Road Cycling - My search for a new Road Bike.......

Well I have narrowed my bike search after almost a month to two bikes. I thought I would go through my rationale then ask for opinions. My price range is $1000.00 per bike and I’m buying two bikes, for my wife and I. Let me first say that every bike was a good bike, not a bad one in the bunch. At the price point we are looking at, every bike has to skimp somewhere to meet the price point.

Motobecane/Mercier - thought about these, component wise good bang for the buck but didn’t like the fact I couldn’t ride the bikes, only order via web. Plus no lbs support which we decided was important to us..

Fuji - only found these to be good deals via ordering over the web. Same issues as above. I also think that Fuji frames are made from the same factory as Motobecane/Mercier.

Orbea Aspen – Interesting bike because it has both carbon fork and seat stays in this price point. Only campy equipped bikes we looked at. Ok bike but just didn’t do it for either of us.

Specialized Allez Elite & Giant OCR1 – Both very nice bikes and good value, especially in the component area. The Specialized just didn’t fit my wife but I was fine with it. Boiled down to neither of us liked the compact frame. As long as I was riding it and not looking down, we couldn’t tell the difference from a traditional frame. I know this is silly, but just didn’t like the way the frame looked.

Airborne Thunderbolt – Nice frame and fit, only had my size. Fit me very well and had nice components. As much as I liked this bike, decided to stay with a more mainstream bike company, one that has been more established.

Now I have narrowed down my choice to the Trek 1500 and the Cannondale R600. My wife has chosen the Cannondale R600, just fit her a little better then the 1500.

The main difference I see is the Cannondale has a better more race proven frame then the Trek. The Trek has a little better components. The Trek is $999.00 and the Cannondale is $1099.00. The lbs didn’t have the Cannondale in my size (56) so I road a 54cm. It felt very nice but a little small to tell. Now I’m waiting on the 56cm to come in they ordered, then I’ll chose between the Cannondale and the Trek.

If the Cannondale rides/fits me as good or better then the Trek, I think I will go with the Cannondale. I figure better frame and I can upgrade components later.

What do you guys think?

Hi,
I have been riding an Airborne for a year. It's a high quality bike. If you can get a Thunderbolt for around a grand (check the website, it usually costs a lot more) and you say it fits you very well and you like it a lot.... I think you should give the bike a second thought. They have a good guarantee, they are successful. If they ever make a pure touring frame, I'd consider buying another. I have heard most aluminum frames are made in just a few companies, with the majority coming out of one massive factory in Taiwan.

I think you have it right. Find the bike that fits and feels best. If it is pretty much a tie, go with the better frame as you can upgrade components later as the first set wears out. You don't mention the bike store - a good store is enough to sway a close decision. Good luck!

Buy a Softride, you will not be disappointed. A Solo or Qualifier are priced from 1200-1800 with a Shimano 105/Ultegra mix. Very smooth, confortable and fast!

I like the paint on the C'dale better. :)

Hi,
I have been riding an Airborne for a year. It's a high quality bike. If you can get a Thunderbolt for around a grand (check the website, it usually costs a lot more) and you say it fits you very well and you like it a lot.... I think you should give the bike a second thought. They have a good guarantee, they are successful. If they ever make a pure touring frame, I'd consider buying another. I have heard most aluminum frames are made in just a few companies, with the majority coming out of one massive factory in Taiwan.

Cannondale's bikes are made in Bedford, Pa. All of them. Manufactured, not built in, the USA. That includes the frames.
Bikes that say, "Built in the USA" are referring to a frame made elsewhere, shipped to a factory in the US, then the bike is put together.
The R600 frame was once the racing frame of Mario Cippoloni.

Being a Trek owner, I say....

Get the Cannondale. That's a mighty fine looking ride.

Besides, who needs 2 Treks?

55/Rad