Road Cycling - best bike for about $1000

Hello everyone!

I am new to road biking and new to the forum.

I was hoping some people could tell me about their experiences with any of these bikes. I am looking to spend about 1 grand and definitely want a bike with mostly ultegra components. I don't think I will race at all in the future, but I want a bike that has a tendency towards seriousness and can keep up with the better road bikes. Also, I plan on doing lots of long-distance riding. Can't wait for the century ride!

My canidates so far are:

Specialized Sequoia Elite ($900) I test rode this one. The ride was so smooth it felt like a hybrid, fit a little tight and did not feel like a true sport bike. Also has 105 components. Pretty lightweight.

Bianchi Veloce '03 ($999) The "best" deal as it used to cost about 1500$$. Steel frame, Campagnolo components. It felt a lot like racing bike. Real stiff, super responsive. Not quite as comfortable as the others I tested. Maybe too stiff and responsive for me (I am a newbie!). It is Italian and made it Italy (which means you can use olive oil to lube up components, no?).

LeMond Big Sky SLT ($999) .Another good deal, usually 1350$$. Ultegra components with a 105 front derailleur. Wheels are nicer than the other bikes I saw. Unusually smooth, quite responsive despite this. Has four total brake levers (two in the upright position). Seems to be more of a long-ride bike, but the lbs guy claims it can compete with other high-end bikes such as the aforementioned Bianchi.

Any other bikes I should look into? Maybe a Giant OCR-1?

Thanks!

quinogaita

aw, jeez - you gotta go for a celeste bianchi whenever possible i think. i'm not sure, but i think there are statutes in place to enforce this practice.

where did you find one for $1k? i thought they were more like $1200-$1300...

I would recomend to look at Univega bikes. I have one myself, they are very durable and no problems at all, exept an annual check up would be great.

Go Bianchi - the Eros is a little more affordable - end of season you should be able to get for around 8-900.

My Bianchi Eros now has 5000 miles on it, and its holding up great!

If the Bianchi fits, it is the obvious choice.

A campy equipped Bianchi...yumm!

My ride is an 03 Bianchi Veloce. I have never regretted the choice. I bought it just about a year ago at a special night sale at my LBS - paid $1199, so I think $999 is a great deal. As I understand it, the 03 model is the last Veloce that was made in Italy. Anyway, I find that it handles well and is very responsive....I'm still working on the "it's really fast" part....of course, if I lost about 20 lbs, I'm sure it would be a lot faster. I really like the steel ride - it's very comfortable. The jury's still out on the Selle Italia seat that came with it. I bought some bibs that have smoothed out the ride, but I think it's going to be replaced in the near future. Of course, seat choice is subjective, so it might be just right for you. Of your three choices, the Veloce is the most serious road bike and Bianchi's been in the business for over 100 years. Bicycling Magazine recognized the Veloce as a best buy last spring. Bottom line ----if it's Celeste, you've got to go for it, IMHO. You've already test rode the bikes you're interested in. Don't be afraid to ask to test them out again if you're unsure. Buy the one that sings to you. Good luck!

Ride the ocr-1 =)

You should be able to find a Trek 2100 2004 for around $1,000 to $1,100 which is a good value and a nice bike.

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I will look again at the Bianchi Veloce 03. It is a nice bike. Sadly it is not the famous blue/mint greenish hybridized color, since it is the "triple," it is white. It's either that or the LeMond (it felt so good). I agree about the seat on the Bianchi, it is a bit suspect and a little stiff in all the wrong places, but I figure once I am up to the century level I will updgrade to one of specialized seats (mmm it was nice! One of those forked ones that puts no pressure whatsoever on the reproductive package!)

I looked into the same group of bikes, basically. I wanted a road bike with some comfort features. I looke at the Specialized Sequoia Elite ($975), the Lemond Big Sky SL ($1049), and Bianchi's Eros (no firm price quote, but in the range). I was attarcted to the beauty of the Bianchi, but the results of my test rides were undeniable. The USA made Lemond Big Sky was far and away the best ride for me, it feels silky smooth, super quite, and is fast and light. But it is soooo comfortable, but not in a cushy, suspended sort of way. It just fit.

So, I ordered the Big Sky SL from my lbs in Santa Monica (they did not have the 55 cm size so I had to order it). Great bot of luck, the Lemond rep showed up the next day, and when he heard about my pending order, he offered to fill it right then andd there with a brand new Big Sky SLT (the high end version)-- for the same $1049.

I picked up the bike the next day and I have been very happy with it. Nonetheless, the Sequoia was a great ride as well. Bianchi was a bit stiff.

Good luck.

Ooooooh, yeah! ULTEGRA for under $1000!
I believe the following bikes uses the same Easton Ultra Lite frame.


