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They are coming on VERY strong in the US market. Mainly because they are what Team SKY uses. Hard enough that they are nearly impossible to find. I had to try them on at the local Trek store and order it online as they only had 3 in stock and this color is sold out nationwide (Highway Two distributor). Nearly every publication and review is raving about them with 10/10 review scores.

The Mojito is $200. The Vertigo is one step above at $250. They have others, but they are mostly old models.

Re: any cyclists/roadies?
 

I did hit a milestone today. 41.3mph. Fastest I have gotten yet.

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Getting ready for a ride. Humid as all be right now outside :-(

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Got in 40 miles yesterday.

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Good for you! I have been a candy-a** all season. Went out today; just under 20 miles. Need to start putting more time into each ride...

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Yeah, it was a good ride. Made it back about 5 mins before the rain started. Had a fill BG fit today. A lot of adjustments made.

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Any of you folks use a Fizik saddle?

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No, they look pretty cool though. Typically they are more narrow and long styled.

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Just picked up an Antares VSX on Amazon Warehouse for $131

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Looking for recommendations on a first road bike. I"m currently looking at used Felt's and Specialized. Are Trek, Cannondale, Giant worth looking into as well?

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All of those will serve you well. Look at Fuji as well from Performance Bike.

Whats your budget?

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I'd like to stay under $800-900, for the bike. There's a 2013 Specialized Allez on CL for $850. Has SRAM and a couple other things.

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Keep in mind the budget for clothing and accessories as they can be as much as your bike budget and equally as important. Most new cyclists are taken back when I mention clothing costs add up quick, but quality garments will last a decade plus...

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Yea, that's been sort of a shock, but then again not with having to do the same for running. Good equipment costs $$$, but lasts. Cheap stuff is just that.

I've already ordered a jersey, shorts, bike computer, under seat pouch. Still need gloves, helmet, shoes, pump, repair kit, spare tubes, etc.

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Have you been fitted for a bike so you know what size to look for?

Get a Kask helmet. Topeak Joe Blow floor pump.

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Yes, 56mm. And it just so happens that Allez is 56mm. :D

Thanks for the info on the helmet, pump.

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Buy bib shorts, and don't forget socks. Thing is, if you ride every day, you need multiple pairs of shorts...

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You're the second person to tell me to buy bibs. I'll have to order a pair when I get the $$$. I figure I can use my running socks for biking.

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Good floor pump makes all the difference. Actually all the equipment does. I notice a difference at each price point and I am hardly the pro; just an average rider but been riding 30+ years.

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Wow I don't know how I missed this thread. I started cycling in Nov after I lost a bunch of weight. LOVE it! I have a 14 Cannondale SuperSix EVO 105. Track all my rides on Strava.

I am looking at doing a Tri, there is one in town in Sept. I have been doing 5K runs after my 36 mile rides...so I might push to try and do an Olympic Tri distance.

But I will definitely be doing a century this year. Longest ride I have done to date was 77 miles.

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Good for you and keep it up! Wish I could say I am riding that kind of distance... I feel lucky just getting on the bike.

I use to be more high tech tracking everything and reviewing my traces of previous rides, but realized it does not matter. I can tell how fast I am going, I know how far all my routes are, and it's apparent to me if I am faster or slower relative to previous rides.

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Yea mine is mainly for keeping up totals, and sharing with my buddies I ride with.

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Riding Phoenix is no joy for a few months a year. Pretty flat as well. At least you have sunny weather.

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Stopped by another store yesterday to look over their selection. I'm still undecided if I want a full road bike, or a hybrid. Michigan roads are horrible, which has me leaning towards a hybrid bike. But will the seating geometry of a hybrid be ok for rides of 15+ miles?

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Well, just doing more research, maybe a cyclocross is more in line with what I need. A local store shows a NOS 2009 Specialized Tricross Triple for $1200. Might be able to talk them down from there, or throw in shoes/pedals or something.

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Look at Ridley if there is a shop nearby that stocks them. They are all the rage in cyclocross/rough road bikes.

