For sure!! Most of us don’t care that the top level bikes are so expensive. The problem is when bike companies think that charging $6-7k for a Rival equipped bike is ok…
@@tenspeedtears never pay retail. Simple. On the other hand, if it’s hot you’re paying retail. My local Specialized Dealer has sold every SL-8 they’ve gotten in.
I bought a $3000 usd 2006 Bianchi built in Italy on Craigslist for $500, full campy, four years ago and I love it. There’s a lot of nice bikes that people barely ride and then resell for a fraction.😎
Rim brakes.... you are falling for the marketing. They are too complicated and costly, plus they cost too much to be serviced with all their hard to align parts. Everyone with a brain is on coaster brakes.
I really wish it was more common for brands to make endurance bikes look a bit more exciting. I want to be comfortable, but I also want a bike that looks exciting and begs to be ridden.
We second this!!! In fairness this year has started to see some slightly more interesting endurance bikes but usually only at the very top end of the ranges, fingers crossed they trickle down!
I still ride metal bikes with 7 or 8 speeds and down tube levers.My only carbon bike is the still excellent 2006 Scott CR1SL which last year I upgraded to Super Record 12 so I could have a 1:1 bottom gear. Still it's threaded BB external cables, mechanical shifting and rim brakes.I build and maintain my own bikes so like to keep it analogue
I just bought a new road bike and I still got an all aluminum 28c one with rim brakes because I will need to disassemble it a lot and travel with it for events.
105 Di2 is not necessary, it’s a luxury, but damn, once you ride one and experience perfect shifting and not having to deal with adjusting cables, it really is amazing. Pricey and a luxury, but it’s soooo nice to ride
I took a 2023 Roubaix with mechanical 105, 11 speed and the ability to accept 35mm tyres, the discount was 38% the saving allowed me to purchase an indoor trainer to get ready for the new season, great video
I bought a Vitus Vitesse Evo at the end of last year and it was such a bargain - basically the frame was free. AXS Red eTap and Reynolds carbon wheels (plus plenty of clearance) for less than £4k. And yes there is the worry about support from Chain Reaction, but one of my key considerations was that the components are all "standard" - seat posts, stem, etc so if anything goes wrong I'm not stranded with a bike needing bespoke parts (the less said about my Van Moof S2 the better...) and servicing costs should be ok. And it looks fantastic. First road bike I've bought in years and its re-ignited my enthusiasm for getting out on the road.
@@roadcc hey do you guys think that in the coming year I can somehow buy a road bike with a 105 groupset? At under $1000? Or do I have to search for something else?
Good words on integration. So many people get integrated routing/cockpits then get stung when they find how much getting anything serviced/ replaced costs at the local bike shop
I don't like disc brakes on a road bike or electronic shifting. And I don't want fat tyres on a road bike, who does? I want rim brakes that are easy to adjust, mechanical gears that never go wrong ( I'm not a pro rider in a race with a back up crew ) and 23mm traditional road tyres, if I want fatter tyres, I'll ride the mountain bike 👍
Interesting point of view Richard that disagrees with the evidence and experience of pretty much everyone else... Particularly the fatter tyres. They roll better/faster and are more comfortable... What's not to like???
@@tomblincoe interesting view point, everyone else? Thin tyres are traditional on a road bike, they've introduced fatter tyres to guess what? Sell them to people like you! You want 23s on a road bike, as always been. Disc brakes are heavier, squeal when wet, harder to set up and centralise, overheat and don't last as long, due to the fact it's easier to stop a wheel, from its rim than centre! Also a disc bikes power transfer is not as efficient as a rim brake bike due to a disc bike needing longer rear stays. Mechanical gears are far more reliable than electronic gears, no battery to go flat or worry about. They are a gimmick, look how much you have to move a lever and how hard it is too move, minimal 👍
@@tomblincoe I'm trying to find evidence that disagrees with my viewpoint. All I can see is commuters prefer fatter tyres and club and seasoned riders prefer traditional 23 tyres, rim brakes and mechanical gears. I've got 23 tyres and ultegra mechanical on the BMC road machine, Cervelo R3 and Bianci Oltre xr4. All ultegra rim brakes, I wouldn't go disc, rim brakes are coming back 👍
@@richardburns5925 I'm still on 25 mm tires, coming from 23 mm. Riding my road bike since 2015 (overall started riding in 2012). Still on rim brakes, but OK with disc and can work on both types. Groupset's still mechanical, realised I don't need electronic after I used one for a rew rides. Is this too modern for you?
