Road Cycling - Looking for a carbon bike

I was wondering if anyone out there knew of any great carbon bikes. I am looking for something that will be comfortable enough for extended rides but can accelerate like a beast, hopefully keep high speeds over bumpy surfaces. Something that is at least under $4000. I will take any groupsets from tiagra to ultegra, don't need dura-ace or anything. Any help would greatly be appreciated. Thanks in advance for the replies.

AirChambz

Figure out what geometry you want first. That will narrow your search down a lot.

Been riding a Trek 4.7 for the past 5 months. Full ultegra and very comfy. All in for about $2500 plus tax. Just finished my first century.

This is a shameless plug on my behalf...

For $4k I will sell you my 07 Trek Madone SL 5.5 with Bontrager Aeolus 5.0's! Full Dura-ace components.

My new Specialized Roubaix is a very comfortable bike for under 3k.
But since I can't accelerate "like a beast" I can offer no opinion on that.

Since this turned into the classifieds ...

I have a Time Edge VX with Full Campy Record Ultra, Eurus wheels, new cables, housings, cassette, chain and chainrings ...and GOBS of other upgrades for $3995 :)

My new Specialized Roubaix is a very comfortable bike for under 3k.
But since I can't accelerate "like a beast" I can offer no opinion on that.

+1
I've got the 2008, and it is indeed a lovely ride.

My 2008 Bianchi 928 T-Cube accelerates like it was shot out of a cannon. It cost me $2600 to put it together, but it would have been substantially more at retail.

Cervelo S2

Sorry trekbiker21 and timeedgevxr, looking for a new bike, sound like great bikes otherwise. The Bianchi looks nice, little pricey it looks though. The Cervelo S2 looks more like a cyclocross bike or such. Any one know if the 2009 Giant Defy Advanced 1 is a good bike? I guess I am looking for something that could be used in a lower tier race or for touring for hours at a time and is mostly able to handle cracks and bumps in the roads. I was looking into the Scott Cr1 2010, does anyone know when those are supposed to be released.

Felt F3..got love and must say i love it.

Cervelo R3or R3 SL

Here is a R3 for under $4,000 however you should be able to do better than that

http://www.racycles.com/road/complete-road-bikes/cervelo/cervelo-r3-dura-ace-2008-bike.aspx

Sorry trekbiker21 and timeedgevxr, looking for a new bike, sound like great bikes otherwise. The Bianchi looks nice, little pricey it looks though. The Cervelo S2 looks more like a cyclocross bike or such. Any one know if the 2009 Giant Defy Advanced 1 is a good bike? I guess I am looking for something that could be used in a lower tier race or for touring for hours at a time and is mostly able to handle cracks and bumps in the roads. I was looking into the Scott Cr1 2010, does anyone know when those are supposed to be released.

??? You need to learn more about bicycles beforte you make a decision. The S2 is far from a cyclocross bike.

Neo Exile...build it the way you want...it will be under $4k unless you go crazy with the wheels. http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=460566

http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeej440/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/Neo_Exile_2.JPG

??? You need to learn more about bicycles beforte you make a decision. The S2 is far from a cyclocross bike.

Sorry about the mix-up I looked at one of the pics of one and the sculpted tubes made me think of a track bike. I didn't mean cyclocross.

Ok Air did you follow my link?

So, let me see.

You want:

carbon fiber frame
any groupset
any geometry
under $4k.

Yep, that narrows it down. There's probably only about, oh, 1000 bikes that meet that criteria.

specialized tarmac expert 2010 w/ Shimano Ultegra 6700 and Mavic K wheelset. I rode it while trying out Specialized bikes: very fast AND comfortable for $3K.

I was wondering if anyone out there knew of any great carbon bikes. I am looking for something that will be comfortable enough for extended rides but can accelerate like a beast, hopefully keep high speeds over bumpy surfaces. Something that is at least under $4000. I will take any groupsets from tiagra to ultegra, don't need dura-ace or anything. Any help would greatly be appreciated. Thanks in advance for the replies.