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Road bike or nothing if you really want to do any riding. Bikes are like cars. Do you want to drive a Ferrari, or Range Rover? Range Rover can do a lot of things, but it's never going to ride like a Ferrari.

The energy loss, performance, handling, and responsiveness between a road bike and hybrid is like my example. I want every once of my energy being transmitted to the bike.

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If you're going to ride, get a road bike. If you want to be a casual bike rider then get something else. You said you already bought shorts and all the gear, sounds like you want to be a cyclist... get a road bike.

When I started riding a few years back I was like you wondering do I really need a road bike because I would like to ride on other surfaces or be able to ride on gravel etc. So I compromised and bought myself a nice road bike but also bought some road slick tires for my Mt bike. I used those road slicks ONCE. Since owning a road bike, I have never once thought that I wished I had something else. If you want to ride, get a road bike, period.

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A road bike is truly what I want, and will probably end up getting. I've been researching the cyclocross only for the fact that Michigan roads suck. I mean, 3rd world countries have better roads than us. I want to just be able to jump on the bike and leave from my house. I can get to some nicer roads, with minimal traffic, but it will mean having to navigate through some sketchy stuff first. I don't really like the idea of loading up the bike and drive somewhere, just to ride.

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Well, went by the local LBS after work, to talk to them about road vs cyclocross. Ended up coming home with a 2014 Specialized Secteur Triple. Also picked up a helmet, gloves and a few other goodies. Getting ready to take it out for a short spin.

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Inaugural ride of 7 miles. I thought cause of all my running, it might be easier from the start. Oh hell no! Thighs are burning a bit. Love it though, zipping along at a good clip. Now to hook up the Cateye 7.

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My bad, it's a Spec Secteur Compact, not the triple. I looked at quite a few models and test road a few. I really like this one the most and it fit my budget.

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Man, I guess I can't see the pics on my computer because I KNOW you would not talk about a new bike purchase without pics. Nah...that couldn't happen.

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Lol! Here ya go.

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Enjoy it. Looks like you'll be able to adapt the bike as you gain fitness.

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Sweet Ride!

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Thanks guys. Just got back from an 11 mile ride. Did a slight adjustment to the seat height and set it back further a bit. Big difference in comfort. Didn't bother with the cycling shorts, and my bum feels ok (right now).

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I'd never ride it without the full kit on; anything less is simply commuting.

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Bob- Did the bike dealer do a fitting for you?

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Not as much as i expected. It was more just an eyeball of the seat height and call it good.

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Generally, that should be enough to get you going (along with the correct stem and handlebar sizes). You need to build a general level of fitness and core strength. Pay a bunch of money to say you stem needs to be here, and soon after you have more core strength and now the stem can be lower, etc...

Key right now is just get out riding, build some riding skill, try not to crash, and start adding the miles. Make sure to spend at least 10 minutes stretching after your rides. Leg muscles can tighten quick and lead to back problems...

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That was the plan. Right now the rising is to supplement some of my running and just keep my current fitness level where it's at. I'm sure eventually I'll look at some competitive races and such.

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If you can start doing some Pilates, Yoga or abs work, you'll have that stem down in no time and your speed will increase with a more aero position.

I've been riding at 6:00 AM while the air is nice and sun is not so powerful. Get it out of the way so I can smoke cigars and drink wine when I get home from work!

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Just did a 17 mile ride. Legs are jelly. Couple more rides like that and it's back to the shop for a tuneup. They told me to bring it back in between 50-100 miles, once everything had a chance to break in.

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Yea I get my rides in early in the morning...before its over 100 lol.

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I can't just get up that early, otherwise I would. Maybe Saturday.

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Same here; before work. Only problem is I don't stop sweating for an hour after my shower. Get out of the car like there was no AC. Tomorrow I will work from home, so no big deal if I don't cool down in time.

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I did my 36 miles today, got a bad vibration in the front end. Gonna take it to the shop for a tune up. I think something in the stem/bars is loose or broken. :(

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There's not many places for failure or to check. Have you tried a different wheel?

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There was some play in the stem, and the stem cap was loose. I was due for a tune up anyways. Ill get it back tomorrow.