I ride a 1987 Eddy Merckx (Columbus SLX). It still looks good and handles like dream - even though it has Downtube shifters and rim brakes. It will only go as fast as I can pedal it. No thanks to a new road bike!
I’m a former track racer and I raced crits. I still like to go fast but I actually think I’m done with plastic bikes, and I think internal routing is actually ugly!! I’m considering a bike from Fairlight or Mason or used.
@@christopheroliver148 I'm on the opposite end of the age spectrum and believe it or not, I also dislike integrated internal routing, even though I can work on them and doing it alone at that too.
Some internal routing is okay. Steel frames with internally routed rear-brake cables plus brake and shift cables running underneath the bar tape look so much better than when everything is attached to the frame with loads of clamps and huge loops of brake lines flapping in the wind.
I'm riding rim brake with 26mm. Wider tyres are nice but that's literally the only thing going for disc brake bikes for me. Will wear out my existing kit for a few more years and let let other mugs but this over priced stuff.
It seems like the industry is getting rid of rim brake option all together. Entry level roadbikes and even hybrid bikes mostly come with disc brake. I wish the manufacturers keep rim brake option at least for beginners and casual risers, at lower cost. It’s always good to have an option.
People want tech that looks like the big dogs. Chinese like L-TWOO and others have groupsets for cheap that work with rim brakes. Anything cable pull works with either. I bought high end carbon rim brake wheels a few months ago, China manufactures anything you want on demand, you just need to know who to ask.
@@thetoyota86perspective54 in order of appereance : dependant on quality, true/false (hydro/meca), false (never could get my vbrake to work and any slight bend will cause issues), true if you never drive in the wet (yes, even with special pads) false in any other case
I am riding Giant Revol 1 (2021) upgrated to full GRX groupset and now I am on the market looking for my first roadbike (Giant was in fact my first other then MTB bike) So thanks for all of the usefeull tips. Cheers.
just put an order in for a new SLR7 Madone. Yeah it’s expensive but I worked hard during Covid, so I saved up $$. It’s more of a want, than I need but if it gets me out there riding more it’s worth it.
I think the Trek Domane Al2 is very good value for money as a first bike. I purchased one new myself towards end of summer and very quickly fell into the "Upgrade trap" and bought new carbon wheels, 105 12 speed mechanical group set and redshift stem and seat post. Yes the upgrades definitely improved the bike but at the same time reminded me how good the basic bike was already .......
Half the problem with Trek Is you're paying for the name, Hence you've made some upgrades already. And depending on your budget obviously! However, you can get so much more bike for you're money with other Great brands. Scott, Orbea, Specialized & Cube. That all being said, If it makes you happy when your Riding it, Why not!
@@georgecharman9012 I've just looked at each entry level endurance road bike from every brand you suggested...... Think you should do the same....... The Trek Domane Al2 is actually similarly priced to the other brands entry level stuff......
@gmivisualsjason3729 I have, I spent nearly a month looking everywhere, including my local bike shop. Different places, have all kinds of setups, usually going direct your stuck with a few choice of stems, bars, groupsets, wheels etc. All sorts of retailers combine different setups to get the most bang for your buck even at entry level. Remember, you don't have to get a completely new bike anytime you want to upgrade. If you take your time when shopping you can find some great deals with a lot of bike, for your price point. And with the industry in a bit of turmoil, there's some great deals to be had.
my lbs cant move any of their stock, even basic bikes are 2x more than in 2019.. time for a reckoning... also lbs pushed disc brakes, etc because they mean can sell more services.. you dont need disc brakes for a basic commuter bike
Integration looks nice. Now that the disk brake hydraulic lines can be filled and bled easily, and the shifting is wireless, it's not even too much of a hassle to deal with.
