Carbon bikes <1000?

[slee]

I'm having a look around Facebook marketplace for carbon bikes, and was quite confused with different sizing between brands. Tried to emulate competitivecyclist bike fit and my measurements are as follows:

Height: 171cm
Inseam: 76cm
Forearm (knuckle - elbow) : 34cm
Arm average (knuckle - clavicle): 63.5cm

As for bikes, I currently own a Apollo Exceed 20 in M and rented a Giant TCR Pro in M, which fitted me quite well. I enjoyed the relaxed position and hope to get the same position for my new bike. My question is - any brands I should size up or down? Value Proposition? I live in the Eastern surburbs of Melbourne

Current on sale bikes are:
- M Avanti Quantum
- M Giant TCR Euro
- S/M Azzurri Primo
- S Wilier Triestina

[rkelsen]

Don't buy cheap carbon.

[SheikYerbouti]

None of those bikes are "cheap," but FB Marketplace can see you pick up a very good bike (a few years old) cheaply.

[slee]

@SheikYerbouti Yep, just waiting on a shimano 105 for a good price. Do u know if italian bike brands run larger? I recalled seeing someone saying they are M for the common ones and S for italian brand, but I may be misremembering

[open roader]

In the past my stock standard response to this sort of question was Giant TCR Adv. or Defy Adv. and after a friend recently picked up a TCR with 105 for $1200 via FB Bicycle Marketplace I see no reason to vary my answer.

Giant TCR / Defy in the 2007 to 2015 era (and maybe prior and beyond) seem slightly on the large size. I'm 179cm tall and had a 2009 TCR in size L - I found it a fair reach and would have preferred a size M which you seem to already be acquainted with. However, I do prefer a smaller frame over a larger frame if push comes to shove.

I'm quite surprised at how light and nifty the TCR's of that era feel. Granted they vibrate a bit with thin tubes but I think Giant hit a sweet spot with the manufacture of those non fixed seatpost Advanced carbon composite framesets.

[nickobec]

Geometry Geeks website is your friend

just compare the Giant TCR Pro you rented to
M Avanti Quantum
M Giant TCR Euro
S/M Azzurri Primo
S Wilier Triestina
(would of done it for you, but you did not list the year of the bikes)

and see how they match up - reach and stack are the important numbers

if you are looking at 105, I would avoid 5600, the left hand shifter has a bad reputation of failing and is not repairable, I know (ps cheaper to buy a pair of Microshift shifters to replace).

I would also suggest also looking for quality alloy bike like the Cannondale CAAD (mind you their rep probably puts them out of your price range), Giant TCR SL/SLR, Specialized Allez, Trek does their ALR range and there are others.

[warthog1]

In the past my stock standard response to this sort of question was Giant TCR Adv. or Defy Adv. and after a friend recently picked up a TCR with 105 for $1200 via FB Bicycle Marketplace I see no reason to vary my answer.

Giant TCR / Defy in the 2007 to 2015 era (and maybe prior and beyond) seem slightly on the large size. I'm 179cm tall and had a 2009 TCR in size L - I found it a fair reach and would have preferred a size M which you seem to already be acquainted with. However, I do prefer a smaller frame over a larger frame if push comes to shove.

I'm quite surprised at how light and nifty the TCR's of that era feel. Granted they vibrate a bit with thin tubes but I think Giant hit a sweet spot with the manufacture of those non fixed seatpost Advanced carbon composite framesets.

I have a ? 2013 TCR advanced I bought as a frame from fleabay in a M/L 570mm ett.
Fits me, at 184cm, well.
Built it up with 105 I had from a frame I broke and all good.
Chucked some 50mm carbon tubeless wheels on and very happy.
Don't feel any need to upgrade.
The Cervelo hardly gets ridden now

[cyclingnolycra]

At that height I expect you should be an S in the TCR, not an M. Aim for something like a 53 effective top tube for a road bike.
Carbon bikes 2nd hand under 1000 is definitely doable pre-covid, for 11 speed. Now it's possible but a bit harder.

[slee]

@cyclingnolycra ahh makes sense if you think about it, with supply chain issues. I thought only cars are ones affected since every year you've got more people going to the workforce, whereas bikes are more of a recreational endeavour.

