Road bicycle components - advice needed

(Borrall Wonnell) writes:

Hi all,

I am about to purchase a road bike, after riding a loaner for the past
season. I (think) I have narrowed the field down to two bikes.

These bikes are from the same manufacturer and are *IDENTICAL* with
the following exceptions:

Bike A Bike B
======== ========
Frame: Composite Aluminum

If you plan to keep the bike for the long term, buy the bike with the
frameset with the best ride. The main things influencing ride are
frameset materials, and overall weight. The difference between a 18
lbs and 20 lbs bike is pretty trivial in the big scheme of things.

On the other hand, if you buy a composite frame, by definition you
aren't going to keep the bike long term (they don't last more than a
decade, then they simply fall apart), so there you have it.

- Don Gillies
San Diego, CA

"Donald Gillies" wrote in message
...
(Borrall Wonnell) writes:

SNIP

On the other hand, if you buy a composite frame, by definition you
aren't going to keep the bike long term (they don't last more than a
decade, then they simply fall apart), so there you have it.

Wow! I didn't know that. Where can I find more concerning composite frames
having a maximum useful life of ten years? Does it matter how many miles
you ride per year, or is the age the limiting factor?

"Donald Gillies" wrote in message
...
(Borrall Wonnell) writes:

SNIP

On the other hand, if you buy a composite frame, by definition you
aren't going to keep the bike long term (they don't last more than a
decade, then they simply fall apart), so there you have it.

Wow! I didn't know that. Where can I find more concerning composite frames
having a maximum useful life of ten years? Does it matter how many miles
you ride per year, or is the age the limiting factor?

"Bill Sornson" wrote in message
...
Jim Smith wrote:
(Borrall Wonnell) writes:

Hi all,

I am about to purchase a road bike, after riding a loaner
for the
past season. I (think) I have narrowed the field down to
two bikes.

These bikes are from the same manufacturer and are
*IDENTICAL* with
the following exceptions:

So, other than the frames, wheels, and drivetrain they are
identical?

You forgot the saddle.

Bill "and tires, too, most likely" S.

What about the bar tape? Do they both have chain stay
protectors? -- Jay Beattie.

"Bill Sornson" wrote in message
...
Jim Smith wrote:
(Borrall Wonnell) writes:

Hi all,

I am about to purchase a road bike, after riding a loaner
for the
past season. I (think) I have narrowed the field down to
two bikes.

These bikes are from the same manufacturer and are
*IDENTICAL* with
the following exceptions:

So, other than the frames, wheels, and drivetrain they are
identical?

You forgot the saddle.

Bill "and tires, too, most likely" S.

What about the bar tape? Do they both have chain stay
protectors? -- Jay Beattie.

I appreciate the comments so far! Here is some additional
information....

I live in a relatively hilly area with some short steep climbs but
mostly gradual slopes. I am not sure of the average grade, but when
motivated I can power through the hills; endurance is the limiting
factor (which I hope to improve with a new bike!)

The intended use will be training/racing, with the emphasis on
training/group rides. Most runs will probably be in the 20-30 mile
range, but I expect to occasionally ride longer distances (40-60
miles). Average speed (right now) is approx. 18MPH, but I expect that
I will quickly be able to fit in with the 20+MPH crowd.

The comment about carbon fiber giving out in 10 years does scare me a
little bit. Several people have indicated that I should buy the best
bicycle I can afford, as it will last a *long* time...but perhaps this
is not true? I don't expect that there will be a significant weight
difference between the two bikes. And yes, they are Giant.

I want to buy a good bicycle now, so that I am not itching for a
better one in 2 years. Other brands are not on the menu simply due to
availability/pricing in my neck of the woods.

Cheers,
Dave

I appreciate the comments so far! Here is some additional
information....

I live in a relatively hilly area with some short steep climbs but
mostly gradual slopes. I am not sure of the average grade, but when
motivated I can power through the hills; endurance is the limiting
factor (which I hope to improve with a new bike!)

The intended use will be training/racing, with the emphasis on
training/group rides. Most runs will probably be in the 20-30 mile
range, but I expect to occasionally ride longer distances (40-60
miles). Average speed (right now) is approx. 18MPH, but I expect that
I will quickly be able to fit in with the 20+MPH crowd.

The comment about carbon fiber giving out in 10 years does scare me a
little bit. Several people have indicated that I should buy the best
bicycle I can afford, as it will last a *long* time...but perhaps this
is not true? I don't expect that there will be a significant weight
difference between the two bikes. And yes, they are Giant.

