Guidance on a bike for my nephew

[NHAero]

He lives in SF, has been riding road with friends, has a 60cm Trek Emonda ALR (don't know the model number). He's coming east for a month or two and planning to ship that bike here (MA) where both my sisters have houses on Cape Cod. He's WFH until at least the end of 2020. He's been training for a triathlon (I hear 2nd hand from my sister).

He's thinking about leaving the Emonda at the Cape, and picking up another road bike. He is looking for disc brakes. Doesn't want electronic. Guessing those Treks come with Shimano 2x11. I haven't gotten input from him about max tire width he'd like to run - the Emonda spec says 26mm is max. He's not a bike afficianado, just a big strong 26 year old who has gotten into biking with great enthusiasm.

If I were to help him find a bike, new or used (would start here), what would I be looking for? He said carbon or aluminum, but I wouldn't let that limit me. The 60cm Emonda has a 58.6cm TT.

Thoughts?

[uber]

A Madone would be a great partner for an Emonda.

[Louis]

I would say that it might be a good time to think about expanding his horizons beyond Trek.

Does it have to be disc? How about a cool (used) steel or Ti frame?

Basically something different and new to him.

Just a thought.

[NHAero]

He wants disc brakes, and doesn't carry a preference for Trek. Used is fine.

[NHAero]

Any more input?
Maybe I should post this on a car forum, since we have so many opinions on a bike forum about what kind of car someone should buy :)

[cp43]

Any more input?
Maybe I should post this on a car forum, since we have so many opinions on a bike forum about what kind of car someone should buy :)


If he's going to end up doing many triathlons, think about a tri bike.
I did my first tri on a road bike, and trying to stay aero for the whole bike section, on drop bars, was no fun. I got a tri bike after that, and wouldn't go back.

It comes down to what he wants to do with the new bike. Pure road, a used Serotta could work quite well :)

Chris

[charliedid]

If he's going to end up doing many triathlons, think about a tri bike.
I did my first tri on a road bike, and trying to stay aero for the whole bike section, on drop bars, was no fun. I got a tri bike after that, and wouldn't go back.

It comes down to what he wants to do with the new bike. Pure road, a used Serotta could work quite well :)

Chris

Ding ding ding

Get a him a TT bike

Used or whatever.

Edit: I din't read the OP very well, so never has done a Triathlon I read "doing triathlons" I'd stick to a road bike so he can still ride with it as he has been in SF. Why not take him to a bike shop and let him ride some bikes and see what he likes? Maybe not much choice on the Cape but the coast ain't far!

If he's simply leaving it up to you then I'd find him a slightly used carbon Emonda, Supersix or TCR maybe a Madone. He can decide later if he want's to buy and talk about bikes more than ride them as gets older. Haha. You did not however mention budget?

Loads of bikes for sale used but fewer in disc at this point.

[NHAero]

Yes, don't know anything about him becoming a serious triathlete, he's not ever done one. At this point, I'd be looking for a road bike with similar fit to his Emonda but with disc brakes and in my mind the potential for fitting larger than a 26mm tire. I'd think that a frame with discs will likely take at least 28mm tires.

And I'm pretty sure I'm looking for a whole bike or close, if it's used.

Thanks!

[charliedid]

Yes, don't know anything about him becoming a serious triathlete, he's not ever done one. At this point, I'd be looking for a road bike with similar fit to his Emonda but with disc brakes and in my mind the potential for fitting larger than a 26mm tire. I'd think that a frame with discs will likely take at least 28mm tires.

And I'm pretty sure I'm looking for a whole bike or close, if it's used.

Thanks!

FWIW I run 28's on my Emonda SL6 Pro with Bontrager direct mount bakes. Not sure why Trek is always so conservative in this regard and yes disc will take much bigger. If he really wants to go plush a Domane and Madone will run 32's but I think the Emonda does not.

If you are looking used and have a Facebook account you will find a deal IMO more than bike forums.

[NHAero]

Thanks for both of those pointers.

FWIW I run 28's on my Emonda SL6 Pro with Bontrager direct mount bakes. Not sure why Trek is always so conservative in this regard and yes disc will take much bigger. If he really wants to go plush a Domane and Madone will run 32's but I think the Emonda does not.

