So I'm about to enter your ranks

[Pheidippides]

After some encouragement from JeffL and others, I'll publicly post here: I'm about to get myself a bike. A good bike, one to ride fast and long and up and down on.

I just got back from my first official bike shop visit. Walked into the store, told a guy about myself, told him what I was looking for, and then listened to tell me all about what he recommended. He was opinionated, knowledgeable, and interested in getting something that was going to work for me as opposed to the most expensive bike in the world (probably because I'll spend tons in wheels and tune-ups over the years). (He recommended the Specialized Tarmac Elite, for those who care).

I have another one I'm going to tonight just before I hit the gym to go swimming. They don't sell Specialized, so I'm interested to see what recommendations I get and how this guy is and what he recommends.

My wife has made this contingent on me selling my motorcycle first. I think I can get her to drop the "first" part, but with any luck I'll be one of you soon, and I'll have many, many questions (first one: any good recommendations for shorts/bibs? Dude today thought all I needed is saddle time - code for sore butt going away - because I run so much). With a bit more luck I may even show up for the Tour de CUF this year. Oh, and I vote Torrey-Escalante.

[old_gregg]

the tarmac elite is a great bike. if i remember right, it is full 105 and has a more aggressive geometry than the roubaix.

[Pheidippides]

the tarmac elite is a great bike. if i remember right, it is full 105 and has a more aggressive geometry from than the roubaix.

This one had SRAM Apex on it. I was amazed at how light it was when I picked it up. We talked briefly about the Roubaix but his strong recommendation for the sorts of things I was going to be doing was the Tarmac.

[bluegoose]

Like I mentioned via PM, make sure that you take each bike for a test ride before you buy it.

My personal experience with this - my first "real" road bike was a Steel Lemond Buenos Aires. It was a good enough bike, that I really enjoyed for several years and several thousand miles. It wasn't until I got a Carbon framed Giant road bike with a compact frame style that I realized how uncomfortable I was on the Lemond. My back ache almost immediate subsided, I was able to ride further and faster. The handling was more responsive. Had I actually test-ridden several different types and styles of bikes before buying the lemond I would have likely figured this out from the start.

Most shops will let you take one out for a short ride, even if just around the parking lot.

[scottie]

Like I mentioned via PM, make sure that you take each bike for a test ride before you buy it.

My personal experience with this - my first "real" road bike was a Steel Lemond Buenos Aires. It was a good enough bike, that I really enjoyed for several years and several thousand miles. It wasn't until I got a Carbon framed Giant road bike with a compact frame style that I realized how uncomfortable I was on the Lemond. My back ache almost immediate subsided, I was able to ride further and faster. The handling was more responsive. Had I actually test-ridden several different types and styles of bikes before buying the lemond I would have likely figured this out from the start.

Most shops will let you take one out for a short ride, even if just around the parking lot.

How easy is it to notice how comfortable a bike is going to be, specifically whether it may potentially cause back aches, during those quick test rides?

[bluegoose]

How easy is it to notice how comfortable a bike is going to be, specifically whether it may potentially cause back aches, during those quick test rides?

Its not terribly easy. I think that when you sit on a well-fitting bike there should be essentially no muscular strain in your shoulders, neck, hips or back. You should also be able to reach all three handlebar positions without too much stretch and strain.

The Lemond top tube is a bit longer than the Giant top tube. That works fine for someone with a long torso or long arms. I have neither, so a compact frame is much better for me. I think that I would have noticed that immediately with even just sitting on the bike in the shop.

[Pheidippides]

Its not terribly easy. I think that when you sit on a well-fitting bike there should be essentially no muscular strain in your shoulders, neck, hips or back. You should also be able to reach all three handlebar positions without too much stretch and strain.

The Lemond top tube is a bit longer than the Giant top tube. That works fine for someone with a long torso or long arms. I have neither, so a compact frame is much better for me. I think that I would have noticed that immediately with even just sitting on the bike in the shop.

Forgive the dumb question, but what are the three handlebar positions? I'm guessing one is with your hands on horizontal bar, one is with your hands sort of on/covering the brakes/shifters, and one right down at the bottom of the curve of the handlebars. Is that right?

Also, I visited bike shop #2 this evening. They also suggested the Tarmac, although the Comp and not the elite (I noticed the price difference), mostly because they didn't have kind things to say about the SRAM Apex component set. Guy I was working with uses SRAM but seemed to be of the opinion that SRAM Rival is the way to go.

[PaloAltoCougar]

Forgive the dumb question, but what are the three handlebar positions? I'm guessing one is with your hands on horizontal bar, one is with your hands sort of on/covering the brakes/shifters, and one right down at the bottom of the curve of the handlebars. Is that right?

Also, I visited bike shop #2 this evening. They also suggested the Tarmac, although the Comp and not the elite (I noticed the price difference), mostly because they didn't have kind things to say about the SRAM Apex component set. Guy I was working with uses SRAM but seemed to be of the opinion that SRAM Rival is the way to go.

I think you've got the hand positions right (the second one is sometimes referred to as the hoods). We have SRAM Rival and they've been fine. SRAM sounds/feels a bit clunkier when shifting than Shimano, but SRAM also has few moving parts and they're allegedly a little more reliable and longer wearing.

[Borg]

Congrats nik...you're gonna love it almost no matter what you get. You're targeting a pretty awesome bike. The Tarmac is a screamer.

[Parrot Head]

Not that you need to throw more ideas into the mix, but you could also check out a Felt dealer. They have great looking bikes and they offer traditional and slightly more comfortable geometry in the F and Z series bikes. And from what I read, they offer a good value on what comes on the bike.

I recently went the Performance route. I felt comfortable with the guys in the shop and quickly got over the LBS mindset when talking with the mechanic inside because he came from the environment. They have a few different brands in-store, including their house brand Scattante. I rode those but the geometry didn't fit me well and ended up with a Fuji. They have good prices and you can get into SRAM or Shimano, with a variety of frame builds.

[creekster]

Forgive the dumb question, but what are the three handlebar positions? I'm guessing one is with your hands on horizontal bar, one is with your hands sort of on/covering the brakes/shifters, and one right down at the bottom of the curve of the handlebars. Is that right?

1. bar

2. hoods

3. drops

[Pheidippides]

1. bar

2. hoods

3. drops

See, this is the kind of information I need. You just said exactly what I did except in 3 words instead of 30.

[Coach McGuirk]

I think you've got the hand positions right (the second one is sometimes referred to as the hoods). We have SRAM Rival and they've been fine. SRAM sounds/feels a bit clunkier when shifting than Shimano, but SRAM also has few moving parts and they're allegedly a little more reliable and longer wearing.

Andy Schleck wishes they were a little more reliable.

[Borg]

...of course, to become more streamlined when you ride, you will have to lose the ZZ Top beard and squeeze into cycling shorts.

[bluegoose]

Andy Schleck wishes they were a little more reliable.

Smackdown!!!