@warthog1 oh is it because the Cervelo has a more aggressive stance/less comfy or is there the 'classic car' syndrome? Nice ride by the way, lmk what u think of carbon vs aluminium wheels.... Good to hear your thought but I'll prolly stick to aluminium anyway since I'm thinking of using this bike for commute and parking at work. But we'll cross the bridge when we get to it

@nickobec thanks for the useful website and tips! Will get to it next couple of days and maybe put it up here. Would you say Avanti/Polygon/Merida/Scott/Cell is a brand to avoid? I guess my question is a little loaded, but I'm thinking of value prop/resale value, maintenance (don't think I'll lube my chains every week like some of the sellers on fb marketplace ) and design issues. Cuz rn I may have a Bianchi Centostrade 2012 that I'm interested in, but the dude is far as

[slee]

Thoughts?

[Giant TCR]https://imgur.com/a/mbnUWEg[/img]. I think is a Giant TCR Advanced SL here https://www.bikeradar.com/features/pro- ... vanced-sl/ but I don't think I deserve a bike with such a long name haha. Besides, whats with the shaving the seatpost to fit your body size, giving me the "once you go black, you never go back" vibes

[warthog1]

@warthog1 oh is it because the Cervelo has a more aggressive stance/less comfy or is there the 'classic car' syndrome? Nice ride by the way, lmk what u think of carbon vs aluminium wheels.... Good to hear your thought but I'll prolly stick to aluminium anyway since I'm thinking of using this bike for commute and parking at work. But we'll cross the bridge when we get to it

The Giant has better tyre clearance.
The Cervelo wont fit those wheels with the tubeless tyres I am running.
The Cervelo also has a compressed rear dropout where the driveside hub sits. The derailleur hanger needs a bend to shift correctly.
Disregarding tyre size, comfort is fairly similar for both, as is speed.
Both are set the same with saddle to handlebar drop, reach, seat height etc.

Carbon wheels are faster at higher speed, as per a fast swap off.
Not practical for commuting in rim brake format imo.

If it is being parked at work and potentially knocked around, yeah an aluminium frame makes more sense.
If it isn't too secure, a scrappier looking bike makes more sense again.

[nickobec]

Would you say Avanti/Polygon/Merida/Scott/Cell is a brand to avoid? I guess my question is a little loaded, but I'm thinking of value prop/resale value, maintenance (don't think I'll lube my chains every week like some of the sellers on fb marketplace ) and design issues.

Brands in brand recognition, and therefore resale value order.

Scott - well known international brand

Medida - international brand that does not sell into US, because of their agreement with Specialized, how they do make bikes for. ie the know how to make good bikes, new good value proposition, but resale value drop as little as not major brand. ie buy second hand, get a bargain, sell later, you will not get as much as a name brand.

Avanti NZ/AU only brand, been round for years, nothing wrong with them, just don't get the recognition as not in the big races or international press.

Polygon online only, know very little about them, other than reputation of good value prop in MTB range. Probably a bit like Azzuri, build to budget. Understand what you are getting ie non groupset brakes, cranks etc, lower end cassette, chain etc.

Cell AU budget outfit, now defunct. Reputation cheap serviceable bikes see comments about Polygon/Azzuri

No maintenance or design issues I know about with any of the brands mention.

[Duck!]

Merida - international brand that does not sell into US, because of their agreement with Specialized, how they do make bikes for. ie the know how to make good bikes, new good value proposition, but resale value drop as little as not major brand. ie buy second hand, get a bargain, sell later, you will not get as much as a name brand.

Merida are the second-largest frame manufacturer in the world, behind the aptly-named Giant, however a significantly larger proportion of their production goes out under other brand labels, most notably Specialized, of which they own a sizeable stake.

If the sticker on the frame says "made in Taiwan", it's a fairly sure bet the frame was made by either Giant or Merida; both are good builders.

[slee]

https://geometrygeeks.bike/compare/bian ... x-2009-51/


Hmm older bikes don't have the stack information. Bianchi guy seems to not be interested in replying to my messages... I'm thinking now if I should just buy a frame as is and put the components in myself haha (https://imgur.com/a/qMeNfds)



Edit1: Women's bike? Good idea? Got a Giant Avail 2 2015 with newer 105 components

Edit2: I think this is enough internet for me today

[Duck!]

Hmm older bikes don't have the stack information.

Which isn't missing much.... "Stack" and "reach" measurements are fairly new and pretty much pointless on their own because they only relate to the frame forward of the bottom bracket and ignore the fairly significant effect of the seat tube angle, and to a less significant extent the height of the bottom bracket relative to the wheel axles.

[MattyK]

Hmm older bikes don't have the stack information.

