Coyote2

We could list umpteen new carbon road bikes with better than 105 group. And most of them would be name brand bikes.

To the OP: This is a good time to be shopping. 2008 bikes that are still on shop floors will be discounted. If they're not marked down, just ask. An example is the Specialized Tarmac Expert -- sold for almost $3000 this past year, and any still remaining should be under $2500.

sced

Aren't Specialized's and Bottecchia's made in the same villiage north of Taipei? I have an aluminum Bottecchia with a "Made in Taiwan" sticker on it, but Columbus tubing and an Italian name - so it's really Italian, right? This whole brand thing confuses me.

mustang1

When you say 'value' do you mean the kind of components you get for your money or the quality of the frame? Money isn't everything but that's quite some price difference so I was wondering if this was something like a Daewoo is better value than a Honda.. ya know.. well yeah it is better... value... but... ya know. I'm just askin'.

SushiJoe

I give up. What's the answer?

desmo13

The new Look 566 is in your range, 2499... with '09 SRAM Rival

oilman_15106

Good choice.

neospazzy

I guess it all boils down to what people value more ... frameset vs. groupset. For me, the groupset makes all the difference. What good is a high-end, brand name carbon frame if shifting performance is not at its best? There is a reason why the Tarmac S-Work SL2 frame isn't mated with a Shimano 105 or Tiagra and sold that way. A high-end frame must perform and the gruppo installed on it will eventually have the last say in terms of overall shifting performance. That is why you only see DA or SRAM Red sold with those Tarmacs.

I have, and still have, the same Bottecchia that ZXiMan has (sans decals) with full Dura-Ace (yes, I did upgrade the crankset and brake calipers to match) along with the Pedal Force RS2 with full Campy Super Record 11 gruppo. Both bikes can be had for under $3500 each if you know where to look (with the Bottecchia being under $3000 easily since the new DA 7900 is driving the DA 7800 prices down). Both my bikes have over 2000 miles each and I think they perform great! Very stiff and the RS2 is crazy light as well. Only 15.5lbs WITH the Look Keo Carbon Ti pedals + water cages installed! My Dura-Ace 7800 Bottecchia is a 16.6lbs with pedals and cages. If I purchased a Tarmac S-Works SL2 with full Campy Super Record 11 from a Specialized dealer, I would have easily paid well over $8000 for the bike! The only difference would be the frame, fork, and possibly the stem and bars. I didn't count in the wheelset because I have the Fulcrum Racing Zeros (RS2) and the Ksyrium ES (Bottech) and the price difference between the comparable Specialized Roval wheels sold with the bikes are minimal at best. Overall, I personally don't think it is worth the $4000+ premium over my non-branded bikes with similar gruppos.

As I said, it all depends on what people value: frameset vs groupset. I wouldn't flame the non-branded frames if you never tried it. That does not mean I don't like the Specialized bikes because I rode the Tarmac S-Work SL2 with DA 7900 and loved it. I just didn't think it was worth the money when the only difference was the frameset.

threeflys

https://jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/r...enithcomp.html

https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=3040

Ames

Work the shops in your area as there will be some heavy discounts on 08 bikes in stock. This is close to https://lakelandtrek.com/itemdetails.cfm?LibId=37067 to what you want to spend as an example.

Shoalwater

OP here..........first of all, thanks a ton for the input, really appreciate it!!

I am zeroing in on the Roubaix Expert Compact! Interesting scenario, thought ya'll could provide some additional help. Looking at 2008s at 2,800. I have ridden both the 56 and 58, they both feel different than what I am used to, Mountain Bike with slicks, I think one feels better than the other, although I don't have the experience on a road bike.

So, one shop thinks 56 the other 58. I am 5"11 with a 33 inch inseam................based on height and inseam, what are your thoughts on the correct size?

Thanks!

Ames

Sounds like the 56 as I am 5' 11' and very average build and using several bike fit guides. Preformance and Colorado Cyclist have interactive fit guides on their web sites. You can also google "bicycle fit guides" and get as many as you can stand.

flatlander_48

From the Trek Bikes web site:

Madone 4.5

MSRP $2,469.99

Frameset Sizes 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62cm

Frame TCT Carbon

Fork Bontrager Race Lite, carbon w/E2 aluminum steerer

SpeedTrap compatible Wheels Wheels Bontrager Race Tires Bontrager Race Lite, 700x23c

Drivetrain Shifters Shimano 105 STI, 10 speed Front Derailleur Shimano 105 Rear Derailleur Shimano Ultegra Crank Shimano 105 50/34 or 50/39/30 Cassette Shimano 105 11-25 or 12-27 (triple), 10 speed Pedals n/a Components

Saddle Bontrager Race Seat Post Bontrager Carbon, Infinite Angle Adjustability

Handlebars Bontrager Race VR, 31.8mm Stem Bontrager Race Lite, 7 degree, 31.8mm

Headset Aheadset w/cartridge bearings, integrated, sealed, alloy Brakeset Alloy dual pivot w/Shimano 105 STI levers

The TCT Carbon frames are manufactured in Asia (Taiwan I believe). The OCLV Carbon frames are manufactured in Wisconsin (at least this was true in 2006).

markyore

If it was my decision I would seriously LOOK at the LOOK 566 (sorry for the pun) I dont own a look but drool over them. You can bet you will hav a pretty unique bike whereever you ride, a great bike at that and also I think 09 Rival is the best bang for your buck over any groupset. For me, no comparison to a Trek with 105 (and I'm a shimano fan!)

Sinn

I bought a '08 Ridley Damocles in a group buy from a local team with full dura ace for 2300. Of course, I got this deal only because I have a relationship with the LBS owner. You may want to be patient and see if anything like this could come your way first before you just roll into an LBS and buy a new bike.

Sinn

Just a word of advice: bike fit is EXTREMELY important. It can make a very nice bike ride like **** or make a not-so-nice bike a very nice ride. Whatever you do, make sure that the bike you get fits you, i.e., make sure that you are not too stretched out or squeezed for space when you reach for the hoods and drops, make sure that your saddle high is not too high or low. Now, even if you get the right sized bike, you will still need to dial it in to fit you well. But, even before you do that, make sure that your frame is not too big or small for you in the first place.

af2nr

Yep I got that bike for $1800 last week...

The LOOK 566 is also a nice bike as is the Roubaix.

thehammerdog

Trek, Giant, Cannondale, Scott...have fun