I ride a Fuji Jari Carbon bike with 32 mm tires and its a great cross between a road bike speed with Gravel Bike comfort. I have 40 mm tires for the real dirt and mud. Like the idea of being comfortable and not blowing out a tire rolling over a bump.
Ha - having bought a wide-tyred, disc-braked, Di2 endurance bike (a Volagi Liscio) well over ten years ago, it’s good to know that the industry has finally caught up 😂
I built 4 fully integrated bikes last year. With mechanical shifting. It's an exercise in meditation. You consider throwing the bike out of the window,c killing yourself, then ultimately you make it and the bike looks fantastic. It's like dating a crazy hot girlfriend. The lows are low and highs are high. It's probably not good for you but man the sex is mind-blowing and that body straight out of heaven. And so I bought another 4 fully integrated bikes, because they just look cool. I'm dreading having to build them though...
That's exactly why I don't want integrated internal routing for my own bikes despite knowing how to work on them and doing it alone at that. I'm totally fine with two-piece cockpits with regular internal routing (not passing through the headset assembly).
Its a pity to see the demise of campy 😢 Never been a big fan of it (thumb shifter) but it was a part of the sports avantguard. Would love to see campag doing sth true to their nature - a beautyfull mechanical groupset that is a piece of art. The things they’ve beed doing lately seems not genuine and forced
They have about the lightest rim and disc (mechanic) groupsets on the market in 12 speed. They work and look great and are cheaper than DI2 and axs. If you care to look at their offerings, listen to real users and ignore the BS on RU-vid, you could be tempted to actually look at what they’re making.
There are still a lot of would be bike customers who prefers to buy an OVERRATED bike where he/she will not be able to exploit the full potential of the subject bike. Therefore, the OVERRATED bike will become a waste of money, paper weight, clothes hanger and a display ornament to brag to their friends....I am still using my 2011 Specialized Allez with more than 25,000 kms. on it's clock (vrtual and on-road). Since I had a lot of upgrades on it and accumulated 5 sets of rim brake wheelsets (700x28C tires) for it, I have decided to defer my plan on getting a new bike for 2024.
2:39 im a lenky 6’4”, I prefer a 58cm frame and 90mm stem regardless of fit. I know damn well on reach I could go to a 120-130mm stem, and probably a 60cm frame set, but no. I like the more aggressive feeling of a slightly smaller setup, more control, agility etc
Make certain that you buy the latest, greatest, lightest, stiffest plastic "aero" bike Made in China with everything on it (love those fast hydraulic disc brakes)......., Made in China, good ol' China......., fully pre-built that comes in a nice box. Love the box! Just take it out, turn the handlebars and tighten down, make sure the saddle is fully forward and nose down by at least 30+ degrees, put some pedals on the Made in China 150mm cranks (the latest "gotta have") and voila, you're good to go. Focus on watts, constantly look at your computer. Spin.......... And in two years if not sooner when some new Holy Grail gizmo is foisted upon the public that claims the bike is "faster" as a result (it's all in the bike), throw out your old machine and start all over again......... Get hip. Be SO now............ ps: Check out the latest "aero" chain lube. You know you want it.
Just replaced my aged old Cannondale Hi Mod with full campy super record mechanical after cracking the frame in 2 places, one too many crashes. One of the best climbing and descending bikes I've ever ridden. But time moves on, so I just purchased another Cannondale Supersix Hi Mod 1 for a great price. After testing the likes of Trek Emonda and the Specialized S Works and the Pinarello Dogma could, not find enough discernible differences other than saving over $4,500 with the Cannondale(February is always a good month to buy a bike). Bottom line you won't and can't go wrong on any of the best manufacturers in today's world. Look at aesthetics first,(one must always look good on one's bike, no matter how slow you are) price 2nd and third whether your significant other is going to kill you for purchasing something that could of been had for thousands of dollars less for a lesser model and always make sure you take out the trash. Hammers have a way of falling on a bike should you not..
