Commuting - I want a racing/endurance bike!

I've been commuting full-time for a while now. My current go-to is my Windsor Tourist. Its like most commuters, outfitted with rack, fenders, bags, etc. Most here understand why. The last thread I started about the "next bike" got me thinking. I've been really wanting to do some recreational riding, like charity races and maybe complete a century this coming year. I really want a race bike!

I ran this past the wife since I already have 4 complete bikes plus a few frames put aside for projects. So we negotiated some and we agreed (aka- she's allowing me) that I could have a race bike provided I trim the herd to just two (my oldest children get the other bikes).

So anyways, for those that commute but also race and do charity rides, what bike should I be looking at? I posted a similar thread in the Road Bike forum but thought I would get a more understanding from the folks here. Here is my criteria:

Aluminum, steel or carbon frame set.
Shimano 105 or better.
About 20 pounds complete.

I am open to most any make/model. I have looked closely at the Cannondale CAAD8 and this would comes very close to my specs and price range (msrp $1500-ish). I would rather buy as a complete, and would rather buy local, but I am not afraid to mail-order and put together.

Suggestions welcome.

In addition to the Cannondale model, you may want to look at the Trek 1.5 and the Giant Defy 1. All of these would be a good choice for you, retail in your price range and have the components you want.

Best deal I know about:

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=PRODUCT&OPTION=LOAD_PRODUCT_BY_ID&PRODUCT.ID=32174

Since my Tourist is steel, I am a bit partial to that material. I see Jamis is making a few more steel bikes than last year. Prices not all that bad either. Bianchi and Specialized are making steel now, so I've heard.

Thanks for the replies and links!

Since my Tourist is steel and very heavy.


Ride quality is related to the PSI in the tires.


I have the 2011 version of this one.
It is so responsive and nimble you can't believe it.

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=PRODUCT&OPTION=LOAD_PRODUCT_BY_ID&PRODUCT.ID=32386

That BMC, 10 Wheels, looks nice.

I have the 2011 version of this one.
It is so responsive and nimble you can't believe it.

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=PRODUCT&OPTION=LOAD_PRODUCT_BY_ID&PRODUCT.ID=32386

Ever do business with them?

Ever do business with them?

Bought two this year:

They arrive like this.
Assembled and test rode and adjusted by a mechanic, then packed.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/Red%20BMC/TheRedBMCStreetRacer002-1.jpg

2600 miles now on this one with a few centuries.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/Red%20BMC/RedBMC023.jpg

Got The White one first just to ride 100 miles on this track.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/TDCIndy2012184.jpg

Since my Tourist is steel and very heavy.



I haven't looked too close at carbon in the past several months. Looks like the prices really came down!

And yes, the Tourist is heavy. haven't weighed it lately... just don't want to know.

Thanks for the info and the pics. I've bought from BD (that's where the tourist came from) and I am not afraid to buy from them again. I also looked at Performance's Scattante brand as well. Never read much about BMC although I understand they are a well respected brand.

I haven't looked too close at carbon in the past several months. Looks like the prices really came down!

And yes, the Tourist is heavy. haven't weighed it lately... just don't want to know.

I ride every week with a friend on his heavy tourist.
He now has 67,000 mile on it.

He rode it 750 miles for his 75th Birthday.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/Roys%20750%20Mile%20Tour/RedRoseofTexas.jpg

Have fun shopping...Let us know what you get.

I really like my caad 8 105, I commute with it and want to have something that I can do much of what you want to do. I am planning on mounting some fenders on mine and right now trying to decide if I want to install pannier rack or just carry a messenger bag.

I moved from a kilo fixed gear, I really liked the feel of my steel kilo but wanted gears because my commute. I wanted something aluminum because of riding on campus. I recently gave mine a new paint job, but I couldn't be happier with my caad.

I do my charity/organized/long distance rides on a Motobecane LeChamp Ti. I love that bike.