2005 Tommaso AS2 $899
http://www.getawaybikes.com/Detail.cfm?Categoryid=33&BrandID=9&ProductID=1152&CFID=4031757&CFTOKEN=99739745
http://www.getawaybikes.com/uploads/productimage/large/1152.jpg



2004 Scattante R650 $949
http://www.supergo.com/profile.cfm?LPROD_ID=24416&lsubcat_id=7618&lcat_id=7604&referpage=
http://www.supergo.com/product_images/large/30-0238.jpg

I would recomend to look at Univega bikes. I have one myself, they are very durable and no problems at all, exept an annual check up would be great.

Univega went out of business. They did make good bikes

you could always look at a felt F60. It's just under 20lbs and for about $1100 you get:
Felt Superlite custom butted 7005 alloy + Carbon fiber wishbone seat stays. Externally butted integrated head tube, forged dropouts. Felt carbon fiber fork.
Shimano Ultegra/105 27-speed derailleurs and shifters. FSA Gossamer cold forged alloy triple crank with 7075 alloy CNC’ed chainrings.
Formula XR-3 wheelset. Continental Sport 1000 folding tires.
Tektro RX40 brakes. Felt 6061 3D forged seatpost and stem. 6061 butted handlebar. Selle Italia XO Genuine Gel saddle

I rode the '03 Bianchi Campione and the '04 Giant OCR1 back to back for about an hour and a half each. I think the Veloce in '03 uses the same frame. I honestly thought the Giant was a smoother ride. However, at 999 that's a steal.

I recently did all the research - looked at Specialized, LeMond, Giant, Trek, etc., and eventually bought the Tommaso AS2 from the internet retailer who advertises them on Ebay (and elsewhere). I am completely satisfied with the bike and the service I received from them (getawaybikes.com). The AS2 weighs in at 17.5 lbs, is Ultegra-equipped, has an Easton frame, carbon fiber seat post, front fork and handlebars, and sells for under $1000. I was in Florida while I was searching, so I drove to the getawaybikes retail store on the FL East Coast. They put together a beautiful bike for the money. I spoke with the manager running the web operation; I met the man who puts the bikes together (they call it "Pro Build" for internet sales. He himself owned a bike shop for 35 years, and was actually test-riding them outside, just like the Ebay/web site info says. They also made me a nice deal on Ultegra pedals. I would never hesitate dealing with them again - and I can find no better value in a bike anywhere.

If it were me, I'd probably buy the best steel frame bike I could find. Just bought an Eddie Merckx MX Leader on eBay this week - new frame and almost new Campy Chorus components - for $1,400. Frame itself is $1,500 MSRP.

Bianchi veloce by all means.

You should be able to find a Trek 2100 2004 for around $1,000 to $1,100 which is a good value and a nice bike.

Where... I paid that for my 1500. The 2100 even in the 04 is 1400 + on clearance (although not in my size).

I think the 05' 1500 is a good deal for around 1000, 105 components.

I recently did all the research - looked at Specialized, LeMond, Giant, Trek, etc., and eventually bought the Tommaso AS2 from the internet retailer who advertises them on Ebay (and elsewhere). I am completely satisfied with the bike and the service I received from them (getawaybikes.com). The AS2 weighs in at 17.5 lbs, is Ultegra-equipped, has an Easton frame, carbon fiber seat post, front fork and handlebars, and sells for under $1000. I was in Florida while I was searching, so I drove to the getawaybikes retail store on the FL East Coast. They put together a beautiful bike for the money. I spoke with the manager running the web operation; I met the man who puts the bikes together (they call it "Pro Build" for internet sales. He himself owned a bike shop for 35 years, and was actually test-riding them outside, just like the Ebay/web site info says. They also made me a nice deal on Ultegra pedals. I would never hesitate dealing with them again - and I can find no better value in a bike anywhere.


Amen ... I bought an AS1 last year from them and think it's a wondeful, tight ride. I received great support from Getawaybikes when it came to swapping out stems, etc. Get the AS2!!

-mark

'04 Tirreno Razza 3.0 Road Bike $869.99

Need a little more “umph” for the hills? The 3.0 has the same lightweight Columbus 7005-aluminum frame and hardworking group as the 2.0, with a Shimano® 105 triple crankset instead of a double. This gives you a much wider gear range to keep you moving up the hills and mountains. Overweight shipping charges are applied at checkout

www.performancebike.com, click on bikes/frames. Then choose road bikes.

Elegant styling and affordable function make the 2.0 the bike for the enthusiast looking to get deeper into the sport without breaking the bank. The Columbus Zonal triple-butted 7005-aluminum frame provides an efficient comfortable ride that can climb like a billy goat. To give you the reliability and function you need, we’ve selected a hardworking group of parts to complete your ride: Shimano® 105® double drivetrain, a lightweight Alex ALX-3000 wheelset, Forte™ carbon fork and seat post, Classic Look® style pedals and Hutchinson® Excel tires. Overweight shipping charges are applied at checkout.