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Rio Olympics races = no steel?

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Rio Olympics races = no steel?

Old 08-07-16, 11:23 AM
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Thlorian
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Rio Olympics races = no steel?

Hello all...is it just me or does it look like the majority of all the bikes in both men's and women's races in Rio are aluminum? Not seeing much steel...

And I know these are all custom made but I sure see a lot of Specialized bike frames! Could there be some decent bikes made by Specialized for weekend warriors like me in the $1,000-$1,500 range???
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Old 08-07-16, 11:27 AM
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The bikes are likely carbon fiber, but yes, all the big manufacturers will have something in your price range. What type of riding are you trying to do? Road, TT, mountain, etc.?
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Old 08-07-16, 11:45 AM
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Nobody in the pro peloton races steel for a lot of reasons ... most of which have absolutely nothing to do with the kind of riding the rest of the world does.

If I were you I would not focus on Specialized. All the major manufacturers make approximately equivalent bikes at every price point. Some will offer slightly better frames, some slightly better components ... the important thing is to determine what's out there, what you need, and where they intersect. Nothing wrong with Specialized, but if you are going to spend $1500 you might as well see all your options.

So ... as thin_concrete asks: what kind of riding do you plan to do? Determine the job, determine the tool for the job.
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Old 08-07-16, 11:50 AM
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Thinking of getting back into road cycling. I am a bit older in my 50's but raring to go. I have a 1999 Bianchi that has collected dust for 10 years now but looking to get something new. For now 3-4 rides a week until I work up a beginning base over the next four months. Then 5-6 rides beginning in January.

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Old 08-07-16, 11:56 AM
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Dust off the Bianchi ... I bet there will be a lot of people wanting to buy it if yuo don't want it.
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Old 08-07-16, 11:59 AM
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Dust off and ride it while you think about a new bike. You may find you like that old Bianchi well enough to save yourself $1000-$1500.
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Old 08-07-16, 12:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Maelochs
If I were you I would not focus on Specialized.
Lol. Don't listen to this guy. Specialized makes some good stuff and if your bike shop sells them, and you trust the guy, absolutely focus on it. It's great to learn the ins and the outs of one company, and then you have something to compare stuff to. I have specialized saddle and tires on my Fuji because I really dig the company.
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Old 08-07-16, 12:13 PM
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Originally Posted by deapee
Lol. Don't listen to this guy. Specialized makes some good stuff and if your bike shop sells them, and you trust the guy, absolutely focus on it. It's great to learn the ins and the outs of one company, and then you have something to compare stuff to. I have specialized saddle and tires on my Fuji because I really dig the company.
LOL Ignore this guy. Specialized is just one of many manufacturers ... look at all of them.

You will notice, this guy rides not a Specialized, but a Fuji? He doesn't take his own advice.

Don't limit yourself. Look at all the various manufacturers.
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Old 08-07-16, 12:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Thlorian
Hello all...is it just me or does it look like the majority of all the bikes in both men's and women's races in Rio are aluminum? Not seeing much steel...
A) They're all carbon, there isn't a single bike in that field that is steel or aluminum
B) They ride off-the-shelf frames, not custom. Sure, they're top of the line bikes and sometimes prototypes, but they need to be sold to the general public, albeit for a steep price. Think $8,000+ for a team bike replica.
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Old 08-07-16, 12:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Maelochs
LOL Ignore this guy. Specialized is just one of many manufacturers ... look at all of them.

You will notice, this guy rides not a Specialized, but a Fuji? He doesn't take his own advice
You will notice his bike list says Roubaix SL4 in addition to a Fuji cross bike. That's a Specialized bike...
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Old 08-07-16, 12:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Thlorian
And I know these are all custom made but I sure see a lot of Specialized bike frames! Could there be some decent bikes made by Specialized for weekend warriors like me in the $1,000-$1,500 range???
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe all the bikes we see in the Olympics and other major races are available to the rest of us. I think the days of pro riders have custom bikes that were then painted and badged as something else are long gone. I'm pretty sure the Cannondales you see in these races are the same Evos and Synapses that you can buy yourself, as are the components. Racers aren't allowed to use prototypes and experimental equipment any more (again, somebody correct me if I'm wrong).

Also, if you want to spend a lot of $$, you can get a bike that is lighter or more aerodynamic than the pros are allowed to use, which is a big flip flop from the old days.

And there are plenty of amazing bikes in the $1000-1500 range, especially at this time of year as the 2016s go on sale to make way for new models. I'd recommend you look at aluminum alloy frames in this price range -- you'll get a great frame with better components than the CF options at the same price. However, don't expect some vastly improved performance over your 1999 Bianchi, unless that bike is badly maintained or doesn't fit you.
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Old 08-07-16, 12:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Kevindale
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe all the bikes we see in the Olympics and other major races are available to the rest of us. I think the days of pro riders have custom bikes that were then painted and badged as something else are long gone. I'm pretty sure the Cannondales you see in these races are the same Evos and Synapses that you can buy yourself, as are the components. Racers aren't allowed to use prototypes and experimental equipment any more (again, somebody correct me if I'm wrong).

Also, if you want to spend a lot of $$, you can get a bike that is lighter or more aerodynamic than the pros are allowed to use, which is a big flip flop from the old days.

