Road Cycling - Help

Planning on getting a road bike and have some options..I want to be pretty serious..living in florida I can ride all year long..plus there's all type of events to compete in. I've read the forum for a little bit and you guys are a wealth of knowledge..My budget is around thousand dollars..there's a local bike store around central flordia that have a few bikes I never heard of... mercier and motobercane, for the price and with a 105 groupo you can't beat..the price it's around 800 bucks.. My other thought..and this is where I have trouble deciding is getting a trek 2000 I think I can find this for thousand or a little more and just be done with it....Please any ideas let Me know..also if you guys think of something better...lay it on Me...Thanks

You know who Trek is and what they are. Motobecane use to be the French company that now goes by the name MBK in Europe. The Motobecane name was sold to a Canadian outfit, that has bikes built to spec in the orient,not necessarily a negative in itsself, and sells mostly direct via the internet but does also have some brick and morter dealers(Spectrum Cycles?).As for the other name,possibly a similar deal. I recently saw an ad for the Cycles Mercier Corvus with 105,and reynolds Ouzo comp fork and Reynolds 520 chromo frame @$795,which on the surface would seem to be tough to beat.Buying thru a store that actually handles the stuff is better than a direct internet deal,but only you can decide if the savings are worth it. More money for 'name ' brands does not always translate to better product. Dealer support after the sale is a high priority for many buyers.Trek does not make the claim that all their frames are made in the US, and I seem to recall that reliable sources have said that with respect to road frames, only the Trek CF and 2300 aluminum are made in the US.

Thanks your right about cycle spectrum...is this a Reputable store?

No actual experience, but from other sources, some have great praise for Bikes Direct/ Spectrum Cycles, others nothing but distain. But, you could likely find negative feedback on selected Trek dealers too.Guess it comes down to your comfort faactor and how far away the selling store is in case you need them.Many LBS offer free lifetime tuneups.Something to consider if you are not handy. Not woth much if they do and are some distance away.

I get all the work done on my bike from Cycle Spectrum, and they're always very nice to me. Then does say much as far as competency though. :) I have no complaints. I'm actually assuming these are the same people, as I know they sell Motobecanes and they have tons of stores in FL.

thanks Chris....yeah there the same people..they do offer free service on the bikes for life..parts are on Me...I just dont want to get stuck with a bike thats going to nickel and dime Me to death

As for being nickle and dimed to death,many have issues with poorly buit wheels,but the occurance is random among makers, and the types that may have problems.Major driveline parts are prety much a non issue except for the occcasional random defective one.Others often have major issues with incompetent adjustments done by LBS,which can often be cured only by finding one that is competent.Triple front shimano systems can be tough to set up and keep finely tuned. If you dont need a triple, it can be a good thing to avoid.A good maintenace book and a few simple tools are good to have. There are also good online sources for maintenance info.Bikes are not rocket science and there is no black art.

Hi,
I recently did some bike shopping, and can sympathise with your confusion. I am no expert, but here is what I think. I would look at performance oriented bikes rather than a full racer. You can accomplish a lot on a good bike. Later, if the racing bug bites, you'll have a much better idea what sort of racing (and therefore what sort of bike) suits you. While a grand buys a
nice bike, even a couple hundred more gives a bike company enough room to build you a really nice bike. I tried a Lemond that I liked a lot, and the Jamis Quest seemed very racy to me. Habanero makes a wonderful road bike right in Florida. If I hadn't found a similar frame on sale, I would have prob gotten a Habanero. In any case, there is no rush.
Drive around and try a few other bikes. My feeling is you should buy the bike you love.