I'm considering a new road bike to get fitter, particularly as I seem to be approaching retirement age in the next couple of years for football (playing). I fancy a titanium road frame over carbon due to it's resilience to rust and they generally look nice and can comfortably be used all year round. I'm not keen on carbon fibre as structurally they only seem suitable for lighter and smaller riders and they ride a bit wooden. What does everyone else use? Any recommendations! I've been looking at a Kinesis Gran Fondo v2 Ti as a starter. I want to use this as a launch pad to doing some decent 100 mile plus sportives. What group sets are you using? Shimano /SRAM? I have SRAM XO on my MTB which I like, but I'm not keen on SRAM Rival on my current steel road bike. So I was thinking about Ultegra or 105 - 105 have got some really good reviews and it's probably the best value groupset. I know there's quite a few cyclists on here - so hopefully you can add an opinion. Road cycling is something I have only really messed about at and it's all a bit alien!!!
I've got a mate who custom builds road race bikes from scratch, they're not cheap but they're as good as they come apparently. In Beverley if you're interested?
I've got a Bianchi Impulso, its a great bike and quite reasonably priced. I only ever ride it when I go for long rides now though, ever since I built my single speed, that's all I use.
I got into single speed about 2 yrs ago. I really like the simplicity and back to basics feel and look.
I'm no expert, but as far as I know they make titanium frames to exactly fit you, along with carbon wheels with all sorts of spoke options (many with so few spokes you'd expect them to collapse). I'll PM you his contact details if you want, I'm sure you'll know far more about it that I do, to me they just look cool.
http://www.baldwintitanium.co.uk If you've the cash, this guy will build you a bespoke[sic] bike if you send him your measurements and requirements.
Cheers - might be worth exploring. Titanium does look amazing - got a titanium MTB already. Frame building material of the gods.
There's 'Burls' as well. I have been looking for ages, what has stopped me is based on my height you get a huge fluctuation in recommended off the peg frame sizes variation is up to 5cm st c-t which is quite a difference.
I have a Cannondale Synapse too. It won bike of the year last year (when i bought it) Mine has the Carbon frame which is stiff enough for good power transfer when climbing. sprinting etc, but still feels very comfortable to ride.
I'm hoping my legs will help make the difference I'm really not convinced by Carbon, they don't seem so durable?
I looked at building a frame, but when I checked the measurements, I found off the peg ones that were pretty much cock on. The measurements depend on what you're using the bike for, ie distance or sprints etc, so I found it a challenge to choose. Recommendations are difficult as we all have different preferences and proportions. The frame is key. Try sitting on loads and see which feels 'right'.