And there are plenty of amazing bikes in the $1000-1500 range, especially at this time of year as the 2016s go on sale to make way for new models. I'd recommend you look at aluminum alloy frames in this price range -- you'll get a great frame with better components than the CF options at the same price. However, don't expect some vastly improved performance over your 1999 Bianchi, unless that bike is badly maintained or doesn't fit you.
Pretty sure they can ride "prototypes", so long as the UCI approves them and they are later sold to the general public. Think the new Trek Domane appearing in races before it had been revealed to the public.

Otherwise you're right, days of fully custom frames or re-labeling bikes are gone. They still rebadge tires and wheels sometimes.
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Old 08-07-16, 12:52 PM
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Originally Posted by Kevindale
And there are plenty of amazing bikes in the $1000-1500 range, especially at this time of year as the 2016s go on sale to make way for new models. I'd recommend you look at aluminum alloy frames in this price range -- you'll get a great frame with better components than the CF options at the same price. However, don't expect some vastly improved performance over your 1999 Bianchi, unless that bike is badly maintained or doesn't fit you.
All of this.
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Old 08-07-16, 01:24 PM
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Personally, what anyone rides in the Olympics is number 9,683 on the list of things I'll consider when I buy my next bike.

A bike company isn't family whom I love unconditionally. I don't love a bike company, or any other company for that matter. Manufacturers and retailers have to earn my business every purchase.

I enjoy Cubavera clothing on my back, Shell V-Power Gasoline in my Subaru and Vittoria bike tires on my Bianchi but the day I perceive that any of these companies have a lower value than someone else is the day they lose my business.


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Old 08-07-16, 01:26 PM
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Originally Posted by Dan333SP
Pretty sure they can ride "prototypes", so long as the UCI approves them and they are later sold to the general public. Think the new Trek Domane appearing in races before it had been revealed to the public.

Otherwise you're right, days of fully custom frames or re-labeling bikes are gone. They still rebadge tires and wheels sometimes.
This is a quote for a 6-year old article, so it may have changed, but this is what I was recalling:

This is what the regulations say: "It must be marketed (i.e. available for sale on the market) or marketable (i.e. available for sale directly from the manufacturer, by subscription or through an alternative distribution network). Prototypes and the use of equipment specially designed for a particular athlete, event or performance is prohibited. 'Special design' means a bicycle with a "technical added value when compared with other equipment."
I would guess that the Domanes came under the 'marketable' designation, and I suspect Trek had to show the UCI that the Domane would soon be available to consumers. I would imagine that the rebadged tires and wheels also have to be available to the public, just under their real labels.
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Old 08-07-16, 01:53 PM
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Their bikes only have to last but a few weeks , then the Olympics are Over.
You probably want something more durable.

the fancy bikes help sell to the average guy.. Dreams
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Old 08-07-16, 02:26 PM
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Lol
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People here don't get it.
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Old 08-07-16, 02:37 PM
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Years ago, companies like Serotta made custom frames that were painted to have the sponsoring bike's logos. But carbon bikes need very expensive molds, so this is now too costly.

1999 Bianchi
What Bianchi do you have? All these in google image search are cool, and look great!
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Old 08-07-16, 04:28 PM
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It's a Bianchi Campione. Has light to normal wear. Guessing I have put maybe only a total of 500-600 miles on it. It has been in storage for the last 4 years...
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Old 08-07-16, 04:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Maelochs
Dust off the Bianchi ... I bet there will be a lot of people wanting to buy it if yuo don't want it.
+1
Unless you're racing and find that you're just missing a podium position by a few seconds to someone with a newer and possibly lighter bike I can't think of any substantial functional advantage that you're likely to get from buying a newer bike. Check the cables/housings and probably replace brake pads and tires if the rubber has hardened and your Bianchi should be good to roll again. At least get in some good riding time before deciding what changes you'd like in your next bike.
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Old 08-07-16, 04:36 PM
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Originally Posted by Thlorian
It's a Bianchi Campione. Has light to normal wear. Guessing I have put maybe only a total of 500-600 miles on it. It has been in storage for the last 4 years...
Back on topic:

As suggested, dust it off & ride it. Figure out if you will stick with cycling, and after a while you can make a more educated decision about a new bike.
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Old 08-07-16, 04:48 PM
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As so many have said: If your Bianchi is in good shape, why not ride it? It looks like you have a racy little machine there, and if it is low-mileage and thus probably needs just a little oil and grease to be near-new .... Head over to teh C&V forum and see how much they think the bike is worth.

I am not sure but i believe a near-new vintage Bianchi is worth a fair amount.
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Old 08-07-16, 04:49 PM
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They use carbon bikes because they are lighter and they are racing and that is a legitimate reason to use one, a very narrow reason that doesn't apply to 99.99% of people.

They also use them because they have multiple bikes and get new ones every year. If they didn't I doubt many racers would ride carbon during training and competition over multiple seasons because they don't hold up well.
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Old 08-07-16, 05:03 PM
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wonder if the OP realizes that the last time the TdF was won by a rider on a steel bike was 1994...
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Old 08-07-16, 05:09 PM
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Originally Posted by Mulberry20
They use carbon bikes because they are lighter and they are racing and that is a legitimate reason to use one, a very narrow reason that doesn't apply to 99.99% of people.
When the pros rode steel bikes, what did the other 99.99% ride?
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