Roubaix? Perhaps something else?

[FailsafeOperator]

Thanks for all the responses.

Lots of love for carbon on these forums which I can respect. What I was referring to is the fact that once carbon gives, it's catastrophic. I read stories of frame cracks after 2 years of use. My son rides a 5 year old used 1.1 Aluminium Trek and has dumped it multiple times with no issues to frame integrity. I then read people wrecking on their carbon bikes just once and needing the frame to be replaced. I don't plan on dumping the bike but things happen.

My budget is around $4500. Perhaps I could buy a Diverge Aluminum frame and replace the wheels. Any thoughts?

 

[vickster]

$4500 = titanium territory with a good groupset and wheels

You in the US? Check out Lynskey

 

[FailsafeOperator]

$4500 = titanium territory with a good groupset and wheels

You in the US? Check out Lynskey

Thanks. Never really considered Titanium. Yes I am in the US. Will do.

 

[MikeG]

Love my Roubaix. Best bike I've owned by a mile. So comfortable, and yet so quick.

 

[Banjo]

Cannondale Synapse may be worth considering. The aluminium 2018 SE looks interesting to me.https://www.evanscycles.com/cannondale-synapse-disc-se-105-2018-road-bike-EV308140

Or for a more refined Synapse. https://www.evanscycles.com/cannondale-synapse-carbon-disc-dura-ace-2018-road-bike-EV308136

 

[StuAff]

$4500 will easily buy you a very nice Lynskey or Litespeed....

 

[John_S]

Hi FailsafeOperator,

I don't personally have a carbon bike but plenty of others do and have used them over many miles & are happy with them so there's no reason to rule them out as lots of people have said above. I've not ridden either the Domane or Roubaix but you might be interested to see this Bikeradar video:-

http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/article/specialized-roubaix-vs-trek-domane-48103/

As some others have probably already mentioned there's no substitute for getting out there are trying a bike for yourself if it's possible to do so.

As you don't seem set on a specific frame material at this stage there's no need to rule any of them in or out because there are plenty of good options out there in all materials. As some have already suggested there are some lovely titanium options out there and available to you in the US if you fancy going for something a bit special.

However if you want some other options and want something a bit different from the big brans you could maybe consider some of the following:-

Bombtrack Bicycle Company (link follows) http://bombtrack.com
Bombtrack make some lovely steel bikes if you look through their range. But if you want carbon they are also going to bring out a carbon version of their Tempest (hopefully the link to their Instagram account works below to show the carbon Tempest C ).


View: https://www.instagram.com/p/BaQ8nWhgnku/?hl=en


Breadwinner Cycles - https://breadwinnercycles.com
You've said that you're interested in custom builds and do some lovely hand built custom bikes.

Mason Cycles (both Aluminium and Steel options) - https://masoncycles.cc
I wasn't going to mention Mason Cycles (a British company) due to you being in the US. However having taken a look at their Instagram account there seem to be plenty of Mason bikes all over the world including in the US and so perhaps they do ship there so if you like their bikes there's no harm in contacting them to ask.

They've recently launched a second generation of their aluminium Definition model:-
https://masoncycles.cc/blog/road-cc-definition2
Or if the link above to the video interview about the Definition 2 doesn't work then try this:-

View: https://youtu.be/5pkGRELA2bQ


Reviews of the original Definition:-
http://road.cc/content/review/149005-mason-definition-road-bike

There's also the Steel Resolution:-
https://roadcyclinguk.com/gear/mason-cycles-resolution.html#sgyXemC0QEPQyR7O.97
http://road.cc/content/review/152814-mason-resolution-105-hydro
http://www.cyclingweekly.com/reviews/road-bikes/mason-resolution-ultegra-hydro
http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/...view-mason-resolution-ultegra-hydro-15-49680/

Or the aluminium Bokeh:-
http://www.cyclingweekly.com/reviews/adventure-road-bikes/mason-bokeh-ultegra-hydro-700c
http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/category/bikes/road/product/mason-bokeh-force-review-50957/

For me personally I'm a fan of steel and I have a 2016 Kona Roadhouse which I absolutely love but all bikes are different with different characteristics so you need to find the right one for you as what's right for one person isn't right for the next:-

View: https://youtu.be/ltLN1bOXS10

http://road.cc/content/review/182237-kona-roadhouse
https://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gea...-modern-road-bike-with-a-thirst-for-exploring
http://www.roadbikereview.com/cat/latest-bikes/road-bike/kona/roadhouse/prd_518029_5668crx.aspx

You might also see something of interest in either of the following links but you'd have to check which ones are available in the US if any are of interest.
http://road.cc/content/buyers-guide/230664-17-2018s-best-disc-brake-endurance-do-it-all-road-bikes

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeand...esis-datum-pickenflick-mason-resolution-jamis


Enjoy looking for bikes and getting out there to try as many as you can. Good luck finding the right bike for you!