Which isn't missing much.... "Stack" and "reach" measurements are fairly new and pretty much pointless on their own because they only relate to the frame forward of the bottom bracket and ignore the fairly significant effect of the seat tube angle, and to a less significant extent the height of the bottom bracket relative to the wheel axles.

Stack and Reach are critical to informing your fit, without having to resort to trigonometry. Seatposts and saddles by and large can be swapped or moved enough to account for different seat tube angles within the range of common production bikes.

The other geometry numbers (BB drop, chainstay length, head angle, trail, etc) are more about the handling.

[slee]

After a long break I've finally got one in the flesh! https://imgur.com/a/uIh6t81 It's a Giant Defy Advanced 2013 model with full ultegra groupset. The seller from Canberra was such a saint to deal with, taught me some tips on bike maintenance and even threw in a power trainer. I think I was really lucky as he kept it for me for a couple weeks before I drove up to Canberra via a campervan. Buying a bike while on a roadtrip though ...... that was a nightmare and I'm very thankful my companion was not too fussed despite all that we went through

[10speedsemiracer]

After a long break I've finally got one in the flesh! https://imgur.com/a/uIh6t81 It's a Giant Defy Advanced 2013 model with full ultegra groupset.
..
<snippage>

Nice score. Think you'll be very happy with that.

Lose the Gatorskins though.

I have a similar bike, but 105.

[foo on patrol]

After a long break I've finally got one in the flesh! https://imgur.com/a/uIh6t81 It's a Giant Defy Advanced 2013 model with full ultegra groupset.
..
<snippage>

Nice score. Think you'll be very happy with that.

Lose the Gatorskins though.

I have a similar bike, but 105.

Yep.

I couldn't agree more

Foo

[slee]

Oh are gatorskins bad? It was chosen specifically cuz it's puncture resistant and I figured it fit my riding style of going on trails and not just sticking on the roads. I guess it's probably something about rolling resistance and I'll keep it till it dies on me, then i'll get something better lol

[foo on patrol]

Oh are gatorskins bad? It was chosen specifically cuz it's puncture resistant and I figured it fit my riding style of going on trails and not just sticking on the roads. I guess it's probably something about rolling resistance and I'll keep it till it dies on me, then i'll get something better lol

They are chit in the wet. I have only ever had one set of them and I would not ever have a set of wheels with them on again. Never saw any difference in how they marked up on the road where I ride. Don't know of anyone that I ride with, that would use then for that exact reason. I have had a far better tyre wear from Rubino Pros than the Gator's.

Foo

[Mr Purple]

Oh are gatorskins bad? It was chosen specifically cuz it's puncture resistant and I figured it fit my riding style of going on trails and not just sticking on the roads. I guess it's probably something about rolling resistance and I'll keep it till it dies on me, then i'll get something better lol

Nice photography, by the way! I ran gatorskins before I started climbing and barely noticed any issues. The moment you start going downhill at speed you won't enjoy it.

Mix of gravel and tarmac you might want to think of going with some Panaracer Gravelkings or something. There's a few good options these days depending on your tyre clearance.

[slee]

Thanks for the quick rundown and the kind words @Mr Purple! Yeah never thought of it that way but makes sense. Tbh road riding is still very new to me and I've found myself riding on the bike paths for majority of my rides. Did a few section of roads after seeing some pros but it can get a lil stressful with moving cars on the right and parked cars (that might turn out without warning - Guilty of that myself lol) on the left. Maybe it will get better once I head up to regional for work next year. Wil keep in mind what u said once i wear these bad boys out

And Happy New Year guys

[baabaa]

Don’t get too thingy on tyres.

Gatorskins work really well for my weight and are trouble-free for the places and type of longer riding I do - plenty of people in NSW who Audux still use them as they suit many of the road surfaces / routes. Are they good for CBD communting? Not so much.

That goldilocks tyre that suits everyone and everything is a simple marketing myth - just enjoy the your biking and in time you and you alone will find the type, size and pressure that suits your needs and wants. Oh, and nice bike

[10speedsemiracer]

.
.
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I have a ? 2013 TCR advanced I bought as a frame from fleabay in a M/L 570mm ett.
Fits me, at 184cm, well.
.
.
.
<snipped>
The Cervelo hardly gets ridden now

I love the TCR and Defy of that era (I have a Defy in my collection).

I also ride an M/L in Giant frames (183-184cm) , only needed to redo the cockpit for a perfect fit.

Having an ISP Warty. do you have the Giant ISP Seatpost Clamp Adaptor kit, for the workstand ?

Also lol at

The Cervelo hardly gets ridden now