tyers yes there getting wider but I’d actually love it if tyer manufacturers and wheel manufacturers sat down together and get there sizing sorted. tyers are still largely being designed around rims that where “wide” 6-7 years ago ie 19mm ID. So 28s on some rims are puffing up to 30s and in extreme cases 32mm, for the general punter that’s proper confusing. And even leave experienced rider scratching there heads if such and such tyer will fit when used with such and such rim. There’s a lot that needs to be done. There was a time a 28would measure 28. All I can say is in 2015 people raised there eyebrows at Dom Mason for designing the definition with such wide clearances and even today the frame is still progressive amongst it piers and some are still catching up.
No parts available for calipers, there's been untold millions of sets of calipers produced and still are being manufactured. There's some serious BS sprouted regarding cycling 🤔🙄
I mean, i have 9k just sat about in my bank account doing nothing lol. The current prices are insane, someone somewhere is making a killing, its just not me!
I can’t see why I should spend money for overpriced roadbike or roadbike-stuff in 2024. I don’t care about what is „hot“ or the „latest sh*t“. I don’t need a new status symbol.
I want to buy my first road bike but on a tight budget. I don't care about the geometry and groupset I'd ride anything but I don't want an aero wallet.
If your ideal frame size for the CAAD12 is Size 52 or smaller, target the 2017 - 2019 model years as these have slightly sloping top tubes that lower their standover height, increasing rider compatibility.
I am looking to upgrade to a new bike but I see a lot of issues with almost nobody can make a round bottom bracket. I like BMC Teammachine srl01, new Cannondale Lab71, or Factor Ostro VAM but I am not sure about their ability to make a round bottom bracket.
If you buy a hambini style bottom bracket, ie two pieces of a metal tube that screw into each other, rather than two cups you press into the frame, the rigidity of that thing should supersede any less than perfect bottom bracket hole. And you can find these for relatively cheap.
hi i'm from the Netherlands , and one would think in the Netherlands the bike capitol of the planet you could buy a bike cheaper than anywhere else.. well that is a fantasy .. i can not find a decent new bike for new riders under €1000 in bike shops in my country . and the ones that are cheaper than that are all Drop-shiped out of china with a 5X sometimes up to 15X markup
The sl7 is tucked up waiting for summer! The Allez is certainly fast but is noticeably harsher/less compliant on long rides even with wide tyres (probably not helped by alloy bars). The Allez is about 650g heavier but that doesn’t make much difference on my day to day riding 😊
I have a 2019 Allez Sprint - very underrated bike IMO. Quick, stiff, looks amazing and the welding makes them very strong. Bit heavier than carbon but I'd rather lose a few kilos off my mass than my bike 😂
But did you see how much stuff the pro riders got in EF team? Bring these companies have a glut of inventory. They just aren't lowering prices because they'd be under water.
Not to knock on Specialized but last year model SL7 cost the same as it did before pandemic which is ridiculous and they practically give them away to influencers. And dont get me started on Facebook ads. I click every one and they have 0 bikes available because all the rich Californians that us tax payers in the rest of the country pay for them to not work and just ride bikes. The next few years will be a wake up call for them when sponsors drop them and they can't compete because gels still cost $5 each
Rim brakes will be hot forever and always. Enjoy your creaking, squeaking, rubbing discs that need constant realignment and make traveling with your bike a pain.
In my experience, 28 is the sweet spot for mere mortals on UK roads. I tried really hard to make 25s work but they can't handle the slow but steady proliferation of Tory government sponsored potholes.
At dauphine last year nearly everyone was on 28mm tyres bar the specialized teams that are on 26mm (which measure up wide on roval rims). Matteo Trentin and other uae riders were even on 30mm tyres for some stages! We’ve got the pictures to prove it
Why do they have to invest into rim brakes? They are tested and working technology and I don't think there will be any shortage of parts any time soon.