I want to buy a good bicycle now, so that I am not itching for a
better one in 2 years. Other brands are not on the menu simply due to
availability/pricing in my neck of the woods.

Cheers,
Dave

"RWM" wrote in message ...
"Donald Gillies" wrote in message
...
(Borrall Wonnell) writes:

SNIP

On the other hand, if you buy a composite frame, by definition you
aren't going to keep the bike long term (they don't last more than a
decade, then they simply fall apart), so there you have it.

Wow! I didn't know that. Where can I find more concerning composite frames
having a maximum useful life of ten years? Does it matter how many miles
you ride per year, or is the age the limiting factor?

A bit of an oversimplification. Early composite frames were held
together with metal, usually aluminum, lugs and many of those died an
early death due to corrosion when the liner in the metal was
insuffient, the metal and composite came into contact, and viola! the
tubes more or less disintegrated at the ends.

More modern composites are glued together with composite lugs, so less
of a problem with that type of corrosion. But the composite does
degrade under UV, grease and solvents can lead to breakdown. And any
crack in the matrix and lead to sudden and sometimes catastrophic
failure.

With all the various problems with composite, one would expect that
the average lifespan of a composite frame would be less than the
average for a metal frame. But that is supposition, since I do not
think anyone has hard data.

- rick 'who just had his 17 year old steel frame refinished, expecting
another 17 years of service, at least'

"RWM" wrote in message ...
"Donald Gillies" wrote in message
...
(Borrall Wonnell) writes:

SNIP

On the other hand, if you buy a composite frame, by definition you
aren't going to keep the bike long term (they don't last more than a
decade, then they simply fall apart), so there you have it.

Wow! I didn't know that. Where can I find more concerning composite frames
having a maximum useful life of ten years? Does it matter how many miles
you ride per year, or is the age the limiting factor?

A bit of an oversimplification. Early composite frames were held
together with metal, usually aluminum, lugs and many of those died an
early death due to corrosion when the liner in the metal was
insuffient, the metal and composite came into contact, and viola! the
tubes more or less disintegrated at the ends.

More modern composites are glued together with composite lugs, so less
of a problem with that type of corrosion. But the composite does
degrade under UV, grease and solvents can lead to breakdown. And any
crack in the matrix and lead to sudden and sometimes catastrophic
failure.

With all the various problems with composite, one would expect that
the average lifespan of a composite frame would be less than the
average for a metal frame. But that is supposition, since I do not
think anyone has hard data.

- rick 'who just had his 17 year old steel frame refinished, expecting
another 17 years of service, at least'

On 7 Oct 2004 11:01:44 -0700, (Rick
Warner) wrote:

"RWM" wrote in message ...
"Donald Gillies" wrote in message
...
(Borrall Wonnell) writes:

SNIP

On the other hand, if you buy a composite frame, by definition you
aren't going to keep the bike long term (they don't last more than a
decade, then they simply fall apart), so there you have it.

Wow! I didn't know that. Where can I find more concerning composite frames
having a maximum useful life of ten years? Does it matter how many miles
you ride per year, or is the age the limiting factor?

A bit of an oversimplification. Early composite frames were held
together with metal, usually aluminum, lugs and many of those died an
early death due to corrosion when the liner in the metal was
insuffient, the metal and composite came into contact, and viola! the
tubes more or less disintegrated at the ends.

More modern composites are glued together with composite lugs, so less
of a problem with that type of corrosion. But the composite does
degrade under UV, grease and solvents can lead to breakdown. And any
crack in the matrix and lead to sudden and sometimes catastrophic
failure.

With all the various problems with composite, one would expect that
the average lifespan of a composite frame would be less than the
average for a metal frame. But that is supposition, since I do not
think anyone has hard data.

- rick 'who just had his 17 year old steel frame refinished, expecting
another 17 years of service, at least'

Dear Rick,

My favorite technical source addresses the question
indirectly in an episode set in the futu

Bart: [rings bell] Flanders is a soft touch. He'll give us
the money for sure.

[Ned answers the door. He's wearing dark glasses and
carrying a cane]

Ned: Jesus? Is that you?

Ralph: Mr. Flanders, you're blinded-ded!

Ned: Oh, yeah. I never should have had that trendy laser
surgery. It was great at first but, you know, at the
ten-year mark your eyes fall out.

http://www.snpp.com/episodes/BABF13

Carl Fogel