gatorjwade

Howdy,
I'm looking to get back into cycling, mostly for long-term fitness. I plan to ride once a week, maybe 20-30 miles, and occasionally do a non-competitive riding event. I'm looking for a durable, long-lasting, bike that's fun to ride and reasonably precise. Price-wise, I'm thinking something in the approx. $1000 range.

So far, I've been thinking about a Trek 1200 or 1500.

Recommendations?

Trek vs. Cannondale vs. Specialized vs. Giant vs. ??? in this price range?

Thank you!

GreenFix

I have a 2003 specialized Allez Sport. I have put about 2500 miles on it including a century, and I have had no complaints. It cost me about $750, which would leave you room for all the other goodies that you "need", like shorts, a helmet, shoes, clipless pedals, etc. It has a carbon fork, carbon seat post, a Tiagra/105 drive train, and a triple crank. I rode quite a few bikes before I bought this one, and it just felt better to me than the other bikes I rode (a specialized allez comp, a trek 2200, a trek 1200, and my second favorite a Raliegh R600). Happy shopping.

Ebbtide

Test ride the bikes in your price range and you will have your answer. Of the big four makers you mentioned there will be very little difference in the road bike you choose (105, aluminum frame, some carbon here and there) and will come down to fit and comfort.

Hope this helps,

ehenz

RonH

I'd also include Fuji, Jamis, and Raleigh.

Just make sure you get the BIKE FIT to you.

blueline

If you do a search on my screen name (blueline), you will find a couple of recent posts with pictures and opinions. Echoing the sentiment of others, try a couple of bikes and see which ones are most comfortable. I'm pretty happy with my Trek 1500 overall (~$1000), but there is a noticable difference with how this bike feels compared to my old '79 Fuji (back before compact frames). I do feel a bit more hunched over with this bike. If anyone actually carried a touring bike in stock, I would have loved to have given it a test ride.

As always, your mileage may vary...

cyclokiller

I just got a bike that I am very happy with from GVHbikes.com. They did a real good job on my Viner Competition with Campy Centaur. Check the special values section. There are a few bikes just over $1,000. You'll need to know your size though.

prabbit

Another option to consider it to look at used bikes. You may end up with a $1500 bike for half the price because some people are looking to upgrade their bikes and sell them. You can find some nice, well-maintained bikes for under $1,000. You may have to have an overhaul done, but you may end up with better components (albeit a couple of years old).

Ryan

Jamis Quest.. great bike.

tbobby

The Rivendell Romulus sells for $1,550 as a complete bike. I believe in buying things right, the first time.

bg4533

Look for 2003 closeouts as well. Generally little changes and big discounts can be had. I have a Specialized Elite Allez Cro-Mo that I am pretty happy with (don't have enough miles on it to be 100% sure.) You should be able to find 2003 Allez Elite and Elite Cro-Mos around your price range.

Allen H

There have been a couple posts on the LeMond Buenos Aires from prior years (which listed for ~$1600) going for as little as ~$1000 as LBS closeouts, because they're prior model years, but stiill new. The Buenos Aires prior to 2004 has the Reynolds 853 steel frame, with mostly Ultegra components, which is quite a bit of value for your buck.

Feltup

FELT


I think this bike is about $950

gatorjwade

Thanks for your input.

Was wondering what "bike fit" means in detail... Obviously right size frame, seat and handlebar height. What else should I be expecting for "fit"?

Thank you!

nuovorecord

You can find a good bike fit calculator at www.wrenchscience.com. Just plug in your measurements and it does the rest.

marcpotash

Check out wrenchscience.com for a fit program. The "reach" in this program generally is 1 cm too long for entry level riders, so do not buy a bike with a reach longer then suggested.

bianchi_rider

Bianchi Eros $1099.00

bab

I got the 2004 Cannondale R600 for a little over a grand. I really enjoy the ride..
The weird thing is that the 2003 was the exact same price as the 2004 at several stores.

It seems the 2003 was a few hundred more the year before, so that is the price break. I still don't get what the incentive would be to buy the 2003 with both prices being equal. All 3 store that I talked to has a few 2003 in stock so it wasn't a "limited item"

But hey what do I know..

NoTorq

I just bought a 2004 Specialized Allez Elite after riding it, a Trek 1000, and a Trek 1500. Personally, I didn't feel a whole lot of difference between the 1000 and the 1500, but I did feel a lot of difference between the Allez and the 1500. The Allez just seemed faster, it's a pound lighter and I think the wheel set is better. (I like those bladed spokes too!) I'm pretty new to the road bike scene (coming from a mt bike background) so I'm sure a more experienced rider would have been able to pick out even more details between the different bikes. For my money the Allez was the best bike. In fact, based on my test rides I'd buy the 1000 over the 1500, not because it's a better bike but I just didn't think the 1500 was worth the price difference. Of course, that just could be my newbieness. Check out the Allez!

sidewinder

In the price range mentioned, check out the Giant OCR 1. Lots of Ultegra, Giant's own lightweight wheels, 6061 Aluminum for usually less than $1,000.

Reviews on this bike are very good at
https://www.roadbikereview.com

halfspeed

I second the Bianchi Eros recommendation. Much less of a racing style geometry (i.e. more comfortable for a casual rider) than some of the other options. Sadly, I have to counter the Romulus recommendation. It's discontinued. There might be one left in your size, but you'd better hurry.

kewlrunningz

I have the Scattante R-650. $1000 even. Ultegra components...Alex wheelset - bulletproof/light. It's under 18 lbs so that's always a plus. Compact frame for better handling...Aluminum frame. OH and it's purty.

supergo.com

gatorjwade

Many thanks for all of your recommendations - I appreciate you taking a few minutes to help out. I finally decided to go with the Specialized Allez Elite from my local bike shop who gave me a reasonable deal on bike, pedals, shoes, etc. I'll be doing fit and picking it up next week.... I can't wait!
Thanks!

bg4533

Nice choice

nesdog

I test rode the Trek 1200, the Spec Allez and the Giant. The Trek felt "tinny" to me. The Giant was a great ride and I ended up buying the OCR2 at $850. Tiagra/105 components. Everything else on that bike is the same as the rest of the OCR line. The OCR1 was closer to $1000. I'm very happy with the OCR2. The difference for me as a recreational, non-racer between the components on the two models was likely not worth the extra dollars so I spent that on gloves, etc!

Sheldon

NoTorq

Excellent choice! I love mine more and more each time I ride it. Of course, there is 4 inches of snow on the ground now so it may be a few days before I can ride again. Bad snow, BAD!