Aero Bike

markens2

Yet another bike buying thread.... Sorry.

I am in the market for an aero framed bike. I like the Cervelo S2 and the Felt R4.
I have a budget of 2.5k to 3k.
I don't need an aero frame, i just prefer the look of them. I don't race and have no need for it but my take is that I will be much more likely to use it if it looks pretty. Stupid I know. So basically has anybody any advice on what bike to go for or any bargains that may be floating about.

Thanks in advance.

shaka

Have you spent much time on one ? Few guys in club maintain they won't buy aero bikes again , find them very hard on rough road. Plenty of non aero pretty bikes out there in your budget.

What kind of cycling you doing?

Raam

Ridley Noah



Specialized Venge

Cee-Jay-Cee

I was considering an AR4 and an F4 last year and in the end bought an F5 (same frame as F4) and it is a very comfortable bike even if it doesn't look as good as it's AR equivalent. I had the opportunity to take an AR3 for a spin just before Christmas and while it's a beautiful looking bike I couldn't imagine spending any more than an hour or two on it max, it's very stiff and jarring on rough road surfaces. It's a balls out racer and not really suitable for sportives etc alrhough there's nothing to stop anyone using one for that kind of cycling and the flat aero frame is hard work in side winds.

nordicb

I've got AR and Giant Defy and can't say AR is any harsher than Giant on same wheels. I find the the opposite is rather true. I love my AR, but when I get to ride Giant, I understand it is a nice bike too.

They both run on Campy Zondas on GP4000 tyres, that makes the ride very enjoyable. Original Giant wheels on Gatorskins where a nightmare, but I've never ridden original Felt wheels, so can't compare.

I suppose wheels/tyres make huge difference on how the road feels, worth taking them into consideration along with the frame.

Raam

Better pic of the Venge.

markens2

I've been on the s2 and loved it. The s-works looks lovely as does the ridley. Any idea where sells them around Dublin.

Raam

markens2 wrote: »

I've been on the s2 and loved it. The s-works looks lovely as does the ridley. Any idea where sells them around Dublin.

I know Ritchies in Swords deal Ridley, as do Cycle Super Store in Tallaght.

Cyclways and Bike Hub do Specialized.

markens2

Raam wrote: »

Better pic of the Venge.

That gave me a warm feeling in the nether regions.

Savage

harringtonp

rose xeon cw is aero and fits that price, and she gets the type of admiring looks that the old planet x never got. Smooth on rough roads too

markens2

Okay so. That S-Works Venge is actually beautiful. I want it. Now. Unfortunatley I can't find where to get it or how much it costs...

Raam

markens2 wrote: »

Okay so. That S-Works Venge is actually beautiful. I want it. Now. Unfortunatley I can't find where to get it or how much it costs...

http://base2race.ie/products/specialized-s-works-venge-frameset

Lumen

Planet X N2A. With nicer wheels and fewer spacers.

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXN2A68002/planet-x-n2a-shimano-ultegra-6800-carbon-road-bike

Lumen

AstraMonti

For extra ugliness you can go for the new Parlee:

Scrappy600

Tenzor07

Maybe a bit of Giant?

martin.mcevoy

I own an AR4 and I love it. I did upgrade from a Giant Defy though, so it was always going to be a massive difference.
Its a beast on the flat and downhill, and as for going up hills it just means that I need to put more time in on the saddle!!

outfox

OP, if you get an aero, you've no more excuses...
You might lose cred if you're overtaken by some guy on a jalopy.

MRJ

I have an AR5 and have no bother with it done a few 100km+ sportives last year on it and didn't find it too hard or uncomfortable.

unichall

I had an s works venge and i only sold it due to financial reasons, it was a super bike and I loved it. Later this year I should have the money to get a new bike and it is definitely on my shopping list to go for it again. I have nothing bad to say about it.

In saying that the bike I had before it was a s works tarmac and i might be more tempted to get another one of these instead. When I had the tarmac all I wanted was a venge but having got it I think I preferred the tarmac. I think???

Anyway later this year when I am in a position to buy again it will be a toss up between these two. Not sure that helped you much but that's my 2 cent worth

unichall

http://www.adverts.ie/road-bikes/specialized-s-works-sl4-full-bike-54cm/4664448

http://www.adverts.ie/road-bikes/great-deal-on-a-specialized-venge-expert/4632971

A nice example of two used bikes

N.B. no connection to either ad obviously just good examples of what i posted previously

Heisenberg.

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shaka

Heisenberg. wrote: »

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Think edge in Cork sell them.

Darkglasses

Heisenberg. wrote: »

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Now I never normally say this, but damn that's too many spacers.

