Trying to find a very nice road bike, new or used, for a 6'4" 192 pound gentleman of 56 years. Purpose is to train from 10 to 100 miles, regularly, to offset military-style bootcamp fitness program running, weights, etc. Need XL or 61 cm frame size.

Question:
Optimum choice---examples below are what the market has now. Some travel would be required as my region does not have many in this size. Two to four hour drives would be required.

Choices:
Used 2013 Ridley road bike with SRAM group (two hours)
Used 2013 Trek Madone 5.9 XL with Ultegra group (four hours)
Used 201x Fuji SST 3.0 time trial bike with Shimano 105 group (two hours)
New Cannondale CAAD 12 with 105 group (local)
1991 Schwinn Prologue -- 22 pounds of steel (what I own)

 

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 4MUL8R,

Price range?

I have a 61 cm Kestrel Talon SL Ultegra and love it. Over 30,00 miles on the frame.

Bike Nashbar has bikes in an array of prices, with free shipping. I filtered for 61cm, which had 12 items. There are other web dealers also.

https://www.bikenashbar.com/cy...maxPrice:&pageSize:&

Is a gravel bike out of the question?

If not, what about a 64 cm Specialized Diverge ALR5? I'm 6'4" and 240ish. My plan is to ride 2x per week to work (about 4 miles). The bike does not require perfectly smooth roads like the typical road bike does.

Gravel bike out. Riding 18 mph for 100 miles is my goal. We have a reasonably smooth "capital to capital trail" from Richmond to Williamsburg on which I will train.

I am hoping to stay below $1500. Used high dollar machines appear in this range, but often about four years old.

Although I have my 25 year old Nashbar jacket and pants, and have owned two Nashbar labeled bikes, I can't bring myself to have one shipped to me. I can't ride a brand name locally, then turn to Nashbar to order it. To me, this is equivalent to stealing. I have to ride it before buying.

you need an endurance bike!!!! what model is the ridley?

I just bought a specialized Roubaix frame. if you are going to knock out a century you want some relaxed geometry at 56!!!

The Ridley is the Helium SL.

I'm actually OK with a road racing bike. I just did 53 miles in 3:51 on a 32 pound mountain bike on this trail. Next time I'll be on my 22 pound Schwinn, but I would like to get a modern machine.

something like this.. other brands have endurance lines as well
f:0" target="_blank">https://www.ebay.com/itm/2013-...SwYsBbwNfd:rk:4f:0

quote:

Originally posted by 4MUL8R:
The Ridley is the Helium SL.

I'm actually OK with a road racing bike. I just did 53 miles in 3:51 on a 32 pound mountain bike on this trail. Next time I'll be on my 22 pound Schwinn, but I would like to get a modern machine.

ok...then I would say go for the ridley!!!!

If the 2013 Trek Madone uses the BB90 bottom bracket bearings, I'd pass on that unless you want to buy and install multiple bearing sets each year. There is a moisture sealing issue and they rust up rather easily. I have a 2011 Madone 5.2 that has this issue. Maybe they fixed it in later years... I can't say for certain.

I have my father's Look, which I'd like to sell. Its in Myrtle Beach, though.

I voted for the Madone, my 14 yo road bike with Ultra still shifts better than my new 105 Trek Domane.

I'm getting ready to replace my Madone 5.2. The 5.9 is di2 isn't it?
I've quite liked it.

I opted for the more relaxed Cannondale Synapse. You sit a little more upright than the full on race model. Mine is equipped with SRAM Rival. If used is more in your price point check out theproscloset.com. I upgraded my wheels to Mavic Ksyrium Pro. At the level you wish to attain some decent wheels are a must. From your list I'd go for the Ridley. Don't fear SRAM its great stuff.

I’d keep looking, try to find a 2017/18 bike. Or get the Cannondale and upgrade parts as needed.

I've always owned $50 bikes to which I install new rubber and cork tape. The white Fuji with a 20+ pound frame might have been a favorite and was ridden - sometimes in sandals - on several centennials. Stolen in the three minutes it was unattended, the SINGLE time I did not have it locked in the back of my truck. An old Raleigh was also a winner but I cracked the frame. Peugeot used to include a cool bike with your car; it had drilled gears and brake levers; I left that one with a local on the Big Island. None of my favorite bikes cost more than $50.

My bike now is an '84 Raleigh Technium, finally gifted after a friend, the original purchaser, kept it an extra ten years in his basement after giving up riding. Frame from Kent Washington, the other parts from Japan and France mostly. The French rims only accept Presta valve tubes, the tubes have to be pumped back to 90 lbs before every use, and I've got to be gentle with the pump hose; I've torn a few valve stems at the tube, jerking the Presta about with a hand-held pump in the field. Also I had to learn how to true spokes.

If you are racing, a super light bike is nice, but there is a lot to be said for a 'vintage' bike that you can gift to a needy person without remorse or reserve.

And I'd stick with Schrader valves if given a choice.

The Madone 5.9 is di2. But, the first owner didn't like the charging and replacing of batteries, nor the expense, so he removed that group! It's Ultegra manual. Not happy it has been modded, but the price is just under a grand. But, four hours away. And, with the BB90 bearing issue, I think this one is off my list.

Too bad you can’t ride a 57 cm. I have an Eddy mostly Super Record to get rid of.

I have a Trek Emonda, with BB90 and replaced the bottom bracket bearings at about 10K miles, put in ceramic and no problems since. I love the frame and components and will replace the bearings again if I ever have to.

The Madone w/Ultegra Di2 would have been nice if he hadn't taken it off. I don't think I would drive 4 hours for this bike.

If the Ridley has Sram Red (11spd?) and carbon wheels and is other wise in good condition, I would go for that one. Seems to be a well spec'd out bike from what I could find. If it's not Red I don't know enough about the different levels of Sram compared to Shimano.

I vote Madone. My current road (2006 Madone 5.2 SL) and tri bike (2010 Kestrel Talon SL) are both Craigslist spreciale and have probably over 10,000 miles (more with the original owners.)

However, at $1500 I’d suggest stalking Performance Bike or your LBS for a model clearance sale. You can pick up a nice Fuki or Kestrel with Ultegra and decent wheels for $1600-2000. Can you wait for Christmas? That’s what I would do.