Analysis Paralysis: New Top-End bike

[flafonta]

Every ride you do IS NOT at the limit. if you feel the only limiting factor is the bike and not the rider you are misguided if not delusional. the pros surely do not think this way. in my view the most important considerations on a bike are geometry fit and feel.

My suggestion is to sign up for a training camp in some beautiful warm location. Things are just that. Make some memories. In Girona there are fantastic training camps and the city is full of pros who hang out at La Fabarica. Their are races held around the city weekly and anyone can participate.

By "limit", I mean I get dropped on some rides, when my heart rate is pegged to the max, or I almost pass out by the end of the sprints.

Could I train smarter and ride faster with the same bike, sure! I could start by riding less but more intensely, with structured intervals and periodization. I could also get more serious with my stretching to improve my position and ability to produce power in that position, etc.

About making memories, I fully agree. I travel as much as I can.

Tenerife last year was a highlight (Above cloud picture):


Or yearly trip to Crested Butte:

[flafonta]

Why not just test ride the F8 and see how it compares to your current Venge for yourself? If you prefer the Venge I think 5 months is worth the wait if you've lasted this long on your current bike.

Hard to find an F8 to test ride.

[DanAndrews]

I'd just wait for the venge. You can get a non riser bar when you order yours, specialized will trade it out for your shop.

Apparently the reason for the delay is SRAM dragging their heels on the etap hydro group.

Yikes just ordered a bike with this group, is there any news online or did you hear this at the top?

[silvercivic27]

F8 and don't look back!

[Imaking20]

My shop does Specialized, Pina, Wilier, and Colnago and after a happy life aboard the first gen Venge, followed by less enjoyment out of the Tarmac - I really tried to want the Vias. I think the rim brake version is hideous and with the way I like to descend, it wasn't worth risking terrible brakes I could do nothing about. The new Ultegra disc version in white is lust-worthy for me but still not the best aesthetics, it is about as light as a garbage truck, and discs solve a problem that doesn't exist for me.

I ultimately landed on the Felt AR with no regrets (though westher in the PNW hasn't given me many opportunities outside yet). Of your choices, I'd suggest a new Vias that's already available and upgrade the group.

[flafonta]

My shop does Specialized, Pina, Wilier, and Colnago and after a happy life aboard the first gen Venge, followed by less enjoyment out of the Tarmac - I really tried to want the Vias. I think the rim brake version is hideous and with the way I like to descend, it wasn't worth risking terrible brakes I could do nothing about. The new Ultegra disc version in white is lust-worthy for me but still not the best aesthetics, it is about as light as a garbage truck, and discs solve a problem that doesn't exist for me.

I ultimately landed on the Felt AR with no regrets (though westher in the PNW hasn't given me many opportunities outside yet). Of your choices, I'd suggest a new Vias that's already available and upgrade the group.

What did you not like about the Tarmac, feels like everyone is saying it is one of the best bike

[fromtrektocolnago]

Every ride you do IS NOT at the limit. if you feel the only limiting factor is the bike and not the rider you are misguided if not delusional. the pros surely do not think this way. in my view the most important considerations on a bike are geometry fit and feel.

My suggestion is to sign up for a training camp in some beautiful warm location. Things are just that. Make some memories. In Girona there are fantastic training camps and the city is full of pros who hang out at La Fabarica. Their are races held around the city weekly and anyone can participate.

By "limit", I mean I get dropped on some rides, when my heart rate is pegged to the max, or I almost pass out by the end of the sprints.

Could I train smarter and ride faster with the same bike, sure! I could start by riding less but more intensely, with structured intervals and periodization. I could also get more serious with my stretching to improve my position and ability to produce power in that position, etc.

About making memories, I fully agree. I travel as much as I can.

Tenerife last year was a highlight (Above cloud picture):


Or yearly trip to Crested Butte:

love it! how does Tenerife compare to Mallorca?

[liam7020]

Why are people so obsessed by aero and discs, I'm totally bemused by the whole process cos we're being led neb first by the industry to buy their new trinkets that we have little, if any, need of. Maybe it's little mental boost for an ephemeral time scale but I reckon, in reality, there are very riders on the forum with the genetic propensity or the physiology to screw out those race winning extra watts from their aero set-ups.

