which "out of the box" race bike?

[learlove]

I have some extra time in the hotel so I thought I'd start a discussion.

Which Carbon bike would you choose (and why) for an "out of the box" ultegra level all around race bike?

Assume your a avid cyclist who rides 5-6 days/week and races. You race at a strong cat 4 or average cat 3 from March to Oct. You do a combination of crits, road races, one or two stage races per season and several competitive century type rides.

Your budget is between 3500 and 4500 and you need to buy a set of training wheels also (say 32 hole open pros w/ ultegra hubs = 400 dollars) with this budget.

You can only have one bike to do all of your training, racing and group rides this season.

Here is the list:

1. Merckx EMX-3 Ultegra ($3600)

http://www.gitabike.com/cgi-bin/shop/merckx_loadhome.cgi?user_id=id&file=merckx.html

2. Specialized Expert Tarmac ($3700)

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=39248&eid=115

3. Cannondale Super Six Himod 3 ($4200+)
http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/09/cusa/model-9RSS3D_9RSS3C.html

4. Pinarello FP3 Ultegra ($3600)

http://www.gitabike.com/cgi-bin/shop/pinarello_loadhome.cgi?user_id=id&file=pinarello.html

5. Felt SL4 ($3000)

http://www.feltracing.com/09-catalog/road/f-series/09-f4-sl.aspx

6. Trek Madone 5.2 ($4100)

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/road/madone/madone52/

7. Fuji Team RC ($4000)

http://www.fujibikes.com/Road/CARBONRACE/TeamRC.aspx

8. Giant TCR Advance 1 ($3700)

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/bikes/road/2260/32177/

[the punisher]

i'd say that you are weak for even attempting to constrict cycling's true nature to that of a one's opinion of anything related to it, bet you $5000 that whatever you ride, i will win, bike for bike and then tell you to kiss my arse as you cry because i just took your bike from you because all of the evidence of prior to race pointed to you having no benefitial relation to cycling, granted you *tried.

*paid.

[the punisher]

btw, you wanna race? :)

[learlove]

personally I'd go with either the Merckx or Cannondale.

Some other thoughts:

I bet the merckx and Pinarello are built in the same Asian building or by the same Asian contractor.

I bet the Cannondale Is the most expensive because it is made in the USA.

How does felt come in so much cheaper than the rest? 4 year old far east slave labor chained to a bench sanding and laying up molds???

to the people at Trek: Its a race bike, not a girls 10 speed. (I'm not a really big fan of the sloping TT. Slightly sloping yes, big slope not so much.

[the punisher]

to the people at Trek:i'm a dumb arse .

no kidding.

do you know what to look for in that sloped tt? why? advantage of? ever ridden fifty miles in the drops alone?

[learlove]

i'd say that you are weak for even attempting to constrict cycling's true nature to that of a one's opinion of anything related to it, bet you $5000 that whatever you ride, i will win, bike for bike and then tell you to kiss my arse as you cry because i just took your bike from you because all of the evidence of prior to race pointed to you having no benefitial relation to cycling, granted you *tried.

*paid.

buddy, meth is one he11 of a drug isn't it?

[the punisher]

buddy, meth is one he11 of a drug isn't it?

it sure was over a decade ago.

[Climb01742]

I have some extra time in the hotel so I thought I'd start a discussion.

Which Carbon bike would you choose (and why) for an "out of the box" ultegra level all around race bike?

Assume your a avid cyclist who rides 5-6 days/week and races. You race at a strong cat 4 or average cat 3 from March to Oct. You do a combination of crits, road races, one or two stage races per season and several competitive century type rides.

Your budget is between 3500 and 4500 and you need to buy a set of training wheels also (say 32 hole open pros w/ ultegra hubs = 400 dollars) with this budget.

You can only have one bike to do all of your training, racing and group rides this season.

