Inpd

Hi,

I've only been on this board 5 months and those questions are already getting on my nerves! The answer fortunately is very simple.

With the introduction of the Claris group set manufacturers can build a really good road bike cheaply. The entire groupset cost only $160 and includes very good quality STIs, FD and RD etc. All bikes below include this and some go a bit further and include the brakes etc from the group set.

Giant's version is called the Defy 5 (see Defy 5 (2015) | Giant Bicycles | United States) MSRP $640

Cannondale's version is called the Synapse Claris 8 (see Synapse Claris 8 - SYNAPSE - ENDURANCE ROAD - ROAD - BIKES - 2016) MSRP is $870

Trek's version is called 1.1 (see 1.1 - Trek Bicycle) MSRP $769

Specialized version is called the Allez E5 (see https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bik...allez/allez-e5) MSRP $770

If that's too expensive for you wait until end of year clear outs and you can get them even cheaper. The Giant Defy 5 was $500 recently in my area. If that's still too much then Bikes Direct have several Claris groupset bikes starting at $399. But (and its a big but) your resell value on the Giant, Cannondale and Trek will be much higher than the BD offering.

All of the above are endurance style bikes but there are more race geometry versions as well. Cannondale sell the CAAD8 with the Claris group set for $870 (see CAAD8 Claris 8 - CAAD8 - ELITE ROAD - ROAD - BIKES - 2015)

Good luck! You can't go wrong with any of these bikes just pick the one that fits you best.

trainsktg

Claris is a solid groupset.

Keith

rms13

you forgot about your new favorite place, Performance. Stuff is even cheaper there

Diamondback Century 1 Road Bike - 2015

Fuji Sportif 2.3 Road Bike - 2015

Fuji Sportif 2.5 Road Bike - 2016

Diamondback Podium 700C Road Bike

Fuji Roubaix 3.0 LE Road Bike - 2015 Performance Exclusive

OnyxTiger

I seem to brag to everyone about my purchase.


2014 Fuji Sportif 1.3 with discs and Tiagra gruppo. $583 after taxes at Sport Chalet. srs.

Machka 

I think this used to be a sticky ...

https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycli...der-700-a.html

Machka 

Or maybe it was this one ...

https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycli...ke-thread.html

Doctor Morbius

It beats the weekly "what's the best chain lube?" thread. Just not by much.

The problem is newbs don't really like to do research. They'd rather be spoon fed an answer.

shelbyfv

Way too many posts about bottom feeder bikes. Who's interested in them other than newbies?

rms13

judging by the number of posts, I would say "a lot of people"

PepeM

But which one is THE BEST?

shelbyfv

Sure, newbies always ask and never bother to search for what's already been posted. I don't think anyone who has been riding for any length of time has any interest.

rms13

i just like bikes

12strings

According to multiple comparison reviews I've seen, the best bang do buck for RACING is the Specialized Allez with Claris...I saw several reviews within last year that rated it the best riding, best cornering...and now that it has a carbon fork this year, you could easily get into RACING without much pay down...

...of course, I don't race, so I didn't get one...

Inpd

Oh Yes. I forgot about the E5! I added it to my original post. One of those four from the big four is bound to suit you and will be an excellent introduction with very good resale.

NYMXer

Here is your bike.... Road Bikes, Roadbikes - Mercier Galaxy AL

I have it, love it and think this is the best under $500 bike out there. Oh, and it is a fast bike too!

NormanF

Its the economy, stupid. We all started out on entry level bikes. There's nothing really wrong with them except a slightly heavier weight.

They won't win the TdF but they're solid recreational rides which is what Freds do anyway.

And when people are ready for more, they can buy a nicer bike in the future.

Inpd

You know if you don't find a thread interesting you don't need to post a comment to it. Posting to a thread IS optional as is saying nothing.

softreset

indyfabz

Only five months? Seems much longer than that.

Sy Reene

At the price points given by the OP, I'd probably throw in the Nashbar 105 Road bike (in the low $700s during the frequent 20%-off sales)
Nashbar 105 Road Bike

Lazyass

That's actually a nice bike there. And it comes in a 57 which is rare now. Hmmm.

Inpd

As we all know mail order will get you a 60% discount regardless of the bike

Seriously, I think the extra price for buying the Cannondale, Trek, Specialized etc is probably worth it since the person: a) gets to try the bike out and b) has better resale value.

andr0id

I'm trying to think of when I might need a burner road bike.

Maybe to pull off some kind of downtown rush hour heist.

quicktrigger

I have never understood why Cannondale is so significantly higher MSRP. Those lists for similar bikes has Cannondale with almost 36% higher price than Giant. Now I understand Giant has a shorter supply line etc, but Cannondale is still $100 more than the others. I really like the local Cannondale dealer, in fact I have two Cannondale dealers in reasonable driving distance I like, and a couple of their bikes I have liked. But the price difference has been a seriously contributing factor in not choosing them. In the case of a recent Synapse the price difference and horrible brakes both were absolute killers.

ColaJacket

Yeah, I hate you. Mine cost $800 at Performance. But I did have it in April, and was able to ride it for several months before you got yours.

GH