Bicycle Network: Bikes 'n' Bits

More bang for your buck?

Avanti Sprint $900 vs Avanti Carbonio $2500

Ever wondered why there are so many bikes out there? Is it worth spending $4000, when there are bikes for $400 or less? And what are the different styles of bike for anyway?

The rider who wants a bike that can do everything from towing the kids along the foreshore bike path, riding to the shops, commuting to work and the occasional touring event should consider looking at a hybrid (a cross between a mountain bike and a road bike, hybrids have a similar frame and wheel size to a road bike, but with a comfort rather than power-orientated riding position) or an entry level mountain bike as they are more stable and can be easier to handle at lower speeds than a road bike.

If you are looking to take part in any of the Bicycle Network Victoria events, one of these is certainly an option. But for the cyclist who is looking for a better level of performance (ie more speed), a road bike can help you achieve it.

Avanti Sprint

The bike has an aluminium frame and forks and while this makes it fairly light, the material is also quite stiff, so any bumps in the ground pass straight through to the rider – which means it can be a harsh ride. However the lighter weight means that the Sprint will feel quite lively and easy to accelerate, especially when compared to a cheaper steel hybrid or mountain bike.

The Sprint is equipped with entry level Shimano Sora ‘Flightdeck’ combined brake and gear levers. First-time users may take a couple of rides to get used to these levers, but they do work well.

This bike also comes with basic pedals with toe clips and straps. If I were to pick out one thing that a potential buyer should think about changing, it would be to upgrade these to a clipless pedal and bike shoe system (your shop will be able to advise on this).

Riding the fitted platform pedals wearing normal trainers really compromises the ride of the bike. Build the price of shoes and pedals into your budget if possible.

Avanti Carbonio

The middle-of-the-range Avanti Carbonio is a limited edition production for this year. It has a full carbon frame as the name suggests, with a carbon fork and seat post included.

The Carbonio is considerably lighter than the Sprint as you would expect and comes equipped with a full Shimano 105 groupset, which also provides a weight saving over the Sprint’s components.

The 105 components are similar to the Sora; they do the same functions, but are lighter and should perform better for longer. The 105 groupset also gives you 18 gears as opposed to 16 in Sora.

How to choose

So those are the physical differences, but what does this mean when you are going for your first 100km day in the saddle?

The lighter weight means that it requires a little less energy to get this bike up a hill and it’s quicker to accelerate from the lights. The frame material and the way it’s constructed will also mean that the ride is a little more forgiving and therefore less tiring over the course of a whole day.

So when would you consider one and not the other? Obviously budget plays a large part in this but there are some key things that you need to be sure of before you buy.

If you are new to road riding, or upgrading to your first real road bike, but you are not yet certain how you will enjoy it or how much you will use it, it’s worth looking at the Sprint.

If you are switching from a hybrid or a mountain bike, the riding position on a road bike can take a while to get used to and you want to be certain that you enjoy it before laying out the big dollars on a flash machine.

The level of equipment and the type of ride you’ll get on the Sprint, is perfectly suited to those who are riding say 20–100km per week and is certainly ideal for any of the Bicycle Network Victoria rides.

On the other hand, if you have been riding a road bike for a while and are developing the addiction – i.e. you know every kilometre of road at a 50km radius around your house –then there’s no reason why the mid-range Avanti Carbonio should not be among the bikes you take a look at. It represents good value for money for a full-carbon frame, and reliable 105 components.

Remember though that the key to long-term enjoyment of any new bike is to ensure that whichever model you buy is set up to fit you properly. You are more likely to enjoy riding a $400 bike that fits you properly than a $4000 bike that doesn’t.

This article first appeared the August-September 2005 issue of Ride On.

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