Need Road Bike Recommendation
04-12-13, 02:14 PM
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Your budget is generous, there is an enormous list of bikes available to you that will work awesome. To narrow down the list, maybe decide what sorts of things you like in a bike, like:
disc/canti/caliper brakes?
classic styling/modern styling?
tire size? Are you planning on going off road much?
If none of this means anything to you, look at some websites:
https://gunnarbikes.com/site/
https://www.rivbike.com/
https://www.somafab.com/
https://surlybikes.com/
https://www.salsacycles.com/
disc/canti/caliper brakes?
classic styling/modern styling?
tire size? Are you planning on going off road much?
If none of this means anything to you, look at some websites:
https://gunnarbikes.com/site/
https://www.rivbike.com/
https://www.somafab.com/
https://surlybikes.com/
https://www.salsacycles.com/
04-12-13, 02:15 PM
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This is very true! I bought a touring bike for commuting and quickly found out how stiff they are for unloaded riding. I finally improved the ride by installing fatter tires, but that also makes it slower on the hills. A sport touring or cross bike is much better suited for the relatively light weight loads carried by most commuters.
04-12-13, 02:20 PM
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This is very true! I bought a touring bike for commuting and quickly found out how stiff they are for unloaded riding. I finally improved the ride by installing fatter tires, but that also makes it slower on the hills. A sport touring or cross bike is much better suited for the relatively light weight loads carried by most commuters.
04-12-13, 02:34 PM
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I highly recommend a nice steel roadbike with proper eyelets for your needs.
Example:
Sample Soma smoothie https://www.somafab.com/archives/product/smoothie
you can build this out to perfection for 1500-2000 and add top of the line fenders, racks, lights and other goodies.
Example:
Sample Soma smoothie https://www.somafab.com/archives/product/smoothie
you can build this out to perfection for 1500-2000 and add top of the line fenders, racks, lights and other goodies.
04-12-13, 02:41 PM
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This is very true! I bought a touring bike for commuting and quickly found out how stiff they are for unloaded riding. I finally improved the ride by installing fatter tires, but that also makes it slower on the hills. A sport touring or cross bike is much better suited for the relatively light weight loads carried by most commuters.
What exactly does this "too stiff" feeling feel like?
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04-12-13, 03:51 PM
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https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...ross_ti_xi.htm
04-12-13, 07:50 PM
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Thanks guys, I'm done!
That means that my new Fuji Fondo 1.5 will be used for commuting, centuries, and weekend credit card touring.
I've decided to drive to the grocery store once per week.
That means that my new Fuji Fondo 1.5 will be used for commuting, centuries, and weekend credit card touring.
I've decided to drive to the grocery store once per week.
04-12-13, 07:56 PM
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A 0.5 lb carbon fiber fork is a freaking boat anchor. You take one and use it as a club and still ride it. Likewise a 3 lb frame is not light weight.
Just about any leisure/sport level carpet fiber bike can handle the kind of light rack you need:
A decent choice except for the tiagra bits (a good lbs will cut you a deal on upgrades!):
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes...done_3_series/
Calfee make bomb proof plastic tourers with threaded eyelets.
https://www.calfeedesign.com/carbon-f...fee-adventure/
Its also trivial for calfee, ruckus, and several other shops to add eyelets to a carbon bike for $300 and change:
https://www.ruckuscomp.com/fender_eyelets/
I now have two carbon fiber commuters and one of them is almost 7 years old with ~25K. As someone who used to eat metal frames for breakfast (esp alu) carbon has been a terrific experience.
My workhorse commuter (I have another carbon commuter now.):
Just about any leisure/sport level carpet fiber bike can handle the kind of light rack you need:
A decent choice except for the tiagra bits (a good lbs will cut you a deal on upgrades!):
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes...done_3_series/
Calfee make bomb proof plastic tourers with threaded eyelets.
https://www.calfeedesign.com/carbon-f...fee-adventure/
Its also trivial for calfee, ruckus, and several other shops to add eyelets to a carbon bike for $300 and change:
https://www.ruckuscomp.com/fender_eyelets/
I now have two carbon fiber commuters and one of them is almost 7 years old with ~25K. As someone who used to eat metal frames for breakfast (esp alu) carbon has been a terrific experience.