John

 

[Norry1]

I have just got a 2015 Roubaix Comp and so far I really like it.

I have also got a Giant TCR Advanced which has had a couple of really big smashes and come through them fine.

I rented a titanium bike in June this year when I did the Pyrenean Raid and that was pretty comfy too.

So, like others say - try a few and see what you like.

 

[mark st1]

Spesh Tarmac is just as comfy as a Roubaix imo.

 

[FailsafeOperator]

Hi FailsafeOperator,

I don't personally have a carbon bike but plenty of others do and have used them over many miles & are happy with them so there's no reason to rule them out as lots of people have said above. I've not ridden either the Domane or Roubaix but you might be interested to see this Bikeradar video:-

http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/article/specialized-roubaix-vs-trek-domane-48103/

As some others have probably already mentioned there's no substitute for getting out there are trying a bike for yourself if it's possible to do so.

As you don't seem set on a specific frame material at this stage there's no need to rule any of them in or out because there are plenty of good options out there in all materials. As some have already suggested there are some lovely titanium options out there and available to you in the US if you fancy going for something a bit special.

However if you want some other options and want something a bit different from the big brans you could maybe consider some of the following:-

Bombtrack Bicycle Company (link follows) http://bombtrack.com
Bombtrack make some lovely steel bikes if you look through their range. But if you want carbon they are also going to bring out a carbon version of their Tempest (hopefully the link to their Instagram account works below to show the carbon Tempest C ).


View: https://www.instagram.com/p/BaQ8nWhgnku/?hl=en


Breadwinner Cycles - https://breadwinnercycles.com
You've said that you're interested in custom builds and do some lovely hand built custom bikes.

Mason Cycles (both Aluminium and Steel options) - https://masoncycles.cc
I wasn't going to mention Mason Cycles (a British company) due to you being in the US. However having taken a look at their Instagram account there seem to be plenty of Mason bikes all over the world including in the US and so perhaps they do ship there so if you like their bikes there's no harm in contacting them to ask.

They've recently launched a second generation of their aluminium Definition model:-
https://masoncycles.cc/blog/road-cc-definition2
Or if the link above to the video interview about the Definition 2 doesn't work then try this:-

View: https://youtu.be/5pkGRELA2bQ


Reviews of the original Definition:-
http://road.cc/content/review/149005-mason-definition-road-bike

There's also the Steel Resolution:-
https://roadcyclinguk.com/gear/mason-cycles-resolution.html#sgyXemC0QEPQyR7O.97
http://road.cc/content/review/152814-mason-resolution-105-hydro
http://www.cyclingweekly.com/reviews/road-bikes/mason-resolution-ultegra-hydro
http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/...view-mason-resolution-ultegra-hydro-15-49680/

Or the aluminium Bokeh:-
http://www.cyclingweekly.com/reviews/adventure-road-bikes/mason-bokeh-ultegra-hydro-700c
http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/category/bikes/road/product/mason-bokeh-force-review-50957/

For me personally I'm a fan of steel and I have a 2016 Kona Roadhouse which I absolutely love but all bikes are different with different characteristics so you need to find the right one for you as what's right for one person isn't right for the next:-

View: https://youtu.be/ltLN1bOXS10

http://road.cc/content/review/182237-kona-roadhouse
https://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gea...-modern-road-bike-with-a-thirst-for-exploring
http://www.roadbikereview.com/cat/latest-bikes/road-bike/kona/roadhouse/prd_518029_5668crx.aspx

You might also see something of interest in either of the following links but you'd have to check which ones are available in the US if any are of interest.
http://road.cc/content/buyers-guide/230664-17-2018s-best-disc-brake-endurance-do-it-all-road-bikes

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeand...esis-datum-pickenflick-mason-resolution-jamis


Enjoy looking for bikes and getting out there to try as many as you can. Good luck finding the right bike for you!

John

John I truly appreciate your response. Lots of helpful information and has exposed me to new manufactures.

 

[Elybazza61]

How about made in the USA custom steel ?

http://ifbikes.com/Bikes/steel-crown-jewel/

 

[FailsafeOperator]

After giving it much thought, I can not bring myself to buy a carbon bike at this time. I am sure carbon is great but I can't take the chance of getting into a crash and wrecking my frame. I am sure I can wreck any frame but my younger son has had his fair share of crazy spills on my old TREK 1.1, and has yet to compromise the frame. Ti is just a little too pricey although I had seriously thought about making it rain.