I have sweet looking F8 in Orange/blue limited edition 968, etap equipped and it's the most f*ckin' disappointing bike I've owned. It reminds of a women I once knew - a dangerously sexy mare but ultimately extremely deleterious to my health! My Specialized Tarmac with Record mechanic is a far superior to the F8 in all aspects of the ride, apart from looks and there you're back again with your form over function!

But why can't u keep to the OP's parameters and not deride his choice of aero and/or disc? If it makes him feel good its all that matters. He's not asking if he should get aero or not. He's choosing between 2 aero (or aero inspired) bikes.

Sent from my SM-G920I using Tapatalk

See the bit where he states the purchase of a F8 is one of his potential options? Well I'm giving him my considered opinion on a F8. Keep up with the programme chummy.

[flafonta]

love it! how does Tenerife compare to Mallorca?

Never been to Majorca, but my friend who was with me at Tenerife has been to both places. Tenerife is harder in many ways. Harder to fly to, steeper, longer climbs, some traffic to get out of the cities, baren volcanic sections. Tenerife scenery is more special and diversified but you got to work for it. Lots of pro teams training there in winter because of high altitude.

But Majorca is apparently a cycling paradise. Definitely on my list.

[Imaking20]

My shop does Specialized, Pina, Wilier, and Colnago and after a happy life aboard the first gen Venge, followed by less enjoyment out of the Tarmac - I really tried to want the Vias. I think the rim brake version is hideous and with the way I like to descend, it wasn't worth risking terrible brakes I could do nothing about. The new Ultegra disc version in white is lust-worthy for me but still not the best aesthetics, it is about as light as a garbage truck, and discs solve a problem that doesn't exist for me.

I ultimately landed on the Felt AR with no regrets (though westher in the PNW hasn't given me many opportunities outside yet). Of your choices, I'd suggest a new Vias that's already available and upgrade the group.

What did you not like about the Tarmac, feels like everyone is saying it is one of the best bike

It's a fine bike. Much more comfortable than the first Venge, more explosive, and a better ascender. Stylistically, it just wasn't quite right for me. It didn't have that feeling of an aero bike above 24-25mph where it just feels like you've got cruise control. Also, I wasn't crazy about the handling on descents (which makes me a minority). The front end was maybe TOO stiff.

So far, this AR feels as comfortable and capable a climber as the Tarmac. Neither is as good as the C59 that came between. But again, I was kind of looking for that aero element - which the Felt has in spades.

[aih312]

Why are people so obsessed by aero and discs, I'm totally bemused by the whole process cos we're being led neb first by the industry to buy their new trinkets that we have little, if any, need of. Maybe it's little mental boost for an ephemeral time scale but I reckon, in reality, there are very riders on the forum with the genetic propensity or the physiology to screw out those race winning extra watts from their aero set-ups.

I have sweet looking F8 in Orange/blue limited edition 968, etap equipped and it's the most f*ckin' disappointing bike I've owned. It reminds of a women I once knew - a dangerously sexy mare but ultimately extremely deleterious to my health! My Specialized Tarmac with Record mechanic is a far superior to the F8 in all aspects of the ride, apart from looks and there you're back again with your form over function!

I am right there with you!! I have a 16 S5 with eTap/Zipp 303 and it's just a flat out disappointment. I have so many issues with eTap like I'm constantly adjusting and fine tuning the mechanicals. I just gave up and ride a standard Trek SLR 8 w dura ace mechanical, perfectly happy.

[russianbear]

I'd just wait for the venge. You can get a non riser bar when you order yours, specialized will trade it out for your shop.

Apparently the reason for the delay is SRAM dragging their heels on the etap hydro group.

Yikes just ordered a bike with this group, is there any news online or did you hear this at the top?

What specialized told a shop owner who has people waiting for hydro etap 2017 bikes.

[Cheers!]

I'd say go on a cycling trip. If you are happy with how your bike rides the more reason to go on a trip. Else you w
Could be hunting for your new fit on the new bike for over a year.

[Nejmann]

With the miles you put into your bike, I would wait and put some more cash to side and buy what you really want. And that would be an F8! And sounds like you need a powermeter.

[Philbar72]

get the things that'd make you better. a powermeter and an understanding of the training you need to improve would be better than the worlds ugliest bike (the venge vias).