Need advice on buying bicycle

[SmokedAllegro]

I am an older guy who is still in good shape. I have an old Allegro Special; that is what I'm used to. I realize most of you consider that ancient equipment. So do I. I am in the market to buy a new bicycle. I would like to get either a high quality "hybrid" with flat handlebars, or a road bike. I suppose most of you ride road bikes, but I understand that one can purchase a "hybrid" that is very close in performance to a true road bike.

Assume, for the sake of discussion, that money is not an object, although the law of diminishing returns may be. I want excellent components (gruppos - to you older riders among us), a light but somewhat compliant frame that is not too short (wheelbase) or stiff (the Allegro actually has a substantial rake to the front fork, and a long wheelbase, and had factory braised-on screw mounts for panniers, which I used). Should I go with carbon fiber, or are there other suitable options? Please explain your answers?

Does it make any sense anymore to consider Campy equipment? Hybrids seem to use Shimano Ultegra derailleurs - are these sufficiently good? Should I consider Dura Ace or some other brand? What about brakes - hydraulics, "drivers" or? What about electronic shifters? Are index shifters almost as good? What about 700C wheels these days? How much better are the headsets and bottom brackets of bikes in the $1500 range, as opposed to $3000 or more?

I would appreciate any ideas or opinions you may have. I plan to ride for "serious" recreation on paved surfaces only. My back, etc., is fine; I'm just not sure I want drop bars anymore. I do not want a full on race bike with no rake, short-wheelbase, etc. I want more compliance, even if I lose some energy transfer.

Thank you, in advance, for any help you can give me. I appreciate it. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

SmkdAllegro!
Somebody with all the answers will soon pop along!

 

[welsh dragon]

Hi. Welcome from powys. As Pat has said, someone will come along who can help you.

 

[Big Nick]

I got a hybrid to get back into cycling as my most recent cycling was on a mtb for the occasional leisure ride with the family and trip to work plus I hadn't had a road bike for around 30 years!

I find the hybrid good for me and its great for fitness and is a comfortable bike to ride albeit the furthest I've been is 20 miles

I am developing a real love for cycling and will probably get a road bike when I'm a bit more bike fit but if you're already there with that and you'll only be riding on the road I'd recommend going straight to a road bike. I wouldn't get too hung up on flash parts as even lower end stuff will feel like an upgrade from your last bike

 

[Cubist]

If you want comfort over speed and snappy handling, my thoughts would be to avoid alu, especially as you appear to have a generous budget. Carbon fibre is light, but tends towards the sportier end. Relaxed geometry also points more to audax. There are some fantastic steel alloys around, without significant weight penalty, but if you can afford it consider Ti. It has the compliance of steel and the weight of alu, so if budget is open ended, then that would be my suggestion. As for group sets, well, Ultegra or Dura Ace are both fantastic, with or without Di2. I have no experience of Di2 so cannot answer that question. As for BBs, an awful lot of bikes nowadays are fitted with Hollowtech 2 or BB30 press fit. They don't necessarily have the longevity of square taper or Octalink etc, but for the simplicity of maintenance Hollowtech 2 is glorious, as it can be easily ans quickly removed and cleaned, and new bearing and cups replaced for little money. Replace standard Shimano with aftermarket rebuildable systems like Hope or Chris King and you have the best of both worlds.

 

[SmokedAllegro]

Thank you, Cubist, for your response. By "Ti", do you mean titanium? Throughout? Wouldn't that be very, very expensive? Are Hope and Chris King derailleur systems or what? If Ultegra or Dura Ace are excellent, why would I want to switch to such after market gear? Again, thanks for your views. I appreciate it.

 

[Cubist]

Titanium frames are pretty expensive, but owners believe them to be worth the money. Hope and Chris King make aftermarket parts, particularly hubs and bearings. You'd asked about BBs, so it was those I was referring to. Hope are a British company, making quality kit for middle-ground money. Chris King is eyewateringly expensive bling. Both are preferable to Shimano BBs as Shimano are disposable (but cheap and OK if looked after).

I take it from your post that you are in the US. Here's a taster of a shop selling Ti frames and builds. Not much more than carbon at entry level.
http://www.adrenalinebikes.com/store.cfm?do=Browseproducts&CategoryID=2121

 

[derrick]

I'am part of the older generation, still pretty fit and agile, have a proper road bike, do a lot of club rides, if you are thinking to do the same i would go for a road bike rather than a hybrid, if you are just going to pootle around on your own you may want to consider a hybrid. as for campy i would never use anything else, have fun that's what it's all about,

 

[SteCenturion]

SmokedAllegro.

I am most probably not the best placed or most experienced to give you thw absolute best advice but here goes.

Titanium might fit the bill for you but very expensive - I particularly like LiteSpeed USA made frames but probably looking at $1500 to start with just for a frame & fork.

I don’t believe there is anything wrong with a good Aluminium frame bike from the top 20 manufacturers but would suggest Cannondale, Giant & Cube before all others just on their great Rep alone.

An alu or carbon bike from any of those top manufacturers + Trek with a more relaxed geometry would do you very well.

I am of course talking about road bikes here.

Some models to consider.

Giant Defy, Cannondale Synapse, Cube Peloton or Agree, Trek Domane but not (Madone).

I am quite sure there are a hundred others that can/will be mentioned, all of these will be like flying the Space Shuttle by comparison to any vintage bike.

As for groupsets, well any mid-range group from Shimano, Sram or Campag will be great & plenty good enough for most. So Shimano 105, Sram Rival or Force & Campagnolo ? (Can't help there)

Food for thought maybe ?

Best of British to ya.

 

[mickle]

Buy a Rivendell. End of discussion.