Inpd

Hi,

My plan was always get a cheap entry level bike and if I liked biking them get a nicer bike. Well thanks to the bike and all of you I'm hooked!

I've already done 2500 miles in six months on my basic entry level road bike from Bikes Direct (see Road Bikes - Dawes Lightning DLX). It's basically very similar to a lot of 8 speed Claris entry level offering like Giant's Defy 5 (Defy 5 (2015) | Giant Bicycles | United States). This bike will become a touring or commuter bike.

But I'm a bit at a lost to know what to order for my next bike since there is nothing I really hate about my first bike. But I do have some notes as follows:

1. I live in an area with no hills what-so-ever. But there is nice 60 mile paved bike trail I use a lot with lots twists/corners. I like that type of riding a lot with the aim being to ride it quickly for 1-2 hour rides.
2. My current bike weights 25 pounds and has a "Jamaican level" of relaxed geometry.
3. I have to transport my bike on a bike rack and wouldn't mind having the option of shipping it with confidence.
4. I don't ride too much on rough roads.
5. I find the Claris groupset is perfectly fine for my shifting needs. I need to shift a lot on the above mentioned trail and its quick and responsive enough.

So I'm leaning towards a non-endurance steel bike with 105 component group or better and trying to get it close to 20 pounds. My reasoning being I already have a decent endurance style ALU bike and the new bike will be more sporty, smoother ride and better component group. At least that way I'll have two different types of bike. I ruled out CF since I'm leery of transporting these bikes.

Any thoughts on my line of reasoning?

Any suggestions to what to buy? I could go the Mail Order route again, but could drive over a town or two to get one from a LBS (the ones in my area suck).

PepeM

If there is nothing you dislike about your current bike, why get a new one?

Inpd

Because I can! Also I've lost 20 pounds riding my bike in the last six months and want to lose another 10. I figure a new bike will keep me motivated.

Also, won't a non-endurace style bike be more fun to ride on a fast curvy flat bike path?

Lazyass

Since you had a good experience with BD............................

Save Up To 60% Off Pro Level Steel Road Bikes | Commuting | Commuter Bikes | Motobecane Gran Premio PRO

Save Up To 60% Off Pro Level Steel Road Bikes | Commuting | Commuter Bikes | Motobecane Gran Premio PRO

Inpd

Thanks @Lazyass. Those look interesting but aren't they still endurance geometry similar to my current one?

Does the geometry just but you in a better riding position or does it actually improve the bike performance/responsiveness as well?

mrtrinh

I'd look into a caad10 or new caad12. It handles well, lighter, and race geometry.

rms13

If you have a Performance nearby, the new Fuji Roubaix looks like a good deal

Fuji Roubaix 1.3 Road Bike - 2016

A well speced alum race bike with 105 for about $350 less than a caad

Lazyass

No, they're more of a race geometry. Going by the numbers they look like they're kind of in between a CAAD 8 and a CAAD 12. An endurance bike like yours has longer chainstays, slacker tube angles, taller headtube, ect.

KantoBoy

Whatever you buy, get something different. Don't get something identical or similar.

Inpd

Great minds think alike. So isn't what I said different to what I have? Or should i try for something else

Lazyass

I've had a woodie for this bike if you want to spend a little more.

https://www.bikewagon.com/breezer-ven...Ia4aAvRB8P8HAQ

nastystang

That Motobecane posted by Lazyass with the 22 speed 105 would be a solid contender in my book. I have a Tarmac with that group and its pretty good. Should be racy enough and the steel frame will hold up a long time. Nice price as well, not sure what your budget is but thats a good deal. The Breezer is nice as well but 5800 105 is better than the 5700 105 on the Breezer. Not trying to sell you on either one but point out some differences. Knowing your budget may help get some better suggestion.

rms13

I've heard a lot of good about the frame and you can get the frameset so cheap that you could build it up with 5800 and some cheap wheels like vuelta and have a nice steel bike for around $1200
2012 Breezer Venturi Frameset Blue/White Bikewagon

Team Sarcasm

Look into a caad12. Should be less than 2k.

Tbh, a "bike upgrade" should be a big upgrade to make it worth it. Things in the sub 1k range probably won't be much of an upgrade.

I didn't see a budget, but if you have or can save 1500-2k$ you can probably find a very nice upgrade within the 1500-2k range. Especially with year end sales.

Otherwise after a few months riding your new rig you will realize both bikes are apples to apples instead of apples to oranges as far as which one is the"upgraded one".

Lazyass

Woah, I didn't know the frames were marked down that much. Hmmm.

Team Sarcasm

If your in the edge of an impulse buy grab a few beers. It will make it easier entering you cc number

trainsktg

I bought a 2014 Giant Defy 5 with 2x8 Claris group as my fist road bike. After 3,000 miles, I still like it very much and will continue to use it as a winter training bike, but I wanted something a little nicer. As much as I like the Defy, it made no sense to me to get a nicer Defy like an Advanced so I found a 2015 Giant TCR Advanced 2 with 2x11 105 group on clearance which is similar to the Defy, but has a more aggressive geometry.

Keith

Inpd

Thanks. Great information as usual. But no one really commented on my chain of reasoning.

Am I right that a more race geometry style bike will be fun to ride on a flat bike trail with some nice twists?

Is my argument that buying Steel makes sense since it will handle traveling better but be more absorbent reasonable?

Does the general argument of buying a 2nd bike that's very different to the first seem reasonable. As I said, I don' dislike my current bike at all.

johnyguy

Let me have a quick question why is a steel frame preferable over a quality alu frame? Thanks

mawashi

I do get your reasoning but in this case, why not just just get another bike and sell the other? That way you can afford a bit more for better components and parts?

Steel is good for most surfaces and will serve you well for years and years, it's a far more durable material than Alu or carbon imo.

Inpd

Oh the other bike brand new is $400 and would probably not even sell for $200!

Inpd

For me, I heard they can take dings well. As I intend to travel with this on my rack and even on a plane I was thinking steel would handle the rattles, shakes etc better than Alu and much better than CF.

rms13

Personal preference.

johnyguy

Yes certainly Would

Lazyass

I didn't say it was preferable, but I have a steel Paramount that has had untold thousands of miles put on it since it received a dime sized dent on the top tube. I doubt I would ride a alu frame with that damage. But don't get me wrong, I love aluminum. But the OP said he was interested in steel. That's the reason for the recommendations I posted.