indyfabz

Can we get a little love for titanium?

MattTheHat 

A titanium frame would have not only survived intact, but gutted, cleaned and quartered the deer.

-Matt

indyfabz

And it would not have rusted or corroded like steel or aluminum.

Se we all agree that ti is fly.

MattTheHat 

Or sploded, like carbon! Yep, errybody like titanium!


-Matt

ksryder

Pfft old news. I'm waiting on delivery of my dysprosium frame any day now.

CliffordK

If you are truly "just starting", I'd get a good "beater bike". Try to find something used for < $500.

I've ridden Carbon, Steel, and Aluminum. Each has its costs and advantages. But, for your first bike I'd choose either a quality steel (double butted chromoly something, lots of choices), or a quality aluminum bike.

Put maybe 10,000 miles on this starter bike, then start planning on buying your lifetime bike.

Your starter/beater bike may still get quite a few miles for commuting, errands, utility cycling, etc.

A couple of advantages of starting cheap is that you'll start learning what you do and don't like, and what questions to ask. Also you'll decide if you really like riding a bike. And,if you destroy a cheap bike, or get it stolen, you'll be able to thank yourself that it wasn't a $5K bike.

Wattsup

You need to be using the correct type of wrench.

TimothyH

What does "Better flex" mean?


-Tim-

Carverbiker

Maelochs

@Roadie64 lists two specific bikes he is eyeing.

Imagine if we answer the question he actually asked/

Nah ... that is too far outside the bounds of possibility. Even i can't imagine anything that crazy.

Te first thing I see is that the Domane (https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/b...-sl-5/p/24223/) has "Iso-Speed Decouplers" which supposedly do a ton of shack absorbing. is this something the OP wants? Does it matter? How does ride quality suffer? Didn't I see some sort of recall-limited service live warning on the front decouplers?

Both bikes feature 105 groups and rim brakes. I would expect the Domane to be a little lighter, but i haven't bothered to research.

To me the question here isn't frame material, but overall weight, build quality, and those potentially unstable Iso-Speed Decouplers. The Domane has real 105 brakes, while the Allez has Tektros ... no experience with Those Tektros, but I'd Definitely prefer Shimano. Both have house-brand wheels and cockpits. From the spec sheets, it seems both can handle 28-mm tires, which is sort of the performance/comfort sweet spot.

It's a really tough choice. Easier for me, because it isn't my money ... but I be the Allez with a nice set of wheels would do everything the Domane would do and do it a little better. I don't see anything on the Domane which makes it worth $1000 more than the Allez. maybe if the OP rides exclusively on poorly maintained chipseal ...... in which case, get a bike which can handle 40-mm tires?

I think the Allez is the better value.

BrocLuno

That'd be me

It's crazy how heavy some stuff is. I'll take weight savings any day, as long as it's affordable ... I agree on light strong wheels being #1 , frame weight comes second.

Suspension forks are all over the place weight wise. High-end forks are usually lighter. I know the OP is not talking suspended bike. But, when looking at any bike purchase, I look at future upgrade path - road bike or MTB ...

I have plenty of aluminum bikes. Sold my last two steel framed bikes before Christmas.

I would like one CF bike to play with

voyager1

fietsbob

Subscribe to Bike Quarterly, they go on and on about Planeing..

luevelvet

If you have the money, you can't really go wrong with the Trek Domane SL5. I just picked up the 2019 model with a full 105 groupset, (hydra disc brakes etc). Some say everyone's experience is different but the isospeed really does make a different in my ride versus my Fuji gravel bike. The Domane came with Bontrager wheels and while not the best they are much better than what came on my Fuji as well.

The Specialized looks like a great deal though and I don't think you'll go wrong with that one unless you have certain ailments like stiff neck due to bulging discs etc. If you're a young, fit and health fella then I don't think you will regret riding the Allez at all.

And as other's have eluded, don't get caught up in the CF vs Aluminum debate. They're both great for what they are and one isn't necessarily better than the other in tangible factors that you would ever notice at this stage. Admittedly I also like the paint job on the Specialized a little bit more, and yes, that does matter in this game.

One thing I think you will notice between the two is the brakes. While there is nothing wrong with caliper brakes, you can certainly feel the difference vs disc brakes. I have disc brakes on both of my bikes while my wife's Domane came with rim brakes. Does she hate it? Absolutely not but you can definitely feel the difference in stopping power. Especially at higher speeds.

The best thing you can do to get the most input into this question is, ride them both. Which ever one makes you giddy and melt inside, that's the one for you.

rydabent

And there has been the instance where at least twice and maybe 3 times the CF tails have broken off French Airbus airliners.

avole

And the Boeing 787s have to replace their wings after every 3 flights ). Also, why are the 737s known as 'the convertible" in some airline circles - and they are mostly aluminium.

308jerry

On a more serious note, I could never own a CF bike after reading on this forum somewhere that setting my leg on the top tube of the CF bike compromises the integrity of the frame. There has been a few times I've stopped to talk with a neighbor and actually sat on the top tube Now I'm hearing that's a big no no on the CF bike. I could never own anything that delicate ...

Leisesturm

I read the first dozen or so posts then skimmed. I may have missed the post that mentioned a compromise. I ride a hydroformed aluminum frame that has a carbon fork (Trek 1.1). The entire bike could pass for carbon so you get the carbon street cred. Arguably more of the carbon virtues are felt through the fork, so it makes sense to use carbon there, and if ... ... you only have to replace a fork. This is a far better bike than I deserve, and my guess is that it should/could/ would satisfy most non-competitive riders. The brakes are the only weak component. Easily upgraded although I have not done that. It is definitely a race bike ride. As an only bike daily driver it wouldn't be for me. I do ride it in town though but it was meant for the open road or park loops.

Phil_gretz

^ Exactly. I started with this ^, changed the pedals and saddle and had a quite capable road bike. Something like this would be more bike than the OP could need for years to come, unless he is an unnaturally gifted cycling athlete. For reference: Gran Premio Elite model at BikesDirect.com for $800 now. Delivered.

willibrord

So much fear mongering on carbon bikes. Carbon frames are much stronger than comparable materials and at a fraction of the weight. Early carbon frames had some problems but thirty years of manufacturing has eliminated them. If you can get a carbon bike for the same prices as a conventional frame, go for the carbon.

avole

No, carbon frames be evil, evil, they're the devil's spawn !

willibrod has it spot on. Go for it.