I still think the Felt Z85 has great specs for the price. Aluminum, 20 lb, 105 group, $1350 MSRP. If you can find a 2012 you can probably save $. Depending on your budget, you can get unknown carbon fiber: http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/lechamp_cf_ltd_xi.htm with Ultegra components :-) The Motobecane LeChamp Ti is metioned a lot on these forums and people like it. I think many people have purchased from Competitve Cyclist and are very happy. BMC is top notch, high quality bike. You've already ordered online, so you probably know the drill..... but, I would ask about return policy. And what happens if the bike is the wrong size.

There are lots of bikes out there. In the $1500 range, I think you can find a number of bikes that are 105 and 20 lbs, especially if you shop around or find a 2012 bike. And don't put your nose up at the "plush" bikes. They are nearly the same bike as performance counterpart. Differences will be frame geometry and seat, for the most part, and you'll get a smoother ride.

Trek Domane is another choice.. novel seat tube suspension , for a more comfortable saddle..

with minimal weight gain modest price range are Aluminum, higher, carbon.

A few hundred dollars more and you could get this :

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/lechamp_ti_10.htm

Thanks for the suggestions. Lots of options I never thought to consider before.

Look at a Giant TCR Comp 2, or the less expensive TCR aluminum. The TCR Comp 2 is just under 2k and full carbon, but you should be able to find last years model for less. I did NOT buy a Giant when I looked (already 7 years ago) but always somewhat regretted it. I bought a Kuota Kharma instead, a lot more money, custom build, and probably no better than a Giant for a lot less. Don't get me wrong, the Kuota is a great bike, but so are the Giants.

I have a Cannondale Synapse 5 105 (alloy) that set me back $1099. Unlike the CF models, the alloy has fender mounts. There aren't any mounts for racks though. I love it.

The Specialized Roubaix is also something to consider. That was slightly out of my price range, but I did like it. You can probably find a clearance model for around $1500. I've also heard great things about the Fuji Gran Fondo and the Giant Defy.

Depends on the fit and handling you prefer. If you have some saddle-to-bar drop happening with your Windsor don't rule out a more "race" style bike. Even some "race" bikes like the Specialized Tarmac and most Ridleys have fairly tall head tubes.

I'd just start with riding some bikes. Now is a great time to buy a road bike if you have the dough.

I love this bike:

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_536852_-1___202339

Its full ultegra 6700 except for the slk carbon crank. I bought it for $1300 during one of nashbar's 20% off sales.

I swapped the heavy post and stem for a thomson and loaded respectively. Since I ride to climb the triple is fine with me. When I wear it out I will probably install a compact or 52-34.

Specialized Secteur is nice too.

Another great deal over at Competitive Cyclist: http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=PRODUCT&OPTION=LOAD_PRODUCT_BY_ID&PRODUCT.ID=32903

This one's a bit over your initial price range, but would be a fantastic bike, IMO. http://www.eriksbikeshop.com/2011-Roubaix-Comp-105-Road-Race-Bike/PR3C8476/Product

Here's a nice option: http://www.eriksbikeshop.com/2012-La-Triestina-Road-Race-Bike/PR3C11964/Product

Of course, you're into BikesDirect ti territory, which is pretty enticing, IMO.

I used to look at the BikesDirect site and think they were a good deal, but I've seen them up close and I'm never impressed.

Go to all of the LBS in your area and try everything they have in your price range. At this time of year there'll be plenty of sales. It's post-Xmas and still winter, even in SoCal (where is K'ville? Knoxville?) I'd start with Giant (as I said above), C'Dale, Specialized, Trek, and then go to the next group that sometimes are a little cheaper. Find what type of bike you want, an all-out road racer, or a more comfortable type made for distance riding (not always so different from each other anymore.) Take them for a spin, ride up a hill, see how it responds on turns.

We can all tell you what to buy based on what we have, but you need to try it yourself.

Ever do business with them?

