Quote from: sbrguy on February 19, 2010, 03:43:06 AM
nate,

funny thing is that the p3 is not what you would consider a light bicycle frame either.  its close to being light but nowhere near as light as you can get.

I actually have no reference in the bicycle world.

It certainly was a beautiful piece of carbon work though.

My main ride:
Hammerhead 100x (Basically Titus Racer X 100)
Here it is in winter configuration.  The lack of snow in New Hampshire this winter has provided good icebiking conditions.

Nice, looks like fun!

My Cannandale CAAD9 and Rush5.  Crap photo.  I'm a casual rider.

So I'm about to drop some money on a Specialized Secteur. Anyone have any opinions about this bike. I know it's the low end specialized, but I'm on a budget and I have reasons.

I've been riding my 30 year old peugeot for about a year now, but after a bad crash on my mountain bike last year, I've developed some severe wrist pain. I went to the doctor and said it's carpal tunnel; likely caused by some repeated injuries 

Anyways the peugy was never the most comfortable bike to begin with; I think the frame is a little small for me, but I don't have ton of money to spend. I was at a bike shop here today (I'm visiting family...woo vacation!) and the guy fitted me on the Secteur. It's way more comfortable than what I've been riding. More relaxed. It's basically a aluminum Roubaix, I think. I can get it for 800.00, and it would get me back on the road.

What does everyone think? I might go back tomorrow and pull the trigger.

Good fit is the most important thing.   Did you get to road test it?

Quote from: somegirl on March 15, 2010, 03:18:58 PM
Good fit is the most important thing.   Did you get to road test it?

just around the parking lot for 5 minutes. It's in a super busy area....a place I'm not that comfortable pulling out in traffic in my car, much less on a bike. That is a fear I have about buying it, but 5 minutes around the parking lot felt more comfortable than on the my old bike.

I've never rode anything other than steel...that is a concern of mine...switching to aluminum

Quote from: Le Pirate on March 15, 2010, 03:33:34 PM
I've never rode anything other than steel...that is a concern of mine...switching to aluminum

You'll probably feel the road more...depends on the quality of road surface where you'll be riding.  I did a lot of road riding on an aluminum bike (my old Cannondale Bad Boy) and was quite comfortable with it for the majority of routes.

Quote from: Le Pirate on March 15, 2010, 03:33:34 PM
just around the parking lot for 5 minutes. It's in a super busy area....a place I'm not that comfortable pulling out in traffic in my car, much less on a bike. That is a fear I have about buying it, but 5 minutes around the parking lot felt more comfortable than on the my old bike.

I've never rode anything other than steel...that is a concern of mine...switching to aluminum

i love me some specialized.  if you are worried about the ride, don't be afraid to ask to borrow the bike or an hour or two and take it somewhere you are more comfortable testing it.  the shop should be more than willing if they recognize you as a serious buyer.  

and don't just assume Al = rough, it really comes down to frame design.

okay....so I bought it 


I'm visiting family right now though, so I won't get to ride it till I get home and put my pedals on it. I'm pretty excited!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26655176@N03/4441904784/#

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26655176@N03/4441902620/#

forgive the dirty rabbit in the background.

Congrats!  Looking forward to your ride report.

I looked at a Rockhopper yesterday   

Then a buddy said to me he is going to sell his VooDoo MTB for cheap. Two rides on it.

Thinking of setting it up for the street.

No pics but I have an 05 Litespeed Firenze.  It had full Ultegra components but I just replaced the cassette, crank, bottom bracket, and chain today.  Now it's sporting a SRAM 50/36 crank (did a quick 10 miler, not sure how I feel about the compact gearing but it is so much stiffer and smoother than the Ultegra Octalink it replaced) with a Dura-Ace 12/27 cassette. 

I also have an older (2001) Cannondale R1000 CAAD4 Triple.  I need to replace the bottom bracket on that one.  The amount of sand in the Litespeed was amazing.  And this one has a ton more miles in bad weather.  I'm not looking forward to cleaning this one out.

FINALLY my new bike shows its face. I ordered white but they had no whites in the production queue so I settle for a steeply discounted black-un of the same model...

^^ Nice.