If you are looking used and have a Facebook account you will find a deal IMO more than bike forums.

[jwin]

I would get something he can run 32's on. Maybe even wider. Then he can get into the Marin gravel scene as well. It's a lot of fun.

[NHAero]

I was thinking along the same lines - doesn't seem as though this would compromise frame design for a fast pure road bike. Not even so much for gravel as for poor road surfaces.

I would get something he can run 32's on. Maybe even wider. Then he can get into the Marin gravel scene as well. It's a lot of fun.

[jwin]

I was thinking along the same lines - doesn't seem as though this would compromise frame design for a fast pure road bike. Not even so much for gravel as for poor road surfaces.


Absolutely. #supplelife lol.

I’m a big believer that 32-35mm is really an optimal width for most recreational(+) road riding unless you’re trying to set KOMs. Supremely comfortable with very little loss in performance. Plus setup some 35mm file treads tubeless and you have a great road/gravel setup.


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[NHAero]

I don't think he's thinking about unpaved stuff at all yet, but would be great to have the flexibility to go there without needing a new/another bike. Of course in the olden days almost any good bike would take 32s!

Absolutely. #supplelife lol.

I’m a big believer that 32-35mm is really an optimal width for most recreational(+) road riding unless you’re trying to set KOMs. Supremely comfortable with very little loss in performance. Plus setup some 35mm file treads tubeless and you have a great road/gravel setup.


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[ltwtsculler91]

As someone who also has had 2 Emonda ALR's now, if it fits him well, who not get an Emonda SLR disc. In our group they're everyone's favorite production bike, are light and ride great while clearing a decent tire. Another option to check on would be a Parlee Altum, which is quite similar and also have a great ride, but a little more limited tire clearance on the disc version.

Personally though, when I was in his spot, I went with a No22. A ti bike would be perfect out in San Francisco with some of the damp foggy mornings, and the ride is sublime.

Also, for the tire clearance comments on the Emonda ALR:
- first gen (standard mount rim brakes) would easily clear a "big" 28mm tire in the rear and JUST clear it at the front brake bridge (SRAM Force brakes).
- second gen (direct mount rim brakes) I've fit an actual measured 31mm tire in there no real issue on either end and ridden them a decent bit. It was a little tighter than I'd prefer under the lowest point of the rear brake, and occasionally a small rock would stick. I've since gone to 28s that measure around 29.5mm and it works wonderfully.

[livesadventure]

I live in San Francisco. Pretty much all of my friends and I ride at least 28mm tires - the roads aren't great and often times a road ride hops on some dirt for a minute so its nice to have that volume.

[RoosterCogset]

You should just give him your bike. Then you'd have a reason to get yourself a new bike. eezy peezy

[NHAero]

I only have one road bike with disc brakes and it's way too small for him!

Good idea though!

You should just give him your bike. Then you'd have a reason to get yourself a new bike. eezy peezy

[NHAero]

Thanks, all helpful!

I live in San Francisco. Pretty much all of my friends and I ride at least 28mm tires - the roads aren't great and often times a road ride hops on some dirt for a minute so its nice to have that volume.


As someone who also has had 2 Emonda ALR's now, if it fits him well, who not get an Emonda SLR disc. In our group they're everyone's favorite production bike, are light and ride great while clearing a decent tire. Another option to check on would be a Parlee Altum, which is quite similar and also have a great ride, but a little more limited tire clearance on the disc version.

Personally though, when I was in his spot, I went with a No22. A ti bike would be perfect out in San Francisco with some of the damp foggy mornings, and the ride is sublime.

Also, for the tire clearance comments on the Emonda ALR:
- first gen (standard mount rim brakes) would easily clear a "big" 28mm tire in the rear and JUST clear it at the front brake bridge (SRAM Force brakes).
- second gen (direct mount rim brakes) I've fit an actual measured 31mm tire in there no real issue on either end and ridden them a decent bit. It was a little tighter than I'd prefer under the lowest point of the rear brake, and occasionally a small rock would stick. I've since gone to 28s that measure around 29.5mm and it works wonderfully.

[NHAero]

What are comparable bikes to the Trek Emonda SLR Disc that will take 32mm tires, or nearly so?
What about Cannondale Supersix Evo?
Are there comparable models by Specialized, BMC, Giant, etc.?

