REVIEWS DEALS BIKESHOPS TRAILS

Roadie Question (apologies in advance!)

1109 Views 9 Replies 7 Participants Last post by namaSSte, Jul 29, 2004

namaSSte

Discussion Starter · Jul 27, 2004

Without even going into my ridiculous revolving bicycle door...Im gonna be buying another road bike and have narrowed it down to 3 (I think unlees you guys suggests something different). Which way to go on this purchase?

2003 Litespeed Vela (all 105) $950 Colorado Cyclist
2003 Bianchi Eros (Mirage) $899 Harris Cyclery
2003 Biachi Veloce (Veloce) $899 Adrenaline Bikes

or.....

2004 Scattante 650 (Ultegra) $929 Supergo

Clearly the Scattante is great value but Im still kind of a bike snob and struggle with the house brand name. I also wanted to try the compact geometry and wondered if the 2003 Bianchi's offer enough of that feel with a slightly sloped tt.

Sorry for the non mtb content but I know many of you road ride/race as well and I'd be humiliated to ask over on RBR since they'd surely think IM a flake since I bought a roadie last year, sold it, and now Im buying another. At least here, you guys know Im a flake so the bar is already set low!

Thanks all.
Nam

Save

1 - 10 of 10 Posts

PROGRE-SS

· #2 · Jul 27, 2004

Get this!

, buit from what I can remember, I think you already have a fixed gear conversion, no?

I'm all about fixed gear bikes nowadays...haven't been posting much on the SS board, kinda been hanging on the fixed gear sites...but still lurking here. How's the riding going? We still have to meet up one of these days. Saw your fish taco post. Now I'm craving one. Damn you!

In terms of road bike, the Litespeed and the Veloce look good.

See less See more

Save

namaSSte

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jul 27, 2004

PROGRE-SS said:
, buit from what I can remember, I think you already have a fixed gear conversion, no?

I'm all about fixed gear bikes nowadays...haven't been posting much on the SS board, kinda been hanging on the fixed gear sites...but still lurking here. How's the riding going? We still have to meet up one of these days. Saw your fish taco post. Now I'm craving one. Damn you!

In terms of road bike, the Litespeed and the Veloce look good.

Ya know, we do need to hook up. How bout I get in touch after I get home from Whistler and we'll plan a grea early fall ride followed by some fish tacos and beer? Deal?

Riding has been great and the Santa Cruz has ridden really well (better than I thought it even would!) Sounds like youve been having fun. You're not riding fixie off road are you??

Save

PROGRE-SS

· #4 · Jul 27, 2004

A weekend this fall would be great!

namaSSte said:
Ya know, we do need to hook up. How bout I get in touch after I get home from Whistler and we'll plan a grea early fall ride followed by some fish tacos and beer? Deal?

Riding has been great and the Santa Cruz has ridden really well (better than I thought it even would!) Sounds like youve been having fun. You're not riding fixie off road are you??

Whistler? Nice! Last time I was on the Canadian West Coast was in Vancouver for Expo '86! Glad you're enjoying the Santa Cruz. You were very patient with that whole ordeal. I haven't been riding the fixie much as I've been stripping the frame for the past week and a half. Finally ready for a DIY paint job. Hopefully be up and running by end of this week. I'm looking to get on some local dirt sometime this week too. And no, the fixie is strictly for car and pedestrian dodging. I do have an extra mtb frame that is looking for some love right now though......

Save

dr hoo

· #5 · Jul 28, 2004

I would get the Eros (so long as it is celeste!).

But why would you care what I would get?

I recently looked for $1000 road bikes, just doing some research for potential road bike purchases for us for next year. The Eros made my final list of "bikes to be test ridden next year". Veloce for the price, if the 2003s are similar to the 2004s in spec, is a great deal.

Of course, I would never buy an AL bike for the road. I just like the ride of steel much better. So take my opinion with a grain of salt.

Save

Billy Zoom

· #6 · Jul 29, 2004

Can't be a bike snob if you're spending $900.

You're just a bike snob in training.

