General Discussion Triathlon Talk » New Bike Purchase: Monday Morning Quarterback :) Rss Feed  
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2012-01-21 7:14 PM

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New user
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San Francisco, CA
Subject: New Bike Purchase: Monday Morning Quarterback :)

Thanks to everyone who provided input on the forums and in PMs about the new bike purchase.  I did some test riding today, and I have myself a new bike! Be gentle with me, but would love to hear thoughts on whether I made a smart move.

Goals starting out: To get a bike with carbon fork and seatpost and 105 at a minimum with a budget at about $1200. I am a new rider, graduating from a 1997 Lemond with really cranky 105 components that is not well-fitted to me.

Goals after looking for a while/talking to y'all: To bump the budget up to about $1600 and get, at minimum, full carbon and 105-level components. My bike fitter also strongly urged me to get into a women-specific fit.

Bikes that made the short list (prices and specs as best I can remember):

Marin Portafina- $1100 -"105 components" and carbon fork/frame- turns out only the shifters were 105, rest was Sora.

Giant Avail Advance 3 2011- $1100- Full carbon and Tiagra components

Cannondale CAAD10 - 5- $1500- Carbon fork/frame- this might have been the one that had SRAM?

Ridley Orion 2011- $1600- Full carbon and 105 except for brakes

Giant TCR Advance 2011- $1500- Full carbon and 105 except for brakes

What I Bought

$1200- Giant TCR Advance 2, 2010- Was a demo bike, so had been ridden a few times. They installed a new seatpost, put Shimano SPD pedals on and a new seat. We are going to swap the handlebars from 38cm to 36cm.

Specs: Full carbon, 105 on everything, including the brakes, however the shifters are the 105 level of the Flight Deck shorter reach components. It also has a Mavik Aksium Race wheelset, which I know is only a $400 wheelset, but was told it's a step up from what was offered.

They also tossed a pretty nice seat on there, but I'll most likely move my Specialized Jett Saddle onto there.

And, the requisite photos:

 

 



Edited by smurfcore 2012-01-21 7:37 PM


2012-01-21 7:15 PM
in reply to: #4003705

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Member
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Los Angeles
Subject: RE: Let's Play Monday-Morning Quarterback on New Bike Purchase
looks nice, congrats!
2012-01-21 7:21 PM
in reply to: #4003705

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Pro
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Subject: RE: Let's Play Monday-Morning Quarterback on New Bike Purchase
Solid choice.  I know it's aluminum, but the CAAD10 is one of the best frames out there, and that also would have been an outstanding choice. But the TCR is a great frame too.
2012-01-21 7:28 PM
in reply to: #4003705

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Master
2621
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Mechanicsburg, PA
Subject: RE: Let's Play Monday-Morning Quarterback on New Bike Purchase

Sounds like you got a great deal.  I have a few Aksium wheel set.  One set is near 8000 miles.

Your thread title to me is like; Blah, Blah, blah, Blah, Blah, New Bike Purchase

No offence I don’t get it........

2012-01-21 7:34 PM
in reply to: #4003705

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ft. mitchell ,al / columbus ga
Subject: RE: Let's Play Monday-Morning Quarterback on New Bike Purchase
sweet ride. congrats
2012-01-21 7:35 PM
in reply to: #4003705

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New user
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San Francisco, CA
Subject: RE: Let's Play Monday-Morning Quarterback on New Bike Purchase
Ha ha, James-- I get what you are saying, but I felt like people were likely to say "Why are you asking after you've already bought it?!" Thus, the Monday-Morning Quarterback thing.


2012-01-21 8:26 PM
in reply to: #4003705

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Extreme Veteran
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NW Arkansas
Subject: RE: New Bike Purchase: Monday Morning Quarterback :)
That's a good looking bike and a solid groupset. You did well. Congrats!

Giant makes great carbon fiber bikes. They are the giant in the industry from a manufacturing standpoint. This thread might be interesting for you to read. http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/135886-Does-Giant-make-fra...
2012-01-21 8:48 PM
in reply to: #4003705

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Expert
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Oklahoma
Subject: RE: New Bike Purchase: Monday Morning Quarterback :)
Congrats on the new bike!
2012-01-22 5:20 AM
in reply to: #4003705

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England
Subject: RE: New Bike Purchase: Monday Morning Quarterback :)
Congrats on the new bike.  May you have many, many hours of fun on it.
2012-01-22 6:41 AM
in reply to: #4003705

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Subject: RE: New Bike Purchase: Monday Morning Quarterback :)
I think you have yourself a pretty sweet bike for the price, and you even came in under budget! Have fun riding
2012-01-22 8:33 PM
in reply to: #4003705

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Master
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Bolivia, NC
Subject: RE: New Bike Purchase: Monday Morning Quarterback :)
I bought a TCR3 used and love it!  I'm sure you will love yours, enjoy.  I love the all white, should be easy to find in transition.

Edited by blynott 2012-01-22 8:34 PM


2012-01-22 8:58 PM
in reply to: #4003705

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Expert
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, New Hampshire
Subject: RE: New Bike Purchase: Monday Morning Quarterback :)
Pretty, shiny new shinyness, congrats!
2012-01-22 9:10 PM
in reply to: #4003705

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Master
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Connecticut
Subject: RE: New Bike Purchase: Monday Morning Quarterback :)

That's an excellent deal for the money. 

I ride and race a TCR. Mine is a 2006 model that has taken me from my first tri and bike races up through to cat1.  As road bikes go, as long as you like to ride it, there is nothing about that bike that will hold you back.

2012-01-22 10:08 PM
in reply to: #4003705

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in a van, down by the river
Subject: RE: New Bike Purchase: Monday Morning Quarterback :)

It's 10% bike and 90% motor.

I am living proof that no amount of purchased carbon fiber will get you to the front of the pack.

The bike looks great !

2012-01-23 4:09 PM
in reply to: #4003705

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New user
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San Francisco, CA
Subject: RE: New Bike Purchase: Monday Morning Quarterback :)

AmericanFatass- Trust me, I am right there with you, and definitely putting more into the motor than into the bike in the first half of this year with computraining and personalized coaching, so I wanted a steed that would be at least not incongruous with the level of coaching I've signed myself up for.

2012-01-24 12:31 AM
in reply to: #4003705

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Regular
184
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Huntington Beach, CA
Subject: RE: New Bike Purchase: Monday Morning Quarterback :)
Enjoy! You will not regret upping the budget to get the better components.


2012-01-24 7:53 AM
in reply to: #4003705

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Expert
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Charlotte, NC
Subject: RE: New Bike Purchase: Monday Morning Quarterback :)
Congrats.  I have a 2009 TCR Adv 2 with Ultegra and love it.  It's been a great bike for me.
2012-01-24 9:02 AM
in reply to: #4003705

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Extreme Veteran
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Detroit, Michigan
Subject: RE: New Bike Purchase: Monday Morning Quarterback :)

I'm bookmarking this thread for reference.... Finally got the husband to agree that I NEED a new bike. I might have to race one more season with my 1977 steel Huffy, but it's on the horizon!

Congrats on the new wheels -- it's beautiful!

2012-01-24 9:07 AM
in reply to: #4007738

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