I'm a fairly typical Paceliner - old, likes metal bikes, owns little carbon, etc. So the world of production road bikes is not my wheelhouse. I'm trying to do something here similar to what i did when i went shopping for a FS 29er four years ago - I asked a lot of questions from knowledgeable folks, including here, and narrowed my search to trail models from Ibis, Pivot, and Intense. That gave me enough choices to find a great bike used within a few weeks.

I'm also completely open to being pointed to a used boutique bike, but not going the custom bike route here. I don't have a budget number yet, but I'm thinking he should be able to get something pretty nice for $2K - sound reasonable? Doesn't have to be the highest end in the model line-up.

[NHAero]

Thought I would bump one more time to see if I get other suggestions. Thanks

[jwin]

I’m not up to date on geo or anything but why not a Domane? I think it fits 38s


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[Ozz]

I live in San Francisco. Pretty much all of my friends and I ride at least 28mm tires - the roads aren't great and often times a road ride hops on some dirt for a minute so its nice to have that volume.
I must have dozed off and missed the memo.....I am the only one left on the planet still riding 23's?:help:

[NHAero]

Yes, and rim brakes

My Nagasawa barely fits a 23 in the front, so I ride 'em too!


I must have dozed off and missed the memo.....I am the only one left on the planet still riding 23's?:help:

[Ozz]

Yes, and rim brakes

My Nagasawa barely fits a 23 in the front, so I ride 'em too!

you and me brother!

[ltwtsculler91]

What are comparable bikes to the Trek Emonda SLR Disc that will take 32mm tires, or nearly so?
What about Cannondale Supersix Evo?
Are there comparable models by Specialized, BMC, Giant, etc.?

...

I'm also completely open to being pointed to a used boutique bike, but not going the custom bike route here. I don't have a budget number yet, but I'm thinking he should be able to get something pretty nice for $2K - sound reasonable? Doesn't have to be the highest end in the model line-up.

Chopping this to answer your questions as all of these companies have their "climbing" or traditional "race" type of bike, which come in different variants (typically 2-3 frame types depending on grade of carbon/weight) and components. Most will clear 32mm tires in latest versions.
Trek Emonda, Cannondale SuperSix Evo, BMC TeamMachine, Giant TCR, Specialized Tarmac would be the models you're looking at.

To really get an upgrade from an Emonda ALR (with 105 rim they were around 1700, now 2k with Disc), you'd be looking at a budget of around 3000-3500 to get a mid level carbon bike with Ultegra. Given the $$ I'd also take a hard look at the Parlee Altum as it comes in a few dollars more for a frame that plays more like the higher end carbon frames (Trek SLR spec, Specialized SWorks, Cannondale HiMod).

[NHAero]

Cool, thanks.

Are the disc versions too new to appear much on the used market?

Chopping this to answer your questions as all of these companies have their "climbing" or traditional "race" type of bike, which come in different variants (typically 2-3 frame types depending on grade of carbon/weight) and components. Most will clear 32mm tires in latest versions.
Trek Emonda, Cannondale SuperSix Evo, BMC TeamMachine, Giant TCR, Specialized Tarmac would be the models you're looking at.

To really get an upgrade from an Emonda ALR (with 105 rim they were around 1700, now 2k with Disc), you'd be looking at a budget of around 3000-3500 to get a mid level carbon bike with Ultegra. Given the $$ I'd also take a hard look at the Parlee Altum as it comes in a few dollars more for a frame that plays more like the higher end carbon frames (Trek SLR spec, Specialized SWorks, Cannondale HiMod).

[charliedid]

Cool, thanks.

Are the disc versions too new to appear much on the used market?

i just saw the previous post and yes all the majors will have similar specs to each others counterpart bike. I think $2K is doable +/- 10%

60 cm Emonda he has now or a 62?

Size will be a harder find of course.

[NHAero]

It's a 60 cm he's riding now. I think he's 6' 2" so this seemed in the ballpark to me. Looks like he's shipping it east soon, so I'll see it and him by the end of this month.

i just saw the previous post and yes all the majors will have similar specs to each others counterpart bike. I think $2K is doable +/- 10%

60 cm Emonda he has now or a 62?

Size will be a harder find of course.