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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
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Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Sadlebred** or other cyclists Does this sound logical?
I want to buy a new bike . I don't have a road bike so that is what I am looking into getting. It's going to be a few months until I can get what I want but I went into my LBS today and was looking at bikes. I found a carbon fiber Specialized Almira within a good price range. And I know about fit, blah, blah, blah.
The dude was suggesting also buying a pair of race wheels to swap between the road and TT bike, so I could still use both depending on terrain and type of race. This seems like a good idea to me, yes? And yes I know I can spend a pretty penny on a pair of wheels. My price range for a road bike is about $2300 and about 400-500 on wheels.
What say you goddess of cycling??
Re: Sadlebred** or other cyclists Does this sound logical?
What kind of race wheels? If you REALLY want some super sweet sick carbon wheels at a great price, check out Boyd Wheels. They are hand built in Greenville, SC. http://boydcycling.com/ (Disclaimer: I am friends with the Boyds. I paid full retail for my wheels last fall and just love them!!) Look at the Carbon tubulars or carbon clinchers. Those are what I really consider race wheels. I have the 38 mm carbon tubulars glued up for cyclocross. I also have a pair of slightly older Zipps. The Boyds are much lighter and less than half the price. It's worth saving up a little bit of money to get a really nice wheelset that will last you a decade. You can easily switch them between bikes. I switch wheelsets on my road bike and cross bikes all the time. You could also try to find some used carbon race wheels.
$400-500 will get you a nicer set of wheels than "stock" wheels but nothing that I'd truly consider race wheels.
$2300 will get you a nice road bike, but you already know that.
I don't think you can go wrong with any of the major manufacturers, and Specialized is among them. Focus on fit and your budget. Is the Almira you are looking at with the SRAM Apex? I have Apex on my back up cyclocross bike, which is a Specialized Crux. The shifting isn't as crisp as Shimano 105, and it takes some getting used to because of the difference in how you shift. Still, it's fine for what most people need; you just need to keep it well adjusted. I can tell the difference between the Apex, 105 on one of the many bikes laying around my garage, and the Dura Ace I normally run. Dura Ace is by far the fastest and smoothest shifting of the bunch. (and waaay more expensive) DH has older SRAM Force on one of his bikes and really likes it. Apex does the job and has the benefit of being able to run a really large cassette in the back if you want. For the price point, I like it more than Shimano Tiagra. Whatever you do, don't get the Amira w/the Tiagra. Not worth it for the low end component gruppo that won't hold up for someone that rides a lot. The upgrade to Apex is worth the extra money.
Signed,
The H&F Cycling Snob
Southeastern Cycling
My Nest Bio and Cycling Advice
Yep, Apex Compact. It's so hilly around here, dude suggested this component. Since I'm a member of this bike shops tri team we get a discount on bikes and other fun stuff, I don't think I can go much higher than $500 on those wheels. It will definitely be better than what comes with the bike.
And it's an Amira, I think I wrote Almira in my first post.
Southeastern Cycling
My Nest Bio and Cycling Advice