AirChambz

You left out "climbs like a billy goat," "nimbly dives into curves," and "laterally stiff yet vertically compliant." You sayin' you don't want any of that?:)

But in the spirit of helpfulness, all manufacturers have an ultegra equipped carbon fiber road bike for under $4000. Even the "plush" bikes have been "laterally stiffened" so that they "accelerate like a beast." Have fun test riding the Cervelos, Specialized, Treks, and Giants.

2010 Giant TCR Advanced 0 would be a strong contender for my dollars.

The Cervelo R3 is under $4000 with 7800 Dura Ace.

http://www.bikecyclingreviews.com/Cervelo_R3SL_or_Scott_Addict_R2.html

http://road.cc/content/review/789-cervelo-r3-sl-2009-frame-package

You left out "climbs like a billy goat," "nimbly dives into curves," and "laterally stiff yet vertically compliant." You sayin' you don't want any of that?:)


Had he asked for that, I'd have suggested a Cannondale Synapse, but he didn't.

Since no bikes in that price range suck, I'm pondering two Cannondale bikes (Synapse carbon and the new Six) or, maybe, a BMC Team Machine demo bike from a local shop (Ultegra SL for less than $4K).

And to whoever said that there's "oh, about 1000 bikes that meet the criteria",.... well, you're wrong. There's 843 as of the 2010 model year. :p ;)

Since no bikes in that price range suck, I'm pondering two Cannondale bikes (Synapse carbon and the new Six) or, maybe, a BMC Team Machine demo bike from a local shop (Ultegra SL for less than $4K).

And to whoever said that there's "oh, about 1000 bikes that meet the criteria",.... well, you're wrong. There's 843 as of the 2010 model year. :p ;)

What am I missing 2008 Durace is still Durace and Cervelo is one of the best bikes made all for under $4,000. Its in the price range.

There's plenty of 'em...coming over the ocean in containers, literally by the boatload. I'd suggest you pick a brand like Trek, Specialized, Honda, Giant, Toyota, or Cannondale.

What am I missing 2008 Durace is still Durace and Cervelo is one of the best bikes made all for under $4,000. Its in the price range.

I'm not sure I'm following. Are you saying he should look at a Cervelo R3?

I'm not sure I'm following. Are you saying he should look at a Cervelo R3?

Yes, a 2008 R3 or R3 SL is under $4,000 is a quote from a review of the R3 SL

Verdict

The Cervélo R3 SL is one of the best road bikes on the planet; some people would argue that it is the best. If you’re in the market for a top level, high performance speed machine, this is a real taste of roadie heaven.

What am I missing 2008 Durace is still Durace and Cervelo is one of the best bikes made all for under $4,000. Its in the price range.

So?

Like I said, you can't buy a sucky bike in this price range if you tried. They just don't exist. Get whatever you like. :thumb:

There's plenty of 'em...coming over the ocean in containers, literally by the boatload. I'd suggest you pick a brand like Trek, Specialized, Honda, Giant, Toyota, or Cannondale.

Wait... There are good Honda bikes? Not the faux-motocross crap I used to see falling off the shelves at Wal-Mart?

<-- Honda fanboy.. lol

So?

Like I said, you can't buy a sucky bike in this price range if you tried. They just don't exist. Get whatever you like. :thumb:

That is true many good bikes in this price range, Cervelo is better than good.

That is true many good bikes in this price range, Cervelo is better than good.

Shill. :p

Shill. :p

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shill

Other than researching a carbon bike this spring and buying a Cervelo because it was a good choice, I have no association with the company or the bike shop listed.

Ahem... " :p "

Well, MY research consisted of watching the TdF and Vuelta a España, and I think every brand mentioned so far was on my TV screen.

So there. :p

Yes, a 2008 Synapse or Synapse Carbon is under $4,000 is a quote from a review of the Synapse

Verdict

The Synapse is one of the best road bikes on the planet; some people would argue that it is the best. If you’re in the market for a top level, high performance speed machine, this is a real taste of roadie heaven.