After narrowing my choices down to the Allez and the Domane ALR5, I am leaning towards the TREK because it I feel it has the most value and checks off enough boxes. Plus I will be saving a bunch of money.

I do have a question. Does anyone know if both the front and rear have thru axles? Trek's site only lists thru axle on the front and I am unable to tell from the pictures if this is actually the case. Also any issues with the 105 groupset?

 

[Elybazza61]

After giving it much thought, I can not bring myself to buy a carbon bike at this time. I am sure carbon is great but I can't take the chance of getting into a crash and wrecking my frame. I am sure I can wreck any frame but my younger son has had his fair share of crazy spills on my old TREK 1.1, and has yet to compromise the frame. Ti is just a little too pricey although I had seriously thought about making it rain.

After narrowing my choices down to the Allez and the Domane ALR5, I am leaning towards the TREK because it I feel it has the most value and checks off enough boxes. Plus I will be saving a bunch of money.

I do have a question. Does anyone know if both the front and rear have thru axles? Trek's site only lists thru axle on the front and I am unable to tell from the pictures if this is actually the case. Also any issues with the 105 groupset?

No issues with 105,not a lot of difference from Ultegra just a bit heavier.

I'd contact your dealer regarding the Trek they should be able to confirm one way or the other.

TBH though if I was you I'd be looking at something more bespoke for that sort of money though.

A list of US custom builders;

http://www.usalovelist.com/american-made-bikes-trikes-high-performance-ultimate-source-list/

And there is this which is a showcase for custom building;

http://www.2016.handmadebicycleshow.com

 

[SpokeyDokey]

After giving it much thought, I can not bring myself to buy a carbon bike at this time. I am sure carbon is great but I can't take the chance of getting into a crash and wrecking my frame. I am sure I can wreck any frame but my younger son has had his fair share of crazy spills on my old TREK 1.1, and has yet to compromise the frame. Ti is just a little too pricey although I had seriously thought about making it rain.

After narrowing my choices down to the Allez and the Domane ALR5, I am leaning towards the TREK because it I feel it has the most value and checks off enough boxes. Plus I will be saving a bunch of money.

I do have a question. Does anyone know if both the front and rear have thru axles? Trek's site only lists thru axle on the front and I am unable to tell from the pictures if this is actually the case. Also any issues with the 105 groupset?

@FailsafeOperator

I purchased an ALR 5 Disc a couple of months back and it had a noisy isospeed decoupler and BB neither of which were sorted so LBS ordered me another and that had a clicky headset that also couldn't be sorted - it would have to go back to Trek for a few weeks. I got a refund and gave up on Treks.

ALR 5 Disc has TA's F&R. No issues with the 105 5800 although the 5 Series shifters are not as slick as 105 shifters and the FD is a sensitive thing to set up - even when you fully understand the different trim settings that it has and the set-up technique that differs to 5700 and earlier.

 

[Globalti]

After giving it much thought, I can not bring myself to buy a carbon bike at this time. I am sure carbon is great but I can't take the chance of getting into a crash and wrecking my frame. I am sure I can wreck any frame but my younger son has had his fair share of crazy spills on my old TREK 1.1, and has yet to compromise the frame.

Late to this thread and I'm sorry to say that you are displaying all the characteristics of a luddite. Carbon has all but replaced steel and alloy as the bike frame material of choice thanks to its superior strength to weight ratio, which allows much lighter frames and thanks to the way manufacturers are learning to lay up the fibre so as to give stiff and efficient but smooth-riding bikes. It was the arrival of light, fast, enjoyable carbon bikes on the scene that led so many amateurs to take up cycling in the last 10 years because carbon is such a joy to ride. Have you ever actually test-ridden a carbon bike?

If you have read about frame cracks it's most likely you have read about witness cracks, which were a problem with earlier carbon frames where the thick brittle paint cracked in areas of flex creating the impression of a broken frame. Manufacturers are now making their paint less thick and brittle and the problem has been resolved.

If you are worried about breaking a frame just Google for videos comparing carbon with alloy and you will be blown away by the comparison. If you are still worried about localised impact damage, bear in mind that with the huge numbers of carbon bikes in use now, a whole lot of repairers have appeared on the scene who can make your frame like new for a very reasonable price.

Finally, having witnessed my buddy crashing and damaging his carbon frame I can tell you with certainty that if you are unfortunate enough to be in a crash that does damage your frame, the state of the frame will be the least of your worries!