Advice one bike buying - Triathlon

XFR Bear

02/09/2003 at 16:37

Hi!

Just been down to my local bike shop and been bombarded with info! Here's the one they were suggesting, but since it was on sale I do wonder if it wasn't partly to clear out the stock. Then again - if it's a good bike then I'm happy to oblige :o)

Ambrosio Solaro 50 frame
Carbon front forks
Groupset: Campagnolo
Wheels: Handbuilt Ambrosio
Pedals: SPD
Shoes: Carnac 46

Shoes, pedals etc all included in the price of £600.

Whaddya think peeps?

And please no telling me to spend an extra £200/£500/£4k, I was planning on spending about £500 so I'm already a wee bit over budget but if I'm getting a good bike I don't really mind.

Daz

02/09/2003 at 16:53

Sounds ok to me fruity.
cant comment on the gear system as im only used to shimano.
i presume it has the gear shifters with the breaks? for that price, inc some shoes it sound sok to me. bit safer than buying 2nd hand.

You can always use it for a season or two and then get a more expensive model if you really want to upgrade.....and sell off the ambrosia 2nd hand...on ebay :O) !

Might be worth askign them to throw a decent helmet in too....its end of season afterall and that expensive giro on the shelf is going to get lonely ;o)

Gavo

02/09/2003 at 16:53

Fruits, when I bought a bike recently I looked up a few sites, reviews that sort of thing. However, it was only when I rode a couple of them that I knew which I preferred.

I think that it also depends what you are going to use it for - racing, offroad, leisure etc.

fat buddha

02/09/2003 at 16:54

don't know the frame - is it alu?
carbon forks good
which campag groupset??
spd pedals - what type??
shoes - OK
wheels - don't know them

but for £600 - seems OK? what about saddles - can make a big difference in the comfort stakes

Daz

02/09/2003 at 16:54

Good point by gavo. Might be worth doing a search on the internet and see if you can get any feedback on this type of bike...

Daz

02/09/2003 at 16:55

spd pedals are fine

Don Minquez

02/09/2003 at 16:57

FR, I've seen a Specialized Allez Elite on Ebay that's only one about 475 at the mo, might be worth a pop (sorry!)

Also there's a company selling Fondriest frames that look pretty sweet! Have a look...

Dr Nic Twinks

02/09/2003 at 17:00

Paging MMmmm and Cougie....

XFR Bear

02/09/2003 at 17:03

Frame is aluminium
Gear shifters in brakes
Main use would be racing or training for racing
No idea what type of campagnolo thingees - think it had 18 gears
No idea what type of SPD whatsits - whatever's on the bottom of the shoes, they could set the bike up with the pedals for the other kind - Look/Luk or whatever?!

Saddle felt hard but then any racing bike saddle would after my MTB with a gel saddle thingee.

Don Minquez

02/09/2003 at 17:06

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3624407852&category=7298

only a day to go!

Dr Nic Twinks

02/09/2003 at 17:06

What colour is it? Does it have a bell? Does the colour of the shoes match the colour of the frame? What will you call it?

You must ask yourself all these questions and more.

Daz

02/09/2003 at 17:07

go for it fruity!
most people seem to think look are better than spd.

Missus L

02/09/2003 at 17:09

Look v spd depends on size of feet - if you are smaller than a 5 go spd - you can't get the looks into a good position and end up with numb feet the whole time - ALL of my friends with feet smaller than 5 have had this problem. I am a 6 and haven't.

Don Minquez

02/09/2003 at 17:09

The name is certainly the most important thing. I'd never ride anything that didn't have a name... apart from my pillow...

cougie

pirate

02/09/2003 at 17:16

Hmmm.
Well Ambrosio is a well known make. Didn't actually know they did frames though ?

Alu frame, well you can get all standards of Alu frames. They can be quite harsh, hence the absorbing carbon fork. I expect it's a steel steerer, so the weight of the fork won't be that light. A fully carbon fork is v lightweight.

Campag are cool. Dunno what groupset - but its 9 speed so its higher end I think. Prob works as well as the best stuff, but not as light or long lasting.

It does sound OK for the price. Get 'em tio swap the saddle for something you might like the look of though, and get Looks - better for racing in. Or if racing hard isn't gonna be what you wanna do, then stay with Spds.

Frame is the key - if that fits and is good, then you upgrade the bits hanging on it. Wheels are the next most important.

Sorry - after the colour of course !

XFR Bear

02/09/2003 at 17:19

I'm an 11/11.5.

I think it only ended up as the SPDs because he hadn't got the other style in my shoe size!

It's red, but it doesn't have a bell :(. Shoes are grey so they sort of go.

I shall have to choose the name carefully, otherwise I shall get myself into trouble!

cougie

pirate

02/09/2003 at 17:20

Oh - found it on the web - Pearsons do it for £600 without pedals or shoes. So that's OK.

Sloping top tube too. Looks nice !

XFR Bear

02/09/2003 at 17:24

I've just had a look on the Pearson's website and I'm pretty sure this is it:

AMBROSIO SOLARO COMPACT ROAD BIKE. SAVE 150GBP
COLOUR OPTIONS: SILVER BLUE & RED!
* 7005 DOUBLE BUTTED ALUMINIUM FRAME
* AMBROSIO A7 CARBON FORK
* 18 SPD CAMPAGNOLO XENON GROUP.
* HANDBUILT AMBROSIO EVOLUTION WHEELS WITH DOUBLE BUTTED SPOKES
* AMBROSIO ALLOY BARS & AMBROSIO STEM.
* VITTORIA 700 X 23 RACE TYRES
* XO SADDLE & CORK RIBBON.
* COMPLETELY HAND ASSEMBLED

That probably makes more sense to COugs and co than me!!

Thanks for all the help :o)

XFR Bear

02/09/2003 at 17:26

I suppose I should add that Pearson's is my local bike shop so that's where I saw it!!

You reckon go for it?

fat buddha

02/09/2003 at 17:26

go for it