Is that the review from "Bicycling" magazine? I knew it sounded familiar :p.

Is that the review from "Bicycling" magazine? I knew it sounded familiar :p.

:lol:

If a review sounds like a wank-fest, it's worthless. ;)

Ahem... " :p "

Well, MY research consisted of watching the TdF and Vuelta a España, and I think every brand mentioned so far was on my TV screen.

So there. :p

Did you know that the Cervelo is light that they add weight to it qualify for the TDF.
Did you also know that the Cervelo you see in the TDF is the same one you can buy at your local bike shop.

If all you do is watch the TDF for research you really have not done a good job.

Did you know that the _______ is light that they add weight to it qualify for the TDF.
Did you also know that the ______you see in the TDF is the same one you can buy at your local bike shop.



Are you paid by the consonant or vowel?



If all you do is watch the TDF for research you really have not done a good job.

No, much better to take the word off some guy on the interweb.

Are you paid by the consonant or vowel?



No, much better to take the word off some guy on the interweb.


What is your point all bikes are the same, I don't agree.

When I buy things Cars, Bikes, Appliances I do real research, please do not assume otherwise.:notamused:

What is your point all bikes are the same, I don't agree.

When I buy things Cars, Bikes, Appliances I do real research, please do not assume otherwise.:notamused:

I've done my research, which has consisted of a lot more than watching TV (that post was purely being facetious... although it could also be taken as, if it's good enough for the pros, it's good enough for us), and I'm sticking by my point that there isn't a crappy bike near $4K.

Drawing comparisons in this range is really pretty pointless. Unless you've got very specific requirements (geometry, BB standard, tapered vs. standard head tube, number of bottle cage mounts, um... what else...), you might as well just go with whatever color you like.

Are you paid by the consonant or vowel?

He's paid by grammar errors. ;)

What is your point all bikes are the same, I don't agree.

When I buy things Cars, Bikes, Appliances I do real research, please do not assume otherwise.:notamused:

whoosh

I was wondering if anyone out there knew of any great carbon bikes. I am looking for something that will be comfortable enough for extended rides but can accelerate like a beast

There are great carbon bikes around, but nothing is really going to transform your acceleration except training harder.

whoosh

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=woosh

Are personally attacking me?

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=woosh

Are personally attacking me?

Do you really need to consult the dictionary? :rolleyes:

Oh, and AirChambz -- welcome to the Road Cycling section of BikeForums! ;)

Do you really need to consult the dictionary? :rolleyes:

Oh, and AirChambz -- welcome to the Road Cycling section of BikeForums! ;)

I am not as cool as you, so yes I needed to look it up, when I did I didnot like what I saw. I guess some of us never grow up and think personal attacks are macho.

amazing. a thread dedicated to shilling everything and anything. i recommend the george foreman grill and newman salad dressing.

serious reply. carbon is so normal now that any brand will have a decent carbon bike at your budget.

Anyway... never mind the Cervelo shill... everything seems to whoosh over his head...

AirChambz, go out and ride whatever fancies your interest. If you're coming from hybrids or mountain bikes, they'll all feel fast and nimble. If you've had a decent road bike, whatever you test ride will feel lighter, probably more responsive, and not any harsher.

i would even go as far as to say pick something that looks good to you. go to a website that carries many brands and flick through. nothing is going to be crap for a newbie and most people wouldn't know the subtle differences. then check if it fits you, test ride yada yada and then if you still think it is great buy it. then post it here for us to drool over.

Anyway... never mind the Cervelo shill... everything seems to whoosh over his head...

AirChambz, go out and ride whatever fancies your interest. If you're coming from hybrids or mountain bikes, they'll all feel fast and nimble. If you've had a decent road bike, whatever you test ride will feel lighter, probably more responsive, and not any harsher.

You probably also a $10 wine is the same as a $30 wine. Sure almost all carbon bikes are good but some are better.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=woosh

Are personally attacking me?

The irony meter just exploded :lol: