Road Cycling - Best road bike for $1000.

In your opinion, what is the best road bike for a $1000 range. Considering components, weight, reliability, frame, wheels, etc., which direction would you send a newbie. Need a deal.

In your opinion, what is the best road bike for a $1000 range. Considering components, weight, reliability, frame, wheels, etc., which direction would you send a newbie. Need a deal.

I'm thinking about getting one of these. I'm told the Ultegra/Ritchey components alone are worth more than the price of the bike.

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/mercier/draco_al.htm

I'm thinking about getting one of these. I'm told the Ultegra/Ritchey components alone are worth more than the price of the bike.

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/mercier/draco_al.htm

Me like!

Me like!

You think that's a pretty good deal? I wasn't sure about the quality, but the materials (Columbus/Zonal) seems like it would be as good a quality as a comparable Fuji.

I looked @ Mercier's website "www.cyclesmercier.com" and it has that bike listed at 17lbs.

You think that's a pretty good deal? I wasn't sure about the quality, but the materials (Columbus/Zonal) seems like it would be as good a quality as a comparable Fuji.

I looked @ Mercier's website "www.cyclesmercier.com" and it has that bike listed at 17lbs.


Drop the moniker and ...

pull the trigger!

You think that's a pretty good deal? I wasn't sure about the quality, but the materials (Columbus/Zonal) seems like it would be as good a quality as a comparable Fuji.

I looked @ Mercier's website "www.cyclesmercier.com" and it has that bike listed at 17lbs.

I am not an expert, but it looks good to me. What are you getting the bike for? Are you gonna race hard? If so, you may want to look at higher end bike. If your like me and ride for excercise, and your own satisfaction, it should do the trick.

I ride an old Raleigh Grand Prix steel 10 speed. I'd love to have a bike like that one!

http://us.f2.yahoofs.com/users/3fc2e719_18692/bc/Bike+Pics/__sr_/1978+Raleigh+Grand+Prix.jpg?phxQgEABFpOJtHz4

I am not an expert, but it looks good to me. What are you getting the bike for? Are you gonna race hard? If so, you may want to look at higher end bike. If your like me and ride for excercise, and your own satisfaction, it should do the trick.

I ride an old Raleigh Grand Prix steel 10 speed. I'd love to have a bike like that one!

Mainly I'll ride for excersize, club/group rides, charity rides, leisure rides with the wife (just picked her up a 2004 Sirrus today). I have no inclination to race at this time, but I have been known to be, well, INDECISIVE, so I may start racing in a year or so.

I personally would jump at it if I had that kind of cash to buy a bike with. Just make sure you get the right size.

Like geneman said.. PULL THE TRIGGER!

OH, if you want, I'll send you my shipping address. :D

Look at the Jamis Quest. Used to be full 105, Mavic wheelset, nicely appointed steel frame. Priced around $1,000. Considered a 2002...it was a beauty!

Um...I was 'racing hard' on a Spec Allez sport and put close to 1500 miles on it in little over 3 months. the only reason its not my race frame now is a a Lexus :( unless you push pedals like Petacci (sp?) your bike should hold up fine (excluding crashes and the like)

Look at the Jamis Quest. Used to be full 105, Mavic wheelset, nicely appointed steel frame. Priced around $1,000. Considered a 2002...it was a beauty!

Who has Jamis bikes?

In your opinion, what is the best road bike for a $1000 range. Considering components, weight, reliability, frame, wheels, etc., which direction would you send a newbie. Need a deal.


As long as you aren't scared away by off-brand names, I would highly encourage you to have a look at Getaway Bikes.

This one is a 2003 model which I bet you could negociate down to the $1100 price range. This seems like a very good value to me.

link here (http://www.getawaybikes.com/Detail.cfm?Categoryid=33&BrandID=11&ProductID=932&CFID=3152561)

I have no interest in Getaway Bikes other than to say that I bought my last bike from them and the experience has been great.

-mark

I had the Jamis Quest with the 105. It was my "transition bike" between the old beater and my "real bike" , an Eddy Merckx Ti.

It's an excellent choice.

Who has Jamis bikes?


http://www.jamisbikes.com/dealer_search/dealerFrames.html

http://www.jamisbikes.com/dealer_search/dealerFrames.html

Darn, the nearest Jamis dealer is about 5 hours away. Those are some great looking bikes!

Thanks for all the good tips, guys. Now I'm off again to ride yet another.

Urbanmonk

Thanks for all the good tips, guys. Now I'm off again to ride yet another.

Urbanmonk

Let us know what you get, and post pics.

Unless you're just determined to buy off the internet, I would go to your LBS.

Cannondale, Giant, Specialized, Trek--all big-name companies--have road bikes within this price range. Cannondale has the R 600, Giant the OCR 1, Specialized the Allez, and Trek the R 1500.

