciate your advice.
10-30-17, 03:03 PM
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10-31-17, 04:08 PM
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I've recently started cycling for fitness. After purchasing 8 different new and used bikes without any luck. So I decided to build one myself starting with a frame set.
In April, I got a good deal on a 2011 Colnago CX-1 Evo frameset. Then, I spent over two months buying a Dura Ace 9100 mechanical groupset piece-by-piece from various online stores in Europe (ProBikeKit, Merlin Cycles, RibbleCycles, etc.). I was waiting for at least %40 sale and 10%-15% promo codes, and if I could, I waited for the dollar to get strong to take advantage of exchange rates, before I made a purchase. In the end, the groupset cost ~$950, and the whole bike cost ~$1200.
Since you have a small budget, you may want to look into Ultegra or 105 groupset. However, you may want to look for a frameset first.
Good luck
In April, I got a good deal on a 2011 Colnago CX-1 Evo frameset. Then, I spent over two months buying a Dura Ace 9100 mechanical groupset piece-by-piece from various online stores in Europe (ProBikeKit, Merlin Cycles, RibbleCycles, etc.). I was waiting for at least %40 sale and 10%-15% promo codes, and if I could, I waited for the dollar to get strong to take advantage of exchange rates, before I made a purchase. In the end, the groupset cost ~$950, and the whole bike cost ~$1200.
Since you have a small budget, you may want to look into Ultegra or 105 groupset. However, you may want to look for a frameset first.
Good luck
10-31-17, 06:46 PM
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I'm glad I saw this. I had an e-mail from my company's corporate discount program and it was for special deals on bikes. I was drawn to the Diamondback Century 1 as well for $799. They made it look like it was a special deal (33% off). If that price is available to everyone, there's no reason for me to jump at this. I don't need a new bike and I'm not really an experienced enough cyclist to need something like this. I'll keep riding my husband's cast-off Trek hybrid. I can't quite keep up with him on his speedier road bike (Vintage Fuji) but I can keep riding longer than he can because mine is more comfortable.
11-01-17, 07:04 AM
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I've recently started cycling for fitness. After purchasing 8 different new and used bikes without any luck. So I decided to build one myself starting with a frame set.
In April, I got a good deal on a 2011 Colnago CX-1 Evo frameset. Then, I spent over two months buying a Dura Ace 9100 mechanical groupset piece-by-piece from various online stores in Europe (ProBikeKit, Merlin Cycles, RibbleCycles, etc.). I was waiting for at least %40 sale and 10%-15% promo codes, and if I could, I waited for the dollar to get strong to take advantage of exchange rates, before I made a purchase. In the end, the groupset cost ~$950, and the whole bike cost ~$1200.
Since you have a small budget, you may want to look into Ultegra or 105 groupset. However, you may want to look for a frameset first.
Good luck
In April, I got a good deal on a 2011 Colnago CX-1 Evo frameset. Then, I spent over two months buying a Dura Ace 9100 mechanical groupset piece-by-piece from various online stores in Europe (ProBikeKit, Merlin Cycles, RibbleCycles, etc.). I was waiting for at least %40 sale and 10%-15% promo codes, and if I could, I waited for the dollar to get strong to take advantage of exchange rates, before I made a purchase. In the end, the groupset cost ~$950, and the whole bike cost ~$1200.
Since you have a small budget, you may want to look into Ultegra or 105 groupset. However, you may want to look for a frameset first.
Good luck
A tip of my hat to you. I would not feel comfortable building up a bike right now. I am still looking. This is a one time shot so I want to get the most bike for the money. Whatever I buy, I will ride till the wheels fall off. Someone has mentioned that there would possibly be better deals the deeper we get into winter. Do you or don't you?