Here is the list:

1. Merckx EMX-3 Ultegra ($3600)

http://www.gitabike.com/cgi-bin/shop/merckx_loadhome.cgi?user_id=id&file=merckx.html

2. Specialized Expert Tarmac ($3700)

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=39248&eid=115

3. Cannondale Super Six Himod 3 ($4200+)
http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/09/cusa/model-9RSS3D_9RSS3C.html

4. Pinarello FP3 Ultegra ($3600)

http://www.gitabike.com/cgi-bin/shop/pinarello_loadhome.cgi?user_id=id&file=pinarello.html

5. Felt SL4 ($3000)

http://www.feltracing.com/09-catalog/road/f-series/09-f4-sl.aspx

6. Trek Madone 5.2 ($4100)

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/road/madone/madone52/

7. Fuji Team RC ($4000)

http://www.fujibikes.com/Road/CARBONRACE/TeamRC.aspx

8. Giant TCR Advance 1 ($3700)

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/bikes/road/2260/32177/

do you know, on the cdale super 6, is the frame the same on their various levels, and it's just the bits that change? if so, the cdale looks pretty sweet. most reviews i've read seem quite positive.

[alancw3]

while anyone of those bikes you mention will work personally i'll go with the c'dale super six because of size. their 63cm fits me like a glove. that being said i am waiting until the 2010 model comes out. it will be the next generation super six. basso and company at liquigas are testing prototypes now. 2010's should be out in august or september. supposedly gong to be stiffer.

[peanutgallery]

Check them out all and think about what you like about your current ride. Head tube height, top tube length, components, all that. Then take them all for a little ride, or see if the shop will set you up an a trainer and adjust up to fit. Buy the one that fits the best and please, for the love of god, forget about the Fuji.

Personally, out of your list I would probably lean towards the Cannondale, Merckx or Pinarello. Scour Ebay, too. I got an awesome deal on a NOS Merlin that was a few years old and fits like a glove...it meet what I wanted size-wise and I like Ti. Lasts forever, no paint to scratch and it rides nice. To each his own, but personal fit is key. Good luck, and don't forget your wallet.

PS - Ignore the crack-head troll

[gman]

For me, it has always been which one fits best, and then which one has the best warranty. This is speaking from a purely utilitarian perspective with it being a tool - race bike. Other factors then come into play as tie breakers - which bike will you have to "modify" least to make work - bar size, stem length, saddle, etc. Which one has the best wheels for your weight and use?

Just some consideration points. They are all good bikes. From a purely asthetical point of view, I like the Pinnarello. A bit more "soul" than the Giantrekondaleized?

Personally, I race aluminum. Less expensive to replace and stiff as all get out. I would do any long road races or centuries on it, but for the weekend Cat 3/4 crit...can't beat it.

[djg]

btw, you wanna race? :)

I'm guessing he races already. Asking about a range -- strong cat 4 to average cat 3 -- may be a way of widening the field of riders sorta kinda like the OP, or it may just be a sign of a cat 4 piling up points and contemplating an upgrade.

[mschol17]

Time Edge Pulse DA from Svelte Cycles $3200

http://www.sveltecycles.com/servlet/Detail?no=273

[kgreene10]

Time Edge Pulse DA from Svelte Cycles $3200
http://www.sveltecycles.com/servlet/Detail?no=273

+1. I recently got a Time Edge Racer, which I understand to be the Pulse with last year's paint job, and it is excellent. It is surprisingly comfortable on long rides, extremely stable, and very responsive. For all around training and racing wheels, I have been using Easton EA90 SLX, though I can see the benefit of also owning a set of deep-rimmed carbon wonders. That will have to wait until I forget about my most recent purchase.

[Richard]

Check GVH for a bargain before you make your choice.

[learlove]

Actually I'm not looking to buy any of these.

Like I said when I started the post, just killing time on a layover in the hotel (and now our aircraft is broke so the layover just got longer), thought I'd start a conversation about available "out of the box" ultegra level carbon race bikes for the average/better than average full time type racer.

BTW if it were me I'd use my caad 9 ultegra for racing and training racing type rides and one of my steel bikes (merckx corsa 01) for long(er) rides.

[johnnymossville]

I'd add the Scott CR1 Pro/Ultegra to that list also. I have one (2009 Rival Though), but think the Trek Madone is a better frame. The Scott is $1K cheaper so it would allow for a nice set of aero wheels for racing on.

[learlove]

O yeah, forgot about Scott. Tried to come up with brands you'd find in most shops plus high(er) end stuff like the Pinarello and merckx.