My workhorse commuter (I have another carbon commuter now.):
04-12-13, 09:26 PM
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What's a carpet fiber bike?
How is a Trek Madone or your Orbea different from the Gran Fondo 1.5?
Last edited by Cfiber; 04-12-13 at 11:06 PM.
04-13-13, 12:41 AM
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But 0.5 pounds is just 226 grams. Who makes a fork lighter than that?
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04-13-13, 05:11 AM
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Everybody on this thread assumed you wanted a commuting specific bike. Most of us have a N+1 bikes and use bikes dedicated to specific purposes. road bikes use rigid bottom brackets and lighter wheels and generally lighter frames to get that racing feel. Commuters are generally more relaxed geometry, build more rugged to withstand the element, frames have eyelets for fender and rack mounts. Gearing may be simplified for reliability.
Your fuji is a road bike, you can use it however you like. Enjoy and ride the snot out of it.
04-13-13, 08:22 AM
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I have a carbon Specialized Roubaix with Apex group. I love this bike for weekend rides but I wouldn't commute on it for these reasons:
1) Has no ability to carry any significant cargo. I don't like to carry backpacks except a Camelbak when mountain biking.
2) It's just way too nice to expose it to the roughness of my daily commute.
3) It's way to fast while having too little grip and too little braking power for city traffic.
4) Tires way too thin for grates, road plates, manholes, bridge gaps, etc.
5) Theft magnet???
1) Has no ability to carry any significant cargo. I don't like to carry backpacks except a Camelbak when mountain biking.
2) It's just way too nice to expose it to the roughness of my daily commute.
3) It's way to fast while having too little grip and too little braking power for city traffic.
4) Tires way too thin for grates, road plates, manholes, bridge gaps, etc.
5) Theft magnet???
04-13-13, 09:25 AM
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I think this is also true for relaxed/leisure carbon fiber road bikes. In fact, the frame geometries are often identical. Check out the Trek 7.7 and Madone 3s. Same bikes except for the flatbar and derailleur. The same is true for the roubaix comps and the sirrus carbon.
Last edited by spare_wheel; 04-13-13 at 09:57 AM.
04-13-13, 09:41 AM
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I have a carbon Specialized Roubaix with Apex group. I love this bike for weekend rides but I wouldn't commute on it for these reasons:
1) Has no ability to carry any significant cargo. I don't like to carry backpacks except a Camelbak when mountain biking.
2) It's just way too nice to expose it to the roughness of my daily commute.
3) It's way to fast while having too little grip and too little braking power for city traffic.
4) Tires way too thin for grates, road plates, manholes, bridge gaps, etc.
5) Theft magnet???
1) Has no ability to carry any significant cargo. I don't like to carry backpacks except a Camelbak when mountain biking.
2) It's just way too nice to expose it to the roughness of my daily commute.
3) It's way to fast while having too little grip and too little braking power for city traffic.
4) Tires way too thin for grates, road plates, manholes, bridge gaps, etc.
5) Theft magnet???
2. Its trivial to buff or wax out scratches on carbon. Dings and scratches on paint not so much.
3. Unless you are buying a race level bike, the wheels shold not be a problem. The stock wheels on the roubaix comps also appear on the sirrus hybrids (the carbon one is basically a roubaix with a flat bar).
4. Personal preference. I have commuted on 23s and 25s for about a decade. Before that I commuted on knobbies.
5. This is true for any nice bike. In my city a soma fab, gunnar, or surly are far more likely to be theft magnets than dorky hard to fence carbon commuters.
Last edited by spare_wheel; 04-13-13 at 10:20 AM.
04-13-13, 09:51 AM
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My orbea is a carbon fiber city bike that was designed for a heavy rack and hydraulic disc brakes -- a true oddity.