I got two of the 2011 BMCs, one for me and one for my wife. I have de-raced mine a bit with compact bars, higher spoke count wheels, and a bit different stem, but it is a very nice bike for my needs. Competitive Cyclist has a no-questions-asked return policy, almost unheard-of. The bikes are tuned before assembly and shipment, ready to ride when you reassemble them. Just needed a fit and I was good to go.

They often will reduce or comp the shipping if you ask, or at least that was happening on the BMC deal last year.

I used to look at the BikesDirect site and think they were a good deal, but I've seen them up close and I'm never impressed.

Unless you are buying a custom bike for $4-20,000 bikedirect frames are made in the same asian factories that mainstream frames are made in. And, IMO, bikesdirect is really no worse than trek, specialized, or cannondale when it comes to low-balling wheels, hubs, stem, and post while high-lighting the snazzy shimano/sram dt.

Unless you are buying a custom bike for $4-20,000 bikedirect frames are made in the same asian factories that mainstream frames are made in. And, IMO, bikesdirect is really no worse than trek, specialized, or cannondale when it comes to low-balling wheels, hubs, stem, and post while high-lighting the snazzy shimano/sram dt.

It depends on which of their offerings you're looking at as to why it might not be impressive.
I almost bought a Motobecane LeChamp CF frameset, and the only reason I didn't was because a shop buddy made me a better offer on another brand through his dealer connections. But after quick consideration of some budget minded MTB options (BikesDirect and Airborne's Marauder) it was pointed out that the suspension type is nothing near what you get from a higher cost bike. Single pivot vs. quad-link suspension, quality of forks, etc. Sure, they were comparable in drivetrain and other components, but that suspension difference is a big deal in the design and quality.

Thanks for all the replies and the links. I am a bit unsure what I want to do. I will be ordering/buying something the beginning of February. I started printing out the various specs and comparing bikes.

We are forunate to have a few good shops in our area. There is one or two shops that have a reputation for shoddy workmanship and pushy sales.

Best deal I know about:

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=PRODUCT&OPTION=LOAD_PRODUCT_BY_ID&PRODUCT.ID=32174

I asked competitivecyclist about this bike a while back, for anyone who is interested, it is equipped with the older 9 speed tiagra before it was upgraded to 10 speeds.

Initially you listed 105 for parts. Stick with that level of equipment as it will go the distance, whereas Tiagra will not. The Cdale and Giant frames are excellent. Pick the one that fits, then decide if it has the right mix of parts. Always choose fit over parts, always, always, always.

Initially you listed 105 for parts. Stick with that level of equipment as it will go the distance, whereas Tiagra will not. The Cdale and Giant frames are excellent. Pick the one that fits, then decide if it has the right mix of parts. Always choose fit over parts, always, always, always.

Great advice! I already am riding bikes with watered-down Shimano parts. They have done the job over the years. But why have "almost as good as 105" when I should just get Shimano 105 and be done with it?

What is SRAM's equal to the 105 components?

Good question. SRAM Apex certainly is not equal in quality or durability to the 105. I would venture Rival at the least and more likely Force, although it would seem to be a bridge between 105 and Ultegra. Shimano has been doing brifters for so long they have them squared away for durability as long as you stick to 105 or better. SRAM has yet to be proven. I do have SRAM on my mountain bike and it is perfect in every way thus far.

...


I have the 2011 version of this one.
It is so responsive and nimble you can't believe it.

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=PRODUCT&OPTION=LOAD_PRODUCT_BY_ID&PRODUCT.ID=32386

I have the 2011 version of this as well, and 10 Wheels is correct. It is also incredibly stable at any speed. I like the 2012 black ones better.

I'm partial to the Soma Smoothie.

Since the smaller frame sizes are so hard to come by, I just may have to mail order.

I have narrowed it down to a few aluminum/steel framed bikes with carbon forks. Most are from BD. I have about a month before I can order anything so I have some time yet.

Thanks again for all the helpful replies!

http://www.fahrradmanufaktur.de/bikes/expedition/2013-tx-randonneur-shimano-105-20-gang/

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