beldredge

Ok, hopefully I've posted in an appropriate place.

I recently rented a bike in San Diego while on vacation, and had such a great time that I would like to get more into biking. My intention right now is to have something to ride around streets and paved paths, both as an alternative mode of transportation as well as a means of fitness. I would anticipate my rides would be anywhere from 5 miles on up to perhaps 20 for starters. My brother is an avid (obsessed?) road cyclist, and has expressed interest in having me join him for some of his more casual weekend rides (which are likely still fairly challenging for me). I've been riding around in this manner on my 10 year old MTD, and am anxious to get into something more efficient for the type of riding I'm doing.

After several test-rides, I've settled on a flat-bar road bike, and have mostly settled on the Giant FCR line. The shop I like has an FCR2 in my size, and can order a FCR Alliance. $700 for the FCR2 and $1,250 for the Alliance. They don't have an FCR1 available, and I found that I like the FCR2 quite a bit, and if I wanted to upgrade, I'd go all the way to the Alliance.

So, I'd be interested in others' opinions on whether the Alliance is too much overkill for where I'm at. It seems that it may be, but I am definitely interested in the added smoothness of the carbon in the Alliance, and am very willing to spend the extra money for that. I also feel I would be getting a bike that I would not feel the need to upgrade, unless I desired a different type of bike altogether.

Any input would be appreciated, and if anyone has specific input on the FCR line, particularly the Alliance, that'd be great.

Thanks!

envane

Just had a very similar thread re: expensive flat-bar bikes, but the Trek line.

I'll restate my opinion: Dropping $1250 on a nerfed road bike is kinda silly.