This is all great information!
For instance, one of the questions I usually ask people is, can you touch your toes? If you can still do that, you're fairly good in terms of what you can ride.
But if you are going full on comfort, consider a Cannondale Topstone with a lefty front fork and 30mm travel in the chainstay not mention, what 47mm tires I think?I'm not sure you can really go wrong today if you buy a pretty decent bike. Biggest decision is "race" vs "endurance". I'd vote endurance for the more relaxed and slightly upright geometry which will help with shorter-torso folks.
Personally, I bought a Specialized Roubaix Expert this year and really like it. It's got a small-travel shock in the headset which takes the sting out of bad roads and 28c tires which also help. One note: I've become addicted to electronic shifting; Di2 Ultegra in my case. Easy, perfect shifts with the touch of a finger. I won't go back to mechanical shifting willingly.
Giant Defy also comes to mind in the same category if you don't like the idea of a shock.
Phil is generally right about availability, although I've noticed my local bike stores are slowly getting in inventory.
Edit after Scott's post: yes, you should think about material. I rode high-end ti for 20 years; the Roubaix is my first carbon. Personally, I find it much smoother than my ti or steel bikes, although personal preference may vary.
Thanks! Would love to come back to Steamboat and talk in person!you can put your name on the list for Binghambuilt Ti bikes here in town. Not the lightest by any means but a Ti frame with Ti seat post is a uber smooth, buttery ride.
Yamaguchi look like nice bikes but steep in price. Local is nice if he's near you. Bingham is not taking orders until Jan 2022. Which is fine if you're not in a hurry. Most people aspire to getting Ti..lighter than steel and durable and a great industrial look if you go with brushed or blasted. And yeah..custom, why not? If you can afford it go for it. You can give them your reference points with the Lemond, they'll take your measurements and try to rationalize what you feel with what you like and make something terrific. These guys have decades of experience so you can trust them.Anyone know anything about these frames? The guy is in Rifle, Colorado. https://www.yamaguchibike.com/content/Index
There are many good bikes. Fit is the key. I think it would be awesome to have a bike that was built to my specifications.
Yamaguchi look like nice bikes but steep in price. Local is nice if he's near you. Bingham is not taking orders until Jan 2022. Which is fine if you're not in a hurry. Most people aspire to getting Ti..lighter than steel and durable and a great industrial look if you go with brushed or blasted. And yeah..custom, why not? If you can afford it go for it. You can give them your reference points with the Lemond, they'll take your measurements and try to rationalize what you feel with what you like and make something terrific. These guys have decades of experience so you can trust them.
If this were just a little smaller, I'd buy it for sure.FYI I have an S-Works Crux ('cross bike) that I'd entertain selling. Maybe $1K? 56cm.
I'm 5'8" not sure of other measurements but I've been looking myself. I think im leaning towards a Giant TCR. I've heard good things regarding the Defy too.
I have electronic shifting now but I think I prefer mechanical better so I'm going back. My size is listed as "small" to "medium". I plan to test ride a 2022 soon.
Another consideration is bike tune ups. I'm dumb as a doorknob when it comes to bike repair/adjustments. For me, a shop that gives good deals on maintenance on bike is REAL important. I have 2 shops close to me that give lifetime tune ups. I normally keep a bike for 10-15 years so it adds up. I sometimes go to shop 4-5 times a year.
Yes!Bike fit makes ski boot fitting look like Childs play.
Whatever you can find in stock?
I want my retirement bike and am not in a hurry. I have a good bike for now. I am in no hurry and don't want to settle for what is in stock.This!
I want my retirement bike and am not in a hurry. I have a good bike for now. I am in no hurry and don't want to settle for what is in stock.
One thing to consider about Giant.... They produce the vast majority of prepreg that everyone uses - including prestige European brands. They also produce many frames for other brands as an OEM supplier. You generally see a bit greater value when purchasing Giant due to those two factors.
Purchasing from a brand that which realizes most of its income from OEM work is a double edge sword (in any domain): Sourcing, manufacturing and QA are dialed; technology and engineering may not be on par with brands that have slews of the best engineers creating cool stuff.
Tough to go wrong with either of the big three though.
I meant to post on this thread earlier but tagging on to Marty's suggestion, I love all three of my Liv bikes which is Giant's women's line. Their Langma models are more aggressive geometry and I have an Avail Advanced 2 from a few years ago.