Guru

I had/have one. I bought it in 2010 and it was a left over 2007. I put 150 or so miles on it the first spring then stopped racing and got to fat to ride it. This last spring after losing a lot of weight I started racing again. 100 miles later found an issue with the front derailleur bracket (part of the frame on this one) was cracked. Guru was not willing to warranty it, saying that it was wear and tear. Yes, the bike only had 250 miles on it. Still riding the original rubber. I also had a problem with the seat post not holding height. I had to over tighten it to get it to stay. A few times doing that and one of the two bolts busted thru the frame. I finished out my season with JB Weld holding my front derailleur on and a band clamp holding on my seat post. The week after my last race I stripped the bike and put all the parts onto a new Giant Trinity frame that I bought off ebay.
During the time dealing with Guru about my frame issues they told me that they would work something out. I never heard back from them after that. I loved that bike but they will never get anymore of my money.

Thanks for the feedback although I'm surprised to hear it! By the lack of responses I was starting to think no one on here has ever even heard of the company. I'm going back to my LBS tomorrow to give it one last ride. It's a 2015 which has good reviews from what I've found online. To be continued....

There are quite a few of them out here and I see them often at big races. One of my friends rides a custom Guru and loves it. I have seen the bike in person and it is sweet. Very pretty. High quality fit and finish. I covet it..... It would be cool to have a bike that everyone else doesn't have.

I have (until this thread) never heard anything bad about them. They are rumored to be somewhat marginal with regards to aerodynamics, at least when compared with modern tri bikes. I don't know how they fare in the wind tunnel against a Speed Concept or a P5 but the bike's aerodynamics are likely not as important as the rider's fit/aerodynamics on the bike. Unless you are getting to the point where marginal gains make a difference.

Guru did have some quality issues a few years ago.  I'm willing to overlook that now as it appears to be rectified.

What can't be overlooked is Guru is light years behind in engineering from the top of the line bikes from Trek, Cervelo, Specialized, Felt, BMC, and so on.  The CR901 frame from 2006 looks just like 2016.  Nothing much has hanged.  Yet Guru's prices are on par with the what the big boys offer.  That's the question, why on earth would anyone pay Guru $5,200 for a CR901 frameset that's at least two (and possibly three) generations, and 10 years, behind the new Trek Speed Concept or the Felt IA or whatever at roughly the same price.  Yes, prices are much better at the CR401 level but they're also much better at the 7 series Trek SC or the Felt IA10 or IA14 or the Cervelo P2 or P3.  So same rules apply.  2016 premium pricing for 2006 mediocre technology.

There is no rational argument for it.... unless you're in the market for a custom frame because you're an extreme outlier from a size and fit perspective.  That's a seriously small percentage of buyers though.

Yes, the rider accounts for most of the aerodynamic issues but the two things don't have to be mutually exclusive.  You can get a good fit and a good bike.

Edited by GMAN 19030 2015-12-11 6:16 AM

I've heard this too.

I dunno - fool me once.....

Guru makes some amazing bikes. They tend to be a bit pricer, so that's probably why you're receiving fewer responses. Yes, they had some issues (very minor and they tend to take care of their customers, so I haven't heard of anyone not having a bike to ride after find issues) in years past, but those have all been addressed.

Dorel (the owners of Cannondale) purchased Guru a few years back. They retained the design staff and manufacturing, basically letting the bike building division run as it had in years past (albeit getting access to technology from the larger ownership group and the brands). A big reason for this acquisition was the Guru bike fitting technology, which is a really good stuff and something Cannondale was sorely missing.

All in all, if the Guru fits you well (don't buy it because it's a "good deal" if it doesn't fit you perfectly, trying to fit you to the bike is the wrong way around… the bike should fit YOU), it's a solid purchase that won't hold you back.

But do they?  In what context?  The build quality... maybe.  In terms of science I'd say they're poor, and truly horrible in the bang for your buck department.

Like I said, compare the CR901 frame from 2006 and 2016.  You can't tell the difference.  They're virtually identical.

Now pick the top of the line tri bike frame from Trek, Cervelo, Specialized, Felt, etc and compare the 2006 and 2016 models.  I bet you can see a very big difference.  Same or similar priced to a Guru CR901.  If someone is willing to spend $5,000+ on a frameset, why on earth would anyone choose a Guru?  Would you currently pay $5,000 for a 2006 Trek Equinox 9 frame?  Me neither.  That's basically what Guru is doing.  Selling decade old engineering for prices similar to current super bikes.  It's absurd.

Edited by GMAN 19030 2015-12-12 2:34 PM