Other than aesthetics and minor differences in geometry I doubt there is a lot of difference between the gran fondo and other leisure carbon road bikes. However, I should note that the trek madone is a US-made OCLV frame. Many regard OCLV to be superior to taiwanese lay ups.
Other than aesthetics and minor differences in geometry I doubt there is a lot of difference between the gran fondo and other leisure carbon road bikes. However, I should note that the trek madone is a US-made OCLV frame. Many regard OCLV to be superior to taiwanese lay ups.
Last edited by spare_wheel; 04-13-13 at 10:15 AM.
04-13-13, 09:59 AM
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1. Many roubaix models can take fenders and a rack. I know someone who toured on one.
2. My carbon fiber bikes look pristine because its trivial to make scratches diappear on carbon.
3. Unless you are buying a race level carbon bike the wheels shold not be a problem. The stock wheels on the cheap comps are very heavy and also appear on the carbon sirrus (which is basically a roubaix with a flat bar). My main commuting wheel sets all weigh 1600-1700 gms.
4. This is silly. I have commuted on 23s and 25s for about a decade. And while I now prefer 25s I had absolutely no problem commuting on 23s.
5. This is true for any nice bike. In my city a soma fab, gunnar, or surly are far more likely to be theft magnets than a dorky uncool carbon bike (esp. if the bike has the dead cow brooks on it).
2. My carbon fiber bikes look pristine because its trivial to make scratches diappear on carbon.
3. Unless you are buying a race level carbon bike the wheels shold not be a problem. The stock wheels on the cheap comps are very heavy and also appear on the carbon sirrus (which is basically a roubaix with a flat bar). My main commuting wheel sets all weigh 1600-1700 gms.
4. This is silly. I have commuted on 23s and 25s for about a decade. And while I now prefer 25s I had absolutely no problem commuting on 23s.
5. This is true for any nice bike. In my city a soma fab, gunnar, or surly are far more likely to be theft magnets than a dorky uncool carbon bike (esp. if the bike has the dead cow brooks on it).
My Roubaix has those funky inserts, (Zerts?) and the rear stays are not round. I don't think mounting a rack to it is a good idea. There is absolutely no way to mount fenders.
I rode my Roubaix a couple of times to work and it didn't feel as safe as on my MTB with fat tires.
04-13-13, 10:40 AM
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It depends on the commute too. I pass two metal bridges (one is a draw bridge) with unprotected gaps, some run alongside, they can swallow a 32 tire. I'd be afraid to ride on a road bike. All it takes is a second of inattention. I can ride over those on MTB tires with no worries.
My Roubaix has those funky inserts, (Zerts?) and the rear stays are not round. I don't think mounting a rack to it is a good idea. There is absolutely no way to mount fenders.
I rode my Roubaix a couple of times to work and it didn't feel as safe as on my MTB with fat tires.
My Roubaix has those funky inserts, (Zerts?) and the rear stays are not round. I don't think mounting a rack to it is a good idea. There is absolutely no way to mount fenders.
I rode my Roubaix a couple of times to work and it didn't feel as safe as on my MTB with fat tires.
Braking puts far more force on your stays than a light rack.
I thought that the roubaix comp frames had eyelets but I guess I am wrong. PDW sells fenders with built in eyelets that fit into the QR release and will work on your bike.
04-13-13, 10:41 AM
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Walking into a proper bike shop being considered? . 
brands carried at your favorite LBS are? ...
brands carried at your favorite LBS are? ...
04-13-13, 10:51 AM
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A cross bike can make a nice commuter too. Plenty of clearance for larger tires. This is what I use. I'd suggest spending $1k or less for a decent steel road or cross bike.
Save the other $2k for the nicer CF road bike you'll want in 6 months when you decide you like riding your bike for commuting so much that you want to start joining your local group rides on the weekend.
Save the other $2k for the nicer CF road bike you'll want in 6 months when you decide you like riding your bike for commuting so much that you want to start joining your local group rides on the weekend.
04-13-13, 10:58 AM
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Street car tracks and those gaps are definitely the bane of people who ride skinnies.
Braking puts far more force on your stays than a light rack.
