Road Cycling - Best road bike for under $1200?

Im looking for a good road bike within my budget, i dont plan to race, just commute and train. This will be my first road bike, id like to keep under $1200, nothing to fancy, 105groupo would be fine, any ideas what to look at?

Well, i finaly got around to testing out the TREK 2200, what can i say? SWEET RIDE! I spent about 3hrs on it today, checking it out, also looked at some other road bikes in the same price range... but it looks to me like trek has the best deal going... Im going to put a few more hours and miles on it before i decide to buy it or not, but it looks like a bike that fits my style, i'll let ya know how it goes and if i get it http://www.bikeforums.com/ubb/smile.gif

Hey, I just got a Kona ***** and it only cost $1100. It's a sweet ride, I knew within the first few pedal strokes it was the bike for me. It accelerates well and has stable and flickable handling. It comes w/ 105 components and the 54 cm frame I got only weighs 18.7 lbs (whole bike w/ pedals). It has a sloping top tube, but that makes it lighter and doesn't detract from the racy looks. It's a hot ride, I would recommend it to anyone who wants a fast, light ride for less than $1200.

I think the Specialized Allez is a nice line of aluminum. Light weight, good handling, but the 73 degree head angle makes this bike a non-racer. This machine (the Elite) comes with Ultegra for $1.4K, 105 componentry for closer to $1.2

Best of luck

You want to look at a good steel bike for commuting. Aluminum will be too harsh a ride for what you are doing.
Look at the Jamis Quest, for under $1,100 you get Reynolds steel tubing, Shimano 105

If I were buying a new road bike (and I've thought long and hard about this particular one) the NASHBAR.COM was closing out an "Iron Horse" brand with a NYC taxicab paint job and Ultegra componentry. It started out at about $1300, but last I checked the price was close to $1000. I believe the frame is made of Reynolds 853. Iron Horse builds mostly mtn bikes; I assume they weren't successful at marketing this. The yellow and checker paint job is too cool, and it looks like a bargain.

just got the latest Nashbar. the ironhorse is still for sale. I'm tempted to buy it for the parts. and just hang the frame up, or sell it. An ultegra bike kit sells for more than $1000

I have a Trek 1500 and just bought my wife a 1500 WSD. We're both very happy with the bikes. You should be able to get one for about a grand if you shop around. Spend the loose change on Shimano Flight Deck computer. Beyond the standard features (velocity, cadence, distance, time, etc), it tells you what gears you are in. Sounds stupid, but it's actually pretty useful.

Allez Sport model is $900, the Elite model with lighter tubes is $1200.

I love these threads back from the dead

Supergo's R660 is a good setup for the buck. Ultegra, Carbon stays and all.

Ithe 73 degree head angle makes this bike a non-racer.

why is that?

anybody here know the advantages/disadvantages of different head tube angles.

Im looking for a good road bike within my budget, i dont plan to race, just commute and train. This will be my first road bike, id like to keep under $1200, nothing to fancy, 105groupo would be fine, any ideas what to look at?

Specialized Allez Elite w/ double is $1100 - $1200 w/triple. It is spec'd as 105, mine came with Ultegra rear at same price. I've had mine for a week - it's a good buy.

lemond croix de fer $1,200

true temper o x platinum steel

105, with ultegra rear der

Felt F60 is a nice bike - getting one for my girlfriend. Mostly 105 with an Ultegra RD for name-plate recognition, 7005 frame, and carbon seat posts. Not sure if it was available in November of '99 though ;)

the original poster of this thread has not visited this website since november of 2000

Meh. so what. at least other others are reading
Giant OCR1. Full 105. I think Rear Ultegra. I might be picking one up tomorrow unless I can talk myself into buying a OCR Composite 3. it's normally 1600. Store has it on sale for 1400.
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