If you're really into riding and feel you'd notice the difference in components going to Ultegra, I say go for the Scattante. They're good frames, and I think only other riders would know it's a "house" brand. Of course, those riders would also know that your other choices are name brands, but still "lower mid-level" models (no offense). So to me, it's 6 of one, half a dozen of the other. You might also consider Douglas, which has some really good value and I think are sold through Colorado Cyclist.

I think if you're just getting into road riding, you probably are more likely to notice the difference in the frame than the difference in the components. I'd rather get a better frame that's suited for me. You can always upgrade components that matter later if you like. Having said all that, I agree with the steel frame thing. And I'm a sucker for Bianchi.

You can't really go wrong. They're all good bikes. Just ride and don't worry too much about how others will perceive whatever choice you make. Good luck.

Joel

See less See more

Save

yobdlog

· #7 · Jul 29, 2004

Specialized Langster

PROGRE-SS said:
, buit from what I can remember, I think you already have a fixed gear conversion, no?

I'm all about fixed gear bikes nowadays...haven't been posting much on the SS board, kinda been hanging on the fixed gear sites...but still lurking here. How's the riding going? We still have to meet up one of these days. Saw your fish taco post. Now I'm craving one. Damn you!

In terms of road bike, the Litespeed and the Veloce look good.

Hello Progre-SS:

I actually test rode the Pista last week and just yesterday in fact, test rode the Specialized Langster:

I actually liked the Langster better (geometry wise it fit my body better). I'm still amazed at how little it costs altogether ($440.00 MSRP).

Next year if all goes well, perhaps I'll invest in a geared roadbike, but already spent my moolah this year on my hardtail. One at a time eh?

Regards.

See less See more

Save

heatstroke

· #8 · Jul 29, 2004

I second the Supergo bike. The frame is pretty nice. You could always strip off the decals and leave them wondering

Save

cbchess

· #9 · Jul 29, 2004

road bike

get a nice frame and build it up your self. Save some money and get a nice steel frame now then build it up with some good parts. I did just that last winter. I got a Surly pacer - a nice steel frame for not too much money 200$ and pretty light too. then buy Dura ace rear D and Bar con shifers. Ultregra everything else.
Rides light a dream and surprizingly light.

If you are completely married to your list then get the one from Supergo with the ultegra spec. You can always sell the frame and swap over all the parts.
good luck

Save

namaSSte

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jul 29, 2004

Billy Zoom said:
You're just a bike snob in training.

If you're really into riding and feel you'd notice the difference in components going to Ultegra, I say go for the Scattante. They're good frames, and I think only other riders would know it's a "house" brand. Of course, those riders would also know that your other choices are name brands, but still "lower mid-level" models (no offense). So to me, it's 6 of one, half a dozen of the other. You might also consider Douglas, which has some really good value and I think are sold through Colorado Cyclist.

I think if you're just getting into road riding, you probably are more likely to notice the difference in the frame than the difference in the components. I'd rather get a better frame that's suited for me. You can always upgrade components that matter later if you like. Having said all that, I agree with the steel frame thing. And I'm a sucker for Bianchi.

You can't really go wrong. They're all good bikes. Just ride and don't worry too much about how others will perceive whatever choice you make. Good luck.

Joel

Thanks Joel (and everyone). I wound up ordering the Litespeed Vela afterall. The price is great and I really wanted to try out the compact geo. The Bianchi wasn't the Celeste (and I really think it has to be if Im gonna go Bianchi). Anyway, I think the 105/Ultegra difference (while hotly debated) is really not worth having so the Scattante, while sweet, doesn't really offer up that much more than the others. I could get a good deal on a Masi Vincere too but probably not as good as the Litespeed.

Listen to me, how can I go wrong with a 105 equipped Litespeed for under a grand? Okay, enough, its done and Ill be stoked. Now back to mountain biking.

Save

1 - 10 of 10 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Roadie Question (apologies in advance!)

namaSSte

PROGRE-SS

Attachments

namaSSte

PROGRE-SS

dr hoo

Billy Zoom

yobdlog

heatstroke

cbchess

namaSSte

Top Contributors this Month