Road bicycle components - advice needed

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
Cranks: Shimano Ultegra 39/53T TruVativ Roleur GXP 36/50T
BB: Shimano Ultegra TruVativ Giga X Drive
Wheels: Shimano R550 Formula Xero XSR-1
Saddle: Titanium rails Manganese rails


Price difference is approx. $550 US. Apart from a composite frame, is
there much difference between the components? The rest of the bike(s)
componentry is composed of 10-speed Ultegra.

(Just about) Any feedback would be appreciated!! Bonus points for
those who spot the manufacturer.

Cheers,
Dave

"Borrall Wonnell" wrote in message
om...
| 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
| Cranks: Shimano Ultegra 39/53T TruVativ Roleur GXP 36/50T
| BB: Shimano Ultegra TruVativ Giga X Drive
| Wheels: Shimano R550 Formula Xero XSR-1
| Saddle: Titanium rails Manganese rails
|
|
| Price difference is approx. $550 US. Apart from a composite frame, is
| there much difference between the components? The rest of the bike(s)
| componentry is composed of 10-speed Ultegra.
|
| (Just about) Any feedback would be appreciated!! Bonus points for
| those who spot the manufacturer.

My bet is the bikes are from Giant. My personal choice would be bike A,
but it's not going to be my bike.

The most important differences a
- Crankset: 'standard' versuses compact.

Then:
- Wheels: Don't know about the Formula wheels, so I'd go with the known
quantity in the Shimano wheels

Least important: Saddle. Since many/most people replace the saddle on
their bike, it doesn't matter what saddle it comes with. None of the
bikes I have bought get to keep their original saddles

So, it comes down to the kind of rider you are and the type of roads you
ride. Is it flat where you live? Are you a slower, recreational rider?
Will you be riding in 20+MPH pacelines with some weekend warriors?

If you have lots of hills, are a recreational rider, then the compact
crankset may be fore you. If you consider yourself 'Mr. Hammer', them
maybe the 53/39

My 2 cents

"Borrall Wonnell" wrote in message
om...
| 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
| Cranks: Shimano Ultegra 39/53T TruVativ Roleur GXP 36/50T
| BB: Shimano Ultegra TruVativ Giga X Drive
| Wheels: Shimano R550 Formula Xero XSR-1
| Saddle: Titanium rails Manganese rails
|
|
| Price difference is approx. $550 US. Apart from a composite frame, is
| there much difference between the components? The rest of the bike(s)
| componentry is composed of 10-speed Ultegra.
|
| (Just about) Any feedback would be appreciated!! Bonus points for
| those who spot the manufacturer.

My bet is the bikes are from Giant. My personal choice would be bike A,
but it's not going to be my bike.

The most important differences a
- Crankset: 'standard' versuses compact.

Then:
- Wheels: Don't know about the Formula wheels, so I'd go with the known
quantity in the Shimano wheels

Least important: Saddle. Since many/most people replace the saddle on
their bike, it doesn't matter what saddle it comes with. None of the
bikes I have bought get to keep their original saddles

So, it comes down to the kind of rider you are and the type of roads you
ride. Is it flat where you live? Are you a slower, recreational rider?
Will you be riding in 20+MPH pacelines with some weekend warriors?

If you have lots of hills, are a recreational rider, then the compact
crankset may be fore you. If you consider yourself 'Mr. Hammer', them
maybe the 53/39

My 2 cents

(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?

(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?

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.

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.

My bet is the bikes are from Giant. My personal choice would be bike
A, but it's not going to be my bike.

The Giant OCR is going to have longer chainstays, and will have a more of a
touring geometry.

The Giant TCR series is for road racing.

Original poster, what is your intended usage?
--
Phil, Squid-in-Training

My bet is the bikes are from Giant. My personal choice would be bike
A, but it's not going to be my bike.

The Giant OCR is going to have longer chainstays, and will have a more of a
touring geometry.

The Giant TCR series is for road racing.

Original poster, what is your intended usage?
--
Phil, Squid-in-Training

(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