These all have far better frames than you will find at bikedirect.com, most of which are Chinese-made frames as compared to American-made for the Cannondale and Taiwanese for the others.

Besides that, your LBS will make sure the bike is fully adjusted and ready to ride with a warranty that he or she is personally responsible for.

You might also want to check eBay for used bikes. Sometimes you can get a great buy on a quality bike.

Good luck.

These all have far better frames than you will find at bikedirect.com, most of which are Chinese-made frames as compared to American-made for the Cannondale and Taiwanese for the others.

The 2004 Specialized Sirrus I just bought my wife has an A1 aluminum frame that was made in China.

www.feltracing.com (http://www.feltracing.com)

The F60 is in your range.

http://www.feltracing.com/2004_bikes/larger_photos/images/f60_02.jpg

Cannondale R600. CAAD5 frameset proven under Mario Cipollini and World Championship under it's belt, it has a great pedigree.
http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/04/ce/images/large/4RR6DWHT.jpg

I'd check out the Treks and Giants at that price range. Also look at the Specialized. Best to see them in person and do some riding. There's a lot to choose from, but the most important part of it all is "DOES IT FIT?"
Good luck!

Cannondale R600. CAAD5 frameset proven under Mario Cipollini and World Championship under it's belt, it has a great pedigree.
http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/04/ce/images/large/4RR6DWHT.jpg

The component group on the Cannondale is weak.

The component group on the Cannondale is weak.

Does anyone have any experience with Douglas? Particularly with the Fusion? http://www.coloradocyclist.com/common/products/productdisplay2_v2.cfm?PRRFNBR=28322&S=28298,28272,28306,28470,28280,26402,29476,30925,28322,28550

I know this is Colorado Cyclist's in house brand, but Bicycling magazine had a review on the fusuion in their December issue and stated that the frames are made in a U.S. factory that "better known brands" come out of.

Would this Fusion be any better quality than the Mercier mentioned above? Both are within $100 of each other.

The best bike for any amount of money is the one that fits you best and on which you feel most comfortable.

Cannondale R600. CAAD5 frameset proven under Mario Cipollini and World Championship under it's belt, it has a great pedigree.

Yeah, but can it fetch?

Does anyone have any experience with Douglas? Particularly with the Fusion? http://www.coloradocyclist.com/common/products/productdisplay2_v2.cfm?PRRFNBR=28322&S=28298,28272,28306,28470,28280,26402,29476,30925,28322,28550

I know this is Colorado Cyclist's in house brand, but Bicycling magazine had a review on the fusuion in their December issue and stated that the frames are made in a U.S. factory that "better known brands" come out of.

Would this Fusion be any better quality than the Mercier mentioned above? Both are within $100 of each other.


Douglas is an excelent bike. I have read a lot of reviews and all have been good. Colorado Cyclist is a good company and they stand behind thier products. The Douglas Ti will probably be my next bike. I like being able to pick and choose your group.

Give me a break with Cdale's "weak" grouppo
The reason others can put more expensive parts on their bikes is because Cdale handbuilds their frames in the USA. For that, a mixed grouppo is acceptable- especially where it wont be affecting your performance.

Get the slightly nicer parts or the better frame. I would gladly take the Cdale

Give me a break with Cdale's "weak" grouppo
The reason others can put more expensive parts on their bikes is because Cdale handbuilds their frames in the USA. For that, a mixed grouppo is acceptable- especially where it wont be affecting your performance.

Get the slightly nicer parts or the better frame. I would gladly take the Cdale

Doesn't the fact that cannondale frames are handmade in the USA by UNION workers have a lot to do with the cost of the frame not just the quality? If Cannondale sent optimo tubing and the specifications for assembly to a manufacturere in Taiwan, would the quality be any less? Certainly one could have the best quality frame imaginable, but if you put Sora or Tiagra stuff on it it would defeat the purpose

Doesn't the fact that cannondale frames are handmade in the USA by UNION workers have a lot to do with the cost of the frame not just the quality? If Cannondale sent optimo tubing and the specifications for assembly to a manufacturere in Taiwan, would the quality be any less? Certainly one could have the best quality frame imaginable, but if you put Sora or Tiagra stuff on it it would defeat the purpose

Exactly! What makes you think that an American welder is better than a Taiwanese welder? I buy Japanese cars instead of American for the same reason. You need to do a little research in to the Taiwan frame building industry. It is the most advanced in the world. Frame building is what they do. It isn't the same as building a rocket. Remember it is just tubes welded together.

All Trek road bikes above the 1000 are handbuilt in the USA and they are slightly cheaper that the Cannondales. The Trek 1500 is Ultegra/105 with a carbon fork for $999 at the LBS.

