800creditscore

I am extremely new to the road scene. By new, I mean I have never been on a road bike. I want to get into riding and will most likely only ride 1-2 times a week at most. I am really into mtn biking and bought an entry level Mtb - Ibex Ignition 2 ($400) and loved riding so much I soon upgraded to a Specialized Stumpy FSR Expert ($2500+) and love it. I ride the stumpy alot since I live 1/2 mile for a great mtb course here in the ATL. I do not mind spending anywhere up to $1500-$1800 on a good road bike but wonder if at my skill level if I will see the difference between a base Specialized Sequoia ($750), Sequoia Elite ($1200), Roubaix ($1300) or possibly even the Cannondale Synapse Carbon 3 ($1899). The main thing for me to enjoy riding and be comfortable riding so I will continue to do it. Some friends and I are doing the MS 150 (100 miler) in about a month so I want to be somewhat comfortable during that ride, but in all reality I will most likely be doing 30-40 miles each time out and just riding, not trying to break land speed records...more for fitness than anything else. Like I said, I don't mind spending $1500+, but it would be nice if I could tell a discernable difference between the base Sequoia and the Roubiax....if not I will jusy go with something less expensive. I realize many are going to say I need to get out and ride them but my LBS don't do that so I will most likely go on reviews and recommendations. Want to pull the trigger this week.....any suggestions?

mrchristian

Go to a bike shop and test drive all bikes that you mentioned $700-$2000 range. If you think its worth it, buy it. If you don't, well go cheaper then. Take a test ride and find out.

Hey, there's a lot of other things in the world that are much worse than bicycles that you could be blowing your money on

moxfyre

I'd say the most import things for a first road bike are: (a) is it comfortable to you? (b) is the gearing right for you? (c) do you find the shifting easy? Basically, it's all a matter of what you find best. Your first road bike will feel fast and amazing no matter what.

But, it sounds like you're not hurting for cash either I'd say pick your price point FIRST, then buy the best bike you can get for that amount of money.

Re Cycle

Just bought mine, and absolutely love it. It is extremely comfy and yet efficient. If you want to go long distances, this is a nice, comfy choice.

Falkon 

I know I push this a lot, but if you like the feel-good-ness you get from buying a Cannonball made right here in the US for $300-500 more than you should, then by all means go right ahead, but if you want to get the most for your money, look at Fuji, Felt, and the others you mentioned [specialized is good]

Now, here's a roubaix for you... the Fuji Roubaix!

Tiagra shifters, 105 derailleurs, one of the cheapest bikes you'll find with carbon seat stays and a carbon fork. The carbon seat stays aren't necessarily to save weight either [they actually make the bike weight a little more] Instead, the flexibility of the carbon makes for a smoother ride. All the Fujis come with nice Continental Ultrasport tires. The Truvativ Triple crankset is a good design and uses the hollow bottom bracket with external bearings.
Price - $999

Here's another, the Felt F80

This is what I ride, because it's what I could afford. I have since upgraded the heavy crank and bottom bracket to a Shimano R700 compact with Dura-Ace bottom bracket. This bike is 9-speed 105 from the shifters to the derailleurs. Like the Fuji, this one has a carbon fiber fork. The shifters and front derailleur are better on this bike whereas the frame, crank, and wheels are better on the fuji. The Fuji Roubaix is a bit lighter as well.
Price - $799

Here's your step up from the Roubaix - the Roubaix Pro!

Here you get a few advantages over the Roubaix. The shifters are 105 10 speed, the front derailleur is 105 and the rear is Ultegra. The crankset and wheels are also a nice upgrade. I know that wheelset uses a genuine Shimano rear hub and cassette body, which is a good thing! So, with this bike, you go from 9-speed rear to 10-speed with the nice Ultegra derailleur
Price - about $1200

Here is the Felt equivalent, the F75

This has an even better crank than the Fuji counterpart and shares the same platform of 10-speed Shimano 105 shifters and Ultegra rear derailleur. This bike has the carbon fiber rear seat stays just as the Roubaix like does. This bike has a nicer Shimano wheelset.
Price - $1299

Now, you get to find out you can go to a full carbon fiber frame without having to spend $2000. Here is the Fuji Team!

This bike is essentially the Roubaix Pro with a nice full carbon frame. 10-speed 105 shifters, Ultegra rear derailleur, and of course a full carbon frame! This will be my next bike!
Even the price is good - $1599

If you wanna go above that, just let me know.

800creditscore

Re Cycle...which one did you buy? Also, do most LBS offer demo rides? Mine said that they do not and that most LBS do not either. I bought my Stumpy from them so I would hope they are at least honest with me.

moxfyre

Woah... what kind of LBS doesn't offer demo rides?!?!? Every LBS should offer demo rides! The two bike shops in town and the REI both offer demo rides. You just leave your driver's license with 'em and hop on the bike. I'd be loath to buy a new bike without a demo ride.

800creditscore

This is a Specialized dealer right near my house. He said I could ride it around the parking lot but that was about it. They did let me test out the Stumpy at the local trail before I dropped $2500 on it so I just figured it was normal practice not to demo road bikes. I will definitely try another LBS. Thanks for the ehads up.

operator

It's pretty unnormal practice for an LBS to not let you go for a test ride.

-VELOCITY-

ANd never forget the Trek 1000.