I thought that the roubaix comp frames had eyelets but I guess I am wrong. PDW sells fenders with built in eyelets that fit into the QR release and will work on your bike.
Braking puts far more force on your stays than a light rack.
I thought that the roubaix comp frames had eyelets but I guess I am wrong. PDW sells fenders with built in eyelets that fit into the QR release and will work on your bike.
I could perhaps mount a seatpost rack, but really I see no need in riding a fast CF bike to work. It's only 8 miles, all urban.
BTW, I will be riding now on my Disc Trucker with 32 tires so I will take a longer route just to avoid those two bridges.
BTW2:
My lame-looking frankenbike was stolen last week. So yeah, you're right: anything can be a theft subject. In particular in NYC
Last edited by AdamDZ; 04-13-13 at 11:02 AM.
04-13-13, 11:55 AM
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04-13-13, 02:55 PM
#48
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I have a carbon Specialized Roubaix with Apex group. I love this bike for weekend rides but I wouldn't commute on it for these reasons:
1) Has no ability to carry any significant cargo. I don't like to carry backpacks except a Camelbak when mountain biking.
2) It's just way too nice to expose it to the roughness of my daily commute.
3) It's way to fast while having too little grip and too little braking power for city traffic.
4) Tires way too thin for grates, road plates, manholes, bridge gaps, etc.
5) Theft magnet???
1) Has no ability to carry any significant cargo. I don't like to carry backpacks except a Camelbak when mountain biking.
2) It's just way too nice to expose it to the roughness of my daily commute.
3) It's way to fast while having too little grip and too little braking power for city traffic.
4) Tires way too thin for grates, road plates, manholes, bridge gaps, etc.
5) Theft magnet???
I once punctured two road bike tires in rapid succession (within one second) when I tried to roll over a sharp edged road plate. Mtb tires were made more for sharp edged rocks and burred roots, than narrower and thinner road bike tires.
1. Many roubaix models can take fenders and a rack.
2. Its trivial to buff or wax out scratches on carbon. Dings and scratches on paint not so much.
3. Unless you are buying a race level bike, the wheels shold not be a problem. The stock wheels on the roubaix comps also appear on the sirrus hybrids (the carbon one is basically a roubaix with a flat bar).
4. Personal preference. I have commuted on 23s and 25s for about a decade. Before that I commuted on knobbies.
5. This is true for any nice bike. In my city a soma fab, gunnar, or surly are far more likely to be theft magnets than dorky hard to fence carbon commuters.
I almost never see rack or fender mounts on higher end road bikes, unless they're more touring oriented road bikes. Of course, there are the lower tiered entry level road bikes that have eyelets for both rack and fenders.
Last edited by Cfiber; 04-13-13 at 04:08 PM.
04-13-13, 03:48 PM
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Not sure which Madone you are referring to and Trek makes 4 different series and 3 different sizes. Orbeas look funny but are great bikes, as are the Fuji. You'll be fine.
Everybody on this thread assumed you wanted a commuting specific bike. Most of us have a N+1 bikes and use bikes dedicated to specific purposes. road bikes use rigid bottom brackets and lighter wheels and generally lighter frames to get that racing feel. Commuters are generally more relaxed geometry, build more rugged to withstand the element, frames have eyelets for fender and rack mounts. Gearing may be simplified for reliability.
Your fuji is a road bike, you can use it however you like. Enjoy and ride the snot out of it.
Everybody on this thread assumed you wanted a commuting specific bike. Most of us have a N+1 bikes and use bikes dedicated to specific purposes. road bikes use rigid bottom brackets and lighter wheels and generally lighter frames to get that racing feel. Commuters are generally more relaxed geometry, build more rugged to withstand the element, frames have eyelets for fender and rack mounts. Gearing may be simplified for reliability.
Your fuji is a road bike, you can use it however you like. Enjoy and ride the snot out of it.
04-13-13, 04:27 PM
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https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/..._pro_ti_xi.htm
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...ross_ti_xi.htm
Will take wide tires,fenders,racks,and even discs. Had one,it was my fav until it was stolen.
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