Cee-Jay-Cee

My favourite aero bike would be the Scott Foil Premium or Team issue

Roger Hassenforder

Fuji SST 1.1 (bit over budget tho)

thebouldwhacker

outfox wrote: »

OP, if you get an aero, you've no more excuses...
You might lose cred if you're overtaken by some guy on a jalopy.

I love spinning past carbon weight weenies on my battered alu trek. It makes me warm inside and gives me justification for not up grading.....yet.

Koobcam

I have a Canyon Aeroad and I find it very comfortable-more so than my previous Canyon Ultimate CF. Having said that, the biggest drawback of aero frames is their abysmal performance in cross winds, which has been a big issue in the last couple of months. I reckon aero frames in a windy environment are pointless and actually can be a bit dangerous when compared to a bike with more rounded tubing. They do tend to look the business though..

Raam

Pretty sure Ritchies in Swords do Kuota.

Raam

Darkglasses wrote: »

Now I never normally say this, but damn that's too many spacers.

It is, but it is probably the shop's own build before someone has bought it. Best to leave it uncut.

AstraMonti

CJC999 wrote: »

My favourite aero bike would be the Scott Foil Premium or Team issue

That Scott IMO is the best looking aero bike. And it's a great bike to ride from the reports I 've read.

Raam

The Scott Foil looks about as aero as a brick.

AstraMonti

I 'll try to find a link with testing, apparently it tested near the top, ahead from even some TT bikes.

Raam

The whole aero road bike thing smacks of a bit of bollox to me. Take Sky for instance, they love their marginal gains and every last thing is looked at to get an advantage, supposedly, but no one could ever accuse a Pinarello Dogma as being aero.

AstraMonti

Oh I am with you on that, in real life conditions I don't think it makes a difference. In a wind tunnel and on paper it's a different story. I think the test was done by the german Tour magazine, still trying to find that link.

Raam

Here is an ugly aero bike



Not totally mad on these Wilier's either



In my eyes, the disjointed seat stays and top tube are hideous.

Lumen

Posting images of aero bikes with non-aero wheels is cheating. Aero bikes must be ridden everywhere with deep section wheels, even to the shops. It's the law.

Raam

It looks less bad in the smaller frame because the disjoint is not as obvious.

Here is a bigger frame with aero wheels.

Raam

Also, this cable over the headset thing, which we see on so many aero bikes, is wrong.

Lumen

^^ I like that big Merida. It has those stealth-fighter tube profiles.

Don't like that Wilier. What's the top tube kink for? On an aero frame everything must be there for a reason.

Raam

Lumen wrote: »

Don't like that Wilier. What's the top tube kink for? On an aero frame everything must be there for a reason.

You are a horizontal tob-tube nazi.

Lumen

Raam wrote: »

You are a horizontal tob-tube nazi.

Only for traditional bikes and aero bikes. Why would you increase the front profile by using a sloping TT?

(I'm not sure if horiz TT is more aero, but it looks more aero)

I like this non-aero bike with a sloping TT.

Raam

Lumen wrote: »

Only for traditional bikes and aero bikes. Why would you increase the front profile by using a sloping TT?

(I'm not sure if horiz TT is more aero, but it looks more aero)

Cos it makes no fcuking difference? The head tube and rider's legs will be in the way anyway.

Lumen

Raam wrote: »

Cos it makes no fcuking difference? The head tube and rider's legs will be in the way anyway.

Marginal gains - that's the whole point of aero frames. You can't just go saying that you'll make the top tube girly because it doesn't matter much.

Anyway, since when did you become an aero frame advocate?

Raam

Lumen wrote: »

Anyway, since when did you become an aero frame advocate?

I'm not, I just like posting pics of bikes. That said, I do like the look of the Noah.

outfox

Eddy Merckx 525 for me. Some day.

spyderski

markens2 wrote: »

I've been on the s2 and loved it.

Bet you didn't ride it for any length of time. I had one and would safely say it's the worst-riding bike I've ever sat on (and I have an early-90's Cannondale 2.8 Alu which is supposed to be the most uncomfortable bike ever!). I sold it at a big loss after 6 months.

The wheelbase is too short, the seat tube & seatpost too stiff and it's (comparatively) very heavy. It's also now based on a 10-year old design. The other bikes mentioned here (Venge etc.) are all in a different league IMO - but you can see that from the pricing!

AIR-AUSSIE

A Canyon?

Lumen

Koobcam

Lumen wrote: »

Mine's white, frame from 2011 I think. Aero frame, regular (non-aero) wheels. The Aeroad got a mediocre rating on Bike review, but I think firstly that Bike review reviewers usually don't know what they are talking about and secondly, I would be happy enough to take a bike that several riders actually choose over available alternatives (e.g. Rodriguez, Qintana etc). Anyway, it's a decent bike and more forgiving of bumpy roads, which is handy in Ireland. Also looks better in the flesh...