Good street bike recommendations?

[Oahu_Dave]

Hoping others out there have had luck with hi-end street bikes. I am getting back into biking and want to start training for a duathalon and am looking for some recommendations. I dont really want to spend more than about $2000 so hopefully I can get something in that range.

Thanks for any information or links to good sites. Searching the web as well.

Dave

[m-mmeyer]

I have a Trek and have had good luck with it. I don't recall the model number but it is a aluminum frame model, nice and light.
The one brand I would consider is Canondale, they make nice bikes and they are one of the few that still build them in the USA.

Matt

[mixxmstrmike]

They have several stores in Southern CA and their prices are VERY reasonable (at least on the internet!).

For your price range, almost EVERY company makes a bike to suit your needs. A few of my favorites are the Specialized Allez or Epic, Giant TCR, Trek 5000 or above (though they may push you out of your price range).

I would try to sneak into the Trek OCLV bikes if you're looking to get back into biking as a long term sport. They're ultralight and very affordable (not like a Litespeed Ghisallo or Vortex).

If titanium is to your liking, Litespeed seems to be the king of Ti at the moment though Merlin makes a VERY good if not, better bikes... Ti is just expensive.

Let us know what you decide to go with!

-Mike

[Oahu_Dave]

Just reading reviews the Trek 5200 sounds interesting and carbon frame sounds nice to soak up bumps and such. Still checking tho. Appreciate all the suggestions! More research to be done.

[desertpilot]

Are you looking for a standard or aero type bike? If it's OK to use aero bikes in your rules, you might take a look at some of the Kestrel, Softride and Zipp bikes links below. Cannondale also have CAAD4 Aero frames. Aero handlebars might help if it's allowed.

Carbon fiber frames are nice but pricey. They're also not strong in minor impact damages compared with other metallic frames.

Here's a link of a Trek duathalon setup, note the aero frame.

http://www.geocities.com/arctic_hawk2003/XO1.htm


Bicycle mfg. links:

Kestrel link

Softride link

Zipp link

Cannondale Aero link

Good luck on your search.

[Oahu_Dave]

Awesome info. Thanks a lot. I gotta check into the rules like you mentioned, glad you said something. Im so impulsive I wouldnt have thought of that until too late and I had to buy something else.

[Oahu_Dave]

Originally posted by desertpilot
Are you looking for a standard or aero type bike? If it's OK to use aero bikes in your rules, you might take a look at some of the Kestrel, Softride and Zipp bikes links below. Cannondale also have CAAD4 Aero frames. Aero handlebars might help if it's allowed.

Carbon fiber frames are nice but pricey. They're also not strong in minor impact damages compared with other metallic frames.

Been reading about the carbon frames. Also looking at the Trek 2300 right now, but want to check out Cannondale as well. Have always liked their bikes. Just been out of the sport too long and have to do some serious research before buying.

So far the Trek 2300 and the Cannondale Ironman 800 are looking good. I gotta get out and see them tho. Like I said been way too long since I rode and Im basically starting from scratch knowledgewise. There are SO many models Im sort of lost in the confusion.

[desertpilot]

Originally posted by Oahu_Dave
...SNIP...
I gotta get out and see them tho. Like I said been way too long since I rode and Im basically starting from scratch knowledgewise. There are SO many models Im sort of lost in the confusion.

I was mostly into cross-country mountain bikes in the mid to late 90s. I built a Cannondale cross-country racing bike with top of the line racing, titanium and the most lightweight components I could get. It weighed 21 lbs. when it was done. It was light and fast at that time.

Most of the improvements (IMO) in the last few years was the materials are lighter and stronger. Aluminum alloys now are stronger than the standard aircraft aluminum materials they used in the past. Carbon fiber manufacturing process are more mature, they started back in the mid 90s. Drive-lines now are 10 speed, it used to be 8 or 9 speed. Shimano Dura-Ace is still a great brand most racers use.

I used to live there in the South bay area of L.A. for 20 yrs. and usually get my parts from Supergo bike shops at either their Santa Monica or Fountain Valley store. I think they have a new store in Laguna Hills. For Cannondale stuff, I get them from Helen's cycle, they have stores all over the L.A. area. I usually mail order hard to find parts and components. I was also using a pro bike shop which have mechanics that also race. Even though I built my own bike, the pro bike shop fine tunes it further.

I would suggest you contact the group that you want to join and find out what are the equipment (let's say the top 10 racers) they're using. If they're using carbon fiber bikes, then maybe that's the way to go. I'm sure they're mostly using Dura-Ace and if you got a bike without it, you could always upgrade the derailleurs and shifters. A good quality bike repair stand is really useful even for adjustments, tuning and maintainance.

Most guys are saying that the transition is the most important thing in duathalon. After you sort out your bikes configuration, your transition I think would be the toughest thing to plan and perform.

Keep us posted.


http://www.supergo.com/stores/

[Oahu_Dave]

Again many thanks. I am going to go to Supergo here in Laguna Hills, glad they have a shop here now, and check out the Cannondales. They have the R1000 and R2000 there and those seem pretty nice. Will keep you updated. Appreciate the info on the Dura-Ace, wasnt sure what to look for, kept seeing Ultegra mentioned all over as well.

[Oahu_Dave]

Ok, I ended up going to the Supergo store here in Laguna Hill and rode a bunch of bikes. I really liked the Felt bikes and the guy found an `03 Felt F50 that was on clearance. Picked it up for $1095 so Im not complaining. Got Shimano SPD pedals, shoes, helmet and all that jazz. CatEye wireless computer, Milano gel seat. So Im pretty happy. I liked the new ones he was showing me with ton of carbon and still aluminum frame, but I couldnt pass on this deal. It has carbon front and going to get carbon seat post later. Im pretty happy. All Ultegra components and Mavic wheels/hubs so I think it will work just fine. A couple pics here.

[Oahu_Dave]

Front carbon...

[Oahu_Dave]

Ultegra components, brakes as well.

[Oahu_Dave]

Brakes...

[Oahu_Dave]

Cateye Computer...

[Oahu_Dave]

More Ultegra...