Road Cycling - Sorry, another bike buying post

So I"ve found the names of all the entry level road bikes (see below). I'm just wondering what the difference is. Which ones have better money-value? Do any particular ones stick out fromm the rest? I'm trying to keep my budget as low as possible. Or does it all depend on how good of a deal I can find? Thanks

Opps, forgot to add the bikes.... here we go
Canondale R400 / R500 triple
Bianchi Brava / Erros
Giant OCR 3 OCR 2
Lemond Nevada City / Reno
LG 2
Specialized Allez (which one?)
Trek 1000
Norco CRD3

I'm trying to keep it to about $700 or $800 CAN

The components are all going to be pretty similar. Buy the best, most comfortable frame. I bought a 2003 Lemond Tourmalet back in March, and I absolutely love it. I love the Steel ride, and the geometry was the most comfortable to me ( I have a back problem). Ride as many bikes as you can before you decide.

This Bianchi Eros will have much better components than the Brava, tho the Eros geomitry is different also...
If it was me I would definately go with eros or I would spend $200 more and get the Bianchi Imola
but thats just me, and you will definately get alot of feedback on the other bikes. so all I can say is test ride what bikes you can and go with what feels the best and what you like the best.
Good Luck

at my LBS the bianchi Imola is $1250us - that's like twice the budget Panoramic was talking about right?

my two cents would that old adage "get something with a Shimano 105 group if you can" and that _other old adage "get a decent steel frame if you can".

for me the bike that is the best value and meets those two criteria is the Fuji Roubaix Pro (not to be confused with the regular Roubaix which is aluminum or the Specialized Roubaix which is not as affordable). The Roubaix Pro is on sale at Performance (a big bike chain in the US) for around $960us and I would have bought one by now except that I'm nearly 6'5" and they only run up to a 61cm.

good luck!

The Bianchi Brava runs apx $649.00 with Shimano sora :(
The Bianchi Eros runs apx $1099. with Campy Mirage
The Bianchi Imola runs apx $1299. with Shimano 105

at my LBS the bianchi Imola is $1250us - that's like twice the budget Panoramic was talking about right?

my two cents would that old adage "get something with a Shimano 105 group if you can" and that _other old adage "get a decent steel frame if you can".

for me the bike that is the best value and meets those two criteria is the Fuji Roubaix Pro (not to be confused with the regular Roubaix which is aluminum or the Specialized Roubaix which is not as affordable). The Roubaix Pro is on sale at Performance (a big bike chain in the US) for around $960us and I would have bought one by now except that I'm nearly 6'5" and they only run up to a 61cm.

good luck!
Guess my point was since the eros is $1099 why not spend the extra $200 and get a step up the Bianchi ladder

I am not sure if the Lemond Reno is the best buy, but I really like it. I just bought a 2004 Reno about a month ago and I am pleased. It has an aluminum frame, but to me, it is comfortable and does not have a harsh ride. Maybe this is due to the carbon fork. Take this for what it is worth though as this is my first road bike.

Just another bit - I have heard that the Giants are tough to beat as far as value goes. I chose the Lemond because it felt very comfortable. I think Lemonds generally have a longer top tube and this fits well with my body (my torso is a bit long compared to my legs).

Guess my point was since the eros is $1099 why not spend the extra $200 and get a step up the Bianchi ladder

$200 extra and it's the same frame. The only difference is going from Campy Mirage to Shimano 105. I'm not sure that's even an upgrade, much less a $200 upgrade.

Oh yeah, the Imola isn't even available in celeste this year. :p

well if _any of these bikes were celeste it'd be a no-brainer! (duh!)

+)

The Lemond Nevada City or Reno might be within your target price, especially the former. The Giant OCR3, Specialized Allez, Fuji entry level ones, Trek 1000 could be all within your range(mix of Tiagra/105 componentary at the USD800-1000 range). As has been mentioned before, test ride a few, see how you like the Alu frames, and the overall seating position. I debated between the Reno, NC and Tourmalet, and finally settled for the Reno last month...love it.

The Roubaix Pro is on sale at Performance (a big bike chain in the US) for around $960us and I would have bought one by now except that I'm nearly 6'5" and they only run up to a 61cm.

good luck!

That's my problem too...finding what you want in 62cm+ range...I was set on a Specialized Roubaix Comp 18, exactly what I was looking for, and the latest issue of Bicycle mag's review nailed it...but it only goes up to a 58cm. If you want to buy the Roubaix Elite 27, it's in a 62cm...but a triple and not all carbon.. :(

I too was looking at the Fuji Pro, same problem. I'm 6' 4" and really need those larger frames.

This Bianchi Eros will have much better components than the Brava, tho the Eros geomitry is different also...
If it was me I would definately go with eros or I would spend $200 more and get the Bianchi Imola
but thats just me, and you will definately get alot of feedback on the other bikes. so all I can say is test ride what bikes you can and go with what feels the best and what you like the best.
Good Luck

I purchased the 2004 Eros and did not go with the Imola because it wasn't in celeste. The Brava is not a bad bike and I would prefer this brand over the very hard Alu Trek 1000 with similar components. At $700-800 Can, the best he's going to get is Sora unless he's buys used which a first time buyer who knows very little should avoid.

If you stay within his price range, the Eros, is out of the question and can only recommend the Bianchi Brava or Jamis Satellite.