"The bicycle industry came up with the idea of compact frames (sloped top tubes for those that don't know bikes) so that instead of needing to manufacture ten frame sizes in 1 cm increments they could instead accommodate 98% of the population with a S, M, L, and XL. This behooved the industry, not the consumer. But consumers were sold on looks and false claims of increased rigidity and speed. Every three or four years the bicycle industry comes up with a new "flavor of the month" to seduce the gullible into ditching what they have and replacing it with the new "best". Aero, integrated brakes, disc brakes, elastomer suspended forks and rear-triangles etc. etc. etc."
fsonicsmith-
Riding a size appropriate compact frame is more efficient. The smaller frame is more rigid and lighter, and handling is more precise, compared to the antiquated traditional design.
Just like audio, the price of admission can make your blood pressure rise.
Here's a bargain model. No disc brakes.
https://www.competitivecyclist.com/pinarello-dogma-f10-sram-red-etap-complete-road-bike-2017?ti=Ojox...
If I were buying at this level, I wouldn't even consider standard brakes. I've got the fitness level, but no wallet!
Figure another $2-3K for appropriate attire-you're not gonna be caught on something like that with a hack,el cheapo kit!
I went compact/carbon 13 years ago. Never going back to a traditional frame.
Still like an old steel Italian classic, but their heavy and sloppy(compared to something modern)
The thing about the high end bike-you still have to pedal the damn thing!
fsonicsmith-
Riding a size appropriate compact frame is more efficient. The smaller frame is more rigid and lighter, and handling is more precise, compared to the antiquated traditional design.
Just like audio, the price of admission can make your blood pressure rise.
Here's a bargain model. No disc brakes.
https://www.competitivecyclist.com/pinarello-dogma-f10-sram-red-etap-complete-road-bike-2017?ti=Ojox...
If I were buying at this level, I wouldn't even consider standard brakes. I've got the fitness level, but no wallet!
Figure another $2-3K for appropriate attire-you're not gonna be caught on something like that with a hack,el cheapo kit!
I went compact/carbon 13 years ago. Never going back to a traditional frame.
Still like an old steel Italian classic, but their heavy and sloppy(compared to something modern)
The thing about the high end bike-you still have to pedal the damn thing!