Yeah sure, we don't need any industry here in America because they can do it cheaper elsewhere.
Taiwan, Japan and almost every foreign country protects its businesses.
Buy the best product, that's the free market.
Fortunately, Cdale makes a superior product supporting american workers and keeping business here. If that's not your thing, thats ok.
I'm pointing out the reasons I like Cdale and why it's a worthy purchase. If you don't agree than buy something else.

For that matter, why buy from your LBS? Why not just go for the chain stores? Same bikes, cheaper, big selection.

Yeah sure, we don't need any industry here in America because they can do it cheaper elsewhere.
Taiwan, Japan and almost every foreign country protects its businesses.
Buy the best product, that's the free market.
Fortunately, Cdale makes a superior product supporting american workers and keeping business here. If that's not your thing, thats ok.
I'm pointing out the reasons I like Cdale and why it's a worthy purchase. If you don't agree than buy something else.

For that matter, why buy from your LBS? Why not just go for the chain stores? Same bikes, cheaper, big selection.

That is whats wrong with union labor. I am pro-American but that doesn't mean I am pro-Union.

Just don't imply that Taiwanese welds are inferior because they cost less.

Your right most LBS are rip-offs.

bbarend is right if you want an American built frame with superior components look at the Treks. He looked at the Cannondales and found them to be lacking compared to Trek.

Excuse me, when did I imply Taiwanese welds are inferior?
I do know how Cdale builds bikes and their bikes are built to the highest standards.

Cdale is a small American company compared to others but they have enough to offer that I would gladly take Cdale over most of the competition.

What makes the Cdale frame better?

All Trek road bikes above the 1000 are handbuilt in the USA and they are slightly cheaper that the Cannondales. The Trek 1500 is Ultegra/105 with a carbon fork for $999 at the LBS.

You must have a nice LBS, the MSRP on Trek's website is $1099 and none of my LBS's will budge off full MSRP. I read here about people getting new bikes (not unsold last years models) from their LBS for up to $200 less than MSRP. The most I've ever seen a new bike on sale here is is $25 off MSRP. It makes me feel like I'm getting screwed over just like when I go car shopping.

I got my '04 TREK 1500 for $925, it was listed for $999. But after fast
bargaining, i got $75 off. I suggest you look at other LBS, because I am
sure a lot of them carry TREK.


You must have a nice LBS, the MSRP on Trek's website is $1099 and none of my LBS's will budge off full MSRP. I read here about people getting new bikes (not unsold last years models) from their LBS for up to $200 less than MSRP. The most I've ever seen a new bike on sale here is is $25 off MSRP. It makes me feel like I'm getting screwed over just like when I go car shopping.

I got my '04 TREK 1500 for $925, it was listed for $999. But after fast
bargaining, i got $75 off. I suggest you look at other LBS, because I am
sure a lot of them carry TREK.

There are two LBS's within a 50 mile radius of my house that carries Trek. I have read of people here saying it's worth driving 200 miles to find the right bike, but every LBS here offers free lifetime tune-ups, and I don't want to have to drive a couple hours just to get my bike tuned.

Back to the other issue, how can normal (I use that term loosely) people like us tell if bike brand "A" is better than bike brand "b" without actually knowing anything about welding or visiting the production floor of the the manufacturing plant?

The Mercier looks like a nice ride, but for me it lacks eye-holes for mounting a rear rack. I do a lot of long-distance riding, so I need the rack. That is why last year I chose a 2003 TREK 2000 for about $1000US.

Back to the other issue, how can normal (I use that term loosely) people like us tell if bike brand "A" is better than bike brand "b" without actually knowing anything about welding or visiting the production floor of the the manufacturing plant?

Thats just it most can't. For the average rider and even the slightly above average rider the frame is not as important as the components(that excludes frame fit). I feel that any name brand frame be it foreign or domestic will hold up well for over 5 years. Heck by then it is time to upgrade anyway.

Thats just it most can't. For the average rider and even the slightly above average rider the frame is not as important as the components(that excludes frame fit). I feel that any name brand frame be it foreign or domestic will hold up well for over 5 years. Heck by then it is time to upgrade anyway.

Would you consider Mercier and Douglas a name brand frame, or just companies like Cannondale, Trek, Specialized etc. that one can only get at an LBS?

Thats just it most can't. For the average rider and even the slightly above average rider the frame is not as important as the components(that excludes frame fit). I feel that any name brand frame be it foreign or domestic will hold up well for over 5 years. Heck by then it is time to upgrade anyway.

So what are you saying if frame fit is important? Isnt the frame the most important part then? Is every size 12 shoe the same or is there another reason Italian shoes are the best in the world?
I think the frame is the most important part of the whole bike. In quality, fit, workmanship, alignment and materials. Maybe that's just me.

indecisive,
I like what you are saying about bike shopping. You are looking at the whole ownership experience instead of just a bike purchase. That puts you ahead of the game as a smart shopper.

THere are specifics with welding (like single pass/ double pass, etc) but most frames are welded well in the price range you are looking at and not enough difference besides aesthetics or material requirements. Most asian built bikes come from 2 places: Giant and Kinesis.

indecisive,
I like what you are saying about bike shopping. You are looking at the whole ownership experience instead of just a bike purchase. That puts you ahead of the game as a smart shopper.

THere are specifics with welding (like single pass/ double pass, etc) but most frames are welded well in the price range you are looking at and not enough difference besides aesthetics or material requirements. Most asian built bikes come from 2 places: Giant and Kinesis.

I know what size frame I need as far as top tube length, so mail order wouldn't be a problem, I just want to know for certain I can get a mail order bike that is as good of quality as any given Specialized or Trek. If mail order bikes like Douglas or Mercier are just as good, I don't care about the name on the downtube, but I would save having to pay an LBS markup and sales tax.

I see Fuji bikes in bike stores as well as bikesdirect.com. Does that make Mercier just as good a Fuji? Would Mercier's be more reputable if they were sold in LBS's?

I don't know anything about Mercier and I have not ridden Fuji enough to form an honest opinion on them.

Sizing is very tricky. Numbers are one thing but actual fit is really tricky. If you are not familar with a certain brand's sizing, I would go with something you can sit and be fitted on.

I know Cannondale so I know exactly what size, stem, frames saddle height/position is required when I ride a Cdale. Same with several other bikes I have intimate knowledge of.

If I were to try a new brand, I would insist it was something I could be fitted on. I would never buy blind on a bike I had never stood over.

I don't know anything about Mercier and I have not ridden Fuji enough to form an honest opinion on them.

Sizing is very tricky. Numbers are one thing but actual fit is really tricky. If you are not familar with a certain brand's sizing, I would go with something you can sit and be fitted on.

I know Cannondale so I know exactly what size, stem, frames saddle height/position is required when I ride a Cdale. Same with several other bikes I have intimate knowledge of.

If I were to try a new brand, I would insist it was something I could be fitted on. I would never buy blind on a bike I had never stood over.

This is the problem I run into. My Cannondale size is a 60cm, I'm 6'1" with just a hair over 35" inseam. No LBS around here keeps frames that size in stock, So pretty much what ever I get will be a blind purchase other than the LBS guy telling me "according to your measurements you need size X.

Do any of the shops have a fit kit?

I think you should ask them to order you a bike that fits you. If you are uncomfortable on the frame, get them to order you a different size.

Tell them if this is agreeable upfront-before you put down your money. Have them put it in writing on your reciept.

Do your own research on fit (I think people recommend wrenchscience for fitting on the net) and see if it jives with what your shop is telling you.

It may seem like a bit of work but you are putting down a chunk of cash and you owe it to yourself to do your best and make your shop do it's best. Ask questions-no dumb questions and be honest about what is comfortable and what isn't. A good shop will happily answer and address your concerns.

It can be tough and a bit frustrating but if you have a perfect fitting bike, none will be happier than you!

Any shop can tune your bike. Or better yet, learn to tune it yourself...:)

Get the bike that FITS and the bike that you love-don't "settle for now" and then have to pour money into upgrades or lust to buy a better bike next year. Just some thoughts, having been there, done some of that. I do believe the frame is the heart of the bike, so if you're going to keep it awhile, don't compromise there.

So what are you saying if frame fit is important? Isnt the frame the most important part then? Is every size 12 shoe the same or is there another reason Italian shoes are the best in the world?
I think the frame is the most important part of the whole bike. In quality, fit, workmanship, alignment and materials. Maybe that's just me.



Italian shoes are the best in the world? For what? Walking around on Park Ave? I have never owned a pair of shoe that didn't do their job.

Of course the frame is important, but for a $1000 bike you are going to get a well made frame with good materials and proper alignment. Give me a break the quality is there with any bike in that price range.


indecisive- Don't let people scare you. Getting a bike set up for you is not rocket science. Buy the frame in your size and start riding. You can only find whats good or bad by putting miles on it. Ask the LBS if he will be willing to change parts out (for fit) after you ride a few miles. I was fitted to my bike but it didn't feel right untill I changed a few things. Now I can ride a century without any discomfort.

Ok, I've been thinking about that Mercier from bikesdirect for $1095, and have pretty much talked myself out of it because I haven't been able to see one up close. On the other hand I have seen Fuji bikes up close and tested them, so I am leaning towards the 2002 Fuji Team from bikesdirect. They are $1295 and seem to be spec'd out similar to the 2004 Team except for the lack of carbon seat stays. Is this an overall good value for the money? I'm sure it has to be better than the Mercier, at least Fuji has a dealer network.